Category: Sacramento Kings

The Kings open the Golden 1 Center with win over Maccabi Haifa 135-96

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings played their first game in the new Golden 1 Center on Monday night hosting the Maccabi Haifa Greens of the Israeli Elite League in a preseason affair. Frankly, the outcome of the game really did not matter to thousands of fans who filed into the arena for game.

The long-suffering Kings fans are so happy to enter a building that is truly a dream come true they can hardly contain themselves. No one thought the Kings were going to have a new arena in Sacramento let alone a building in the downtown that is literally transforming a city center that has been a “ghost town” after 5:00 PM into a thriving night spot.

Beyond the pure excitement of the watching basketball in the new facility that insures the Kings will be in Sacramento for the next 30 years, there was a preseason basketball game played on Monday night. The game was very important to the coaching staff and the players. Especially to the young players and the players who are out on the edge fighting for a roster spot when the regular season begins on October 26th.

If you are a college basketball fan, this game was like an early season match up between a Division I team and Division II school to kick off the season. The Division I school wants some decent competition but it also wants to be able to test players deep on the bench. The Division II school is looking to play up to challenge themselves in order to make themselves better for the upcoming season.

The Kings wanted to look at some players that will not be able to get floor time once the regular season begins except when there is a blowout win or loss. Coach Joerger wants these players ready in case they are needed because of injury to players higher in the rotation or if new blood is needed to give the team a shot in the arm.

Maccabi Haifa begins their regular season next week in Israel. The Greens were looking to up their game as they get ready for their opponents in the Elite League.

Both teams accomplished their goals. The Kings crushed the Greens 135 – 96. Sacramento was expected to dominate the game. Maccabi Haifa is a professional team staffed with talented players. They just are not NBA level talent. Anything less than a dominate win would have been perceived as a loss for the Kings.

Kings head coach Dave Joerger said in his pregame press conference that he wanted his team to “play hard, play together and not get hurt.” That is exactly what they did against their opponents on Monday night.

Ben McLemore was the Kings leading scorer with 18 points in 24 minutes on the floor. Anthony Tolliver scored 14 in 16 minutes. Cousins put up 14 points in 17 minutes. Ty Lawson scored 14, Rudy Gay 11, Darren Collison 11 and Kosta Koufos nine in limited minutes of playing time.

Two of the Kings rookies saw significant playing time in the second half. Forward Skal Labissiere played 17 minutes and scored 10 points.He also had two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Guard Malachi Richardson put up nine points in 12 minutes of playing time. He grabbed three rebounds and had two assists.

Only two Kings players did not play on Monday night. Matt Barnes and Isaiah Cousins did not see any action.

After the game, Coach Joerger was happy with the way his team played and responded to their coaches. He also indicated that the entire team was excited to be in Sacramento and to have a chance to play in their new building.

The Kings will now get ready to go out on the road. They will play the Lakers on Thursday night in Las Vegas and then have a “home game” in Rupp Arena on the campus of the University of Kentucky on Saturday night against the Washington Wizards.

Sacramento Kings Thursday game wrap: Kings Fall 105-96

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By Tony Renteria

AP photo: The Sacramento Kings Anthony Tolliver shoots over the Golden State Warriors Draymond Green in Thursday’s pre season action at SAP Arena

SAN JOSE–In the Second preseason game for our Sacramento Kings  (0-1) they fell to defending west coast champions Golden State Warriors (1-1) 105-96.   The Kings were looking to flex their new defensive muscle under new head coach Dave Joreger but failed to do so in the second half.

The Kings gave up 28 points in the third and another 27 in the fourth quarter as the defense failed to keep pace with the offense.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points in under 27 minutes as the Warriors continued to show the NBA they are the team to beat this season.

The Kings were lead by All Star DeMarcus Cousins who match Durant’s scoring by minute as he dropped 20 points in under 22 minutes himself.

The Kings play host Monday to the Israeli National Team as they continue the eventful preseason.

 

 

Sacramento Kings-Los Angeles Lakers game wrap: Lakers second half free throws help sink Kings 103-84 in Anaheim

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By Jessica Kwong

AP photo: The Los Angeles Lakers Yi Jianlian puts the pressure on the Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins in the first half at the Honda Center on Tuesday night in NBA pre season action

 ANAHEIM – The Sacramento Kings started their first preseason game Tuesday night as the aggressors but come the second half, the young, Kobe-less Los Angeles Lakers ran through them and took a 103-84 win at Honda Center.

 Sacramento guarded well and lead throughout the first half, by as many as 13 points by halftime. The second half “was definitely a different half,” Kings head coach Dave Joerger said.

 The Kings extended their lead in the third quarter, taking a 19-point lead when forward Anthony Tolliver made a slam dunk, but the Lakers reduced their lead to 5 points at the end of the quarter.

 Not too long into the final quarter, the Lakers’ Tarik Black made a layup and was fouled to tie the game at 69 points. With the free throw, the home team took their first lead of the game. Shortly after, Black stole the ball and made another layup, giving the Lakers a 73-69 lead. The crowd exploded. The rest was history.

 Los Angeles shot 27 free throws in the second half.

 “What that speaks to is the level of aggressiveness. They were the aggressors and they were just more physical than we were and they just ran through us,” Joerger said. “They’re much improved.”

 Asked what positives he saw in the Kings’ offense in the first half, Joerger said, “I don’t know.”

 “It’s a game, it’s not about one half or the other half. Overall we got beat by (19). We put up 84 points,” the head coach said, “So not real impressive.”

 Guard Arron Afflalo, who scored the most points, 14, for the Kings, was a bit more optimistic about the preseason start, but admitted that Joerger had been pushing for good defense and that didn’t materialize.

 “I thought it was good. I mean, obviously we have some guys that need to learn to maintain the defensive intensity throughout four quarters,” Afflalo said. “I thought we moved the ball well as a team, I thought we played well together, so we’ll just continue to learn as a group.”

 Afflalo said the Kings have some “pretty good creatives” – Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins, Ty Lawson and Darren Collison – he thinks can play intensive defense. He added that his own focus this year is going to “be ready to shoot.”

 “We’re all competitors. We want to play some good (basketball),” Afflalo said. “We’ve got some pretty tough preseason games that we’ll try to take full advantage of.”

 The Kings play their second preseason game on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors at SAP Center. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: NBA suspends Kings Collison eight games accepts responsibility

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nbcsports.com photo: Sacramento Kings point guard Darren Collison addresses the media after the NBA announced his eight game suspension on Tuesday for domestic violence

The big news with the Sacramento Kings Darren Collison is we now know the amount of suspension time that Collison will receive from a domestic violence charge against him from earlier this year. The way it was hanging over the Kings head particularly Collison’s head he had accepted a guilty plea he knew he would be on three years of probation, he knew he would have a 20 day jail sentence that had an alternative sentencing plan.

Collison will perform community service so he would not have to serve anytime behind bars and the question was how tough will the NBA be and how many games will he not be able to play and the NBA said he would be suspended for the first eight games of the regular season. Which is an incredible generous gift from the NBA.

Charlie O does the Sacramento Kings podcasts for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week

 

 

 

Collison suspended for eight games by the NBA

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The NBA announced on Sunday that Kings point guard Darren Collison has been suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2016-17 season. The suspension comes as a result of a domestic violence incident with his wife that occurred in May of this year. Collison ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge related to the incident.

Collison entered a guilty plea to one count of misdemeanor domestic violence in Placer County. As part of that plea agreement Collison was placed on probation for three years and received a 20-day jail sentence. He is eligible for an alternative sentencing program and will not have to any time behind bars.

The NBA conducted its own independent investigation into the incident. The league also consulted with a group of experts in the area of domestic violence who advises the NBA when such incidents occur with players.

The NBA stated that based on the results of its investigation into situation and evaluating the conclusions that an eight-game suspension was an appropriate response to the circumstances. Collison’s acceptance of responsibility, cooperation with authorities and voluntary participation in counseling beyond his court mandated program played into its decision.

Collison’s suspension will begin with the Kings’ first regular season game versus the Phoenix Suns on October 26th. He will be eligible to play for the Kings on November 8th against the New Orleans Pelicans at home in Sacramento.

 

Don’t throw a pie in the face of Sac Mayor Kevin Johnson

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

On Wednesday night, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson was speaking at a charity dinner for his St. Hope Education Foundation when everything took an incredible twist of fate. A man ran at the mayor as he was speaking and hit Johnson in the face with pie.

Johnson reacted and took the assailant to the ground and at least one punch was thrown by the mayor and former NBA star before his security guard subdued the subject. Bystanders – attendees at the dinner – also assisted in taking down the suspect.

Johnson was not injured in the attack but was shaken and did have to change into a sweatshirt before continuing at the event.

The suspect – Sean Thompson – was taken to a local hospital for treatment according to a police statement. His booking photo shows what appears to be a cut on his left cheek that was treated with stitches.

Thompson told the Sacramento Bee that “Pie throwing was the least violent action I could take.” He also indicated that he would do it again if given the opportunity to do so.

Thompson also said during a telephone interview,”I don’t think that was an appropriate response to a pie to the face.”

Thompson who supposedly has been identified with the Occupy movement was looking to make a statement because he feels that Johnson has been too focused on downtown Sacramento and has not done enough to represent the rest of the people.

Crystal Strait, the mayor’s chief of staff, said, “Let me be clear, the mayor was assaulted.”

Pies in the face of politicians and celebrities has become a more popular form of protest around the world. It can also come with some negative consequences. Just ask Sean Thompson.

Thompson is being held in the Sacramento County Jail on a felony charge of assaulting a public official and misdemeanor charge of battery on school property. The incident took place on the campus of Sacramento High School.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, and Commentary: Suspect in pieing to be arraigned today of Sacramento Mayor Johnson

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sacmag.com file photo: Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson shown on left after working over pie thrower Sean Thompson, Thompson received nine stitches in the beat down from the mayor and has been charged for assault on  public official

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, and Commentary Amaury is joined by Jeremy Harness, Tony the Tiger, and Len Shapiro to discuss Mayor Kevin Johnson and his getting pied by Sean Thompson. The former Phoenix Sun and current mayor who played an instrumental part of fighting to keep the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento and also recently had his past come back to haunt him when a woman said Johnson had sexually assaulted her and some say this could have been the reason why Johnson was pied by Thomson.

Johnson after getting hit with the pie jumped up and hit Thompson several times and Johnson later was photo’d by Sacramento Police for his mug shot with a cut under his eye. Thompson is being charged with assault on a public official. Johnson tweeted later “appreciate everyone, I’m doing fine be safe everyone.”

plus on That’s Amaury’s podcast a look at the progress of Sacramento’s new arena where Sportstalk will be doing our next podcast on Thu Oct 6th. The Golden One Arena will be hosting it’s first event a Paul McCartney concert followed by the Sacramento Kings first NBA exhibition game on Saturday Oct 15th against the Washington Wizards.

Plus more sports headlines on Major League Baseball, the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors move from KNBR radio to 95.7FM The Game why lose power to a less powered station?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio talent and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sportstalk at Pier Market Podcast at Pier 39 San Francisco Thu Sep 22, 2016

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photo by piermarket.com: Outside seafood market front of Pier Market where you’ll be warmly welcomed by Shawn, Colleen and their staff each day for fresh seafood and chowder at Pier 39’s main level

Cast: Matt Harrington (host), Tony the Tiger Hayes, Amaury Pi Gonzalez, Jeremy Harness, Len Shapiro, and Lee Leonard (producer) podcasting from the beautiful Pier Market at Pier 39 in San Francisco our thanks to our hosts Stephen Barnes general manager, Bob Partrite CEO, Sandra Fletcher president, Jane O’Donnell group sales manager, Colleen Washburn dining room manager, Shawn restaurant manager, server Alex for their fine hospitality.

Pier Market is famous for it’s award winning clam chowder, mesquite grilled dishes and sustainable seafood. Pier Market features indoor and outdoor seating. We had a seat in Pier Market’s back room which during certain parts of the year you can enjoy the sealions and seals just out the window. It was a great vantage point and view to do our radio podcast. We all enjoyed some of Pier Market’s famous dishes, crab cioppino, grilled chicken and shrimp skewers, garlic whole crab, rack of bar b q ribs, and some of Pier Market’s fresh fish dishes.

On the talk show the cast covered all the latest in the National League wild card standings and the San Francisco Giants chances of getting a wild card spot, the Dodgers and how they won the west, the Oakland A’s have some talent that might make them interesting for next season like newly acquired pitchers Jharel Cotton and Raul Alcantaro. Plus discussions on the Cal Bears, Stanford Cardinal, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders.

 

Sources: PG Jordan Farmar signs with the Kings

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

According to reports that are being attributed to an anonymous source, the Sacramento Kings have signed veteran point guard Jordan Farmar to a one-year contract. David Pick who follows players from the USA who are playing in Europe was the first to report the signing. Farmar played in Turkey and in Israel before returning in the Spring for the end of the NBA season.

Farmar played the waning days of the 2015-16 season for Kings head coach Dave Joerger in Memphis. In 12 regular season games, he averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in 24 minutes of playing time per game. Farmar started four playoff games for the Grizzlies as well.

The Kings were looking to add depth at the point guard position because of the uncertainty that surrounds the status of Darren Collison. Collison who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery will face discipline and most likely time off from the NBA but that has yet to be announced. The Kings obviously believe the suspension will be long enough that a back-up to the recently signed Ty Lawson was needed.

Farmar is a nine-year NBA veteran who has played for the Lakers, Nets, Clippers and Grizzlies. He has averaged 7.7 points, 2.9 assists and 0.8 assists per game for his career. Farmar was a first-round draft selection (26th overall) in 2006. He played his college basketball at UCLA.

Farmar is known as a guard that can score and distribute the ball. Quickness has always been a hallmark of his game but at 29-years-old that quality may be a bit diminished. Farmar has very good leaping ability on defense.

Reports: Kings sign NBA veteran point guard Ty Lawson

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Adrian Wojnarowski’s “The Vertical” on Yahoo! Sports is  reporting that the Kings have have signed veteran free-agent guard Ty Lawson to a one-year contract. The source of the information is reportedly from within  the league.

Lawson met with the Kings on Sunday in Sacramento and was to go on to New Orleans to meet with the Pelicans officials this week. Apparently, the Kings made Lawson an offer and that made a trip to New Orleans unnecessary.

Ironically, Lawson played for former Kings coach George Karl in Denver and there were rumors that Karl wanted Lawson in Sacramento last season. Now, Karl is gone and Lawson is now a King.

Lawson joins a backcourt that has gone through a major makeover. Gone are Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Seth Curry. In are guards Arron Afflalo, Garrett Temple, Lamar Patterson and rookie Malachi Richardson. They will join returning guards Darren Collison and Ben McLemore.

Lawson split his time last season between Houston and Indiana. The Rockets gave up a first-round pick to Denver during the off-season to acquire the veteran guard. Lawson agreed to a buyout in March and signed with the Pacers to finish out the season.

Lawson averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 assists per game for Houston mostly coming off the bench. He has averaged 13.1 points and 6.2 assists per game for his career in the NBA.

The 28-year old Lawson played his college ball at the University of North Carolina and his high school basketball was played at the famed Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.