Tag: Sacramento Kings

Ty Lawson misses the plane and now may miss a roster spot

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Kings guard Ty Lawson did not play in the game on Saturday night in Kentucky against the Washington Wizards. His reason for not playing was listed as “personal reasons” not “coach’s decision”.

It turns out that the personal reason was Lawson had missed the plane in Las Vegas and he never made it to Lexington. This came on the heels of him being late to practice on Thursday. This story was first reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.

Trouble has followed Lawson in recent times. He has been arrested four times for driving under the influence including two arrests in 2015. Lawson did not last the full season with the Houston Rockets who released him in March. Rumor had him headed to Sacramento then but Lawson ultimately finished the season with the Indiana Pacers.

Lawson’s past is what made him available when the Kings went looking for help while Darren Collison served his suspension for the domestic assault incident. At the time Sacramento signed Lawson, they did not know how many games they would be without Collison which they now know is eight games. Many people felt Collison was facing a suspension of 25-plus games.

Lawson was signed to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract in hopes that Lawson would put his past behind him and return to being the player he was in Denver when he was star for the Nuggets. Kings head coach Dave Joerger has been full of praise for Lawson especially for his speed going north to south on the floor.

The Kings will meet with Lawson and decide what his future will be with the team. The team did sign veteran point guard Jordan Farmar as a potential fill in for Collison. Farmar played for Joerger in Memphis last season. The Kings also have rookie Isaiah Cousins who they drafted in the second-round and has a partially guaranteed contract.

The Kings will probably keep one veteran point guard to run the second unit and if they are happy with Cousins, keep him on the roster and shuttle him between Sacramento and the D-League team in Reno. Who plays and who is not present at the final preseason game on Tuesday night versus the Los Angeles Clippers may answer some of the questions that now exist because of Lawson’s situation.

Kings beat the Wizards 124-119 to wrap up “Big Blue Madness Weekend”

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Photo credit: Charles Bertram Lexington Herald – Leader

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards met in a NBA preseason game to wrap up the “Big Blue Madness Weekend” which kicks off the NCAA basketball season for the Kentucky Wildcats. The game featured four former Wildcats – DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere and the Wizards’ John Wall.

The Kings won the game 124-119 for those who care and there were many people in Kentucky who did not seem to care. The Rupp Arena where the game was played has a seating capacity of 23,000 for basketball. Basketball fans in the Lexington area have to drive three hours (192 miles) west to Indianapolis to see a NBA game, so you would think a game in their own backyard would be a big draw. You would be wrong. Just 8,472 people showed up to see a game that featured four former Wildcat professional players.

The score will tell you that the game was not one that featured much in the way of defense. In fact, the final score has more in common with the 2015-16 Kings than it does with the new edition under the guidance of Dave Joerger.

The Kings were led in scoring by DeMarcus Cousins and Darren Collison who put up 22 points each. Before getting too excited, do not forget that Collison will not be with the Kings for the first eight games of the season while he serves his NBA mandated suspension.

Omri Casspi scored 16 points in 22 minutes on the floor while Willie Cauley-Stein put up 12 points, grabbed five rebounds, had four steals and added one block shot in his 22 minutes of playing time. Lamar Patterson scored 14 points in 12 minutes of playing time coming off the bench.

Ben McLemore got the start at shooting guard in the game and played a team-high 29 minutes but had a tough game. He scored just eight points- five in the first half which came with less than two minutes to play and three points in the second half. McLemore shot just 2-for-6 from the floor and was 0-for-1 from beyond the 3-point line. He was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Joerger is giving McLemore the playing time but young guard does not seem to be giving the needed production back in return.

Sacramento shot an impressive 60.0-percent (42-for-70) from the floor and were an outstanding 9-for-19 (47.4-percent) from 3-point land. The Kings went 31-for-38 (81.6-percent) from the charity stripe. They had 26 assists but turned the ball over 27 times. The Kings out-rebounded the Wizards 40-32.

The Wizards shot 48.5-percent (47-for-97) from the field and went 8-for-31 (25.8-percent) from beyond the 3-point line. Andrew Nicholson was their leading scorer with 19 points. John Wall – who is recovering from knee surgery – played 22 minutes and scored 11 points.

Kings head coach Dave Joerger started all three of his former Kentucky players – Cousins, Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere. Labissiere went scoreless in 16 minutes on the floor but did haul in four rebounds, block two shots and got two steals.

The Kings Rudy Gay, Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Isaiah Cousins and Matt Barnes were held out of the game by head coach Dave Joerger for rest and to give others playing time.

The Kings are now 3-2 in the preseason and will play their final warm up contest on Tuesday night in Sacramento against the Los Angeles Clippers. The first game of regular season will be played on Wednesday, October 26 in Phoenix.

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

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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.

Golden State Warriors Thursday game wrap: The Warriors down the Kings 105-96

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors raises his hands in delight as head coach Steve Kerr (right) is thrilled with the Warriors play against the Sacramento Kings on at SAP Center on Thursday night

SAN JOSE–The Golden State Warriors overcame a five-point halftime deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 105-96 at the SAP Center Thursday night. The Dubs played their third pre-season game and had to work to defeat the Kings. Kings’ center DeMarcus Cousins led the Sacramento attack with twenty points, and Dubs’ center Zaza Pachulia had his hands full trying to contain the big man. Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr continued to play his regulars for about twenty-five minutes as they try to get Kevin Durant to adapt to the motion game that the Warriors feature.

Durant played twenty-six minutes and scored twenty-five points. Steph Curry also played 26 minutes, and he added thirteen to the Dubs’ attack. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green played 25 minutes, and Klay tallied eleven. Patrick McCaw and Ian Clark performed well coming off the bench. McCaw scored 8 and Clark poured in 16.

The stats were very even for the teams. The Kings shot 42.2% from the floor while the Dubs came in at 44.3%. The Kings shot 46.2% from three-point range, and the Warriors came in at 42.9%. Sacramento committed 22 turnovers contrasted the Dubs 24.  Golden State had the edge in fast-break points 33-14 while the Kings had a 32-22  edge in the points in the paint category.

The Warriors play the next three pre-season games on the road. They meet the Denver Nuggets on October 14th in Denver. They play the LA Lakers on Saturday the 15th and then again on the 19th.

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.

Sources: Kings Rudy Gay will opt out in 2017 and not return to Sacramento

Published on by Charlie O. Mallonee1 Comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical is reporting that Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay has told the front office he will opt out of the last year of his three-year contract and not return to the Kings in 2017. There are probably two major reasons for Gay letting this be known now before the start of the season.

First, Gay was upset during the off-season because of a lack of communication from the Kings about the direction of the team and about the rumors he was on the trading block. There has been a new rumor floating in the NBA social media-sphere about a possible Rudy Gay trade almost weekly since just before the NBA Draft.

When Gay went public about his frustration about the lack of communication from the Kings, Vlade Divac – vice president of basketball operations and general manger for Sacramento – said, “He knows my number.” Not exactly what you would call a warm and caring response to the concerns of one your starting five players.

Second, Rudy Gay at $14.3-million in 2017 is a bargain basement contract. With the large salary cap increase in 2016 and another major increase expected in 2017, an experienced player with Gay’s skills can expect to earn well above $14.3-million per year. At age 30, Gay can probably sign a three-year deal with a one-year team option given his age but with a healthy raise included in that contract.

The fact is that any trade for Gay will need to happen before the start of the season. With an opt-out clause, any team that would trade for Gay would want to get full value out of him knowing he may be a one and done player. however given the right situation, a trade could lead to a long-term relationship for Gay and a new team.

The problem is executing a trade for Gay is that Sacramento wants a “Kings” ransom for the small forward. Teams are interested in obtaining Gay’s services but the Kings are asking too much in return for a trade to happen.

The question becomes do you want to go into the season with a key player that is disenchanted and wants out of town? How does that help you rebuild your team and get to the playoffs? The fact is it does not get you to where you want to go. If the Kings are not committed to Rudy Gay, then they need to make the best deal for him they can make. The last thing Sacramento needs is an unhappy starter that they need to depend on for production in order to become a winning team.

 

Sources: PG Jordan Farmar signs with the Kings

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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.

Kings to open the 2016-17 NBA season with away-home back-to-back games

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The NBA regular season schedule was released today and the Sacramento Kings will open the 2016-17 campaign on the road in Phoenix on Wednesday October 28. The game will be a 7:00 PM tip-off  local time.

The Kings first NBA regular season game in the new Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento will be on the next night – Thursday October 29 – when they will host the San Antonio Spurs. The tip-off in Sacramento will be at 7:30 PM.

The game times for most of the weeknight games have been pushed back to 7:30 PM to allow the downtown district to clear out from the business day to make parking easier for fans attending the game. The later starts will also allow fans to enjoy early dinners before the game and still be in their seats for tip-off. Game times at home will vary on the weekends.

The Kings will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday October 29 at 7:30 PM at the Golden 1 Center in a game that will be televised nationally on NBA TV.

The Golden State Warriors will not visit Sacramento until Sunday January 8, 2017. The Warriors will make a return visit on Saturday February 4.

The Los Angeles Lakers will make their two trips to the Capital City before the New Year. The Lakers will play at the Golden 1 Center on Thursday November 10 and Monday December 12.

The World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers will make their one and only appearance in Sacramento on Friday January 13.

Kings games will be televised nationally five times from the Golden 1 Center during the season. TNT will broadcast the November 10 game versus the Lakers. ESPN will show the nation the Clippers – Kings game on November 18 from Sacramento. NBA TV will show three games nationally from the Kings new arena.

The Kings play four games in October (2 home; 2 away), 15 games in November (7 home; 8 away), 15 games in December (5 home; 10 away), 15 games in January (7 home; 8 away), 11 games in February (2 home; 9 away), 16 games in March (8 home; 8 away) and six games in April (3 home; 3 away).

The Kings longest homestand runs January 4 thru 18 with seven games to played at the Golden 1 Center. The team’s longest road trip has seven games between January 20 and January 31 on the road.

The Kings have 18 sets of back-to-back games for the season. Two sets are back-to-back games at home. Eight of the sets are away-away games. Three are away-home games and five sets are home-away games.

The Kings have never won a game when they have opened an arena in Sacramento. They lost the opener in Arco Arena I on October 25, 1985 to the Clippers 108-104. The Kings lost the first game in Arco Arena II to the Seattle SuperSonics 97-75 on November 8, 1988.