Tag: Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings turn it around for 121-106 win in Portland

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The Sacramento Kings and Portland Trailblazers played their second pre season game in Portland on Sun Dec 13, 2020 (live over lay photo from nba.com)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings embarked on their tune-up games on Friday night. Things did not go as planned. The Kings defense let them down big time in a loss to the Trail Blazers in Portland 127-102.

The Kings remained in Portland to rematch the Blazers on Sunday.

In the game, the Kings showed much more resilience on the defensive end of the floor. The Kings allowed the Trail Blazers to score 106 points while holding the Blazers to 22 points or less in two quarters.

The Kings didn’t allow a “meltdown quarter” like Friday night when they gave up 40 points in the first. On the offensive side of the ball, the Kings were able to score 121 points. For a 121-106 victory tally on Sunday. Richaun Holmes led the Kings in scoring by putting up 14 points. Buddy Hield led the game in assists with seven. That was an unusual sight for the Kings but something that undoubtedly helped win the game.

The Kings overall looked much better in the second game in Portland than the first. They are looking to get some sort of rhythm down before starting the regular season on December 23rd in Denver.

Keys to success for the Kings this year appear simple in my eyes. The Kings must play with pace and play good defense on the other end. The Kings have the players to knock down shots in the open court; they just need to get themselves the looks.

Next Up: The Kings will travel home to take on the NorCal rival Golden State Warriors at Golden One Center on Tuesday night. The game is set for 7 PM PST.

NBA is back Kings get clobbered by Blazers in Portland 127-102

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard (0) watch the play fold in front of them in Portland on Fri Dec 11, 2020 (nba.com photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The NBA is back! Most of the teams in the league came back into action for pre season play. The Sacramento Kings would be one of those teams. The Kings on a two game visit to Portland lost the first of the two on Friday night 127-102.

Kings fans come into this season trepidatious at best. The Kings had an off-season that could be described as turbulent. They fired their General Manager Vlade Divac, signed De’Aaron Fox to a max extension, lost Bogdan Bogdanovic to free agency, and tried to repair a shattered Buddy Hield relationship. All of this had taken place since the bubble in Orlando saw the Kings fly home.

The expectations for this year are tempered. The Kings didn’t do much to get better in the offseason. They are hoping that a young core including a healthy Marvin Bagley who can make a splash in a crowded conference.

The Kings took on the Portland Trail Blazers in their first matchup of the preseason. The results weren’t great. The Kings didn’t play well on defense. They allowed Blazers to score 127 points. Carmelo Anthony led the way in scoring for the Blazers with 21 points while recently departed King Harry Giles led the way in rebounds with 14.

For the Kings, who managed to put up only 102 points received 23 of those from Buddy Hield. Nemanja Bjelica led the way with seven rebounds for the Kings. The Kings allowed the Blazers to score 41 points in the first quarter to dig themselves an early hole. The Kings look to have a better performance in their next game on Sunday night.

Next up: The Kings will take on the same Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at 6PM PST.

 

 

Sacramento Kings had a big draft night

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Photo credit: cbssports.com

By Ana Kieu

The NBA Draft started on Wednesday night, and the Sacramento Kings had a big night. The Kings had their first and second round draft picks as well as the 35th pick and the 52nd pick, thanks to a three-team trade between the Kings, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers by the 2019 trade deadline,

With the 12th pick, Sacramento selected Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton is a point guard who played at Iowa State University from 2018 to 2020. He was most recently named to the Second Team All-Big 12.

Haliburton told ESPN: “I’m in the perfect spot.”

ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks shared his praise for the Kings’ 12th pick. Marks said: “In my 25 years working in the NBA, [Haliburton’s] the best interview I’ve ever gone through.”

The Kings traded their 35th pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for the 40th pick and a future second round pick.

With the 40th pick, Sacramento selected Robert Woodard II. Woodard is a guard and forward who played at Mississippi State University from 2018 to 2020.

With the 43rd pick, Sacramento selected Jahmi’us Ramsey. Ramsey is a guard who played at Texas Tech University from 2019 to 2020.

Nobody is sure that the Kings will get out of dysfunction this coming season, but these three picks are promising. Also, Sacramento has to consider changing their team’s culture.

Sacramento Kings report: Reynolds retired, Jones hired

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Photo credit: sacbee.com

By: Ana Kieu

After 35 years, Jerry Reynolds called it a career and subsequently retired from the Sacramento Kings. The 76-year-old executive and head coach came a long way from his humble beginnings in French Lick, Indiana, the same hometown as NBA legend Larry Bird.

Reynolds told KCRA: “It’s a dream I never would have thought it could have happened to someone from French Lick, Indiana.”

Aside from head coach, Reynolds also served as an interim head coach, assistant head coach, general manager, and director of player personnel.

“The 96 playoffs with Mitch Richmond and that bunch of Kings,” Reynolds told KCRA. “I was director of player personnel at that time. That crowd was the best and most enthusiastic ever, anywhere on Earth.”

Reynolds described his job as the Kings’ color commentator as the most fun job he has had in the past. He survived four ownership groups, five general managers, and 17 head coaches in his 35-year tenure. He added that it has been a blast and he wouldn’t change a thing.

In other news, Sacramento named Mark Jones as the team’s new television play-by-play announcer.

Jones will bring over 30 years of experience to Sacramento. He has been recognized for his nationally televised work on ABC and ESPN. He’ll work alongside the Kings’ color analyst Doug Christie on NBC Sports California.

Previously, Grant Napear served as the Kings’ play-by-play announcer from 1988 to 2020. Napear resigned from the Kings in June following his comments on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins asked Napear: “What’s your take on BLM?” Napear responded: “Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”

The tweet exchange sparked backlash from players and fans alike. It was tweeted in the midst of nationwide protests of the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who was killed by a police officer who kneeled on his neck. Floyd was a longtime friend of former NBA player Stephen Jackson.

Napear’s comments didn’t reflect the Kings’ views and values.

Sacramento Kings report: Kings hire McNair from Houston as Head of basketball Operations

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Sacramento Kings logo on player’s trunks and the team’s new basketball home for the Kings most recent hire of Head of Basketball Operations Monte McNair (CBS TV file photo)

By Charlie O

SACRAMENTO–After the Sacramento Kings had fired long time general manager Vlade Divac and assistant general manager Peja Stojakovic who resigned after Divac’s firing. The search is over as the Kings hired Monte McNair who was an assistant general manager for the Houston Rockets and now joins the Kings as head of basketball operations.

McNair was in the running for the Kings job with Minnesota Timberwolves executive vice president of operations Sachin Gupta and former Atlanta Hawks general manager Wes Wilco. What made McNair the pick was the assembly of players that McNair had in Houston, how he drafted and how the Rockets were a consistent success in reaching the post season.

McNair and the Rockets have developed the three point success in their high caliber weight of high percentage in the three point shot which was the Rockets bread and butter that help not only drive the Rockets to win during the regular season but also launched them to be a consistent presence in the NBA playoffs.

McNair had a roster full of players who may not have got to the NBA Finals per say but were talented enough to push the team to go get in two or three rounds of the playoffs almost yearly. McNair joined the Rockets as senior analyst in 2007 and was hired by the Rockets general manager Daryl Morey who is still with the Rockets.

After six years as the Rockets senior analyst in 2013 McNair was promoted to Director of Basketball Operations. In 2015 McNair was promoted to vice president of basketball operations, and in 2018 McNair was promoted to assistant general manger of the Rockets before departing on Wednesday to join the Kings as their head of Basketball Operations.

Charlie O covers Sacramento Kings basketball and is a contributor to http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: How Dumars will do as Kings new general manager

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Sacramento Kings general manager Joe Dumars replaces outgoing GM Vlade Divac the 2020-21 season will be Dumars first year as the Kings GM (AP file photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Former Detroit Piston Joe Dumars is back in an elevated role this time as the Sacramento Kings new interim general manager as Dumars will be replacing Vlade Divac at the helm. Do you see the change made because Divac just couldn’t get the team to pull the trigger and get into the playoffs for instance like what happened this month going 3-5?

#2 Dumars was a special assistant to Divac last season and worked in the Pistons front office from 2000-2014 does his experience give him the knowledge to do something that Divac struggled with and get the Kings to the post season?

#3 Was this a matter of the Kings looking at Divac and saying Divac had assembled these teams since the Vivek Ranadive ownership and despite five coaching changes the Kings just couldn’t sniff post season?

#4 Ranadive said after making the change on Friday, “Joe has become a trusted and valued advisor since joining the team last year, and I am grateful to have him take on this role at an important time for the franchise.”

#5 After losing five of six games and going 3-5 after the regular season re-start did that influence Ranadive to make the change in general managers?

Jeremiah Salmonson podcasts the NBA and the Sacramento Kings Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Take A Feel Good Win Home To Sacramento; Defeat Lakers 136-122

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Sacramento Kings’ DaQuan Jeffries, left, defends against Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
By Barbara Mason
 
It’s finally come to an end for the Sacramento Kings.  It came in a Thursday morning basketball game to complete the NBA regular season.  It will be on to the playoffs for one and back home to Sacramento for the other.  The Lakers have wrapped up the number one seed in the West.  We will not be seeing De’Aaron Fox who missed Sacramento’s last game and there will most likely be limited time for LeBron James as well.  Regardless of what is or is not at stake, a win for the Kings would be a nice finish to their season.
 
The first quarter was a high scoring affair.  The Lakers led by ten points 40-30.  The Lakers called on their bench early with Howard, Cook, Smith and Waiters putting in some early minutes.  Their accumulative points were 16.  The Kings bench saw a lot of action as well with six players taking the floor.  Bodanovic had 12 points and Bjelica had 9 in that first quarter.
 
The second quarter saw much more aggressive play by the Kings and a few minutes into the second quarter the Kings trailed the Lakers by a single point.  In a little over 4 minutes Sacramento had scored almost 20 points and with 5:57 left in the half the score was tied at 50.  With four minutes left in the half  Markieff Morris entered the game for James.  The Kings led at the half 66-56 outscoring the Lakers 36-16 in the second quarter.  The Kings Buddy Hield came off the bench for 15 minutes in the first half and scored 17 points.  The Kings bench scored 34 points.  The starters played significant minutes and had 32 points.
 
The Kings continued to keep the Lakers in check outscoring them in the third quarter 41-28.  James played only 15 minutes in the game.  The Kings top scoring efforts came from Buddy Hield with 28 points and Bogdanovic with 27.  Harrison Barnes had a disappointing 3 points for the 25 minutes he was on the floor.  The final was 136-122 in favor of Sacramento. The Lakers did outscore the Kings in the fourth quarter 38-29 but it wasn’t enough to get past the Kings.
 
It was a tough run in Florida for the Sacramento Kings but this final game will make the flight home just a little easier.  There were some great performances in this game and it would have been nice to see that kind of basketball to start the season. (the shortened season that is) It also would have been nice to have Fox on the floor but the Kings are not the only team that is missing key personnel.   
 
So now the Kings and the entire league will enter the unknown as they look ahead to the 2020-2021 season.  Right now no one has a crystal ball that can predict what that is going to look like. We will just enjoy the playoffs and then cross the next bridge when we come to it.  

 

Kings Win!! After losing five of last six Sac back in win column defeat Pelicans 112-106

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Sacramento Kings’ Nemanja Bjelica, right, handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

he Sacramento Kings were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday afternoon. That did not stop the Kings from putting on a solid performance on Tuesday night picking up their second win since the re-start of the regular season 112-106 over the New Orleans Pelicans .

Speaking practically, the Kings game on Tuesday night was a meaningless contest. The Kings and their opponent the New Orleans Pelicans had already been eliminated from playoff contention. So, Tuesdays game was more or less an opportunity for second unit players to thrive.

Kings players did just that. The Kings outscored the Pelicans in the second and third quarters to carry themselves to a win in the NBA bubble. Harry Giles was a notable performance for the Kings on Tuesday night. Harry, who had played sporadically throughout the year put together a solid performance. Harry had 12 points to go with 11 rebounds. Harrison Barnes was able to score 25 points to go with eight rebounds to lead the Kings to their second win in the bubble. Jabari Parker also scored 12 points in 14 minutes of action.

The Kings have one final game before they head home for the delayed offseason. The Kings will take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday morning at 10:45 AM PST.

 

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings playing out the string face Pelicans tonight

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Houston Rockets’ Austin Rivers (25) passes over Sacramento Kings’ DaQuan Jeffries (19) and Harry Giles III (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

On Headline Sports with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara another tough loss for the Sacramento Kings on Sunday this time to the Houston Rockets and they couldn’t hold the lead past the first quarter of play.

#2 The first thing that Kings head coach Luke Walton has to think of when in front of the bench is how he has to shut down the Rockets James Harden not an easy task seeing the Kings came into ESPN World Wide of Sports Arena having lost four of their last five games.

#3 Harden after that weak first quarter lit it up and left that first quarter as just a memory driving to the basket and taking some outside shots that got him 32 points for the game.

#4 The Rockets Austin Rivers had 41 points leading the Rockets and when you get Rivers and Harden with the hot hands the Kings would virtually need their entire line up to contribute on offense to catch up.

#5 The Kings will face their only team they defeated since the re-start of the regular season and that’s Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on tonight can the Kings do it?

Barbara Mason does Headline Sports each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings can’t hold lead past first quarter lose to Rockets 129-112

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Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) shoots over Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

It was a bleak outlook coming into Sunday’s game against the Rockets. The Kings fate was no longer in their hands. With a Portland Trailblazers win the Kings would be officially eliminated from my playoff contention. That is just what happened on Sunday night. Midway through the game the Portland Trailblazers won their game and eliminated the Kings hope for a playoff spot.

The game itself was what seemed to be a typical Kings game these days. The Kings got off to a great start out scoring the Rockets 36-23 in the first quarter. The Kings did a good job taking advantage of the Rockets defensive weaknesses to build a lead. However, the game went downhill after that. The Kings were our scored 38-20 in the second to start a string of bad minutes for the Kings. The rest of the way the Kings weren’t able to do much offensively and lost the game 129-112

With the Kings officially eliminated they can turn their focus to next season and hope to give Kings fans something to cheer about.

Up next: The Kings take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night at 6 PM PST.