Tag: Sacramento Kings

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: How bad is the damage after looting in downtown Sac?; Was Napear tone deaf in his tweet to Cousins; plus more

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A Rite Aid store on K Street in downtown Sacramento was damaged over the weekend (abc10.com photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 We wanted to open with asking you about the recent riots in downtown Sacramento feeling are very fragile over the loss of George Floyd that said peaceful protesters have made it clear that the violent attacks in downtown were disgraceful and it was not what the recent protests were truly about.

#2 Former Sacramento Kings play by play announcer Grant Napear who resigned this past week sent out a tweet to former King DeMarcus Cousin saying “All lives matter” in response to Cousins question “what do you think of Black Lives Matter” former King Matt Barnes tweeted that Napear was a “closet racist” was it a matter of Napear being tone deaf or was he being racist in his tweet to Cousins?

#3 With the NBA inviting 22 teams to Orlando to most likely play some tournament style scheduled basketball with eight regular games to determine the eighth seed. There will be 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams.

#4 The NBA regular and playoff campaigns get off the ground on July 12th and finish with the NBA Finals October 12th isn’t this schedule an overlap into when the NBA starts it’s pre season schedule traditionally in October?

#5 The New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson will be summoned to the 11th District Circuit Court of Florida by Judge David Miller. The discovery case will require Williamson to answer whether or not his family received benefits from Duke University where he played in college. This is the second of two lawsuits against Williamson who is also being subpoenaed after he signed a deal with Ford. Attorneys for Williamson said that Ford and Prime Sports Marketing and their deal with Williamson wasn’t valid because Ford wasn’t a registered agent in North Carolina and the contract didn’t include protecting amateur athletes from unscrupulous agents.

Tony is down for Headline Sports podcasts every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Napear resigns as Kings play by play announcer over Black Lives Matter remarks

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NBC Sports California Grant Napear, right, shown with Doug Christie, has been placed on administrative leave by radio station KHTK 1140 Sacramento (photo from mercurynews.com)

Charlie O on Headline Sports:

#1 Charlie O your a full time beat reporter for print and radio covering the Sacramento Kings how surprised were you that 1140 KHTK talk show host Grant Napear tweeted to former Sacramento King DeMarcus Cousins “All lives matter” that has been interpreted as a racist retort said by racist people regarding #BLM.

#2  Napear under heavy criticism from the players and public at large resigned did this come as any surprise?

#3 Former Sacramento King Matt Barnes tweeted that Napear is a closet racist. Cousins asked the question to Napear what he thought about Black Lives Matter and it seemed like Cousins wasn’t surprised about Napear’s answer?

#4 Some of the reporters knew Napear can be standoffish, wouldn’t engage in too many conversations with those covering Kings basketball can you confirm these descriptions from various reporters.

#5 Do you think the fans at large had any inkling about Napear and what Barnes meant when he said Napear was a closet racist?

Charlie O covers Sacramento Kings basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Former Sac Bee Kings beat writer Marty McNeal dead at 64; MLB 67 page proposal to players

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Marty McNeal, sports reporter for the Sacramento Bee, squeezes between two other journalists to interview Shaquille O’Neal at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. Hector Amezcua Sacramento Bee photo file 

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred and MLB presented MLB Players Association representative with a 67 page operations manual to Player Representative Tony Clark which included health and safety issues there was nothing about the 50-50 sharing revenue issues.

#2 We’ll go over some of the proposed safety rules, no spitting, no sitting next to each other in the dugout or in the bull pens it may sound simple but in the Show that’s some old habits that’s tough to break.

#3 One of the key things to get the players interest is the 50-50 gate revenue split as Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell said “I want my money” the other thing he said “I risk my life” can MLB get a deal done with such stringent policies from the Commissioners office?

#4 Our former colleague former Sacramento Bee beat writer for the Sacramento Kings Marty McNeal passed away from Leukemia at age 64 on Thursday. He was surrounded at a Dallas Hospital by family. Marty as we knew very well in covering Kings games for 13 years was a friendly and knowledgeable writer he was very funny and he was just great with the TV-radio reporters. He will really be missed.

#5 There were so many stories about Marty a favorite as told by the Sacramento Bee in Thursday’s edition that Marty was involved with not only covering the team but almost was like an assistant coach former King Mike Bibby was having a bad night as the reporters were seated at courtside. As Bibby was walking off the court Marty would say to him “What the hell is wrong with you” Bibby and Marty would end up talking.

Charlie O is a Sacramento Kings beat writer and podcasts every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Kings will return to practice facility on Monday with strict guidelines

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The Sacramento Kings D’Aaron Fox will he be one of the four players who will attend the practice session for the Kings on Monday at the practice facility? (forbes.com file photo)

On Headlines pod with Charlie O:

#1 Sacramento’s ABC 10 reports that the Sacramento Kings are opening up their practice facility on Monday but under stringent orders from the Sacramento Public Health Order. Lots of temperature taking, social distancing and no fans in the building.

#2 With the Kings opening up their practice facility to players on a voluntary basis does this open a light at the end of the tunnel and that the Kings and NBA Basketball could very well be back very soon?

#3 This will be the first time since March 11th when the Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert tested positive for Covid-19 triggering a shutdown for the Kings and the NBA to get the green light to start practicing again.

#4 The NBA set very strict guidelines for the practice, no coaches whatsoever watching or participating in the practice, only four players can be at the facility at the same time, players can not shoot at the same basket, and everyone must wear a mask.

#5 There are a awful lot of precautions for this practice drill but looking past all of that what are some of the things the Kings hope to gain from the players showing up for drills and what benefits will there be?

Charlie O is a Sacramento Kings beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Pelicans-Kings match postponed due to Coronavirus pandemic

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photo from lonzowire.com: Golden One Center was the site of the New Orleans Pelicans rushing to get out of the building like it was on fire after finding out that NBA official Courtney Kirkland had contact with Coronavirus positive player from the Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert which forced the cancellation of the game

By Jeremiah Salmonson (SRS Staff writer)

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were slated to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night on ESPN. However, the game was scrapped due to Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz testing positive for the virus formally know as COVID-19.

NBA referee Courtney Kirkland was the main reason for the cancellation in Sacramento because she also worked a game with the Jazz earlier this week. Due to her possible exposure the NBA called off the match up out of an abundance of caution.

No one knows when the NBA may resume the season if at all this year. It will greatly depends on how the virus continues to spread throughout the NBA and the communities of its teams.

For the foreseeable future, we will not have NBA action.

Sports Radio Service will keep you up to date on all the developments.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings try to regroup face Zion and the Pelicans Wednesday

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New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (1) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves’ James Johnson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Minneapolis. (ap photo)

On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Toronto Raptors (45-18) on Sunday a big win for them defeating the Sacramento Kings (28-36) 118-113 at Golden One Center.

#2 The Raptors Norman Powell and Ken Lowry led the way with 31 and 30 points respectivley the Kings had a tough time keeping them at bay all night.

#3 The Kings lost by just five points so they kept it interesting with De’Aaron Fox leading with 28 points.

#4 When the Raptors came in Kings head coach Luke Walton knew that this was not going to be any routine game to try and win.

#5 The New Orleans Pelicans come to Golden One on Wednesday night Zion Williamson will be the one to watch he’s been having a career season so far.

Join Charlie on the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Kings fall to Sixers 125-108; Kings have lost two of last five games

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By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings have been playing great since the All-Star break. The Kings are only 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Kings looked to continue that success at home against a banged up Philadelphia 76ers team. Tip-off was set for 7PM PST at Golden 1 Center.

In the first half, the Kings really struggled to find their shot. The Kings spent most of the first half down double digits as the 76ers made the majority of their three point shots. For a traditionally poor three point shooting team, the 76ers managed to shoot 47.4% (9-19) from downtown in the first half. In contrast, the Kings only managed a 25% (2-8) clip from deep.

That discrepancy alone was enough to put the Kings behind the eight ball going into the second half down 53-63. Leading the way for the 76ers was Tobias Harris who had 19 first half points. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings in the first half with 13 points.

In the second half, the Kings continued to struggle. The 76ers outscored the Kings 33-27 in the third while the Kings couldn’t get stops. The Kings went on a few runs but ultimately couldn’t make up any ground. The Kings would start the 4th down double digits at 96-80.

In the fourth, it was more of the same for most of the quarter. The Sixers were hitting shots while the Kings weren’t and not getting stops. The Kings went on a 16-2 run in the middle of the quarter to get within six points but in the end it wouldn’t matter.

The Kings would fall to the Philadelphia 76ers by a final 125-108. It was a disappointing game for the Kings who had been playing so well of late. They would look to Saturday in Portland to get back on track.

The leading scorer for the 76ers was Tobias Harris who had 28 points. For the Kings, De’Aaron Fox led the way with 23 points and Buddy Hield was right behind with 22 points in the game.

Up Next: The Kings head to Portland to take on the Trailblazers on Saturday night.

Headline Sports with London Marq: Fox amongst top scorers in Sacramento; Warriors Curry back from injury; plus more

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yahoo.com file photo: Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox

Headline Sports with London Marq:

#1 The Sacramento Kings have won five of their last six games and they’ve been getting help from some of their top scorers De’Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Buddy Hield.

#2 The Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry has recovered from the broken hand and played last night against the Toronto Raptors. It’s been a long time waiting but Curry whose been on a 58 game absence is really looked forward to getting back in the line up.

#3 The Oakland A’s pitcher Jesus Lazardo has been picked as No.4 for ESPN’s Top 100 prospects this season. Lazardo pitched in six games for the A’s last season and had an ERA of 1.50

#4 The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants continues in Wednesday’s game the Dodgers Justin Turner was hit by a Giants pitch in the knuckles and Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw threw and hit Giants catcher Rob Brantly and after the inning as third base coach Ron Wotus was running off the field he said something to Kershaw and Kershaw started yelling towards Wotus until the umpire had stepped in front of Kershaw

#5 The San Jose Earthquakes got a crucial tie last Saturday against Toronto FC to open the season when the Quakes Chivas de Guadalajara got a free kick that sailed into the upper left hand corner that got the Quakes the draw 2-2

Join London for all the Headlines each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Disaster Avoided: Kings survive awful, third quarter, beat Wizards, 133-126

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Maintaining relevance as the NBA’s 17th best team with a record seven games below .500 with just 20 games left in a 82-game season isn’t easily attained, especially for the forgotten Kings, who haven’t been on the postseason landscape since 2006.

But the Kings’ stretch of 12 wins in 17 games has turned heads, not to mention stolen attention from Zion Williamson and the Pelicans, who are fashioning themselves as the NBA’s most intriguing, non-playoff team. So how do the Kings keep the buzz down the stretch?

Don’t take games–or quarters within games– off. Beating the Wizards on Tuesday pointed to what a disciplined feat that would be.

“Offensively we had ball movement, body movement, we played unselfishly. We came too soft in the third quarter, we lost the momentum, but we also have to be proud of the guys … to fight back, get momentum back and find a way to win,” said assistant coach Igor Kokoskov, who assumed head coaching duties when Luke Walton was ejected for the first time as Sacramento’s coach.

The Kings hovered above the clouds in a 76-point, first half that had the Wizards reeling. Then the Kings’ momentum and 27-point lead evaporates as Bradley Beal and the Wiz caught fire. Walton was dispatched after growing irate over a missed foul call on Cory Joseph. And the fourth quarter commenced with the Kings in need of an immediate response.

“We did a pretty good job of closing the game,” said De’Aaron Fox, who paced Sacramento with 31 points. “The third quarter was just bad for us all around. The other three quarters I think we played pretty well.”

In the good stretches, the Kings shared the ball, and attacked the basket as Kokosov noted. Seven Kings finished in double figures in scoring, and the team shot 56 percent from the floor. But NBA games are relentlessly competitive, and Washington–in keeping with their own playoff aspirations–made a run.

“In the second half, the coach lit a fire up under us and we came out to be the team we should have been the whole game,” said Beal, who scored 35 points, the 19th consecutive game he’s scored at least 25. “I think we got the message for sure.”

 

Kings over match Pistons 106-100 at Golden One; Fifth win in six games for Sactown

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seattletimes.com photo

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Kings are back home. Following a solid 3-1 road trip for the Kings, they were set to return home for the next seven of eight games. The first matchup would be the Kings against the rebuilding Detroit Pistons. Tip-off was set for 3PM PST on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.

In the first half, it was truly a tale of two teams. The game started with the Pistons going on a 18-1 run to open the game.

At one point in the first the Kings would be down 21 points. Luke Walton pulled all the starters except Harrison Barnes during the meltdown looking for some sort of spark. A few minutes later he got that spark from Harry Giles.

Giles hustle and intensity not only got the Kings going but brought the Golden 1 Center crowd to life. The Kings roaring back to get within one point going into halftime. Unfortunately, Derrick Rose fell prey to an ankle injury after a missed jump shot. Rose was questionable to return the rest of the way. You hate to see an injury, but a big break for the Kings. The Kings headed into half down 51-50.

In the second half, the Kings came out strong. The Kings took their first lead of the game in the first possession of the third quarter and never looked back. The Kings took the lead and managed to hold on to win the first game back from a long road trip.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Kings were able to get the job done by a final of 106-100. For the Kings they were led in victory by De’Aaron Fox who managed to drop 23 points.

Following Fox was Buddy Hield who scored 19 points even on an off shooting night. Also, he might not show up in the scoring stats but Alex Len was maybe the most impactful of all in this game. Len finished with eight points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. In defeat, the Pistons were led by Christian Wood who finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

The Kings will use a much needed day off at home before taking on the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Tip-off is set for 7PM PST.