My "Must See Games"

October 27th @ Minnesota 5:00 pm

• It's been 6 long months without a regular season game and Kings fans NEED this!

November 1st -vs- Toronto 7:00 pm

• It's the home opener! ARCO Thunder returns for rekeROY and ROYDMC campaign begins!

November 2nd -vs- Lakers 7:30 pm

• All games against the Lakers are MUST SEE! Rumored to be ESPN broadcasted too!

November 25th @ LA Clippers 7:30 pm

• Kings fans first look at Blake Griffin who was favored last season to be ROY before injury.

December 8th -vs- Washington 7:00 pm

• Kings fans watch former teammates battle it out on the hardwood, see #1 overall pick John Wall at ARCO debut

December 11th -vs- Miami 7:00 pm

• Really, do you have to ask? Wade, Lebron, Bosh and the NWO.

December 14th @ Houston 5:30 pm

• Kevin Martin

December 17th @ Oklahoma City 5:00 pm

• Kevin Durant

January 17th @ Atlanta 1:00 pm

• NBA TV Marquee game

April 13th -vs- Lakers 7:30 pm

• Kings final game of the season "Fan Appreciation Night" and it's against the Lakers!

Now I didn't pick any games for February or March. This isn't to say that there aren't some great match ups in these months. I chose the big games to me this year or ones that hold significance to Kings Fans. I, for one, consider every game a MUST SEE game! Don't forget to join the Kings Faithfuls and Jason Ross for the live blog during the games. To join, just go to Kings.com during all games and click the upper right hand corner that says "Chat Live with Jason Ross" to discuss the game, players, and all things Kings related. We are a pretty fun group if I do say so myself!

Good Bye Sean, Good Luck!

Today it was announced that former Kings player, Sean May, would be signing with the New Jersey Nets for the 2010-11 season. I'm a little bummed! I know he didn't play a lot with us last year, but he was a classy, professional guy who gave his all when he was called upon.

Sean has been in the league since 2005, when he was drafted by Charlotte, after a great run with North Carolina. In his season with the Kings, Sean tallied the following stats:

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG

37 4 8.9 0.459 0.000 0.656 0.5 1.4 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.5 1.2 3.3

I do not know Sean, but he seems to be a great guy willing to interact with his fans via Twitter. So I will be the first to say, "Good luck in New Jersey Sean! Thank you for all the effort you put in last season. I for one will miss watching you play."

My One and Done of "The Incident"

Okay Kings fans, we all know that over 2 months ago Kings guard Tyreke Evans made a horrible decision. He was drive on California State Highway 80 going at speeds reported as high as 130 mph. I will be the first of Evans' fans to say, "What the $%*! were you [Tyreke] thinking?" Anyone who lives in the Sacramento area and drives on I-80 knows how dangerous it is at the posted 65 mph speed limit, and going as fast as he was in any circumstance was not smart. Those speeds are reserved for NASCAR races, and Tyreke is no NASCAR driver. Thankfully, not he or anyone else was hurt or killed in the incident. This is the only time I plan to fully offer my opinion for all to read about because the story needs to die.

Last night I was Tweeting with Doc Evans, Tyreke's older brother and legal guardian, this conversation on Twitter sparked numerous others that I began having last night. The majority of this story has been brought back up because Evans' NASCAR audition reel was released by the California Highway Patrol (bad move by the way). To add more fuel to the fire, Sacramento Bee "writer" Alien Voisin has written and article I refuse to support by linking you to. Check out anything she's written in the Sac Bee and you will see why. Voisin appears to have something against 20-year old Evans. She put him on blast in her recent article. What I don't understand, and there's a lot in this case, is this: 1: How can the Bee allow her to publish the articles she is posting that are clearly clouded by her personal dislike of Evans? 2: What is her problem with him? 3: How does his speeding incident affect his ability to lead, even play the game? I have a speculation on 2 of these questions. It is no surprise that in the 2009-2010 NBA Draft that Kings fans and area sports writers, including Voisin, wanted to draft Rubio. Well, I for one was not one of these people, but upon disregarding fans and reporters wants alike, the Kings took the best player in the draft, evident by his Rookie of the Year honors. It has been speculated that Voisin is taking her anger for snubbing Rubio out on Evans, and for what? I can honestly not see Rubio in a Kings uniform even if we had taken him. A better team drafted him, did he really want to play for the worst team in the league? He won't come in from overseas and has yet to play an NBA game. This season looks to be no different. So what, if the Kings had stuck with Voisin's choice and the fan favorite, we'd be lacking a guard for 2 seasons...and still sitting in dead last. As I told Doc Evans and other friends last night, "Tyreke revived Kings Fans, he saved this team and I will gladly take +8 in the win column and Rookie of the Year over a player who has yet to prove himself on any NBA team." So my advice to Voisin, who has to be the only one in Sacramento still upset about the pick of Evans, "GET OVER IT! WE STRUCK GOLD!" Now, her opinion that his lack of maturity in this incident somehow means he is no longer the 20-5-5 player he was just 4 months ago, cannot lead the team, and should be suspended. Well, I assure you that his incident has nothing to do with his basketball talent. Tyreke has demonstrated his will to improve his game, making the questions about his lack of a work ethic absurd. I know he made a mistake, he knows he made a mistake, everyone knows he made a mistake. He has apologized for his lack of judgement and as far as I know Kings fans have forgiven him. He has received his punishment legally and personally. But it's time to move on.

And that is my one and done on this incident. LET IT DIE!!!!!!

Vegas Summer League Wrap up

Well, today is a sad day Kings Fans! Today marked the end of basketball until preseason starts! But rest assured that there is plenty to be excited about. Our future is looking bright and if you missed any of the action of Vegas Summer League check out what current and possible future Kings did while in Sin City.

Casspi: 24.6 MPG .489 FG% .438 3p% .633 FT% 4.4 RPG .6 APG .6 SPG .2 BPG 14 PPG

***22pt game vs Chicago hit buzzer beater at 3rd Q***

Greene: 21.6 MPG .462 FG% .429 3p% .800FT% 2.6 RPG 1.6 APG .6 SPG .6 BPG 13.2 PPG

***20pt game vs Toronto in loss 4/5 games in double figures***

Christmas: 14.4 MPG .524 FG% .333 3p% .727 FT% 1.2 RPG .8 APG .4 SPG .2 BPG 6.6 PPG

***13pt game vs Chicago***

Cousins: 29.7 MPG .333 FG% .000 3p% .735 FT% 9.8 RPG 1.8 APG 1.5 SPG 1.2 BPG 14.5 PPG

***T-Mobile Rookie of the Month 2010 tallied double double in 4/6 games almost 1 for week***

Whiteside: 25.8 MPG .439 FG% .000 3p% .417 FT% 5.0 RPG 0 APG .7 SPG 2.3 BPG 6.8 PPG

***4 blocks vs Detroit and Chicago***

Landesberg: 16.7 MPG .500 FG% .000 3p% .500 FT% 2.3 RPG 1 APG .7 SPG 0 BPG 8.3 PPG

***13pt game vs Lakers***

Sloan: 15.5 MPG .231 FG% .000 3p% .700 FT% 1 RPG 1.3 APG 0 SPG 0 BPG 3.3 PPG

***6pt game vs Detroit***

Chism: 16.5 MPG .688 FG% .000 3p% .750 FT% 5.8 RPG .5 APG .8 SPG 0 BPG 6.3 PPG

***13pt game vs Lakers***

Rice: 21.3 MPG .429 FG% .200 3p% .857 FT% 2 RPG 3.3 APG 1.2 SPG .2 BPG 8 PPG

***15pt game vs Detroit (did better than while with Utah SL team)***

Thompson: 14.3 MPG .545 FG% .000 3p% .857 FT% .3 RPG .3 APG .3 SPG 0 BPG 6 PPG

***12pt game vs Detroit (did better with Boston SL squad)***

Cummard: 5 MPG .000 FG% .000 3p% 1.00 FT% 1 RPG .5 APG 0 SPG 0 BPG .5 PPG

***1 pt game vs Toronto***

Atchley: 9 MPG .385 FG% .500 3p% 1.00 FT% 0 RPG 0 APG 0 SPG 0 BPG 3.3 PPG

***7pt game vs Chicago***

Downey: 12.3 MPG .364 FG% .000 3p% .500 FT 2.7 RPG 3 APG 1 SPG 0 BPG 3.7 PPG

***11pt game vs Lakers (only game he scored in of the 3)***

First asses the rookies we drafted. Cousins landed the T-Mobile Rookie of the Month award over former teammate, John Wall. I for one was surprised that this happened. In my belief, Cousins had a better week in Las Vegas, but I figured because of the media craze that came with Wall that he'd be favored to win it since he had a few great games. I was pleased when Cousins received the award. Then there is Whiteside. This was my first glimpse of Hassan and I was impressed. This kid can jump! From the first game on he was in the paint coming out of nowhere swatting shots away. I think it is safe to say that "SWAT" signs will be all around ARCO this season. He was beyond impressive in his aggressiveness at the basket.

Guards! What to do with them? We obviously need one or two...or three! My top two picks are Thompson and Rice. Rice had the better week in Las Vegas, but Thompson had a better summer league over all with his stint with the Celtics SL squad. Rice also played with the Jazz this summer but the stats were pretty equal. Both had impressive moments. Thompson had one fewer game with the Kings as he got hit pretty hard in the first half of the Minnesota game and did not play in Friday's contest with the Raptors. Christmas is also an impressive player and showed a well rounded game this week.

All in all, the Kings went 4-2 in Las Vegas this week, but in the end, the fans are the real winners! This young squad shows extreme potential and I for one cannot wait until the regular season.

Midway in Vegas

So tonight's exciting finish marked what Kings fans hope to be the first of many. With 2.8 seconds left on the clock Demarcus Cousins called for the ball which Donte Greene happily fed him down low. He, for the first time all game, took it up the middle and sank the short hook shot against Minnesota. His reaction to it was similar to that of Tyreke's, "This is my house!" in Chicago in the 35-point comeback win...only I will choose to leave his exact words out of this blog! Cousins has tallied a double-double in all three contests thus far in Vegas. His early performance has Lebron James calling for Wall or Cousins to win ROY.

From the first minute of the first game Hassan Whiteside came out swinging...or is it swatting? Either way, Whiteside has been making his presence around the net known from game one. At one point in the first game against the Pistons, where normal shot blockers block with their hands, Whiteside blocked a shot with his wrist. Yes, I said his wrist, meaning he jumped too high and got above the ball. Upon review of replays of his many blocked shots, he is shown blocking balls that are above the square on the backboard...and he looks so effortless in his ability to jump. 10...9....8.....3...2...1....LIFT OFF! Hassan 33 is headed to outer space!

Other bright spots for this young competitive squad has been the play of Ryan Thompson. Although tonight his play was cut short after taking a hard hit to the head after a collision at the basket, Ryan said via his Twitter account, "Just won our summer league game..it was crazy..hit my head pretty hard but I will be okay for friday." Which is a good sign for Kings fans who are pulling for the kid brother of Jason Thompson to join his brother in Sac-Town this coming season. Ryan has shown to be an aggressive scorer from the early seconds of each game he's started. According to Sacramento area sports reporters, rumor is that the coaching staff is very impressed with the way he is playing. The Kings did workout Ryan in the weeks leading up to this year's draft so some of what he is showing comes as no surprise to them. Newly signed rookie guard, Sloan has been playing well and showing Kings fans just what he intends to bring to the court this season. He has some fancy ball handling skills that have been impressive thus far. His court vision is also developing.

All I know for sure as that I will be lost for the next two months once Summer League play ends. I will be anxiously awaiting October to roll around for preseason contests and then finally....TIP OFF! Kings fans have something to be excited about...and if you have walked around the streets of Sacramento lately you can tell. This city's love affair with the Kings has resumed! Consider that flame rekindled Sac-Town!

First look

With a rather torrent media frenzy in the past week over where King James was going to land, I am happy to announce that the circus is finally over! Now we can all get back to what is really important--the actual game of basketball!

Tomorrow marks the first opportunity for Kings fans to witness the newest and possible future members of the Kings. Already signed to a 1-year league minimum deal is former Texas A&M guard, Donald Sloan. Apparently, the Kings coaching staff was impressed with what they saw during the mini-camp practices held before Vegas Summer League officially kicked off for Sacramento.

It is clear that excitement is building in Sacramento over the bright future ahead of our young squad. Last night, hundreds of eager Kings fans gathered at the new Kings on L location to meet newest Kings DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside along with last year's rookie Omri Casspi, an instant star in the Sacramento community, and fan favorite Donte Greene. Fans were also given the opportunity to purchase the newly launched "Kings Quarter Season Pass" which offers an 11 game package, including the first home game, and a series of packs that either showcase Lebron and the Heat, two showcase Kobe and the Lakers, or one offer for all weekend games. The package offers the busy Kings fan an opportunity to feel like a real part of the season ticket holder family without the big financial hit! To get your tickets now go to Kings.com

Kings fans on Twitter, Facebook, or connected to the Sacramento Bee or its reporters have heard the more than positive reports from the Kings summer league practices. In my opinion, the news coming in about Cousins will leave 3 teams kicking themselves for not taking the risk on his reported immature attitude! I still stand by my first opinion on DMC...he's 19! We were all a little authority challenged, wild, and just wanted to have fun. But DMC haters, please keep in mind that this kid lacks any involvement in serious offseason or off court problems.

The future is looking bright in Sacramento, not just on talent, but on long term life of the Kings in Sacramento. All reports are that the plans for a new arena are coming along and that plans for the land-swap agreement are moving forward with great progress. There is still no official go ahead on the new Arena, but it's certainly a more positive view than it was this time last year!

Good luck to all 13 players (yes the original roster is 3 men short) tomorrow and throughout the Vegas Summer League. I am one Kings fan parking myself in front a of TV tomorrow to get my first glimpse at what could be one of the most amazing seasons of basketball we've seen in awhile!

Summer League Schedule

In case you wanted to know here is the 2010 Kings Vegas Summer League schedule.

Monday July 12

3:00 pm vs Detroit

Tuesday July 13

5:30 pm vs Lakers

Wednesday July 14

7:00 pm vs Minnesota

Friday July 16

3:00 pm vs Toronto

Saturday July 17

5:30 pm vs Chicago

Sunday July 18

5:00 vs Dallas

NBA TV is scheduled to air 4 Kings summer league games Detroit, Minnesota, Toronto, and Dallas games. I'd personally prefer to see the Laker game over Minnesota. Tune in and see how the potential new Kings do!