Kings/NBA

Before recurring arena hassles ruined the mood, poor personnel decisions diminished the product and a devastating injury to Chris Webber crippled a franchise, the Kings were one of the most entertaining acts … in the world.

Restaurateur Patrick Mulvaney got a shock a few weeks ago when he contacted a client, the Sacramento Kings, to discuss last-minute details for a banquet at his midtown eatery.

Kings guard Isaiah Thomas was voted to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team by NBA head coaches Tuesday.

This latest example of arena envy strikes close to home – too close to home.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and former Oak Ridge High School standout Ryan Anderson of the Orlando Magic were among 13 players named Monday to the USA Select Team, which will train against the U.S. Men's National Team before the Summer Olympics in London.

USA Basketball czar Jerry Colangelo doesn't need additional distractions at this point. He's right about that. If this NBA injury epidemic continues, his Olympic team will limp into the 2012 London Games with members of its medical squad afforded superstar status.

A letter written by Sacramento businessmen last month asking the NBA to encourage the Kings owners to sell has suddenly become the center of intrigue.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim has been stuck in freeway traffic more times than he can count. Thus, he has become a huge fan of earpieces, micromanaging and weekend travel. He also has experimented with every shortcut imaginable between his Sacramento-area home and his alma mater in Berkeley.

Sixteen years ago this week, Shareef Abdur- Rahim wrestled with a decision that most 19-year-olds usually don't have to make.

Let's call them the original dream team, this group of local architects and engineers and businessmen that accomplished something amazing 25 years ago, only to fade into the area's major league sports background.

The city of Sacramento spent $680,000 between September and April in its unsuccessful effort to build a sports and entertainment center in the railyard, according to an analysis to be presented to the City Council tonight.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie has been rumored for the Portland Trail Blazers' general manager job, which has been vacant for more than a year.

For the sixth year in a row, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie's participation in the NBA playoffs is limited to watching the games while preparing for the draft.

DeMarcus Cousins wants to play for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, but barring another series of freakish injuries to more established frontcourt stars, that isn't going to happen.

Sacramento and its Kings are locked in a stalemate that could take months – or years – to resolve.

It won't be much of a surprise when LeBron James is named the NBA's MVP for the 2011-12 regular season.

The Kings have talent, but there are a lot of questions about that talent.

According to George Maloof, this $391 million downtown sports and entertainment complex was a terrible deal for the city, a terrible deal for the fans and a terrible deal for his family.

The commissioner of the National Basketball Association said Friday that the Kings are making a mistake by passing up a good deal on a new $391 million arena in downtown Sacramento.

After four seasons in Sacramento, Jason Thompson knows the Kings want him back.

Eric Musselman, whose one season as the Kings' coach (2006-07) was doomed before the regular-season tipoff when he was charged with driving under the influence, quietly continues rebuilding his career.

Mayor Kevin Johnson's last-ditch effort to salvage a downtown arena for the Sacramento Kings will last at least one more day.

As this season ends for the Kings, Keith Smart is relishing something that he hasn't had in previous stints as an NBA head coach – certainty.

Kings coach Keith Smart gave his players a parting gift Thursday night.

The Kings are apparently better than the Lakers' B-team.

Revisit a live chat during the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers game.

A year ago, tearful Sacramento Kings fans thought they had lost their team forever. Now, it's the team that faces potential rejection.

Another season ends with the Lakers visiting the Kings, with the Kings preparing for an appearance in the NBA draft lottery, and with the arena situation evolving by the hour, if not by the minute.

The Kings will end the season exactly where they didn't want to be – last in the Pacific Division and on their way to a sixth consecutive NBA draft lottery.

A glance at tonight's Kings game vs. L.A. Lakers; including: game information, three keys to the game and probable starters.

Mayor Kevin Johnson and Kings co-owner George Maloof spoke again Tuesday morning and have decided to meet in person within the next few days in what will likely be a make-or-break session.

In the amount of time it takes to say Metta World Peace, the former Ron Artest derailed his rehabilitated career, infuriated his teammates and could have been benched for the duration of the 2011-12 season.

The Kings looked good for three quarters.

The Kings' coaching staff will look very familiar next season.

Former Councilman Robbie Waters has filed a Public Records Act request with the city of Anaheim, seeking communications between that city and the Kings, the company that runs Anaheim's Honda Center, and the economist hired by the Maloofs to dissect the collapsed Sacramento arena plan.

The NBA summer league usually is reserved for draft choices, young veterans working on their game or older players trying to return to the NBA.

Tonight's Kings game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, including broadcast times, three keys to victory, and probable starters for both teams.

A highbrow waiter wearing a fancy white jacket can call chopped liver smeared on a Ritz cracker a canapé, but it's still just chopped liver on a Ritz cracker.

Even as Mayor Kevin Johnson worked late last week to revive an arena deal in the downtown railyard, city officials said they would push forward with development of the property regardless of the outcome.

The biggest fear for coach Keith Smart was that the Kings would overlook the Charlotte Bobcats, and lose to the team with a 19-game losing streak and the NBA's worst record.

The Kings certainly needed a win, but their coach wasn't exactly gloating about their 114-88 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Several Kings said after the team's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday that they aren't eyeing win-loss records as they play the final few games this season.

A glance at today's Kings game vs. Charlotte; including game information, three keys to the game and probable starters.

Kings executives will entertain trade offers for Tyreke Evans this summer, and they should.

It's season 13, episode three, of "As the Ball Spins," the longtime Sacramento soap opera staring Kings owners Gavin and Joe Maloof.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Maloofs are suddenly on speaking terms again.

Two years ago, there was a lot of talk about the Oklahoma City Thunder being a model for the Kings on how to build a contender in a small market.

Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson attended the Kings' game against the Thunder to present guard Isaiah Thomas with the team's Oscar Robertson Triple Double Award.

Despite the delayed start because of the lockout, this season has been a treat for NBA fans – unless you follow the Kings, Warriors or Bobcats.

Mayor Kevin Johnson flew to Las Vegas today to revive talks with the Sacramento Kings' ownership on a downtown arena.