Kings Blog and Q&A

An ESPN report this morning said the Kings are involved in talks for a three-team deal with Philadelphia and Boston that would include sending Kenny Thomas to the Sixers and bring center Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento.

And while a league source confirmed the Kings and Philadelphia have discussed a deal involving Thomas and Dalembert, the deal appears to be dead for the foreseeable future largely because of the Kings' lukewarm interest in the eight-year veteran who has two years and a combined $24.9 million left on his contract. Yet if it's up to Marc Cornstein, the talks won't stay quiet for long.

Dalembert's agent, who is clearly on the lookout for a better situation for his client, said Tuesday that his client would be a good fit for the Kings.

"I think it would be a good fit if he was here," said Cornstein, who also represents Kings point guard Beno Udrih and is in Sacramento today. "He can run the floor well, and this is a young running team. He can block shots, he can rebound. Those are his strengths. Those are the things he brings, and I think the skill set that he brings are things that the Kings can use. If he were to get here, I think he'd be a very good fit."

A Boston Globe report said the Celtics have no interest in Kings small forward Andres Nocioni, as was reported by ESPN. - Sam Amick

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The Kings' chances of extending their winning streak to five and continuing to protect the home floor have taken a hit - square on the right hip of Andres Nocioni.

The Kings small forward said at this morning's shoot-a-round that he's unlikely to play against his old team tonight. I've been told that second-year small forward Donte' Greene will likely get the nod. And while Greene is certainly in the best stretch of his young career, Nocioni had been playing very well too.

A Nocioni absence would certainly take away one of tonight's bigger storylines, but there are more. Former Kings Brad Miller and John Salmons make their first visit back to Arco since being traded to the Bulls in February. Miller said it has been a busy trip already, as he caught up with old Kings colleagues last night and even signed the final papers on the sale of his Sacramento-area home. He stayed there last night, just to make the most of that final mortgage payment.

As for tonight, Miller said he's less worried about how the game will go than he is the prospect of using the outdated and less-than-luxurious showers in the visiting locker room afterward. He also talked about his night out with third-year center Spencer Hawes and his new friend.

Interview here

The Bulls may have an identical record as the Kings (5-4), but they surely feel as if they should be at least 6-3 after a last-second apparent game-winning shot by Miller against Denver was called off by the officials on Nov. 11.

Otherwise, second-year point guard Derrick Rose isn't playing very well at all just yet for the Bulls. He'll matchup against Kings rookie Tyreke Evans as the University of Memphis products see who's the best former Tiger on this night. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro would love for Salmons to start hitting a few shots to open things up for Rose, as Salmons is shooting just 31.7 percent from the field so far this season. - Sam Amick

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Nice time to revisit the Byron Scott storyline, huh?

I've got to admit it works out pretty well on this end. It's interesting stuff and a chance to elaborate and expand on his situation in New Orleans and how it related to the Kings over the summer. Meanwhile, the Kings are playing so well under Paul Westphal that you won't find many folks in town who wish they would've bought Scott out of his deal and brought him to Sacramento at the moment. This story was a tad more sensitive in the summer.

But make no mistake, as his agent of 24 years, Brian McInerney, made clear, Scott's interest was real. And the driving force was the fact that they knew long ago that Scott wouldn't be in New Orleans past this season. We wrote in the summer about how Scott had interest that was never reciprocated, but below is more background on what led to the chasm between Scott and the Hornets' ownership family (owner George Shinn, his brother-in-law/team president Hugh Weber and vice president/Shinn's son, Chad).

It had everything to do with the price at which the Hornets' success came. Specifically, it was the fact that his latest two-year extension ($5.5 million per season) came largely because he had a buyout for the 2008-09 season in his deal that they wish he never had, and bonuses totaling nearly $1 million in the season prior that - hypothetically - could have paid for just about all of the said buyout if he chose to walk. Can you say leverage, everyone? And resentment, too, perhaps.

Be sure to read the story first, as the below quotes are simply the ones not included in the piece in the paper...

A source with knowledge of the situation says the Kings are discussing a trade with New Orleans that would send Kenny Thomas to the Hornets and bring center Emeka Okafor to Sacramento.

The deal would be ideal for the Hornets, as Thomas' expiring contract worth $8.7 million is just the kind of contract that would trim their enormous payroll. The question, of course, is whether the Kings see Okafor as a big man solution worth the five years and $62.5 million left on his deal.

The 6-foot-10, 255-pound center who was the second pick of the 2004 draft out of Connecticut has averaged 13.9 points and 10.6 rebounds in his six-season career. He spent his first four seasons in Charlotte before being traded to New Orleans in late July for Tyson Chandler.

No deal is imminent and this is merely a discussion between the two sides at this point. - Sam Amick

Kings gamer, By Sam Amick

Kings notesm By Ailene Voisin

Box score

There's obviously a legitimate buzz in the Arco Arena air with the Kings winning their fourth straight, but I'm opting for zzzs with the old postgame blog post. Read the above game story and notes to relive the experience, and then move on to see what everyone had to say afterward. The heavy lifting on this one comes from the Kings PR department folks who transcribed portions of these interviews. The team is being given a day off tomorrow, but I'll be back at work dissecting this one and assessing what it all means.

Head Coach Paul Westphal

"It's starting to get kind of loud in that building - I really like that. That was a very good team, a very tough veteran team. I thought we did so many good things defensively and on the boards particularly. We had way too many turnovers in the first half and kind of wasted some great shooting, but in the second half we cut our turnovers down and played the way you need to play to win NBA basketball games. So we put ourselves in a position to win. Then in the fourth quarter we only had two turnovers, outscored them and really showed some good togetherness out there. I was really pleased with the way we played."

On his team's ability to own the boards tonight:
"You have to give so much credit to Jason Thompson - he's the one getting all those boards and he's a hard man to keep off the boards. You can't expect to outrebound a team like that every night but it really is nice to have those kinds of stats in your team's favor. The way we've been doing it this year, we're turning into a pretty decent rebounding team."

When asked how they react when there are a lot of turnovers:
"We told them before the game to watch out for (Trevor) Ariza - he's got panther-like reflexes, he gets in the passing lanes and if you dribble near him he takes it from you. After he had five steals I think they believed us and they started watching out a little bit more for him. Yes, absolutely we try to fix things if we see that they aren't working and the players, to their credit, reacted - but it's not always easy."

Tyreke Evans

On their plan coming into game
"We just came out there and had to run, we knew that they were a physical team. They have a couple of guys who have been on their team for a while now. The game plan was to just go in there, rebound and run our offense. We had to try to get as many stops as we could."

On his play
"I'm just playing; in the first couple of games I was thinking too much. Since I was the number four pick, I was under a lot of pressure, and I was not getting out there and playing. I went out there and did that tonight and now I feel comfortable."

On having the game in his hand when it's on the line
"It is my dream, growing up and being a kid, you see the clock winding down and you want to be the one to take the shot and make the crowd go crazy. I had my chance tonight and let it fly and it went in."

Jason Thompson

"It is exciting and we know that our guys are young. We have to make progress sometime and I think that it is better now than to have it later."

On their streak
"I don't think that we are surprised, we have to set goals to play well. The media is telling us that we are going to be at the bottom of the (Western Conference), maybe the bottom of the league. It is just more motivation for us. Maybe it is tougher for the teams who were predicted to play really well and don't. We didn't have any pressure coming in and we still don't."

On his goals for himself
"I set goals for last year and I set goals for this year. I am just going to keep with it. The stuff that I am doing and the stuff the team is doing is working. We just have to stick to it."

On staying out of foul trouble
"I am just watching film and getting advice from the coaches. They try to tell you the terminology of playing through fouls, but you can't play through fouls if you are in foul trouble. Why not make it easier and just not get stupid fouls. If I happen to get one early, I know to not be as aggressive. I just have to adjust to what they give me."

Rockets Head Coach Rick Adelman

On a disappointing first half

"They got it going and we gave up 63 (in the first half). You're not going to win in this league doing that on the road."

On trying to close the deficit

"Offensively, you have to be sure you get good plays. You can't rush things. You have to play together as five people. You get down the way we get down and then we can't make mistakes. Every possession is crucial."

On the Kings' strategy defensively

"It wasn't our offense. Put it all on defensive end because we didn't have any of it in the first half. You can't give up that kind of production from the other team and expect to win."

On the lackluster defense

"We were getting beat on penetration time after time. The concentration and the effort was not where it needed to be. The second half, we shored it up some. We are not going to win unless we come out with effort every night. We are not that good. Our guys have to understand that. I didn't like our effort the whole first half in a lot of areas."

On the Rockets having a similar make-up to the Kings

"They have some young talent and they played well tonight. They won three in a row and this gives them four straight wins. We knew ... we should have known it was going to be a tough game here."

Rockets Center Chuck Hayes

On how they fell behind in the second quarter

"The energy definitely wasn't there. We were blindsided by our own success on the offensive end, since we were able to score. The energy is not there and we are not playing any defense. Sooner or later, things are going to come back and backfire on us, and they did.

No, it was effort. Just the effort. The effort was there in the third quarter, you saw it. It just shows that if you dig yourself in a hole in the second quarter, it doesn't matter how hard you work in the third quarter, you still have to get out of that hole. Our effort for the rest of the game wasn't good enough."

FIRST QUARTER (Kings 30, Houston 30)

Tyreke Evans set an aggressive tone early, blowing past Trevor Ariza down the right side of the lane for a layup on the first possesion. The Kings held the tempo from there, hitting 13 of 25 shots (52 percent) while Evans had 12 points on five of six shooting. Their turnovers kept them from building an early lead, though, as they gave up seven to the Rockets' one. Ariza has 13 points for Houston, hitting five of eight.

SECOND QUARTER (Kings 63, Houston 52)

Count me among those who didn't see this coming, but the Kings are actually outmuscling the Rockets. Their 32-13 edge on the glass is the most obvious example of that, but you could point to the countless times Luis Scola has been knocked to the hardwood just the same.

Jason Thompson (14 points, nine rebounds) and Beno Udrih (16 points on six of eight shooting) picked up where Evans left off. Ariza "cooled" a bit (five second quarter points) and the Rockets went even colder as a collective unit (9 of 24 shooting in the second). The Kings had a bad finish, giving up a bonehead three-point play to Aaron Brooks near the end of the half that cut the lead to 11. Good start, though.

THIRD QUARTER (Kings 82, Houston 77)

Seventeen turnovers and counting for the Kings, who had better get that under control if they want to pull this one out. They have almost every area going for them, except for the officials in this quarter. The Rockets started the third on a 19-7 run, with Scola scoring eight on his own.

FOURTH QUARTER (Kings 109, Houston 100)

Kings win it on heart and confidence. Simple and cliche, but true. They've got a swagger that held out against one of the league's most disciplined and toughest teams. Thompson makes it five straight double-doubles, which doesn't truly reflect the nature of his stretch. He had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and that's been just about the outing every time out lately. Evans hits an absurd bank three-pointer late - after nearly falling to his knees when he outjuked himself - that symbolized this new day when the Kings are the ones getting big breaks late. More to come, but the 54 to 35 blowout on the boards was huge - as was the Rockets' inability to find a scorer not named Ariza. They shot 41.6 percent.

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***

I know, I know. The starving Kings fanbase doesn't want to put a lid on the excitement around here of late - just let the good times spill all over and worry about what's next later. Well the Houston Rockets are just hours away, and they represent a reality that will test the Kings in ways they haven't been while winning four of their last five games.

They are 5-3, making them a winning team at the moment and one that demands a collective effort defensively lest they pick you apart from spots one through five (or even one through eight). From here forward, though, a favorable Kings' schedule that is currently ranked 24th in strength of schedule (.466 winning percentage among opponents) doesn't get too much tougher. In chronological order...

Chicago (4-4), Dallas (5-3), Houston (5-3), Memphis (1-8), Knicks (1-8), New Jersey (0-8), New Orleans (3-6), Indiana (3-3).

Beating a good team would make it four in a row and gain the Kings major kudos from the NBA nation. From there they have a real opportunity to make some early noise.

For those not heading out to Arco Arena, the Kings have launched a new-age way of enjoying the game at home. Their in-game TV companion involves social media, statistics, video highlights and other goodies. To read more about it, click here.

READ WHILE YOU WAIT

From The Bee

Israeli fans pin hopes on Casspi, By Ailene Voisin

Kings Notes (Westphal impressed by Rockets), By Sam Amick

From the Houston Chronicle

Rockets know wounded Kings are dangerous, By Jeffrey Martin

TONIGHT'S GAME

HOUSTON (5-3) AT KINGS (4-4)

When: 7 p.m.
Where: Arco Arena
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: It's time to recall the forgotten part about the Kings' 2006-07 campaign: that team got off to a good start. After starting 8-5 under then-coach Eric Musselman, the Kings last had a winning record on Dec. 2, 2006 (8-7). Nearly three years later, they'll try to get above .500 again tonight.

Rockets update: If former Kings coach Rick Adelman can keep his team playing like this, he'll be a landslide Coach of the Year winner. With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming out due to injury, the Rockets changed their lineup and their style and are one of the surprises of the early season so far.

Probable starters

KINGS

No. Player Pos.
19 Beno Udrih G
13 Tyreke Evans G
5 Andres Nocioni SF
34 Jason Thompson PF
31 Spencer Hawes C

ROCKETS

No. Player Pos.
0 Aaron Brooks PG
01 Trevor Ariza G
31 Shane Battier SF
4 Luis Scola PF
44 Chuck Hayes C

- Sam Amick

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***

For those of you who missed it, we're going to start doing weekly Kings chats at 11 am (Pacific) on Thursdays. Sometimes it will be me on the chat, other times it will be Jason Jones or Ailene Voisin. Below is the first one this season. Feel free to hit the 'Replay' button if you care to see the discussion.

FIRST QUARTER (Kings 30, Golden State 29)

The Kings spoiled most of their good start, as the Warriors finished the quarter on a 9-2 run. Nonetheless, Omri Casspi's three three-pointers off the bench were key and welcomed considering the Kings shot just 37.5 percent in all (9 of 24). The Warriors have received a combined 15 points from Kelenna Azubuike and Monta Ellis, while Stephen Curry has been pretty bad so far (no points, no assists, three turnovers).

SECOND QUARTER (Kings 65, Warriors 54)

Tyreke Evans is on his way to another big night, having scored 20 points on 7 of 13 shooting and hit six of seven free throws. He's in a groove big-time, as is Jason Thompson (14 points, five rebounds). The Kings finished the half on a 16-9 run. Warriors Kelenna Azubuike, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette have combined for 33 points. Kings winning boards battle 27 to 19.

THIRD QUARTER (Kings 96, Warriors 77)

The last play of the quarter pretty much said it all: Donte' Greene inbounds alley-oop from left sideline to Jason Thompson, who jumps uncontested for the dunk at the buzzer to push the lead to 19. Yeah, the Warriors aren't exactly defending the rim. Beno Udrih continues another steady performance (14 points, five assists), while the Kings are taking care of the ball too (six turnovers). Jason Thompson has 19 points, 10 rebounds. Kings ended the quarter on a 24-9 run after their lead was cut to four.

FOURTH QUARTER (Kings 120, Warriors 107)

An actual blowout. I didn't see last night coming, nor did I see this one coming. And here's the stat of the night: it's the first time since Nov. 7 and Nov. 9, 2008 that the Kings have won consecutive games. Udrih carries the Kings late, finishing with 20 points on 9 of 14 shooting with six assists. Donte' Greene and Omri Casspi were huge off the bench, combining for 29 points (Greene 17).

- Sam Amick

Game story (Evans flourishes)

Game notes (Nocioni relieved after win and reflects on DUI)

Box score

NBA Plus (Looking at Durant and the Thunder, who play in Sacramento Tuesday)

SALT LAKE CITY - Gavin Maloof mistook the media room for the owner's suite, but he was making the rounds pumping his fist nonetheless.

The Kings co-owner made the trip to Utah to see a game no one expected the Kings to win. But they did, and they did it with a few notes that didn't make the above-linked coverage.

* Injured players Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia looked dandy in their suits and did a fine job as male cheerleaders. Both guys were genuinely ecstatic after the win.

* Ime Udoka winds up with the best plus-minus of the bunch (plus-19) in his Kings debut. Feisty defender, glue guy and composed in ways the Kings badly need. Kings coach Paul Westphal jokes that Udoka proved training camp is unnecessary. Desmond Mason doesn't find it funny - wherever he was.

* Jason Thompson has another impressive outing - 12 points, 11 rebounds, five assists. Great frontcourt ball movement with Spencer Hawes.

* Donte' Greene's breakout was surprising in this sense: Omri Casspi was ready to roll. The rookie small forward had turned his left ankle recently and was questionable for tonight's game. But even after Casspi said he was good to go, Kings coach Paul Westphal obviously opted to give Greene a shot that he made the most of. Casspi didn't play. I'll chock this one up to Westphal taking the safe route with one player while utilizing a chance to get a guy out of the doghouse at the same time.

* Kings hit 11 of 19 threes, 27 of 32 free throws and shoot 49.6 percent overall. A welcome change for Westphal, who noted before the game that the Kings had averaged eight more possessions than their opponent but they obviously weren't doing much with them. Ranked 23rd in shooting percentage (42.37).

* The Jazz were awful after the first quarter, and except for a short stretch in the fourth when the Kings almost blew all of their 20-point lead as the offense came to a halt. Deron Williams couldn't do it alone (29 points, 15 assists, three turnovers).

Golden State (1-3) at Kings (2-4)

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Arco Arena.

TV: CSNCA.

Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: Now would be a good time for the Kings to remember what they learned in the preseason, that lowering their opponent's field-goal percentage and increasing their own rebounding numbers can make quite an impact on their competitive chances.

Warriors update: The Warriors have fallen to Houston, Phoenix and the Clippers. But just like the Kings, their first win came against Memphis in a game in which Anthony Morrow and Monta Ellis scored 24 points apiece. The Kings downed the Warriors 101-94 in the preseason Oct. 17 at Arco Arena.

Probable starters

KINGS

G Beno Udrih

G Tyreke Evans

SF Andres Nocioni

PF Jason Thompson

C Spencer Hawes

WARRIORS

PG Monta Ellis

SG Stephen Curry

SF Stephen Jackson

F Kelenna Azubuike

C Mikki Moore

- Sam Amick

SALT LAKE CITY - Not much to report pre-game other than Omri Casspi's decision to give it a go despite having turned his left ankle in the last few days.

Casspi said this morning that he was a gametime decision, then proceeded to give the thumbs up after his pre-game workout. As Kings coach Paul Westphal said, there's not much he and his team can do but keep taking the hits and keep coming back for more. We'll see how hard this hit is tonight...

Come on back later for quarterly updates...

FIRST QUARTER (Jazz 30, Kings 19)

Turnovers ruined the quarter for the Kings. They had seven in all, with almost all of them of the bone-headed variety. An Andres Nocioni traveling call. Spencer Hawes loses the ball on his own in the post. Sean May loses it in the lane. A Jason Thompson charge. A bizarre Tyreke Evans pass from the top of the key to the front row (intended for Thompson). A carrying call on Evans.

Combine that with Utah's 16 points in the paint and 60 percent shooting, and this one is making sense. Once again, Kings aren't shooting well (41.2 percent). Deron Williams has seven assists. The Kings, meanwhile have four.

SECOND QUARTER (Kings 55, Jazz 55)

Imagine that? Limit turnovers and hit shots and a comeback is born. The Kings had just one turnover in the second and hit 12 of 19 shots, with Donte' Greene returning from the abyss otherwise known as Westphal's dog house to score 10 points on four of four shooting (He had yet to score this season in a combined 10 minutes). While Casspi was ready to go, I got the feeling before the game that Westphal might use tonight as a rare chance to give Greene a chance even if Omri could go. He's taken advantage of it, hitting two open threes (key word being open), a layup and two free throws.

The Kings used a 19-4 run to tie it 43-43 on one of Greene's threes, but the run was sparked when a couple of dunks on the break for Evans got his game going. He has 17 points on 4 of 9 shooting and is finally getting to the line - and converting (8 of 9). The Jazz shot 8 of 19 that period.

THIRD QUARTER (Kings 85, Jazz 68)

Surprising stuff in the third, with Evans going off in his first breakout game as a pro and the Kings - all told - pulling off a 50-21 turnaround after they trailed by as many as 15 points. Evans has been spectacular (28 points, six assists, 12 of 13 from the line), and Udrih has been huge as well. The Jazz are ice-cold, and this crowd is letting them hear it. Evans left for the last part of the quarter with a bloody mouth, but the Jazz were the ones taking the beating. That's all for now. Gotta work on the game story.

FOURTH QUARTER (Kings 104, Jazz 99)

They held on, even if the Kings spent most of the entire last period in the hoops equivalent of the prevent defense. Shot clock violations or near violations were the norm, with a 20-point lead nearly evaporated if not for Beno Udrih's nifty runner in the lane with 21 seconds left. He split the double team, drove the lane and ball-faked Carlos Boozer to get there. Deron Williams hit a three with 17 seconds left to make it even more interesting, but it was too little too late. Evans has 32 points, seven assists. Big win for a young team. - Sam Amick

Let's go in reverse order here.

While much of today's story focused on Kings' commentator and KHTK personality Grant Napear, the topic remains Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin and the question of whether or not he is soft or injury prone. It should be plainly obvious that I stop at the latter and don't see him as the former for a host of reasons, not the least of which is an in-depth knowledge of the injuries he has endured that hasn't always been portrayed publicly.

There's a long conversation from that point on, too, with not nearly enough focus on the fact that Martin's own game - specifically, his ability and willingness to attack the rim and get to the free throw line at a ridiculous rate (second in the league last season in attempts at 10.3 per game and behind some cupcake named Dwight Howard) - contradicts this image. But in the interest of fairness, I wanted to share more of Napear's comments on the matter before quickly delving into the thoughts of Kings coach Paul Westphal, former Kings guard Bobby Jackson, Kings swingman Francisco Garcia and Martin himself.

And while the content of Wednesday's show with Napear and Mike Lamb is a tiny part of this equation, I figured I'd share their discussion on toughness as well (audio provided by KHTK). It's about five minutes into this hour of the show...

KHTK Sportsline/11-4

Napear (via cell phone from Utah)

Before we get into the direct quotes, Grant's overall point was two-fold: he thinks players should play if they can play (yet didn't answer my question about what qualifies him to determine when a player can play) and believes that the Kings' draft-night focus on acquiring tougher players was an indictment of all previous players, Martin included.

"I've learned over the last 20 years doing this I'm not surprised any comments I get. I've gone through it Bobby (Jackson), (Chris) Webber. A lot of times guys are listening second hand, or to what a caller says, and then it reflects on me.
"Chris and I talked on numerous occasions. Bobby approached me and we've talked. I'm in a difficult position here. I have to give my opinions on the radio. The first hour (of Wednesday's show) he was getting killed by callers. I said he may play tonight, it's not right to criticize when he might play.
"It really boils down to this. This is my opinion. This is Grant Napear. I was raised (to believe) you play until your going to do damage to your body. We're in a depressed economy, and these fans deserve to see these players play. Players have sat when they could've played. That bothers me. Now hen a guy has a broken bone in his body, that's a different story.
"I never questioned (Martin's) heart. All I said is if a player can play, he should play. There's nothing wrong with me making an opinion as long as it's an opinion based on how I feel. I went out of my way again on Wednesday (to defend Martin). I said he should play unless he's going to do further damage."

Asked outright if he believes Martin is soft...

"The label soft means different things to different people. We were a soft team (last season). When a team is scoring uncontested layups night after night, personally I look at that as a soft team. I have a problem with an athlete, and I'll use Ron (Artest) as an example, who will never be called soft but who didn't play how many times because he decided he didn't want to play...I don't change my stance on (Martin and his ankle injury last season) at all. If a player can play, I think they should play.

"I've been doing this 20 years, and I've seen a lot of players who can play in a game not play. If he feels that way, I wish he would have come to me. It's all about the fans. They pay money to see the guys play. I don't take anything back that I said."

JACKSON

Bobby was a crackup on this topic. While he and Napear are friendly again despite their 2004 run-in (read story if you don't know that part), he said the two support each other now and "attend each other's events" etc. Nonetheless, he was so intrigued by this topic he was offering advice on the reporting.

"If I was writing a story about him, I would want to know what makes him tick, why he says the (expletive) he says," Jackson said. "Especially when we're under the same roof. When I listen to other radio stations, it's like praising, praising, praising (of the players).

"Where does he come up with these questions and analogies of players being soft, who don't want to play, doesn't have heart? The only person who knows is the player.

"The most disturbing thing about it is that it's one of the Kings guys. Maybe can you respect him because he speaks what comes to his mind. Yeah, but me as a person if you're working for this organization, I think the best interests is to look out for the players and speak more positive than negative."

On in-house folks questioning Martin - and Jackson before him - for not playing...

"Of course the coaches, the GMs, the owners, they want us to play, not thinking about what it really is that we're going through and not taking into mind what we're going through and don't look at the outcome. People can say whatever they want about me, but until you've walked in my shoes and did what I've done, then you can't say anything. I don't know where it's coming from.

"We've got to do what's best for us. We have a short amount of time to play this game, so I know most of these guys in here and I know they're going to play their (butt) off. The softness (reputation) comes with not winning games. That's where that comes from.

"If (Napear) keeps doing it and then he tries to come up in people's faces, guys aren't going to talk to him. He's killing him on the low. They've let him do that for so long. Nobody from upstairs has said anything to him. He's been able to do that for so long, been able to rub people the wrong way and rub the players the wrong way because he doesn't have to interact with the players. He just sees them on the plane...Until somebody calls him out and says, 'Who do you work for? Do you work for the Golden State Warriors?'

"I wasn't alone (in his dislike of the way Napear handled his job). There were a lot of guys who felt that way. Yeah, I think a lot of guys have that feeling towards him because of the stuff he's doing now. The guy's is hurt. He played on a broken wrist.
"It's a sensitive subject. I know Kevin loves the game. I know he wants to compete. I know he wants to play every day. You see the numbers he puts up when he's on the court, and that's all you can judge him by is his productivity when he gets on the court.
"The people who haven't played don't understand. If they had played, they wouldn't say the stuff that they say."

WESTPHAL

The coach has obviously only been around Martin for a short time, but he weighed in the experiences he has had thus far.

"My experience is that he's anything but soft. There's a difference between playing hurt and playing injured. When you're injured, you can't play. When you have a sore something or other, and you're walking around acting like you're on your deathbed, that's one thing. But that's not Kevin. When you have injuries and the doctors say you can't play., that's being injured. Anybody that doesn't understand that, I can't help them."

GARCIA

The fifth-year Kings swingman has obviously been teammates with Martin for his entire career. And now, they'll be banged up bosom buddies for the foreseeable future...

"I got words for that (the notion of Martin of being soft). You calling him soft, he played with a broken hand. You can't call him soft. He played with a broken hand and had 30 (29 points against Atlanta Wednesday). He didn't have to play. The doctor just told him you'd be crazy if you played with that.
"Kevin's tough. We're just so little (he and Martin) we get bumped and we (get hurt). You could see that last game, he put tape around his wrist and played like that. There's nothing soft about that."

On why he thinks so many fans and, obviously, some media are down on Martin...

"It just comes with the territory. When the team is bad, they go to the best player. It just falls on Kevin. It's not his fault. He works hard, he's on top of his game right now like everybody sees. He played with his ankle last year. I was mad about (the criticism of Martin for his ankle) because when I was on the floor he'd come up to me and say, 'It bothers me but we're going to win this game.' I don't question his toughness. I'm the kind of player that if I think you're lying I'll let you know, but I never thought he was lying."

MARTIN

Oh yeah, him.

As for the injury itself, Martin had the option of putting a cast on his wrist (and most of his arm) or doing surgery. From what I'm told, the surgery is the better option for two reasons...

1) You avoid the atrophy that comes with a cast.

2) You can rehab and do some basketball activities (just not playing) within approximately two weeks of having surgery as opposed to waiting eight weeks until the recovery begins. It's a quicker way of getting back out on the floor.

"I thought you could play through that pain and get it (fixed) at the end of the season, but the specialist said that if you try to play we're going to come and tie you down and not let you go out there," Martin said. "Just because you develop a lot of other things in your wrists - arthritis, cysts, and things like that. Their recommendation was, 'you're not playing.'
"The thing they tried to say to me this morning was you can trade in 20 games, not risk it, and have another 10 years of your career instead of playing 20 games and then you can really mess it up and then it's a long process. I've got to go through 20 games, hopefully that's it." - Sam Amick

BLOG UPDATE: Martin will have surgery Monday and miss eight weeks. Here is the team's release...

" Sacramento Kings' guard Kevin Martin will undergo surgery Monday, November 9th at the UC Davis Medical Center to repair a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left Wrist. Dr. Robert Szabo will perform the procedure. Martin is expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks.

***

I just spoke briefly with Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, who said he is not being given the option of playing through the hairline fracture in his left wrist.

It remains unclear whether he will have surgery or simply put the wrist in the cast, but Martin won't be returning to the floor anytime soon. He met with a local hand specialist this morning and had the MRIs examined and all involved said he had to allow the hand to heal. - Sam Amick

He wants to play.

Seventy-seven games with a hairline fracture in the left wrist that won't heal so long as he's having it pounded by fellow NBA types and will likely end up causing arthritis eventually. And Kevin Martin wants to play.

But there's a decision to make that won't be entirely made by him and sleep wasn't the answer, especially since he had a hard time getting any. I got in touch with the Kings shooting guard late last night, and he was wrestling over the decision that faced him.

He is scheduled to discuss the matter with the medical professionals and a local hand specialist this morning, at which point it sounds as if the only two options presented him may be to put it in a cast or have surgery. He sought the player opinion first, however, talking at length with Bobby Jackson and Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson last night to discuss his situation.

Jackson could relate on numerous fronts, having missed significant time after fracturing a knuckle on his left hand on Christmas Day 2002 and later tearing a ligament in his left wrist late in the 2004-05 season that kept him out for four months. He knows what it feels like to be unfairly questioned, too.

Jackson, to review, was the warrior of a sixth man who somehow found himself being dubbed soft when his abdominal strain kept him out of the 2004 playoffs. Some of those same uneducated voices are the ones questioning Martin's heart now, just as they did last season when his left ankle bone bruise kept him out of 31 games. Equally unjust.

There are credibility issues all over this thing, but the fact of the matter is that much of the skepticism sprouts from in-house and spills over into the mouthpieces who set the tone with the fans. It's a big problem that could have big consequences. We'll get into that more in the paper.

For now, we'll leave it there. If I had to guess at this point, I say Martin will be out and the Kings will be out of luck. Even if Martin wants to play.

- Sam Amick

A quick bit of perspective on the Kings' signing of Ime Udoka today that my sources with knowledge of the situation say is a non-guaranteed veteran's minimum deal ($1.03 million) for the rest of the season (fully guaranteed on Jan. 10)...

The succession of non-interest to interest can be found on some of my old Twitter feeds, as the Kings went from not inquiring about him after he was surprisingly cut from Portland on Oct. 22 to possibly postponing talks to giving the thumbs down on Oct. 23.

Well something quite relevant has happened between then and now: Desmond Mason averaged 2.3 points on 27.5 percent shooting (11 of 40 overall) in nine games (five preseason, four regular season). While the Mason signing was largely about adding his perimeter defense, there was certainly the hope that his athleticism could translate into some added scoring as it has for most of his career.

That shooting percentage is especially alarming if you could get your hands on a Desmond Mason shot chart, as most of his misses came from close range and he has struggled mightily to finish even the easiest of looks. All of this, I'm being told, doesn't bode well for Mason considering all signs point to the Maloofs preferring not to have a 15-man roster (they have 15 now). And as a reminder, it looked like Andres Nocioni was going to be taking Mason's spot in the starting lineup tonight even before Udoka was added.

I talked with Mason about his struggles after yesterday's practice, and he had this to say.

"I'm just still trying to find my niche and fit in," Mason said. "The ball is going through a lot of guys, so for me it has to be a lot of cutting and offensive rebounds and guarding people and getting to the boards. That's what coach wants me to do, and that's what I'll do. When I get my opportunities, I'll take advantage of them."

For those unfamiliar with Udoka, here's the rundown from the team's release...

"The 6-5, 220-pound guard-forward amassed career averages of 6.0 points (42.8 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 70.4 FT%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through 227 games in five seasons with the Lakers (2003-04), New York (2005-06), Portland (2006-07), and San Antonio (2007-08 - 2008-09).

Undrafted after finishing his college career at Portland State, Udoka was signed as a free agent by the Lakers (8/13/03). Before joining the Kings, Udoka was with Portland during the 2009 preseason. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 8.4 points (46.1 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 74.2 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game starting all 75 contests he played in with the Trail Blazers." - Sam Amick

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***

After having the best game of his career in the Kings' home-opening win Monday, shooting guard Kevin Martin is questionable for tonight's game against Atlanta.

Martin missed shoot-a-round with a swollen left (non-shooting) hand (BLOG UPDATE, 4:25 P.M.: It's Martin's left wrist) and will be a gametime decision. He injured the hand during Monday's game when he landed on it after a fall, and sat out much of the Tuesday practice session icing it. X-Rays were taken but were negative.

If Martin doesn't play, that's not quite the starting lineup change coach Paul Westphal was looking to make. We'll see if this changes things, but I'd been told Spencer Hawes would start at center (pairing with Jason Thompson in the frontcourt) and Andres Nocioni would take over at small forward for Desmond Mason. - Sam Amick

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***

Kevin Martin isn't on Twitter, so there will be no cyberspace battle with former player/ESPN analyst Jalen Rose in that forum. Rose won't be coming to Sacramento anytime soon, either, at least not as part of any nationally-televised game involving the Kings.

But it's safe to say there won't be any Martin Christmas card sent to the Rose household a few months from now, not with his recent declaration that the Kings shooting guard is simply not All-Star material. In the interest of full disclosure, I relayed Rose's sentiments to Martin on Tuesday as we discussed the current state of his reputation league-wide.

And while I shared part of Martin's comments in today's story - with Martin saying he didn't need Rose's respect and that he's worried only about winning - there was some comedic material left out.

Told of Rose's comment, Martin wasn't afraid to have some fun with the quasi-prediction.

"Was Jalen Rose ever an All-Star?" (Answer: no)," Martin said. "You know what Cedric Ceballos said to me in the preseason, is that the difference between a star and a scorer is wins and losses, so that's what I'm doing now. I'm finding ways to win in other (areas)...(Rose) may not have meant anything harmful if he was looking at wins and losses. If that's the case, it doesn't have to be a personal thing because I respect him as a player and don't want to get into that."

A pause and a grin...

"Besides, in my prime and his prime, I'd bust his (butt)," he said with a laugh.

READ WHILE YOU WAIT

From The Bee

Martin trying to be a more complete player, By Sam Amick

Thompson tries to limit fouls, By Jason Jones

From the Atlanta-Journal Constitution

Resilient Hawks bounce back, By Sekou Smith

Hawks blog: 'Pump your brakes,' By Sekou Smith

GAME PREVIEW

Kings' update: This team must get used to that sinking feeling whenever it peeks at the opponent's roster, and tonight is no different. The Hawks pose threats on every front and are far more talented. The Kings, however, could start a decent buzz in town if they can protect the home floor for a second consecutive game.

Hawks' update: Mike Bibby is back at Arco Arena for the third time since being traded from the Kings to Atlanta on Feb. 16, 2008. In his previous two visits with the Hawks, he had 17 points and four assists in a 119-107 Atlanta loss Feb. 20, 2008, and 29 points and four assists in a 105-100 Hawks victory Feb. 18, 2009.

Probable starters

KINGS

PG Tyreke Evans

SG Kevin Martin

SF D. Mason (I've since been informed it will likely be Andres Nocioni)

PF J. Thompson

C S. Hawes

HAWKS

PG Mike Bibby

SG Joe Johnson

SF M. Williams

PF Josh Smith

C Al Horford

- Sam Amick

GAMEDAY OPTIONS (Multimedia)

The game is sold out, so there's plenty of you who won't be able to actually come on over to press row and say hello. So why not join Join Jason Jones and I on this here blog for our pregame show starts at 6:45 p.m. Stick around during the game and share your comments and observations with others.

Those of you who are at the game can share your photos, too, by texting KINGSPHOTOS to 72737. We'll reply with details for e-mailing photos to www.sacbee.com/live. Standard text messaging rates apply. And if you insist on sending pictures of yourself watching from the couch, well then we just can't stop you.

Also, I'll be occasionally tweeting on my Twitter page, as will Jason on his page. And we need some more folks at our Facebook page as well - click here to join 'Kings Corner.'

READ WHILE YOU WAIT

From The Bee

Westphal brings unconventional style to bench, By Ailene Voisin

Nocioni is all-business, not buddy-buddy, By Sam Amick

In case you missed it in Sunday's paper...

NBA Plus: Larry Brown endorses Westphal and say he'd still be the New York Knicks coach if had been allowed to hire Westphal as his lead assistant, By Sam Amick

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Tempers flare as Grizzlies lose to Nuggets, By Ronald TIllery

Grizzlies postgame

GAME CAPSULE

Memphis (1-2) at Kings (0-3)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Arco Arena. TV: CSNCA.

Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: Rookie point guard Tyreke Evans practiced Sunday night at the team's practice facility and will likely play tonight after spraining his right ankle at San Antonio on Saturday. The Kings need him on two fronts: to help get a first win in his regular-season home debut and to entertain the sellout crowd.

Grizzlies update: The first two Grizzlies games made for a scout's nightmare. Memphis scored just 74 points in a 22-point home loss to Detroit and then 115 points two days later in an eight-point win at the FedExForum. The backcourt of Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo was the difference, so the Kings would do well to slow them down. Allen Iverson is expected to make his Grizzlies debut after missing the first three games because of a partial right hamstring tear.

Probable starters

No. Player Pos.

13 Tyreke Evans PG

23 Kevin Martin SG

24 Desmond Mason SF

42 Sean May PF

34 Jason Thompson C

GRIZZLIES

No. Player Pos.

11 Mike Conley PG

32 O.J. Mayo SG

22 Rudy Gay SF

50 Zach Randolph PF

33 Marc Gasol C

- Sam Amick

KINGS LIVE CHAT

Join Jason Jones and I for the Kings' home opener Monday. Our pregame show starts at 6:45 p.m. Stick around during the game and share your comments and observations with others.

www.sacbee.com/kingsblog - as in, right here

SHARE PHOTOS

Share fan photos from the game. Text KINGSPHOTOS to 72737. We'll reply with details for e-mailing photos to sacbee.com/live. Standard text messaging rates apply.

***

Add one more to the list of people who need to continue learning about the new Kings coach.

That being me. From Rick Adelman to Eric Musselman, Reggie Theus and Kenny Natt, there was a staple of style that their Kings didn't practice after back to back games. So when I landed today from San Antonio, I headed for home to put together a story on Andres Nocioni for tomorrow's paper.

Anyways, Paul Westphal wound up holding practice for his team tonight. Nonetheless, we have a no-harm-no-foul situation. He was good enough to give me an update remotely, saying about an hour ago that Tyreke Evans is expected to play in tomorrow's home opener against Memphis despite spraining his right ankle Saturday at San Antonio. Evans practiced tonight, and told the media on hand that he will play.

A quick final thought here: I still can't get over how funny the Manu Ginobili-bat saga was. And since the SportsCenter highlights didn't do it justice on length of laughter, peek at these YouTube clips that show the extended chaos. Also, for those who missed it on Twitter, the Spurs put out a 'formal' injury report on the poor bat that you can see here.

Nothing will ever duplicate being there, though. Unforgettable. - Sam Amick
- Sam Amick

REMINDER: I'm tweeting during these games, too, so peek at the right side of this page to see those.

Blogging from courtside at the AT&T Center, front row two seats to the left of esteemed radio man Jason Ross...

PREGAME

I messed up the tipoff time, but we're about to get going here at 5:30 Pacific. Anyways, Kings coach Paul Wespthal half-jokingly said the most important adjustment tonight will be...let the drama and suspense build...hitting layups. Spurs' reserve big man Antonio McDyess is out with flu-like symptoms....Here we go.. - Sam Amick

FIRST QUARTER - Spurs 32, Kings 27

No way I'm going to try to capture that quarter on this forum, but that was some of the funniest stuff I've ever been a part of at an NBA game.

An actual bat breaks up play on three occasions, with Kevin Martin at one point chasing the thing - unintentionally - on a fastbreak and he goes reverse because he felt an unexpected presence. It wasn't DeJuan Blair, as he told me he thought it was a moment ago, but the bat.

So Manu GInobili then becomes an even bigger cult hero by Manu-chopping the thing with his bare left hand. Anyways, I had all kinds of game-related material I'd intended to share, but the action is back and all I offered was hijinx. So sorry...

I'm channeling my inner Westphal for a bit of mind-reading: "Of course Richard Jefferson starts hitting shots now!" he screams between his ears. Jefferson entered play just 4 of 16 from the field in his first two games with the Spurs, but is two for two so far.

SECOND QUARTER - Spurs, 61, Kings 45

Kings are letting this one get away from them early, as the Spurs ended the second quarter on a 21-8 run. Their chances at this point, one could say, are about as likely as the infamous bat returning (it has been terminated, I was told).

No surprise storyline from the Spurs, who have a combined 37 points from Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Ginobili. Parker has destroyed everyone the Kings threw his way (7 of 12 shooting, 16 points, five assists), from Tyreke Evans to Beno Udrih to Omri Casspi and probably a few others I missed. Spurs are shooting 61 percent.

That's not the only similiarity to the OKC opener, either, as Martin is once again without much offensive help. He has a very aggressive 16 points (5 of 10 shooting) and has actually been to the line tonight (he didn't last night), and hit 5 of 6 from the line. But Andres Nocioni is 1 of 7, Casspi is 1 of 4, and Evans is 1 of 4 as well.

THIRD QUARTER - Spurs 95, Kings 75

This has unofficially become a valuable Kings practice. They are trying new sets and lineups, praising each other when something works patting each other on the backs when things go wrong.

The entire period wasn't that way, though, as the offense was so discombobulated in the early third that Kevin Martin was trying to tell the coaching staff they didn't know the "one up" play and Tyreke Evans growing frustrated when teammates tried to tell him where he'd gone wrong. And by the way, I'm now being told that the bat was merely stunned and released. The Manu-chop was not lethal.

Spencer Hawes also awoke in the third, scoring 12 of his 17 points with a number of nice drive and dishes for dunks from Evans.

FOURTH QUARTER - Spurs 113, Kings 94

The only significant news of this period isn't good: Evans went down after driving the lane and left with a sprained right ankle midway through the fourth.

Also, it turns out the bat didn't make it after all.

REMINDER: I'm tweeting during these games, too, so peek at the right side of this page to see those.

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***

Took forever to get to San Antonio, as there are no direct flights. But here's the belated audio from last night's Kings loss at New Orleans.

Coach Paul Westphal, Kevin Martin, Tyreke Evans, Andres Nocioni and Jason Thompson discuss the loss...

First, though, just a heads up that I'll be giving quarterly updates and observations on a running blog post during tonight's game just like I did last night, so come on back.

Now the Kings have to move on quickly and we do, too, so here's some preview reading to keep you busy the next few hours before tonight's tipoff

READ WHILE YOU WAIT

From The Bee

Game story vs. Hornets

Kings notes

From the San Antonio Express News

Pop tinkering with Spurs chemistry, By Mike Monroe

Spurs' Blair returns to scene of 'crime', By Mike Monroe

Spurs-Kings preview capsule

TONIGHT'S GAME

KINGS (0-2) AT SAN ANTONIO (1-1)
When: 5 p.m.
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: Like it or not, moral victories do matter to this team. And that was exactly what the Kings pulled off in New Orleans Friday when their toughness and improved defense nearly led to their first win. The same style is needed against the Spurs, who have been doing tough for years now.

Spurs update: Here's the bad news for the Kings: the Spurs were the first team to face the Hornets this season, and their 17-point win was nearly as ugly as the Kings' loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday. San Antonio is a legitimate title contender, meaning this could still be a long night even if the Kings play well.

Probable starters

PG Tyreke Evans
SG Kevin Martin
SF Desmond Mason
PF Sean May
C Jason Thompson

SPURS

PG Tony Parker
SG Mchael Finley
SF Richard Jefferson
PF Matt Bonner
C Tim Duncan

Blogging from New Orleans Arena, second row mid-court....

PRE-GAME

6:41 p.m.
Same starting lineup for the Kings, but one defensive adjustment coach Paul Westphal informed me about. Kings small forward Desmond Mason will be guarding Hornets power forward David West most of the night in what is Westphal's best attempt to keep Kings power forward Jason Thompson out of foul trouble.

Thompson simply must be on the floor, but he kickstarted his old habit of drawing quick fouls against Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Thus, Thompson will guard small forward Julian Wright and Sean May will be on his old teammate, Emeka Okafor.

FIRST QUARTER - Kings 27, Hornets 25

Well, that was much better. The Kings looked nothing like the team that trailed 39-22 after one quarter in Oklahoma City two nights ago.

Two defensive stops in one possession at the start set a good tone, and a Sean May-to-Desmond Mason alley-oop did the same on the other end.

The good: Hitting shots (12 of 26), with Tyreke Evans finishing the layups he missed the other day and even hitting two jumpers. Also, Chris Paul has two points and no assists. May five first-quarter rebounds after having none in opener.

The bad: Kevin Martin is 2 of 9 despite getting a number of wide-open looks from Evans' penetration. Spencer Hawes two fouls.

Team playing very well so far...

SECOND QUARTER - Kings 50, Hornets 50

It's only a half, but the Kings look like an entirely different team from the other night.

They're moving the ball (13 assists against six turnovers, tying their assist total from the other night), defending (Hornets 44.7 shooting) and rebounding (24-23 edge in that category). Andres Nocioni is making up for Martin's slow start (4 of 13 shooting) with 11 points on 4 of 5 shooting.

The job of guarding West was quickly handed to Jon Brockman instead of Mason, and the rookie has been very effective even though West is 4 of 6 from the field. Brockman has eight rebounds in 11 minutes. Beno Udrih apparently won't be riding the pine all year, as he has logged nine first half minutes and run the offensive nicely. Hornets coach Byron Scott used a lineup with Bobby Brown and Chris Paul v. Udrih and Martin and Paul was his typical agitating self.

As for foul trouble, Thompson is doing fine (one foul) while Evans and Udrih have three.

THIRD QUARTER - Kings 75, Hornets 72

Another very good quarter, but a bad finish.

Beno Udrih plays off Chris Paul in the final seconds, and he coolly pulls up for a three that cuts Kings lead in half.

Otherwise, though, this was potentially an identity-forming period. There was an edge from the Hornets that they'll always have so long as Paul is their point guard, but the Kings showed more than enough moxie of their own. Offensive boards, poked eyes, frustrated Hornets, interesting stuff from this bunch tonight. Toughness, for sure.

Smart quarter from Martin, who continues to shoot poorly (8 of 23, no free throws) but who capitalized on the Brown-Paul defensive duo a few times. The most notable one came with 3:17 left, when the two Hornets point guards doubled Martin on the left wing and he kicked it back to a wide open Udrih for a three and an eight-point lead.

This has become a very physical game and the field-goal percentages reflect that (low 40s for both team).

FOURTH QUARTER - Hornets 97, Kings 92

Emeka Okafor decided it wasn't to be.

The Hornets wouldn't lose their home opener, not against a Kings team considered so bad they would've been laughed out of their building by their home fans. So he had a spectacular putback dunk in the final minute, followed by a key block with 5.9 seconds left when Evans got lost in the lane and yet another block on a Martin three-point attempt with three seconds left that could have tied the game.

More to come, but I've got to hit the locker room now... - Sam Amick

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***

NEW ORLEANS - The Sacramento who?

There's a lot of that going on out here today, as the Kings are hardly the biggest name in the city this weekend. Eminem is preparing for his one and only concert of the year tonight and has picked N'Awlins. Kiss is performing at the VooDoo fest, I was told, with the Saints playing here on Monday night and, oh yeah, there's that whole Halloween thing too.

Scary stuff.

No lineup changes for the Kings, and we'll have to see if Beno Udrih gets a chance to play tonight. I spoke with him on his way to shootaround this morning and he was saying all the right things about the situation - "It's only one game; I have to respect coach's decision." Chris Paul has always smelled blood when playing Udrih, who struggles with his style of pressure point guard. Curious to see how Tyreke Evans handles that, too.

MULTIMEDIA ALERT

I'll be posting quarterly scores and observations on the blog tonight, and we'll be forgoing the live blog/chat we did on Wednesday until Monday's home opener.

Feel free to interact during the game via the comments section, and I'll basically be sure to give quarterly scores and otherwise use the blog as my public notepad.

READ WHILE YOU WAIT:

From The Bee

Because of back, Peja is backup

Kings notes

From the New Orleans Times Picayune

Hornets coach Byron Scott wants more from bench, By Jimmy Smith

New Orleans Arena turns 10 years old, By Jimmy Smith

Hornets not in trade talks with Golden State, By John Reid

Kings vs. Hornets by the numbers, By Jimmy Smith

TONIGHT'S GAME

KINGS (0-1) AT HORNETS (0-1)

When: 5 p.m.

Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, La.

TV: CSNCA.

Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: The Kings were convinced this wouldn't happen, that they wouldn't be embarrassed almost every time out like they had been last season. But after Oklahoma City did just that on Wednesday night, they are badly in need of a spirited effort to alleviate fears of a déjà vu experience.

Hornets update: Speaking of humiliation, the Hornets were humbled by San Antonio in their regular season opener (113-96). It wasn't a new feeling, though, considering they're coming off a five-game first round playoff loss to Denver last season that called the entire team's future into question.
Probable starters

KINGS

PG Tyreke Evans
SG Kevin Martin
SF Desmond Mason
PF Sean May
C Jason Thompson

HORNETS

PG Chris Paul
SG Morris Peterson
SF Julian Wright
PF David West
C Emeka Okafor

- Sam Amick

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***

Game story

Game notes

OKLAHOMA CITY - I'll leave the breaking down of the game for tomorrow's paper, but this was ugly and unexpected for sure.

A loss was one thing. This was another (although how many times did I say that last season?).

I was prepped to upload my audio file of the night's interviews from the Kings locker room onto the blog, but the work has been done for me. And while I'd normally steer clear of pilfering another outlet's content, I'm claiming intellectual property on the following Kings.com material considering it's basically videos of my conversations. I won't hold my breath for the check...

First, though, here's my leftover quotes from Kings coach Paul Westphal, big man Jason Thompson, third-year center Spencer Hawes, rookie small forward Omri Casspi and rookie guard Tyreke Evans (all answers with no questions but it should make sense)...

OKLAHOMA CITY - So one of the front page headlines of the local "Oklahoman" newspaper reads, "Beat the Bad Teams" as a message to the Thunder in regards to the Kings.

That notion applies in the other direction, too.

Regular season opener on the road or not, this game is on the short list of winnables when you peek at the Kings' schedule. I'll have my eyes fixed largely on the Tyreke Evans-Russell Westbrook matchup for much of the night, as the Thunder's point guard will certainly be undersized against the Kings rookie but he poses plenty of problems on his own as well. There's not much to report from shootaround this morning, only that veteran forward Kenny Thomas did not make the trip because he has the flu. Kings coach Paul Westphal said he doesn't yet know if Thomas will join the team later on the trip.

Be sure to join me in a few hours on press row...

MULTIMEDIA ALERT: Kings Live Chat starts at 4:45 p.m. with a 15-minute pre-game discussion, then share your comments during the game and I'll jump in and out as I can at www.sacbee.com/live.

We'll live chat from the Kings' first game at Arco on Monday as well, begininning at 6:45 p.m. Sign up now for your e-mail reminder at the above web site.

READ WHILE YOU WAIT:

From The Bee

Kings Seek a Fresh Start, By Jason Jones

Petrie Unplugged, By Me

Hawes Has a New Role, By Ailene Voisin

Financing new Kings arena with seat mortgages is discussed, By Tony Bizjak and Ryan Lillis

From the Oklahoman

Kevin Ollie's NBA odyssey, By John Rohde

Thunder's key to success: Beat the bad teams, By Mike Baldwin

Kevin Durant at ease entering third year, By Darnell Mayberry

TONIGHT'S GAME (By Jason Jones)

KINGS (0-0) AT THUNDER (0-0)
When: 5 p.m. Pacific
Where: Ford Center, Oklahoma City.
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).

Kings update: The Sacramento bench led a 104-89 rout of the Thunder last week in an exhibition game, but the Kings can't expect tonight to be as easy. At least Sacramento will have Kevin Martin in the lineup. He didn't play last week because of a sprained ankle.

Thunder update: Russell Westbrook is looking to emerge as a solid point guard in his second season. Westbrook scored a career-high 34 points in an overtime loss in Sacramento on Feb. 1. But Kevin Durant remains the player that makes this team dangerous.

Probable starters

KINGS: PG Tyreke Evans, SG Kevin Martin, SF Desmond Mason, PF Sean May, C Jason Thompson.

THUNDER: PG Russell Westbrook, SG Thabo Sefolosha, SF Kevin Durant, PF Jeff Green, C Nenad Krstic - Sam Amick

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***

If we're talking about rebuilding, we're talking to Geoff Petrie.

He is, after all, the rebuilder.

The Kings basketball president and I sat down over lunch in early October to talk big picture about his team, and I've made it my personal mission to share all of that interview because, well, the fans don't often hear from him like this. He talked past, present, and future, with some of his thoughts in Sunday's season preview story and some more in today's Q&A that was in the paper.

But the blogosphere being what it is - unlimited space - you'll find below the audio file of the near 25-minute interview from Bella Bru in Natomas (pardon the background music) and below that the transcription of the entire interview. One disclaimer on the audio file: if you listen intently you'll hear two spots where the file was clearly edited, as a few irrelevant ramblings on my part were cut out. After all, if you're here you're here to hear Petrie.

And one note about the interview itself I found most interesting: When Petrie - who is entering his 16th season with the Kings - discusses his future, he has repeatedly said that he plans to continue to work beyond this season "in some form." This is a man who picks his words more wisely than most, and I continue to perceive that qualifier as a potential indication that he could be back next season as GM or perhaps as a guy with a different role. Pure speculation on my part and I don't think even Petrie himself knows the outcome, as we're all at the guessing game point right now. (Click 'read more' to hear/see interview)...

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***

Can you tell what kind of reading is going on in the Amick household these days?

Jackie MacMullan's compelling and controversial book on Magic and Bird (and Isiah Thomas, of course) is still sitting on the bedside table, while we continue to read "Where the Wild Things Are!" nightly and I'm actually upset that my three-year-old is too scared to see the movie. Man up, Red.

Anyways, there are plenty of Kings fans who may be afraid to watch the upcoming season too. Only time will tell if the fear is completely founded or if there will be enough entertainment along the way to at least get one thumbs up from whoever wound up replacing "Ebert & Roeper." With a little less than two days before the regular season tipoff at Oklahoma City, we offer a few tidbits to chew on like butter-bathed popcorn.

* While Kings coach Paul Westphal said at Monday's practice that he knew his starting five for the opener but didn't care to reveal it, I was told to expect to see the same lineup as the final two preseason games - Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Desmond Mason, Sean May and Jason Thompson.

Unless Westphal changes his mind between now and then, he's obviously following his own instincts as they pertain to his roster and not about to let some preconceived notion of the team's frontline of the future deter him. Hawes won't like this move at all, as he made clear the other night. The question now is whether it inspires him or kills his confidence. We shall see...

* As Westphal points out in the below interview, it may not have been a great thing that the Kings waxed the floor with the Thunder last week. You get a sense from this well-done video recap by the Oklahoman that there will be a revenge factor.. He also discusses Omri Casspi, and there are some interesting comments that didn't make it in my piece for tomorrow's (today's) paper...

* I chatted today with Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell about all things Kings. To listen to our 17-minute chat as I drove out to Arco Arena for Monday's practice, click here.

* MULTIMEDIA ALERT: Join me Wednesday for a Kings Live Chat starting at 4:45 p.m. with a 15-minute pre-game discussion, then share your comments during the game and I'll jump in and out as I can at www.sacbee.com/live.

We'll live chat from the Kings' first game at Arco on Monday as well, begininning at 6:45 p.m. Sign up now for your e-mail reminder at the above web site.

* I keep getting questions about the Kings' TV sked, so here's the deal: all the games will be on Comcast. End of story.

* There are less than 1,700 tickets remaining for the home opener on Nov. 2 against Memphis.

The Kings are reporting that their Sellout 2009 Campaign continues to make significant progress, and the following is from their release on the topic...

"It's a lot of fun to see the Sacramento community come together in support of the Kings," said Chevo Ramirez, Regional Vice President of Wells Fargo and Sellout 2009 Committee member. "I'm so proud to be part of this amazing effort that will help get ARCO Arena rocking again."

On Oct. 13, the Kings and Mayor Johnson announced an unprecedented community-based campaign to sellout the Kings first two home games - matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 2 and the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 4.

In addition to Johnson, other members of the campaign Committee include: Bob Cook, Mike Daugherty, John Frisch, Matt Haines, Lloyd Harvego, Bobby Jackson, Gerry Kamilos, Sotiris Kolokotronis, Hayden Markstein, Arlen Opper, Randy Paragary, Chevo Ramirez, Tim Ray, Bruce Scheidt, Tim Stenvick and Allen Warren.

Fans can purchase tickets by visiting Kings.com, calling 888-91-KINGS or visiting the ARCO Arena Box Office today.

Speaking of bedtime stories, my morning flight comes early and I haven't even packed yet. - Sam Amick

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***

By the time Bobby Jackson took the podium to formally announce his retirement, it seemed as if there wasn't all that much to say.

He had talked publicly about hanging up the sneakers and putting on the suit, making the Friday press conference a mere formality.

Wrong.

The former Kings guard and one of the organization's most popular players showed once again why fans have always found him so endearing. Heart. And lots of it.

Jackson's farewell became an emotional one when he began discussing how his late mother, Sarah, wasn't there to see the man he'd become after she died of cancer in 2003.

Here's the fine work of our own Hector Amezcua, with video and some old shots of Jackson.

- Sam Amick

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***

NBA Commissioner David Stern just finished a conference call with reporters, and I asked him to give his updated outlook on the Kings' situation in Sacramento. The key and somewhat new point here is this: Despite the Maloofs' recent promises for patience and enthusiasm about the prospect of eventually getting a new arena in Sacramento, the time will come when that simply doesn't matter. The NBA, i.e. Stern and the Board of Governors, won't allow this thing to drag on so long that they have an antiquated market and a team playing in an absurdly-outdated building. Stern touches on the Board of Governor's patience level in the second part of Stern's comments below.

STERN

On his current outlook of the Sacramento situation...

"I think that there can be no questioning of the Maloofs' commitment to Sacramento - the way they've operated the team there, the way they've spent some significantly to explore alternative resolutions. I tend to be optimistic by nature. To me, I think if we can get the campaign going in its two prongs - that is to say, 1) what the mayor has said is that the arena is (outdated) and that we need to have a plan to replace it and the fans are supportive of the Maloofs. I think that (bodes) well for the future. I understand there's a campaign out to sell out the two opening games. I hope that happens. And I know that I spent a load of resources on looking into the Cal Expo and other potential plans. And so, I'm optimistic that they will have some movement.
"I don't think I would expect the board of governors to be eternally patient on this subject, given the fact that the NCAA apparently recently declared that it would not see Arco Arena as a place that they would have a regional tournament. I think the handwriting is on the wall for the building. What's not so clear it's what's on the agenda for its replacement. I'm cheered by the Maloofs' optimism and attitude, but at some point reality will take hold and I'm hopeful that that reality is a plan for a new building.

At what point is the Maloofs' patience irrelevant and how patient will the Board of Governors be?

"We like to focus on local options and how are ownership responds, but obviously we have a problem in Sacramento. But one of the good news potential is there's an opportunity to solve that problem, and I'm hopeful that it will get solved. I can't weigh it one way or the other. I'm taking my lead from Gavin and Joe, who seem enthusiastically engaged in the excitement of a new coach, a young team, potential sellouts for the first couple of games and the kind of community involvement that recognizes that the Kings are a precious community asset and everyone is rallying around it, I hope to get the board of governors to rally around it as well." - Sam Amick

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***

Bobby Jackson, the former Kings guard and longtime fan favorite, will be announcing his retirement at an Arco Arena press conference tomorrow.
As mentioned in Twitterland a while ago, Jackson will assume a role within the Kings organization as well. For now, click on the Twitter link for a few more details but be sure to check back later today for more on this post...

BLOG UPDATE (3:43 P.M)

I'm en route to the Warriors-Hornets game in Oakland tonight but wanted to get this up regarding Jackson. I spoke with him at length earlier this afternoon about finally hanging up the sneakers and delving into a new hoops realm. He discusses how pride played into his decision to retire and the remote - almost nonexistent - possibility that he would consider un-retiring, as well as his new aspiration to become a front office type rather than the coach he'd always said he wanted to become.

JACKSON

On whether it's true he'll be announcing his retirement...

"Yeah, I'm about to hang 'em up. I had a great career, I played 12 great years, longer than anybody imagined, making good money. I think the economy is the reason why a lot of guys are not playing right now. And I'm the type of guy who doesn't like sitting around waiting on anything. So I feel like I have an opportunity to do bigger and better things and pursue that. It's better than waiting on somebody to wait for somebody to call me and pick me up.
"I'm just sitting here. I'm not doing anything, so I'd rather do something else. I'm not saying I don't want to play. I feel like I still can play and I want to play, but it's not the best situation for me right now. I feel like I don't have to prove myself to anybody. It has just come to a situation where you have to pick your time to bow out gracefully. I could be like the rest of these...free agents out there waiting on teams to call them. But at the end of the day, I feel like if they wanted me to they would've called me over the summertime. I don't want to be one of those guys who is trying to hang on one more year or two more years, jumping from team to team.. I've been (traded) a lot, and it took a great restraint for me, pride-wise, to say, 'You know what, even though I feel like I can still play, to be like, (shoot) maybe it's time to hang it up and do something that's good for me and not have to wait on someone else.
"It'll be nice to not deal with the questions, whether I can still play or questioning my toughness or if I'm durable. All those things come into play. As a player, that's what you get questioned on - 'Do you think he'll want to play a lot of minutes? Will he be (OK) being a third guard? Is his body going to hold up?' You hear all those things, and you're thinking, 'Man, if they're saying that now, what are they going to say next year?'
"I want to be able to say I left on my own terms. I didn't get pushed out. Even though the economy is still bad. There's a ton of guys getting hurt right now. I think about that, but I also think about life after basketball. The 12 years I played won't come close to anything I do after basketball. That was a great time of life. It's time to go for bigger goals and move forward."

Asked if a good offer to return to the floor came along in the next few months if he'd pull a Favre and jump right back out of retirement...

"Nah, I don't think so, because once I dedicate myself to something and move past it, I don't move back. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I don't want to be one of those guys who keeps retiring and comes back out of retirement. That's just how I feel. You retire for a reason. If I had a chance to win a ring with one of the top contenders in the game, would I do it? I don't know."

On what his role will be with the Kings...

"It's going to be a lot of roles. No. 1, it will be helping in the community with the players, doing some scouting, all those things come into play. I thought I really wanted to coach, but I weighed my options and was like, 'Man, being a coach is like being a player.' You've got to travel and do all the things coaches do. I kind of want to be at home more, spend time with the kids because they're getting older. Learning from (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) and (vice basketball president) Wayne (Cooper), and trying to become one of the best GMs in the game, that's probably what's on my mind right now."

On his front-office aspirations and the fact that he'd always said he wanted to coach...

"For me, I could do both, but you can't wear two hats in this business as a coach and a GM...I can't tell you I'll never be a coach, but my main focus is being in a front office and turning this thing around and finding a solution for everything."

On the scouting aspect and specifically what kind of scouting he planned on doing...

"I don't know yet. I think that's something me and Geoff have to sit down and talk about, because we haven't really talked in detail about what they want me doing. We touched upon it a little bit, but other than that we haven't sat down and laid out in stone what I'm really going to be doing. Like I said, I'm going to be wearing a lot of hats, and I'm fine with it. I'm a very inquisitive guy. I want to know what everybody's job is, what they do, learn from the best - learn from Geoff, learn from Wayne, learn from (assistant general manager) Jason (Levien), learn from (director of scouting) Scotty Sitrling, (director of player personnel) Jerry Reynolds. You learn from all those (guys) because you never know what sort of position you'll be in down the road."

On what the official announcement tomorrow will be like for him...

"You're sad because every player hates for this day to come. Don't get me wrong. But also, you look ahead to the future and you see that you can walk away from the game when you wanted to walk away. Everything is in tact. My family is happy. I don't have to play to get another contract. It's a sad day but it's also a happy day because I'm still around basketball, I'm retiring when I wanted to retire, I get to work for an organization and franchise that I've grown fond of and try to get the community back involved in supporting the Kings and us getting out and playing the way we're supposed to play and putting a good product on the court. It's all those things." - Sam Amick

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***

It wasn't a planned prelude, but it was fitting.

While in Las Vegas last week for the Kings-Lakers affair, I attended the Blogs with Balls Convention that anointed 12-year veteran guard/ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose as its panel headliner. And as much fun as it was to hear the endless discussions about the drastic decline of the newspaper industry and meet bloggers who surely expect to be at the forefront of the sports media landscape in the near future here, I figured I'd say hello to Jalen too.

Turns out that was a good thing for Kings fans. Because in stark contrast to this morning's teleconference involving Rose and fellow ESPN analyst/former Kings guard Jon Barry, there was something good to be said in our short Sin City chat.

Rose is predicting Tyreke Evans will be the Rookie of the Year.

"I watched him a lot of Memphis, and first and foremost the kid can play," Rose said on Friday inside room 228 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. "He's going to get a great opportunity to be on a team that knows it's not going to the playoffs. (Kings coach) Paul Westphal will be an up-tempo coach, and that means more possessions - and more room for error - but it will also give him an opportunity to have those nights when he gets going."

Rose said other things, too, like the fact that he couldn't make it to Chris Webber's recent wedding in Atlanta but that he approves of the bride/Webber's longtime girlfriend "with an exclamation point (Sorry Jalen, us sports writers just don't like actually using exclamation points)." What later became clear is that I had stumbled on the one and only ESPN NBA contributor out of 53 who saw the ROY award shaking out that way (No, really, see for yourself - and who voted for Thabeet?).

Thankfully for the folks in Bristol - and not so much for Sacramentans - Rose and Barry got back on the same page when discussing the Kings' overall outlook. They weren't alone there, either, as eight of 10 ESPN folks who predicted regular season finishes has them as the worst in the West.

The setup question was pretty basic, asking them to share their view of the Kings' current state of affairs after the changes made in the summer.

ROSE: "Wow, I don't see Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Mike Bibby walking through that door anytime soon. Hmmm. I think it's going to be an uphill battle for that team, because they really haven't decided what direction that they really want to go in. And any time you're playing in the stacked Western Conference, the other teams aren't going to stand around and wait for you to get it in order. Tough sledding for the Kings.
"I hope for their fans that they can find a way to at least keep their franchise there. There's been a lot of talk that the franchise possibly will be moving - is forced to move, not forced to move, and what-not. I just hope that their fans can find a way to keep the team because they've had great teams in the past."

BARRY: "It's a real shame to watch to watch what's transpired in Sacramento over the past few years, when it was the most exciting place to play in the NBA, the best fans in the NBA for all those years. Then I'd seen a couple games last year, with a half-empty arena. It's difficult for me, because I obviously have a past there.
"This team is a long ways away. That's the bottom line. I think Tyreke Evans could be great, but anytime you judge a player who's (on a) team that's going to win around 20 or 25 games, who'll have an opportunity when his team is down to (score) big points, we don't know how great he's going to be...They just really don't have the talent level to compete, in any conference...especially the West. They've got some young talent. I think (Francisco) Garcia is out for the year, and he was coming along last year. They just don't have the talent level to compete. It's an ugly situation.
"Hopefully they can take some strides. They're going to get their younger players a bunch of minutes this year and with a few offseason moves - you've got to bring in some studs - and this team can get back. But it's certainly going to be a long season in Sacramento."

On how he sees the Kings' path that led to this point...

"The Vlade Divac tip to Robert Horry in the (Game 4) loss (of the 2002 Western Conference Finals). From that moment on, it was over. That seemed to do it. They were on the cusp of getting to the Finals. From that moment on, it's a piece here leaving, a piece here moving, some salary shaves, and this is where you get to. It's hard to get to the top, and it's a lot easier to get to the bottom. They've obviously found it a lot easier to get to the bottom."

Both guys weighed in on Kevin Martin as well, although I'm taking my chances that no one plans to publish that material as it will work well in an upcoming piece on the Kings shooting guard I'll be working on. Beyond that, there was plenty of chatter about the league at large. Among the most relevant was Rose's doom-and-gloom prediction that Cleveland may as well be known as the Mistake on the Lake again if LeBron James decides to leave this summer (that was me, and not Rose, bringing up the old nickname, for the record). Lucky for the Cavs' faithful, he doesn't see James going anywhere.

"I would guess that he would be staying in Cleveland," Rose said. "I just think that he can be everything to the fans in Cleveland for a long time, whether they win a championship or not. I also hope that he stays because their economy would take a huge hit based on the (context of the) other (pro) teams...If they don't have LeBron James selling that franchise and really being an ambassador for that town, a lot of people will suffer." - Sam Amick

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***

It's been a rough preseason for the die-hards, what with no Kings exhibition games on TV and all.

Alas, Jason Thompson's big night in the Kings' win against the Warriors was captured in highlight-reel form on NBA.com. Before we get to the clip, I thought I'd share a short conversation I had with Warriors second-year forward Anthony Randolph. The LSU product is often mentioned in the same sentence as Thompson - yes, sometimes by me - because the Kings passed on him to get the relative unknown out of Rider University.

Then after Randolph blew up at summer league in Las Vegas, the dissenters grew louder with the opinion that he was the one who should've been in a Kings uniform. Well Randolph himself found that silly, and even moreso after seeing Thompson have such a productive outing against his team.

"He's a great player," said Randolph, whose 12 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes couldn't compare with Thompson's 20 point, 20-rebound outing. "You can't compare us because we're two different players. He had a great game tonight, so y'all should be happy with the pick y'all got."

No one was arguing with him after this one...

- Sam Amick

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***

The day may have ended with Jason Thompson boasting the best numbers of all - 20 points and 20 rebounds in a win over Golden State - but it began with him being jealous of Jon Brockman's numbers.

He wasn't alone, as a chorus of three that also included Donte' Greene and Sean May was jealous of the exploding number of Twitter followers Brockman was gaining. The joke that he gained some 3,000 followers during the timespan of the morning shoot-a-round wasn't that far off, as indicated by the ridiculous disparity between him and his teammates. At last count when this post was being written, it was Brockman with 60,485 followers on his page; , May with 4,605 on his page , Thompson with 6,612 on his page and Greene with 7,892 followers on his page.

It turns out Brockman wasn't alone, as the NBA had recommended two Kings player to Twitter to be mentioned on their 'suggested users' page. The other was Francisco Garcia, who is up to 63,165 and officially leading the team on his page. Nonetheless, this whole Twitter battle - which, yes, is so incredibly vain in many cases but mostly harmless fun here - inspired me to ask Brockman about his recent popularity.

But since I missed him in the locker room, we caught up after myself and Jason Jones interrupted he and May's post-game workout at the team's practice facility to get his thoughts. Brockman, who is incredibly beloved up in Washington and surely has the backing of the Huskies Nation, took the humble route when addressing his newfound status.

"I don't know why 60,000 people care about what a white kid from Snohomish, Washington is doing," he said while popping his head out of the back door for a tongue-in-cheek chat. "I'd like to thank the fans. We did this together."

Asked about his teammates' shameless requests to pilfer some of his followers, Brockman was ever so charitable. It hadn't stopped there, as his former University of Washington teammate Nate Robinson was apparently feeling jealous as well since Brockman has almost twice as many folks on his site as Nate the Great.

"My friends can be their friends, but ultimately it's up to them," he said.

For those unfamiliar with this platform, none of these followings compare to the NBA leader of Twitterland, Shaquille O'Neal. The Big Twiesel has more than 2.4 million lemmings on his list. But getting back to Brockman, it wasn't the first time he has had some fun with Twitter.

During his senior season, a rival Washington State player had been crank calling Brockman's cell phone incessantly but forgot to block the number. After Washington downed Washington State - with Brockman tallying seven points and 18 rebounds - he shared the player's cell phone number with his followers and implored them to call and gloat about the win. - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - This was going to be a handy audio file uploaded for your listening pleasure, but technology issues mean you'll now have the pleasure of reading the material.

After the Kings' loss to the Lakers on Thursday night, coach Paul Westphal had plenty to say about his squad's play.

WESTPHAL

General thoughts on the team's third preseason game...

"(The Lakers) are miles ahead of us, but I thought we had spurts of really good basketball, and we had spurts of getting schooled. It's all good. We can learn from them, learn from our mistakes, and learn from the good things we did. I thought the first half we were horrible at transition defense, horrible at pick and roll defense, and horrible at controlling our defensive boards, and they had a big lead. In the second half, we did better at both of those things. I like the way we responded.

He lauded reserves Kenny Thomas, Sergio Rodriguez and Andres Nocioni for playing "with hair on their chest" and was pleased with how Beno Udrih responded after a blown defensive assignment early on...

"He didn't rotate over one time and they got a layup, and in the second half (Udrih) did (rotate). I said, 'Just pretend you're Derek Fisher and draw a charge.' And he did. That's the play he got hurt on. Great coaching, huh? (laughs) But he's OK...I like the spirit of this team. They just have to take care of the dirty work that wins games."

On Tyreke Evans' defense on a night when he nearly the entire Lakers starting five at one point or another (really just Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, that I can remember, but there were more)...

"(Evans) needs to improve his conditioning a little bit. He's in shape, but 40 minutes against the Lakers is a different kind of shape.
"He's got some things to learn. But in general, he's a real presence out there. I thought he played with poise, and looked like he belonged out there...

On whether he got into the offense quicker than he had in Portland...

"We did a better job of (getting into offense quicker). Ten turnovers the whole night? I thought that was pretty good. We got to the line (atrocious 14 of 24). I thought offensively, there's some things we need to work on. But in general, we shared the ball a lot and played to our strengths a lot."

On the fact that after hitting just 36 of 86 shots against the Lakers, the Kings are now shooting just 40.6 percent...

"Hitting baskets is a big part of this game. You can't win without doing the dirty work - transition defense, pick and roll defense, limiting the second shots. But even when you do that, you can't win when you can't hit baskets either. I mentioned the free throws, and that's got to get better too."

On the fact that after praising Omri Casspi before the game, he issued 16 minutes to the rookie and zero to second-year small forward Donte' Greene.

"I didn't play (Greene) tonight. That's a fact. We played those other guys. I thought (Casspi) did pretty well. It's not like he's going to shut Kobe down, but he did a respectable job making Kobe take some shots that were tougher than they should have, so it was good."

TYREKE EVANS

On facing Kobe for the first time...

"It's Kobe. He went out there and played his game.

On where he's at defensively...

"I tried to play my best defense. I got a piece of everybody tonight - D. Fish, Kobe, Lamar. I went out there just playing hard and trying to do my best job as a defender."

On what he must improve on right now...

"Getting better at pick and rolls, I've been getting to the basket, but probably to pull up more in the paint because they had a lot of shotblockers. Coach wanted me to attack, but (he'll look to pull up more) just to save from getting beat I'll just try to pull up."

FINAL NOTES

* Not a good night for Desmond Mason, who hit just 1 of 5 shots and had two points in 17 minutes but did add three boards and four assists. Kings desperately need scoring from that spot.

* Very solid night from Jason Thompson, who had 19 points (9 of 17 shooting) and 14 rebounds in 37 minutes.

* For the second straight year at this annual Kings-Lakers preseason affair, the Maloofs were joined by boxer Floyd Mayweather. Joe, Gavin, George and mother Colleen were on hand.

* Chuck Person was there too. The former Kings assistant is with the Lakers now as Artest's shooting coach. It's a role he knows all too well, having now been with Artest in Indiana, Sacramento and with the Lake-show. Person - who was known as a tireless worker by Kings supporters and detractors alike during his Kings tenure - was fired along with then-head coach Reggie Theus midway through last season.

* I spoke briefly with Mitch Kupchak before the game, and the Lakers GM detailed how the Francisco Garcia injury was a wake-up call for his organization. Kupchak - who was clearly on the long list of folks who feel awful for Garcia - had all the team's exercise balls checked for holes or wear and tear or overinflation. They're not alone, as San Antonio has responded similarly as well.

* Garcia did not travel with the team. Kings assistant Pete Carril did, however, and appears motivated to continue doing so.

* Vegas is on its way back, baby - at least if this game is any indication. After drawing 11,090 fans last season for this game, there were 14,741 on hand on Thursday night. Then again, it just might have something to do with the whole championship thing and addition of Ron Artest yada yada...

* Kudos to Kings VP of Business Communications Mitch Germann for his job well done on a panel of the Blogs with Balls 2.0 convention Thursday. Good meeting so many folks who were previously no more than clever names on a web site or pseudonyms - Bethlehem Shoals, for example - when it came to my consciousness. Fascinating stuff and good discourse about a sports media landscape that is changing at an incredible rate (And bite your tongue Dan:).- Sam Amick

We've talked about the injury and the diagnosis, the implications and the potential legal fallout. Now we finally talked to Francisco Garcia himself.

The Kings veteran swingman who suffered a broken forearm near his wrist and significant ligament Friday spoke for the first time since having surgery and learning he'll miss at least four months. After dealing with numerous injuries last season and adding 13 pounds to his frame in attempt to toughen up this season, he faces a tough road to recovery.

- Sam Amick

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof gathered some of the region's most influential businessmen Tuesday with a shared mission in mind: sell out the Kings' first two home games.

I'll have more detail on this venture in tomorrow's paper, but it's essentially a push to sell tickets at the big boy level and have more concentrated efforts to sell individual tickets sprouting from there. The campaign committee on hand included Mike Daugherty, John Frisch, Matt Haines, Lloyd Harvego, Gerry Kamilos, Sotiris Kolokotronis, Hayden Markstein, Arlen Opper, Randy Paragary, Chevo Ramirez, Tim Ray, Bruce Scheidt, Tim Stenvick and Allen Warren.

(Courtesy of the Kings)- Sam Amick

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***

Kings coach Paul Westphal wasn't looking to talk about Francisco Garcia's injury after Monday's practice, even if there might be a lawsuit on the horizon.

It was time to move on, he said, not because their deepest sympathies didn't remain with the injured veteran but because the season just won't wait no matter how unfortunate the circumstance. But it wasn't until I left Kings practice that I noticed the symbolic representation of Westphal's sentiment - the bright purple wall near the security entrance at Arco Arena.

I've written about this wall and what it means before, but the central point is that the organization's most prominent players are typically honored in that space. Yet after the latest version had Garcia sharing the wall with Kevin Martin, Jason Thompson, and Spencer Hawes, I looked up to notice this as I took the journey from the team's practice facility to the restroom...

As always, it'll be interesting to see who they put up there next. If it's the same combination of four players, I've got to think it's Tyreke Evans, Martin, Thompson and Hawes. We'll see soon enough, as Tuesday's schedule of events includes a 12:45 p.m. press conference to announce an "unprecedented campaign to sellout the first two Kings home games," according to the team release.

The group that joined forces for this effort includes a campaign committee led by mayor Kevin Johnson and a "prestigious group of Sacramento business leaders," as well as Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, and Westphal. - Sam Amick

I'm looking into this more for tomorrow's paper, but the Kings are clearly searching for answers surrounding the fluke injury to Francisco Garcia.

After the Kings swingman broke his forearm after a physioball he was lifting on exploded, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof told me this morning that the team is sending an e-mail to each of the NBA's teams today to warn them about these newfound dangers. Maloof's main intent was to protect the athletes and educate the masses about this frightening possibility.

He has taken measures on the homefront as well, mandating that signs are hung in the team's weight room prohibiting the use of the balls. - Sam Amick

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***

You knew the news would be bad, and it certainly was.

Kings swingman Francisco Garcia will miss at least four months of action after breaking the right radius in his forearm.

Per the team's release...

"Sacramento Kings' swingman Francisco Garcia underwent successful surgery this morning at the UC Davis Medical Center to repair a broken right radius in his forearm and ligament damage to his wrist. Dr. Mark Lee performed the three-hour procedure. Garcia will spend eight weeks immobilized in a cast. He is expected to miss a minimum of four months of action." - Sam Amick

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***

So I've typically steered clear of arena talk in this space, instead focusing on the sports side and not the business because A1 (as in the paper's front page) is the more appropriate place to share our reporting and revelations on that front.

But in light of fan reaction to today's San Jose Mercury News report, that rule needs to be broken to offer a bit of perspective. The story indicates that there have been discussions in 'recent months' between the Kings and the HP Pavilion folks about a move. None of this shocked me, as I spent a good amount of time in February trying to verify this very information.

It's the reason I took this shot at team president John Thomas, who wouldn't call me back to confirm or deny whether he had been the one making a 'scouting' trip to San Jose to investigate the arena situation down there. I had numerous people telling me that was the case, but didn't go with it because I couldn't get it confirmed on the other end.

But eight months later, it's clear whatever talks went on there and elsewhere haven't provided a feasible new plan in a new city for the Kings. The economy and fees involved in relocating (not to mention territorial rights with the Warriors in this case) mean it's not realistic anytime soon, hence ownership's declaration to me that they're not going anywhere. It just so happens that part of the Maloofs' patience here is the result of knowing the landscape elsewhere.

No one should be surprised that they have looked into other situations, as they are still business owners in a nonprofitable situation no matter how many times they tout their love of Sacramento. But I'm of the belief Gavin Maloof was telling the truth when he said they aren't going anywhere by next season and remain patient to figure out the newest arena plan from there. The tough reality, however, is that it remains equally true that they'll eventually leave if a new arena never comes.

The NBA doesn't want its teams playing in old barns like Arco, and they likely didn't want Gavin saying what he had said to me earlier this month because putting pressure on is sometimes the only way to spark action. But that action, as I see it, isn't happening here or elsewhere by next season. The Kings are here for now and the immediate future. Everything from there remains uncertain. - Sam Amick

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***

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie didn't want to speculate about just how much time Francisco Garcia could miss with what he called a broken right wrist. And, well, there's hidden point there: there's plenty of time to get into that.

He'll be gone awhile because of a fluke injury on a physioball that burst during an exercise and will require surgery tomorrow morning. It was something that has certainly happened before but not always with an athlete whose healthy presence means so much to the company that's paying him $5.8 million this season. There was an outpouring of sympathy at Kings practice today, where Petrie decided to address the situation in our darkened media room.

As I said in my home in Twitterland, this obviously ups Desmond Mason's chances of sticking around for the regular season roster. He's been out both preseason games with back spasms, though, so he obviously needs to get healthy and show a few things. Also on the injury front, Andres Nocioni is day to day and didn't practice because of hamstring tendinitis, Spencer Hawes remained out with his sprained left ankle, Sean May was out with flu-like symptoms, and then you had Mason in limited action with the (back).

- Sam Amick

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***

PORTLAND, Ore. - So my game story on the direction of the Kings' franchise and how Tyreke Evans fits in went hard in one direction - thumbs up.

It was a positive read on our first real look at this squad, but it certainly left out the long list of not-so-rosy Rose Garden revelations from the loss at Portland. And anyone who grew accustomed to reading this blog in the past knows this is where we keep the conversation going. Let's delve deeper...

* They lost. And that actually does matter. It didn't matter to me, as I was ready to extract insights, analyze lineups and offer the same preseason pass on outcome that is granted to all 30 NBA teams. Except that when I asked vice basketball president Wayne Cooper afterward if this was a thumbs up or a thumbs down, he spoke for the organization by replying, "Well, we lost."

The Kings want to keep this early buzz going and give fans a reason to stay tuned in. Tough to do when the games aren't on TV, meaning the majority of folks will peek at a box score and start formulating opinion from there. They really need to win some of these games.

* Also in the 'I know it's preseason, but...' category: 18 turnovers against 13 assists. Not exactly a good start on that front, considering assist-to-turnover ratio has been a huge concern in recent years. No Kings player had more than two assists.

That being said, it wasn't a matter of ball-pounding Artest or Salmons style as much as it was not executing on open looks (37 percent shooting). Sergio Rodriguez's Sacramento story didn't start off too well in this realm either.

* Rough start for Sean May, who had a very solid training camp and was given the PF start by Kings coach Paul Westphal. He fouled out in 14 minutes and had four points and four rebounds.

"There's probably going to be more games where I could be more offensive, but right now I'm just trying to figure it out," May said. "I'm trying to get Kevin (Martin) going, and certain guys you need to get going to win games."

After four years of injury-plagued seasons in Charlotte, May said it simply felt good to be on the floor.

"Donte' (Greene) said, 'How do you feel? You haven't played in a long time," May said. "And that's the truth. It felt great just to be out there running around, running through screens and just competing...Today was good to come out and struggle so now I know I have to put in more work and do better."

* Weird night for rookie small forward Omri Casspi.

Despite Desmond Mason being out with back spasms, he didn't get on the floor until there was 9:09 left in the fourth. He made the most of his time, though, playing until the end while hitting all four of his shots for nine points and grabbing two rebounds.

Casspi grabbed a rebound within seconds of entering, then hit a midrange jumper, had a dunk off a loose ball, a runner in the lane and a three-pointer from the right wing.

"Man he was ready," Westphal said. "I should have put him in earlier. The basket looked like it was six feet around for him tonight."

After a training camp in which Westphal made clear his opinion that no Kings player has longer to go to reach their potential than Casspi, the NBA's first Israeli said he's eager to win Westphal's favor.

"I was happy I went out there and played hard and did what I wanted to do and wanted to achieve," Casspi said. "It's hard to sit on the bench for three and a half quarters and (get) nine minutes at the end. You just go out there and start playing. 

"Coach is trying to figure out things, wants to see who's coming off the bench and he's testing a lot of stuff. That's what I'm going to do. Like I said from Day One, I'm going to take the open shots, do good defense, play hard, and hopefully (earn) a lot of minutes."

Martin, who has seen more of Casspi's game than any other Kings player considering he worked out with him this summer at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., lauded his play.

"He was just active, and anytime you're active good things are going to happen for you," Martin said. "That's what he's going to do - defend and be active on the boards. He played well. I'm glad the ball dropped for him tonight."

Red flags and all on the collective front, the measured optimism continued in Kings Land.

"I love the chemistry of this team, just guys' attitudes and a different makeup from past years," he said. "We've got guys buying into the system...We'll keep on building off things from tonight." - Sam Amick

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***

PORTLAND - Kings coach Paul Westphal said at this morning's shootaround that Desmond Mason is experiencing back pain and will not play tonight.

Fifth-year swingman Francisco Garcis will get the start. Mason told me he is dealing with back spasms and is heading to see a local chiropractor this afternoon. He is unsure if he'll be available for tomorrow's game against Portland at Arco Arena. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

PORTLAND - You're not alone, Kings fans.

That may or may not help your mood this preseason, when the Kings' new product is being unveiled and developed and none of it will be seen on local Sacramento television.

But I've been soliciting other media folks from around the league to get a sense of the NBA-wide picture on this front, and it's not nearly as pretty as some might have assumed. Here's what I've found regarding 17 teams, with a disclaimer that I'm not fact-checking but merely trusting the folks who work in these areas. Feel free to add to the list, as I'm off to shoot-a-round in Portland and can't finish the job at the moment. Thanks again for the heavy lifting from PBWA members, and Facebook and Twitter contributions.

The 'Friends in low places' crowd (no games televised, Garth)

Sacramento, Portland, Golden State, New Orleans, San Antonio, Utah,

The 'It could be worse' category

Memphis (none locally, one vs. Dallas on Mavs' owner Mark Cuban's HDNet)
Phoenix (none locally, one on ESPN)
Atlanta (none locally, one on ESPN)
Charlotte (two),
Minnesota (two)
Washington (three),
Cleveland (two locally, one on NBATV)

The Joneses (tough to keep up)

Houston (all games televised locally)
Dallas (four locally and three on owner HDNet; sked shows two on NBATV as well)
Toronto - (all but one game televised)
New York - all games televised
Lakers - all games televised - Sam Amick

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Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

If it were anyone other than Spencer Hawes, the notion would be absurd.

Revenge based on a preseason game? Please.

But this is where Hawes has more in common with Michael Phelps than his looks, as they are both known to find inspiration from slights both real and perceived. It's a common trait among so many great competitors, Michael Jordan (did you see his vindictive HOF speech?) chief among them. Hawes may not have gold medals or championship rings, but he has that.

Which is why I'm guessing he isn't pleased with today's announcement from coach Paul Westphal that he will be coming off the bench tomorrow at Portland.

A year after Hawes' struggles against Greg Oden in the 2008-09 exhibition openersounded all kinds of premature alarms that irritated him to no end, the third-year center will not get his chance to share the floor with Oden from the start this time around.

Westphal said he plans on having Sean May share the frontcourt with Jason Thompson instead of Hawes, with Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin and Desmond Mason rounding out the starting five. Hawes said all the right things afterward and may have meant them. I'm not buying it, though.

"I didn't know that (he was coming off the bench), but that's (Westphal's) decision," Hawes said. "We'll see. I'd say (it surprised me) a little bit. It's not my decision."

So the Kings say there were 4,500 fans at Saturday's open practice at Arco Arena, which means only one thing.

There were 12,817 locals who missed out.

Nights like these won't come along too often this season in this setting, with the energy all positive and the outcome irrelevant and the basketball entertaining from beginning to end. Jon Brockman had a mini-coming out party. Tyreke Evans looked like an NBA stud. Kevin Martin looked like a healthy Kevin Martin - ditto for Desmond Mason. Sean May hit from outside and was a glue guy on both ends. Beno Udrih reminded those in attendance that he is a talented, if complicated, fellow. Kenny Thomas looked hungry, nearly diving over press row at one point to go for a loose ball and sparking a standing ovation from those who were there. Coach Paul Westphal continued to be ever-so-gracious with the fans.

Ubiquitous Kings PR man Chris Clark has a worthy recap of the action here, and I've included the Kings' live-streaming video at the bottom of this post. As for my own contributions, I was writing this piece on the team's attempts to re-grow its fanbase before deciding to catch up with Kings co-owner Joe Maloof courtside. It was little more than a friendly chat, but you can get a sense of the good time that was had by all. More importantly, Brockman's new nickname is revealed by Maloof as well.

The practice, in its entirety...

- Sam Amick

BLOG UPDATE (3:39 pm): The lack of an agreement with News10 simply means there will be no regular season games on that channel. But the change that relates to the preseason is with Comcast, as that's where preseason games were previously aired. That's a Kings decision based on finances to not air the games there.

News10 - which just put out its own story here - has shifted the focus of its relationship with the Kings in a way that doesn't include airing games.

***

We'll have more on this tomorrow's paper, but there will be no Kings preseason games on TV.

The Kings and News10 did not come to an agreement on a deal, so it's all radio and newspapers (online too) in the exhibition season. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

Just a reminder that the Kings are holding an open practice tonight at Arco Arena.

The 7 p.m. event requires pre-printed tickets (parking is free), so click here for that. Also, those who can't make it out can watch by clicking here as the team is streaming the event live.

TODAY'S COVERAGE

'Nocioni likely to return to bench' - Amick
'Mason's knee looking good' - Jones

- Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

As early training camp stories go, this one was a nail-biter for the Kings.

The prized rookie had an MRI on his left knee Wednesday that left his new bosses on edge, but the good news came later that afternoon when a bone bruise was revealed that was far better than, oh let's say, a torn ACL. What's more, Evans said today that he was supposed to ease his way back into practice but simply couldn't help himself on Wednesday night. He went full bore in the scrimmage, and doesn't plan to stop anytime soon. (Newly-popular disclaimer on all Evans' interviews - turn those speakers up! He's a quiet one.)

- Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

KHTK's Carmichael Dave takes a lot of grief for not being a SERIOUS sports media personality.

God forbid.

But as he shows in his nine-minute interview with Beno (you'll get the Benjamin part later) Udrih from media day, he's not just a one-player pony (Ron Artest) when it comes bringing some comedy into this world. Dave is joined by the station's Sean Cunningham and local sports writer Tony Harvey in the chat. Enjoy...

Click here to hear the interview.

Of course I was on hand to provide the much less light-hearted look at Beno's situation in Wednesday's paper. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

Take a deep breath Kings fans.

This will be in tomorrow's paper, but I figured there might actually be a couple folks who will sleep easier knowing this info tonight: Tyreke Evans is already back in action.

I was told he looked good and wasn't limited by the bone bruise revealed by today's MRI. Surprisingly, Evans wound up being the third biggest story today, with Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof making headlines in two significant areas (you'll have to wait for those). - Sam Amick

Tyreke Evans' pro career will have to begin on the training table.

The Kings rookie had an MRI Wednesday afternoon which revealed acute patellar bone bruise in his left knee and is considered day to day. Evans had experienced soreness during Tuesday's workouts and the team took the safe route and ordered the MRI.

With the disclaimer that I'm no doctor, I learned a bit about bone bruises while researching Kevin Martin's ankle injury last season and know they can certainly make for tricky recoveries. We'll know more tomorrow, as there is no more media availability today. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

Kings highly-touted draft pick Tyreke Evans had a rough first day of training camp Tuesday, as numerous sources close to the team tell me he sat out tonight's scrimmage with a knee issue.

While we'll surely hear more about it tomorrow, no one seems to be overly concerned just yet. I was told that he had been dealing with a lingering groin problem of some sort and may have impacted the knee in a secondary way, and wouldn't be shocked if they did a precautionary MRI tomorrow. It now makes sense why I had been told earlier in the day that he didn't do the team's conditioning test, as he was clearly laboring because of this problem. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. Join the Kings Corner Facebook page here.

***

His is the most influential question without an answer, and so Geoff Petrie didn't flinch in the slightest when it was asked.

The Kings basketball president knows he has one year left on his contract and no extension on his desk. He also knows that he's not about to start negotiations through the media.

"It's really not an issue right now, I don't think, of much consequence," Petrie said at today's media day. "The job I have today is the most important job and it's not something I really spend a lot of time thinking about. Our relationship (betweeen him and Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof) is really strong. We've been through so much together through the years. To me, it's a non-issue. It's obviously a bridge that has to be crossed, but right now it's a bridge too far."

While there are some who wondered how long the 61-year-old Petrie would want to continue in this capacity, he made it clear that it's his hope to remain on board beyond 2009-10. He also said there have been no discussions of any kind regarding an extension between himself and the Maloofs regarding his future.

"I want to continue to work in some form," he said. "I have tremendous roots and ties here in Sacramento. That's all the more reason to do a good job now."

I'll have more from Petrie in tomorrow's paper, but his comments served as the lone substance to an otherwise-light-hearted affair. Beno Udrih didn't wage war on his bosses, even though they spent the summer trying to hire folks to take his job through the draft and trade for Sergio Rodriguez. I had a long chat with Udrih that will be shared in Wednesday's paper.

There were plenty of laughs, including Tyreke Evans sharing the fact that he already has his own bobblehead before even playing a minute of NBA time. I didn't hear the back story on who made it and whether it will be the next Carls Jr. Happy Mean add-on, but Evans seemed to get a kick out of it.

As camp competition goes, Melvin Ely will be one to watch in the next few weeks. He badly wants to make this team as he has family nearby and knows the region well from his days at Fresno State.

The Kings ran a live UStream of Media Day, too. And if you watch this, you're a bona fide super fan.

- Sam Amick

The real Media Day is hours away, when reporters like myself get back in the daily routine of the more conventional parts of the job.

Ask questions. Get answers. Write stories.

But it's not just about that anymore, so consider this is a Bee press release on the latest fringe elements of our coverage. Let's get social...

FACEBOOK PAGE

We present the 'Sacramento Kings Corner (SacBee)' page, which will serve a number of functions.

(Become a fan of the page by clicking the link above)

It will link to our stories and blogs via RSS feeds, which is to be expected. But it will also become the first place to go for postgame or postpractice video - even before it's up on the blog. If I'm Joe Average Kings Fan, that becomes even more interesting this season considering there is no longer any pre- or post-game TV coverage of Kings games (part of the layoffs).

We can certainly chat it up with the fans in there, with you sharing your insights or rants and us offering quick commentary that isn't limited to 140 characters a la Twitter. What's more, I'm going to have some fun with it from a technology standpoint, sharing random shots and videos home and road that don't necessarily have a place on the blog. Fans can share their photos too (not sure about videos), so the interactivity should be fun.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

This may wind up being redundant, as I'm trying to get our new YouTube Kings channel to feed directly into the Facebook. Nonetheless, the most direct and quickest way to see our Kings material in the video realm is by subscribing to the channel.

TWITTER REMINDER

The Twitter portion of our presence has been strong for some time, but that doesn't mean we don't need new friends on that front.

To follow me (sam_amick), click here; to follow Jason Jones (jejones_sacbee), click here.

PLAYER SALARIES PAGE

This isn't a new element, just an updated one.

After securing the down-to-the-dollar numbers on Kings player salaries a year ago, the page went untouched as the team's roster most certainly did not. At long last, we have the new numbers for the players old and new. And for those who accused us of trying to stir the public's pot by publishing this info, you couldn't be more off-target (and I can say that, as it was my project with a huge assist on the web front from Phillip Reese).

I just grew tired of seeing inaccurate Kings salary numbers on other web sites, as fans often drew erroneous conclusions from the erroneous info. Everyone knows pro athletes haul in exorbitant paychecks, even on teams like the Kings that are near the bottom of the league in payroll. Sparking a larger discussion on our society's injustices, while a valid one, was not the intent. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

We chronicled the past and peeked at the future of Sean May in today's piece, but there was much more, shall we say, meat to the story that we didn't get into.

The chubby chapter.

May talked at length about his reputation as a human balloon, capable of growing and shrinking with a few hefty breaths during his playing career. To his credit, he couldn't have been classier chatting about the topic. He's seen the chatter, heard the critics, knows about all the jokes, and shrugs his burly shoulders at all of it.

The microfracture surgery, May said, was solely to blame for his tipping 300 pounds in 2008. It's life in the 260s now, with nothing but excitement about what he can do without the unwelcome weight.

"The stigma has always followed me," May said. "But the one thing is, you've never heard me get upset about it, never heard me (complain) about it. You've just never heard that from me because I don't care. It doesn't bother me.
"I know me. I know my game. People who watch me play - If you didn't even hear a weight and you watched me play, you wouldn't think that he's too heavy. But as soon as you hear a number, this connotation comes in your head. It's just been that way."

The number in college, May said, was higher than his scale reading now.

"I was heavier at (University of North) Carolina, like 270," May said. "(The focus on weight) is also with the knee surgery, that scares them. When Sacramento came to me (about his weight clause), My agent asked me, 'Do you care if they put a weight clause in your contract?' I was like, 'I don't care, as long as it's not something where he's got to be 245.' I'll never get to 245. I haven't been that since eighth grade. I just don't care (about the clause). I want to play basketball."

College football? Nah. Sunday's Week Three of NFL action? Please. You know this weekend was all about the highly-anticipated release of the Kings' training camp roster. Relax, already. Here it is...

Forward Melvin Ely is the obvious eyebrow-raiser in the bunch, as the player taken 12th overall in 2002 by the Clippers is yet another log thrown upon this bonfire of Kings' camp competition. The big man hardly came up big in his last two seasons in New Orleans (83 games played combined, approximately 12 minutes per in both seasons), and the irony here is that former Kings forward Ike Diogu was essentially signed by the Hornets this summer to fill the role Ely was hired to fill.

***
(Jersey number, name, position, height, weight, birthdate, where from, years of experience)

40 Jon Brockman F 6-7 255 March 20, 1987 Washington R

18 Omri Casspi F 6-9 225 June 22, 1988 Israel R

33 Melvin Ely C-F 6-10 261 May 2, 1978 Fresno State 7

13 Tyreke Evans G 6-6 220 Sept. 19, 1989 Memphis R

32 Cisco Garcia G-F 6-7 195 Dec. 31, 1981 Louisville 4

20 Donté Greene F 6-11 226 Feb. 21, 1988 Syracuse 1

31 Spencer Hawes C-F 7-1 245 April 28, 1988 Washington 2

23 Kevin Martin G 6-7 185 Feb. 1, 1983 West. Carolina 5

24 Des. Mason G 6-5 222 Oct. 11, 1977 Oklahoma State 9

42 Sean May F 6-9 266 April 4, 1984 North Carolina 3

5 Andres Nocioni F 6-7 225 Nov. 30, 1979 Argentina 5

10 Serg. Rodriguez G 6-3 176 June 12, 1986 Spain 3

7 Lanny Smith G 6-3 190 Oct. 30, 1984 Houston R

9 Kenny Thomas F 6-7 245 July 25, 1977 New Mexico 10

34 J. Thompson F 6-11 250 July 21, 1986 Rider 1

19 Beno Udrih G 6-3 205 July 5, 1982 Slovenia 5

*** - Sam Amick

PSA, as in Public Service Announcement. Not PSL, as in those quizzical personal seat licenses the Raiders used to sell and then wonder how in the Al Davis hell the Coliseum was empty.

We are here not only to entertain but to inform, and so here is some timely and relevant news regarding the Kings and ticket sales. The organization is working hard on all fronts to make sure they don't finish last in the league in attendance again, and the promotional push is ramping up as Monday's media day approaches.

The Kings will hold an open practice Oct. 3 at Arco Arena, with fans encouraged to download their free tickets to the 7 p.m. event on the team's web site.

The hope from there, of course, is that their emaciated fanbase is actually willing to pay to see this group.

While tickets for the team's three home preseason games are already on sale, individual tickets for the regular season home games go on sale Saturday. The newest wave of ballyhooed youngsters will be promoting the push, as rookies Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and Jon Brockman all have meet-and-greet appearances on Saturday.

* Evans, the University of Memphis product who was taken fourth overall in the June draft, will mingle with fans at Dairy Queen at the Roseville Galleria from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

* Casspi, the Kings' No. 23 pick and first Israeli player to secure a guaranteed NBA contract, will be at Folsom Live 2009 on Historic Sutter Street in Old Folsom from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

* Brockman, the former University of Washington forward taken 38th overall by the Kings, will be at " A Day in the Zone" at Discovery Park from 2 to 3 p.m.

Fans who purchase tickets online to the Kings Nov. 2 home opener against Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday will receive a voucher to pick up an autographed photo of their favorite Kings rookie at the game. The Kings have also added three-game and five-game plans to their packages, the former starting at $76.50 and the latter starting at $127.50. Go to Kings.com or call 888-91-KINGS for more information. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

Let's talk Jon Brockman. Or, as he's known on his Twitter page, Mr. Jon Brockman.

I hope to do an expanded piece on this during the season, but I don't think Kings fans realize the Brockman love fest that went on in the Seattle area during his time there. And while most of the adoration was surely because the guy dives for loose balls and welcomes all knee scrapes, it's also because he's pretty much Mr. Meat and Potatoes with a side of All-American.

I chatted with the Kings rookie forward about that side of him today, when his love for fishing and penchant for eating large quantities of pancakes were the topics of discussion. Both areas were already public knowledge, as a Brockman Tweet on Aug. 24 was better suited for the Outdoors channel than NBATV and an FSN halftime segment last season showcased his devouring dominance. Be sure to watch until the end, as the player known for challenging his teammates to be their best has a challenge for his new fanbase. (Be sure to at least watch the pancake video first - 'devouring dominance' link)

Brockman may be a rookie, but it seems he's a vet when it comes to the media game. And he certainly wasn't impressed by this little old Kings blog - not after being a correspondent for Jim Rome during his final Huskies season.

As for the actual Kings session that I observed today, we'll leave that to tomorrow's paper. Plenty of time to examine this group. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

The NBA player's transition from summer fun to hitting the floor again used to be a story told on media day, when guys like me played the part of 5th Grade teacher and repeatedly asked 'How was your summer?'

But now there's YouTube, which means you don't even need to box anyone out in a media scrum to have a window into their world. Witness, Spencer Hawes...

The Kings' third-year center was so dedicated this summer he was doing cardio everywhere, including the sideline of his alma mater's upset over USC last weekend. (BLOG UPDATE, Sept. 22, 6:53 pm: What I'd thought was a random video shot by a Huskies fan that had gained YouTube traction was, in fact, content shot by Ben of Blazers Edge and published on Sactownroyalty in this post. I'm all about hat-tips, of course, so let that be known)

Hawes eventually joined his teammates in Sacramento, where most of the team has been running every day in the voluntary program that precedes the start of training camp on Sept. 29.

I'll be heading over to the practice facility today to take a look for myself and see how guys are coming along. Normally, I wouldn't have much interest in the work that's taking place over there these days. But this is far from a veteran-laden team, meaning chemistry and work ethic and a good early start are all more important than ever. This team needs to make its own breaks (and avoiding breaking anything of the physical sort) if they have any hope of surprising the masses who expect so little from them this season.

Kings coach Paul Westphal said as much when we spoke last week.

"We've had 10 guys (working out), and then Cisco (Garcia) has been here as well," Westphal said. "Tyreke (Evans) and K9 (Kenny Thomas) are coming soon and Beno (Udrih) and Noc (Andres Nocioni) are around corner. It's getting close.

"This is a real good sign to see these guys bonding and enjoying what they're doing, and working hard. Without the hard work, it means nothing. (Fifth-year Kings strength and conditioning coach) Daniel Shapiro has done a great job of getting them the conditioning and an opportunity to enjoy it and to interact with each other. This is a good thing right now."

I'll share some observations and have something in tomorrow's paper on the matter, so come on back. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

Just Desmond Mason's luck, the Kings didn't cap their roster at lucky No. 13 after all.

Geoff Petrie's prediction/declaration that his team would have 13 players this season was followed two days later by the signing of Mason, so pardon me for not being sure what to make of all of it. What's more, Mason - who has a non-guaranteed deal and will have to prove healthy and productive in order to become No. 14 - adds another log to the wingman jam while the position of greatest need - that being center - is the fire that remains untended.

But after all, it's been hazy around here for some time now, so just hold your breath and wait for the smoke to clear. Because Kings coach Paul Westphal says so...

"So much of how this is going to look when the smoke clears is based on competition, and the more competition that you can provide these players, the more you're going to find about them, about who can rise to the top and who deserves the opportunity to play and learn from their mistakes and who deserves to sit and watch and learn," Westphal said today. "You can learn a couple different ways."

In other words, give him a little bit of time before shooting off the flares.

Anyone looking to discuss the Mason addition and what it means, feel free to ask questions or sound off in Twitterland.

***

Just as the Kings looked content to start their season with 13 players on their roster, they have instead added an affordable and athletic talent to the mix.
Nine-year veteran Desmond Mason is expected to be signed to a non-guaranteed one-year deal for the league minimum of $1.18 million today, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. His deal is what's widely known as a 'make-good,' with Mason needing to still be on the roster on Jan. 10 to have his entire salary guaranteed. The Associated Press first reported the story that Mason would be signed, but did not indicate contract terms.

UPDATE: (2:03 p.m.) Mason's agent, Roger Montgomery, has just informed me that Mason has signed the deal and already left town to get his life organized before returning to Sacramento.

The former Oklahoma City swingman is coming off one of his toughest seasons, having hyperextended his right knee on Jan. 28 against Memphis and missed the second half of the season. He has averaged 12.2 points throughout a career in which he has played in Seattle, Milwaukee New Orleans and Oklahoma City. The Kings have long had their eye on Mason, having attempted to trade for him in 2005 in a deal involving Kings forward Kenny Thomas. The season prior was Mason's best, as he averaged 17.2 points for the Bucks.

Not long after the Kings and Bucks talked about Mason in October of 2005, he was sent from the Bucks to the then-New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for center Jamaal Magloire, an unconditional first-round pick in 2006 and cash. He returned to Milwaukee in the summer of 2007 when he signed as a free agent, then averaged 9.7 points and 28.8 minutes per game while playing in just 59 games. He was traded to Oklahoma City last summer in a three-team trade with Cleveland also involved.

His addition will add some real intrigue to training camp, as he now joins a list of players fighting for minutes at the wing spots that already included Kevin Martin, Tyreke Evans, Andres Nocioni, Francisco Garcia, Donte' Greene, and Omri Casspi. Mason is going to turn 32 next month, so don't expect the same high-flyer who was drafted 17th overall by Seattle out of Oklahoma State. But the man has long been known for his highlight-reel material, and the Kings can only hope he has just a little bit left.

- Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

As expected, the Kings signed Jon Brockman today.

The move brings the roster to lucky No. 13, with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie telling me Monday that he didn't anticipate it growing from there. All of Seattle will surely rejoice, as Brockman is nothing short of revered in the Emerald City. Let training camp begin... - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

Yes, it's only September and the thought of an injury update right now seems a bit absurd.

But Francisco Garcia went through much of last season with lingering injuries, one of which (fractured right ring finger) he repeated again earlier this month while playing with the Dominican Republic national team. So in the smallest of significant ways, it actually mattered this afternoon when the Kings announced that Garcia's injury is not serious and he can resume full hoops activities next week.

It matters because this team has less room for error or ailments than any other in the league, and they surely need a veteran like Garcia to be free to shine and shoot with all his digits - and everything else - in working order. Combined with the news that Beno Udrih's injury is also minor means Project Maximize Potential can begin in earnest when camp begins on Sept. 29. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

Per the previous blog post, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie told me this afternoon that second-round pick Jon Brockman will be officially signed either later today or tomorrow morning.

The team is getting an updated physical on Brockman, the University of Washington bruiser who was taken 38th overall. As a side note, Petrie mentioned that it's his preference to keep the roster at its current count of 13 players (once Brockman is signed). Translation: Don't expect the late addition of a backup center to the roster, and don't expect any camp players to win a job unless they put on an absolute show next month. - Sam Amick

Follow Sam and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee.

***

The Seattle Times is reporting that University of Washington product and second round pick Jon Brockman was signed by the Kings today, although I've yet to confirm the news and a Kings official I checked with said he has no reason to believe this is the case.

Considering Brockman's latest Twitter update around 7 a.m. today had him halfway here from Seattle on his drive, the pen may not have actually hit the paper just yet or maybe the two sides haven't agreed at all. Nonetheless, it was/is a matter of when and not if, with sources who have knowledge of the contract talks telling me the holdup was related to whether to guarantee one or two years (and by extension the money in those years, of course).

I'm curious to hear of the outcome and will share that once I do. After all, signing second rounders and rookie free agents is where the negotiating goes on in the NBA because of the league's rookie salary scale which predetermines salaries for first rounders (with wiggle room of 80 percent to 120 percent of that figure up for negotiations and the structure - two years guaranteed, two team options - also preset). As such, I figured it'd be worth finding out what the fellow second rounders near Brockman (No. 38) signed for this summer or if they signed at all just to get a peek at that picture. It's not the only relevant info, as the Kings should really only care about how Brockman fits on their roster and what they think he deserves at this point within the context of their own financial situation. Nonetheless, it's interesting to size up the different deals.

Pick No. 31. Jeff Pendergraph - signed by Portland, no terms known

BLOG UPDATE (Sept. 22, 9:08 a.m.): Pendergraph terms - Three years, $2.1 million (Compensation Protection for 2010-11 season is none but increases to full if a) he plays in 10 or more 2009-10 regular season games, b) he plays in 50 percent or more of the team's 2009-10 playoff games - Blazers are already in?! - or c) Blazers have not cut him on or before July 25, 2010; Compensation protection for 2011-12 season is none but increases to full if a) player plays in 41 or more 2010-11 regular season games or b) Blazers have not cut him on or before June 30, 2011.)

32. Jermaine Taylor - signed by Houston, four years for $3.3 million (4th year team option, third year not guaranteed)

33. Dante Cunningham - signed by Portland, two years for $1.2 million (both guaranteed)

BLOG CORRECTION: For some unknown reason, I originally wrote Cunningham's salary as $2.4 million. Fixed on Sept. 22.

34. Sergio Llull - not signed by Houston (Rockets have his rights but he's playing with Real Madrid)

35. DaJuan Summers - signed by Detroit, two years for $1.2 million ($500,000 guaranteed in second season)

36. Sam Young - signed by Memphis, three years for $2.7 million (third season is a team option)

37. DeJuan Blair - signed by San Antonio, four years, $3.8 million ($500,000 guaranteed in third year; none guaranteed in fourth unless he isn't waived before Nov. 1, 2012 at which point it's fully guaranteed)

BLOG UPDATE (Sept. 22, 9:10 a.m.): No. 38: Brockman signed for one year at approximately $457,000 of guaranteed money and no team or player options thereafter.

39. Jonas Jerebko - signed by Detroit, two years for $1.2 million (second season half guaranteed but goes to full if still on the roster on July 1, 2010).

40. Derrick Brown - signed by Charlotte, two years for $1.2 million (second season has $100,000 guaranteed and $200,000 of $762K if still on team on Sept. 1, 2010; fully guaranteed on Nov. 1, 2010).

In this economic landscape, the cost of doing business simply isn't what it used to be and teams are tightening their respective wallets in situations like these. Saving a few (hundred thousand) bucks on second-round or rookie free agent deals is a good way to throw a bone to the bottom line, and something the Kings haven't done much of late. Making matters worse, their most recent players of this ilk haven't produced much while they were here or stayed around long to earn their money (see 2008 free agent rookie Bobby Brown and his two-year guaranteed deal for $1.17 million).

And while Brockman has already earned positive reviews and seems to be a favorite of first-year Kings coach Paul Westphal, he's still an unproven second rounder who - one would think - sits behind Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes, Sean May and Kenny Thomas on the big man depth chart. For what it's worth... - Sam Amick

A quick social media reminder...

Follow myself and fellow hoops scribe Jason Jones on Twitter - sam_amick and jejones_sacbee. If we hear tidbits or have brief insights that don't quite merit an actual blog post, this is a good place to get added Kings/NBA reporting/commentary. Also, it's an easy place for us to answer reader questions quickly and promptly (like, say, in 140 characters:) For the ultra lazy, you can see my Twitter updates along the lower right side of this page.

***

Since Sean May signed with the Kings in early August, the "no news is good news" mantra didn't jive with so many fans who wanted this team to improve its underwhelming roster in these late summer months.

But the old saying has proved true once again in this case, as the purple news cycle has been kickstarted this week by injuries to two key players. We talked about Beno Udrih's left knee strain in today's paper, and we'll elaborate on the impact of that ailment in a minute here. But after there were reports out of Puerto Rico that swingman Francisco Garcia had injured his finger while missing time in the FIBA Americas Championship, the Kings announced today that the productive sixth man has a fractured right ring finger and will not play in the remainder of the tournament (BLOG UPDATE 5:36 p.m.: As I was writing, DR was eliminated from the tourney by Canada).

Garcia - who labored through the same injury late last season after breaking the right ring finger on March 3 against Indiana - will return to Sacramento late next week to have the finger re-evaluated. All of which means Daniel Shapiro and Pete Youngman will have their hands full in what is an already-busy month for the Kings' fifth-year strength and conditioning coach and longtime trainer, with Udrih and Garcia needing rehab of various sorts from the start.

While neither injury is being deemed serious at the moment, there is a legitimate chance for lasting implications on both fronts. Garcia suffered through last season with a lingering injury (his calf) and surely hopes this one doesn't pester him for months to come. He will have no shortage of small forwards looking for minutes with starter Andres Nocioni, second-year Donte' Greene and rookie Omri Casspi, so any stumble at the start is undesirable. What's more, he had been playing very well for his Dominican Republic team (see stats here).

Speaking of whom, I caught up with Casspi today by phone from Bradenton, Fla., where he's going the way of Kevin Martin with his offseason training routine at the IMG Academy. Having returned from his homeland after the recent visit with our own Ailene Voisin, he said he is doing all he can to be in fantastic shape come training camp, and he plans on joining the Kings' voluntary conditioning program on Sept. 11.

"This is more of an individual feel (than his previous training in Israel)," Casspi said by phone. "In all my career, I've never had one summer off (because he previously played with the national team). I can work on my stuff and get better as a player, get stronger and work on my body. It's a new experience.
"Everything we do is a first time for me, so in the beginning it was very hard for me to adjust. You're working twice a day playing basketball and lifting in the end. I was dead for three days, couldn't even move. It was just different for me. It's great. I love it here. It's the best thing I could ever imagine. I want to do this every summer now. I have a lot of room to improve on my body and my game."

Meanwhile, Udrih - who has never been the top of the training camp conditioning class to begin with - now finds himself looking to get healthy right about the time his teammates will be looking to take his job. By default, he remains the starting point guard (read the company line here), but rookie Tyreke Evans is waiting to take the ball and run with it while new addition Sergio Rodriguez will be looking for substantial minutes as well.

A quick sidenote on Rodriguez that I forgot to mention along the way: Considering the Kings stand to net approximately $1.1 million for trading for him, any production is gravy. Sources with knowledge of the situation informed me the Kings were paid $2.9 million in the trade and Rodriguez will make approximately $1.8 million next season (he has a qualifying offer in 2010-11). They also acquired the 38th pick in the deal, of course, otherwise known as unsigned former University of Washington forward Jon Brockman. I can't see Brockman securing a whole lot of guaranteed money when he does eventually sign, but that would hypothetically cut into the savings.

As for Udrih, I spoke with his agent, Marc Cornstein, today and have this update.

"It sounds like he just has a minor tweak of his knee," Cornstein said. "It doesn't seem all that serious, but unfortunately the timing is right before the championships start Monday. In all likelihood - it's not 100 percent - but in all likelihood he won't play in Poland (for the Euroleague championships) but he should be ready for (Kings) camp (on Sept. 29) with no issues...It's only two or three weeks (recovery time) they're saying. But he is disappointed that he went through all this and won't have a chance to play with the (Slovenian) team."

When Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin dropped an Obama comparison in discussing the rock star treatment he received during his trip to Surabaya, Indonesia this week, he was quick to make it clear that this wasn't the hyperbole speaking.

"That's no exaggeration," he said.

By all indications, Martin was speaking the truth.

The treatment he received in the local newspaper was something else, so we'll start there. Talk about a warm welcome...

Click here to see front page mast

And an even warmer send-off...

Click here to see full-page ad with well-wishing notes from players

There was much more than that, too (which didn't make it in the story).

So as to avoid getting in hot water with the bosses, this blog post was written on the way out the door to vacation. I'll be out of commision for a while, but had a few final notes before departing.

* Per today's Kevin Martin story, I was given more information about the trip to Indonesia he'll be making in August.

Azrul Ananda is not only a fellow Sacramento State graduate, but the 32-year-old commissioner of the DetEksi Basketball League. The DBL is the largest student basketball competition (junior high and high school) in the country, and Martin will be joining the first ever Indonesia Developmental Camp which was organized by the DBL and the NBA. They'll be in Surabaya, Indonesia, where previous NBA events included visits from Indiana's Danny Granger and the Knicks' David Lee (currently a restricted free agent).

As for Martin and his mindset, it was clear in our 30-minute interview that he's encouraged by the recent Kings moves. He seemed encouraged in general, relieved that his ankle is feeling good again and enjoying the routine discussed in the story. He's in Sacramento now, though, as his basketball camp at Capital Christian starts today.

* There's still more material to come from Vegas, as I have an Omri Casspi story that will be published soon.

It could be days or perhaps weeks, but it appears likely that the news of Sean May joining the Kings will eventually transpire.

It could still fall through, but there are strong indications that the fifth-year, 6-foot-9 forward will be added to the Kings' roster on a one-year deal worth the league minimum for veterans of $884,881. The Kings would get a slight discount on the deal ($59,384) per the league's collective bargaining agreement, as the league helps foot the bill on veteran's minimum deals that are just one season. In the end, the Kings would pay $825,497 of May's salary.

"There is strong interest on both sides, but nothing has been formalized," said his agent, Bob Myers, of the Wasserman Media Group, by phone this afternoon. "Hopefully we'll know soon."

It's unclear what the hold up is, although the Kings have made a habit out of taking their time on all personnel matters during this offseason and really have no reason to rush. They could still be considering other free agent options, but the prospect of Ike Diogu returning seems unlikely unless his perceived price tag lowers.

According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, two-time D-League Coach of the Year Bryan Gates will be added to the staff of Kings coach Paul Westphal.

Gates has coached the Idaho Stampede since 2006, although he was with the organization in various roles as early as 1997. His Stampede team won the 2008 D-League championship.

While Gates was being considered for an assistant job almost immediately after Westphal was hired on June 9, his name wasn't called when the Kings coach added Mario Elie, Jim Eyen, and Truck Robinson to his staff in the subsequent weeks. Gates, however, indicated to News2 in Boise, Idaho that he still believed he had a chance.

"I feel very comfortable with everything that's happened," he told the television station. "They've been very up front and honest about everything and I'm okay...
"I love the Stampede, everybody treats us great. I don't really want to leave. It's going to have to be a great pasture on the other side."

Gates has already been spending some time on the other side, watching Monday's Kings game with Westphal and much of his staff before interviewing with the head coach on Tuesday. Former Clippers coach/director of player development Neal Meyer was among the candidates for the job as well. - Sam Amick

The chatter about two-time NBA Developmental League coach of the year Bryan Gates potentially joining Kings coach Paul Westphal's staff that has been around for a while, resurfaced via Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski yesterday.

Sure enough, the Idaho Stampede coach met with Westphal in Las Vegas to discuss an assistant post on Tuesday. Westphal told The Bee's Jason Jones in Vegas that he would be adding one more coach to the staff, although he did not indicate who that would be. And while my sources tell me that former Clippers assistant/director of player development Neal Meyer is also in the running (as well as at least one other candidate, I believe), Gates is already looking the part.

I didn't notice this until a day after it came out, but our own Jose Luis Villegas captured this shot of Gates already looking the part of Kings assistant at summer league Monday while watching the action with Westphal and other Kings folks. He's the one in the light blue shirt on the left.

And for what it's worth, Meyer is working with Cleveland this summer league in Vegas and is a candidate to be added to the staff of Cavs head coach/fellow University of San Diego alum Mike Brown. Meyer worked with new Kings assistant Jim Eyen with the Clippers previously.

HAWES ON MISSING SUMMER LEAGUE: "It's...more of a suggestion-type thing rather than a requirement."

So third-year center Spencer Hawes missed summer league, and we'd been hearing a number of reasons for why that was the case.

But thanks to Bob Nakutin from Hoquiam, Wa., who e-mailed to alert us that the rumor about Hawes keeping his commitment to attend a kids camp was true. Hawes was the featured guest at Hoquiam High School, where his mother, Lisa Reynvaan Hawes, was a 1974 graduate. Per this story from "The Daily World" in Aberdeen, Wa., we discover Hawes' whereabouts and hear his take on missing summer league. I'm not too sure this will clear his name with the Kings higher-ups. - Sam Amick

Photo by Jose Luis Villegas - see entire slideshow here

***

Donté Greene wants a time machine.

He said as much last week in Las Vegas, where the process of improving his game for the future continued at summer league but the Kings second-year small forward couldn't help but look back. During a long and candid interview inside his Palms hotel that resulted in Sunday's piece on his life and still-stalling career, Greene talked about a number of things that didn't make the story.

But the part about wanting to turn back time stuck with me the most, as even the most candid of athletes typically steer clear of admitting regret. Yet Greene didn't hesitate at all, discussing his decision to leave Syracuse after just one season and wondering what might have been if he had stayed. To review, he was drafted by Memphis with the 28th pick and traded to Houston that night before coming to the Kings in the August trade that netted the Rockets Ron Artest.

"It's been a long road, a lot of shoulda, coulda, wouldas," Greene said. "I wish I would've done this, wish I would've done that, wish I had me a time traveling machine. All kinds of crazy stuff. My family has definitely been there, told me to hang in there. It's just been a lot of tough things going on and off the court with me.

LAS VEGAS - Better late than never, but here are a few chats I had after the Kings' second summer league game against Golden State. (to see the rundown of their overtime loss, click here).

Kings second-year forward Jason Thompson talks about his play...

Kings rookie small forward Omri Casspi discusses his summer league experience thus far...

- Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - Pardon the lack of blog presence for the last 36 hours, but there was much time spent on old-fashioned journalism as I put together a Donte' Greene piece that will run in tomorrow's paper.

It meant there was a delay on a number of fronts, including my intent to share information about how fans can view the summer league games. It's online only viewing this year, with a $14.99 fee granting you access to all of the games either live or in archived form. Even if you missed the Kings' first two games (or any others), you can pull them up after the fact. For those interested in doing so, go to this website to sign up.

Also, for those who aren't already on our Twitter path, click here to start the stalking and follow Kings and NBA chatter. - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - The coverage continues here from summer league, where we've already discussed Spencer Hawes' decision to not take part and other news and notes from the first day.

Now The Bee has officially arrived on location as it pertains to the blogosphere. But before we get to first day video interviews with all of the team's draft picks, a few additional tidbits of relevance.

* Regarding Hawes, the reasons for him not playing that I've heard include a wedding he attended, a camp he had to make an appearance at, a groin that was bothering him and an abdominal strain that bothered him last year and was apparently a tad touchy again recently. I haven't spoken to Hawes, but Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie cited only a "family commitment" and coach Paul Westphal referenced something with his "leg" as well as other personal matters.

Petrie said he has not spoken directly to Hawes about the matter. And for the record, he said he was unsure whether Hawes might play when he arrives Monday. Westphal said he didn't expect Hawes to play, and that he was coming to offer his teammates support.

His longtime friend, former University of Washington teammate and new Kings teammate Jon Brockman, meanwhile, said no one should question how hard Hawes has been working on his game elsewhere.

"I've been working out with him almost every day in Seattle," Brockman said after Wednesday's second practice. "He just had some other stuff going on that he could not miss, and I think he's a little banged up just from - he's been working really hard.
"He's been working really hard in the weight room and on the court, so you know I'm a little disappointed (he's not here) but I think we'll get a chance to see him here at some point. I think he'll be down here in a little bit."

Now on to the videos...

Tyreke Evans, the former Memphis guard who was taken No. 4 overall by the Kings in the June 25 draft, discusses his first day on the job. That day included the signing of his contract.

Brockman, who was taken 38th overall and impressed in his first day, talks about how he went 7-0 in the day's scrimmages.

Omri Casspi, the Israeli small forward who was kept off the court because of red tape, talks about his anticlimactic start.

- Sam Amick

Pardon the delay regarding the last pick, but the Kings took University of Washington forward Jon Brockman with the No. 38 pick that they received from Portland.

We'll have more on him later (and in tomorrow's paper), but there is an introduction below in the meantime.

- Sam Amick

The Kings selected Israeli small forward Omri Casspi at No. 23, adding a versatile wingman to their roster who will become the first Israeli to play in the NBA.

We'll have more on him later, but here's my chat with Casspi from the predraft combine in Chicago last month.

- Sam Amick

By Sam Amick
samick@sacbee.com

The Kings selected Memphis' Tyreke Evans with the fourth pick of today's NBA draft in New York City, adding the 6-foot-5 guard to a roster so badly in need of more talent.

By many accounts, Evans was among the most talented - if not the most talented - player in the draft. And while he is not the conventional point guard the Kings sought, he is a dynamic scorer who led his University of Memphis team at the point guard spot last season and can also play shooting guard. After the Clippers selected Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin, Memphis selected University of Connecticut Hasheem Thabeet, and Oklahoma City took Arizona State guard James Harden, the Kings took Evans their other top candidates who were still available in Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, Davidson guard Stephen Curry and Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn.

Earlier today, the Kings agreed to terms with Portland to acquire Blazers point guard Sergio Rodriguez in exchange for their No. 31 pick, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Kings will also receive Portland's No. 38 pick and cash considerations.

Here's a video interview with Evans that took place after his first workout in Sacramento, followed by a highlight reel below.

The Kings have agreed to terms with Portland to acquire Blazers point guard Sergio Rodriguez in exchange for their No. 31 pick, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Kings will also receive Portland's No. 38 pick and cash considerations. - Sam Amick

Not to put a damper on the excitement of draft day, but it appears there's a grave element to the Kings' prospect evaluation process that had gone largely unnoticed among Kings fans and media in Sacramento until today.

Memphis guard Tyreke Evans, who is believed by many to be the leading candidate for the team's No. 4 pick in the draft that is just hours away, was the driver in a 2007 shooting in which his cousin, 18-year-old Jamar Evans, killed 19-year-old Marcus Reason from the passenger seat of the car. Tyreke Evans was not charged after a police investigation, but the story resurfaced Tuesday when Jamar Evans was sentenced to nine to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to third-degree murder and firearm charges.

A league source who has spoken to the Kings regarding Tyreke Evans said they have been aware of the tragedy and the prospect's role in it throughout the evaluation process, so it seems certain that they have taken that into account regarding their pick. The Kings issued a short statement when contacted as well, by way of text message from Kings vice president of media relations/basketball operations Troy Hanson.

"We have conducted extensive background checks on all of the prospects we are considering." - Sam Amick

So first, the cliff notes on what I'm hearing: Not a lot.

In the days leading up to the draft, the Kings were far from Wizards - literally. While I was repeatedly told the phones were ringing off the hook in Washington (which had the No. 5 pick before trading it to Minnesota), the team just below them - the Kings - seemed less primed to make a move. I don't see the search for a veteran point guard (by way of trading the No. 4) paying off. The more likely scenario is the packaging of the two later picks (No. 23 and No. 31) to move up.

As for who the Kings pick at No. 4? It's still sounding like Memphis' Tyreke Evans, but today and the in-house discussions that are going on do truly matter. Davidson's Stephen Curry may be the safe pick, and I almost wonder if he winds up being the guy with the understanding that the Kings love his offense and simply plan to add defensive pieces elsewhere to shore up that weakness (they love Louisville's Terrence Williams). Syracuse's Jonny Flynn still has fans among the team's decision makers and makes sense to them on a lot of fronts.

Lastly, Ricky Rubio. If the anti-Rubio sentiment that was so prevalent in the Kings camp over the last few weeks was actually all smoke, then Cheech and Chong would be proud. But there are strong basketball arguments to be made that he would be the best fit based on need, and the business and what his presence could do to help the bottom line is certainly being discussed.

Moving on here, I wanted to share a couple comments from Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie from last night that didn't make the paper real quick as well...

On whether he'll trade the No. 4 pick: "You're always open to listening, but right now we're prepared to make the pick."

On the fact that Petrie nor anyone else truly knows which player will wind up being the best down the road: "Whatever happens in this draft tomorrow, there is not going to be any absolute truth - only some people will say there is. The absolute truth will come down the road, when the truth becomes more self evident. If anybody wants to say they have the absolute truth, it's up to other people to accept it or not."

Now, to the logistics of the day. For those not content to watch from their couch at home, the Kings are inviting all fans to attend a draft party at Arco Arena from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Petrie will speak with the crowd before the draft and after the first round selections. Coach Paul Westphal will be there, too, along with some celebs apparently.

As for our Kings blog party, the action will be on Twitter unless something of more substance unfolds (at which point there will be more blogging before the picking begins). Follow me by clicking here, and be sure to add fellow Kings/NBA writer Jason Jones to your lineup by clicking here. For the lazy folks out there, there is a direct Twitter feed from my page along the right rail below. Enjoy... - Sam Amick

The old line about how 'It beats digging ditches' still rings true every day on this job, but there are those rare days in which you almost feel like grabbing a shovel instead.

It would be simple, if nothing else. No shame in that.

As for today's shift, there was some shame. It was necessary shame, of course, with grown men huddled outside the Kings practice facility waiting hours to talk to an 18-year-old. Yes, he wasn't just any 18-year-old, but the fact that it was Ricky Rubio didn't make the process any less painful for those who endured it.

The pain was eased, however, when the wait paid off.

I was able to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Rubio at the airport just before he left town, just after the Spanish point guard had finished his workout and visit with the Kings. The exclusive chat can be seen in two parts below. Apologies on the quality, as this came from the cell phone camera and there are two parts because, well, the phone rang halfway through. We'll start here, and I'll share some information and observations regarding the workout after the clips.

This clip begins with Rubio discussing how he hasn't picked up a ball since his Euroleague season ended nearly a month ago...

Now regarding the workout, the sentiment that Rubio was underwhelming was qualified by some (including Rubio) with a disclaimer that the format simply didn't show what he could do. And while I heard similar comments to this Chad Ford report regarding the lack of a wow factor (not impressive athletically, mostly), I had one person who isn't a huge Rubio backer say he was pleasantly surprised by his shot and that it was crystal clear Rubio is a true point guard.

Now the on-floor action wasn't the only relevant part, as Rubio spent more than two hours inside the facility after the workout was over. We were told he was having lunch at one point (not sure who was at the table), and then informed that he was taking a shower. At one point, some of the prospects from the morning's workout with Pitt's Sam Young left the building to head for the airport and couldn't help but chuckle at the media absurdity on display (again, the shame thing). Yet with all due respect to Sam - who has a great name and could be a great pick at No. 23 - he's just not the guy fans are curious about right now.

Now to hit on a final point on this matter, a source close to Rubio said the agreement between him and his current team, DKV Joventut, to reduce his $6.6 million buyout had a small hiccup but should still be finalized soon. All indications remain that it is not an obstacle.

Lastly, the hierarchy of prospects for No. 4 as I understand it is this (yes, knowing full well that smokescreens are everywhere and attempting to work through them): Memphis' Tyreke Evans above Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, with more to be discussed about Rubio and Davidson's Stephen Curry. And sure, I'll keep throwing UConn center Hasheem Thabeet in there as a maybe even if no one thinks he'll be there and even though he rebuffed the Kings and everyone else for a workout. - Sam Amick

The Ricky Rubio red flags continue to fall, as the news that his buyout situation is almost resolved is followed by news that the Spanish point guard will work out in Sacramento today.

I've been told by a source close to Rubio that the above report is accurate, that he will fly from Los Angeles to Sacramento today and get on the floor to give the Kings a taste of what could be to come. This comes on the same day on which the Kings have their last scheduled workout, as Pittsburgh's Sam Young heads a group today that consists mostly of late first round or second round prospects.

To review, Rubio didn't work out during his Sacramento visit last week after getting sick and eventually visiting with Oklahoma City (which picks third) in LA.

Ricky Rubio's situation is about to get less complicated.

According to a source close to Rubio, the $6.6 million buyout of the Spanish point guard's contract with his current team, DKV Joventut, will likely be reduced today or tomorrow to an amount where "he knows he'll be able to make the payments," the source said. The resolution of that element of the Rubio equation will, in effect, clear a major obstacle for teams that are considering drafting him Thursday but have concerns about when he would join their team. And that, of course, includes the Kings.

Assuming the details of the arrangement are finalized soon as expected, Rubio would plan on joining his team at NBA Summer League in July just like the rest of the draft field. Yet while Rubio's Kings visit in Sacramento last week was the first with any NBA team in America as they continue to look at options for the fourth pick, they are no longer alone in that regard.

Rubio visited with Oklahoma City representatives on Saturday in Los Angeles, where the Thunder (who pick third) was allowed to examine his DKV Joventut contract just as the Kings had before them to gain a better understanding of those particulars. While Memphis (which holds the second pick) had visited with Rubio in Spain before the Kings or Thunder, the Grizzlies - nor any other team - did not see the contract. There could be more visits to come, however, as Rubio's camp will surely explore all options in the days to come.

Rubio's eventual NBA team is only permitted to pay $500,000 of a buyout, meaning the rest of the undetermined amount will be paid by Rubio. Because he made approximately $97,000 last season with DKV Joventut, his representatives had asked an arbitrator to settle the matter while claiming the buyout is disproportionate to his salary. They also claimed Rubio never signed his contract when it was drafted when he was 16, although he reportedly did sign an addendum last season. - Sam Amick

Consider this the one-man weigh in for the heavyweight bout, even if Sunday's Point Guard Battle Royale involves a bunch of relative lightweights who pound the hardwood instead of other men's faces.

Davidson guard Stephen Curry is in the Kings' conversation, one of four players I've been told will be discussed for the No. 4 pick by what remains an undecided Kings' front office and scouting staff. The others are Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, Spaniard Ricky Rubio, and Memphis' Tyreke Evans, two of whom will be on hand tomorrow (Flynn and Evans) to share the floor with Curry and see who can win the latest round in this fight to be fourth.

BLOG UPDATE: Quick disclaimer, UConn's Hasheem Thabeet gets a look if he is unexpectedly there as well.

I caught up with Curry at his hotel early this evening, when he talked about everything from how he would fit in with the Kings to the fact that he extended his workout schedule to include Sacramento after it appeared he would end it in Washington (No. 5 pick).

- Sam Amick

Just as the notion of Ricky Rubio in a Kings uniform is seeming less likely by the day, there is this unsurprising news: he is moving on.

A source with knowledge of the situation said Rubio was visited in Los Angeles today by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the No. 3 pick in the June 25 draft. This matters mostly because Rubio's visit in Sacramento this week came with unspoken terms, an understanding of sorts that a Rubio promise on the Kings' part could have stopped his American tour with just one concert. But that clearly never happened, and certainly not only because Rubio was unable to get on the floor Thursday when he fell ill.

So he continues to interview away, certainly hoping to not fall below the fourth spot if only because that $6.6 million buyout has to be paid for somehow. There has been talk of a second Sacramento visit, but I'm not sure that's plausible now since he is believed to be headed back to Spain on Sunday. - Sam Amick

USC guard Demar DeRozan worked out for the Kings today, flashing his above-the-rim game and continuing to show why he could wind up being a top five pick.

He won't be picked at No. 4, however, as the Kings have not the positional need or patience to let his game develop over the course of the next couple seasons. But there are plenty of folks around the league who think he'll wind up being one of the best pros from this draft. I didn't videotape any of the action because, well, the portion we saw just wasn't that action-packed. This is DeRozan afterward, however, reiterating that he believes he can jump higher than Vince Carter (at the 3:15 mark) and talking about the June 25 draft.

Before we go the tape, though, it's official now that the Kings will hold their second blockbuster point guard workout on Sunday. Memphis' Tyreke Evans and Davidson's Stephen Curry will now be joined by Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and Saint Mary's' Patty Mills. Florida's Nick Calathes and Florida State's Toney Douglas will also take part. In the spirit of good competition, I've been told that Flynn and Mills both asked their way into this particular workout in a fearless attempt to show their stuff against the very players they're competing with for draft position.

- Sam Amick

BLOG UPDATE: Most of Porter's comments didn't 'make tomorrow's paper, so I've added them to the end of this blog post.

I'm not the biggest fan of mini-blog posts, but it's a necessity since I spilled the Terry Porter beans on Mike Lamb's KHTK show minutes ago.

The former Milwaukee and Phoenix coach told me today in a phone interview that he would not be joining the Kings as an assistant to head coach Paul Westphal. Porter said he did speak with Westphal about the job, but his current plan is to sit next season out while continuing to survey the landscape. He is being paid through next season on his Suns contract after being fired midway through last season. More in tomorrow's Bee...

ADDENDUM...

Porter was fired midway through the Suns' 2008-09 season, with a 23-18 record that clearly wasn't enough to keep owner Robert Sarver and GM Steve Kerr content.

His was a tough situation, with Porter entering as the coach to follow Mike D'Antoni and his high-octane offensive ways and implement a defensive approach that simply didn't fit so much of the personnel. And after he provided an update on the fact that he wouldn't be coming on board as a Kings assistant, Porter touched on his firing and whether he thought it was fair.

"Coaches know you get hired and you get fired," he began. "Am I disappointed? Yeah. Anybody who has played this sport or been in any situation or job where they thought they'd like to be given a fair chance would be. It didn't turn out that way long enough.
"You know, it is what it is. It's the wonderful world of NBA coaching. I'm more concerned on the next phase, on my family."

On his upcoming relocation away from the Phoenix area (he didn't say where the new home court would be) and how he is getting plenty of family time now...

"You do get a chance to reconnect with your family somewhat. Coaching is such a grind, a 24-hour demand a lot of the time. There's a lot of people pulling at you, a lot of people you've got to touch bases with. When you don't have that, it's an abrupt stop. You need to reconnect with the family, and that's always nice too."

On whether he's willing to be an assistant in his next NBA job or if he is only interested in head jobs...

"I really just have to see when (job opportunities) come. I left Milwaukee and got a chance to be an assistant in Detroit with Flip (Saunders). It was a great experience, and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot. I was blessed being in a situation where you're going to learn. You never stop learning." - Sam Amick

We already knew it was a big weekend at the Kings practice facility with Saturday's workout of USC's Demar DeRozan.

But the team just announced that Sunday's workout with Florida State guard Toney Douglas and Davidson point guard Stephen Curry will also include returnees Tyreke Evans (Memphis guard) and Nick Calathes (Florida guard). Keith Clark and Courtney Fells will also take part. The fun continues in a big way on Monday, when Pittsburgh forward Sam Young will be the big name in a multi-player workout. - Sam Amick

After experiencing seemingly-seamless travel from Spain to Los Angeles to Sacramento in recent days, there is an unexpected delay in the Ricky Rubio road trip.

The Spanish point guard who arrived Tuesday afternoon has become sick today, meaning an afternoon hoops session at the Kings practice facility is not expected to take place. Rubio, who is here only to gauge the Kings' interest in him at the No. 4 spot in the June 25 draft, may attempt to give it a go tomorrow morning. Or, of course, he may not.

After Rubio watched the Kings' workout with lesser prospects this morning and had lunch with Kings folks immediately after, a sore throat and fatigue have changed the itinerary. Per draft rules, he can only stay 48 hours and must be gone around 2 p.m., so that's the time frame with which he and the Kings have to work.

After the two sides had appeared to get off to such a successful start with dinner last night, the value and impact of the trip is obviously hard to assess at this point. It obviously would have been ideal if Rubio would have flashed his game for the Kings' brass, and that could still happen. But it could be a non-factor as well, as decisions like these are made from mountains of data of which this is merely a decent-sized ridge. - Sam Amick

BLOG UPDATE: I've added a transcript of Rubio's interview below the video.

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio was kind enough to spend some time with The Bee during his Sacramento visit, cramming the one-on-one interview in between his physical at the UC Davis Medical Center and his dinner with Kings officials downtown.

In a hotel chat that came with a few logistical and technical challenges, the below video comes with one disclaimer: our photographer, Hector Amezcua, was videotaping without my knowledge. That doesn't really matter until the midway point, where I fumble with my handheld video cam while not realizing until after the fact that I didn't need to be taping at all. It's a comical moment in an otherwise interesting eight minutes.

After coming from Spain just days ago and then from Los Angeles to Sacramento today, Rubio does not have any other visits scheduled on his trip. The next day could very well determine whether that remains the case, so it's a vital time for this high-profile prospect in that respect. We'll obviously weigh in on his visit and whether he's headed to Sacramento in tomorrow's paper (read story here). Also, there is a transcript of the interview below the video (just click on 'continue reading')

BLOG UPDATE: Rubio has arrived. Let the visiting commence.

According to three sources with knowledge of the situation, Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio will arrive in Sacramento this afternoon.

Rubio, who is a candidate for the Kings' No. 4 pick in the June 25 draft, flew from Spain to Los Angeles in recent days and will now spend parts of two days deliberating with the Kings about their interest in him as a player. While he is expected to visit with Kings officials tonight and spend time on the Arco Arena grounds tomorrow, it is unclear how much - if any - basketball-related activity will take place. Rubio - who continues to deal with the sticky buyout situation from his current professional contract with DKV Joventut - mentioned his visit on his Twitter page as well.

Also, Davidson high-scoring point guard Stephen Curry told reporters in Washington D.C. today that he is heading to Sacramento this weekend for a workout. The Washington Post's Michael Lee relayed word on that front. - Sam Amick

He's not just a fan. He's Tom Ziller, he of Sactownroyalty blog fame and KHTK glory.

In the wake of the Paul Westphal hiring and the reality that the fan voice has never been more important for the Kings, Ziller will join Carmichael Dave tonight on "The Show" from 7-9 p.m. on 1140 AM and KHTK.com (Dave is filling in for Jason Ross). Ziller and I spoke the other day for the piece about Westphal becoming official, and I'd been looking for an excuse to share more of his thoughts that appears to have now arrived.

Thus, here are his thoughts that didn't fit in print. I may do unconventional blogs like this on occasion, getting outside of Bee box and checking in with the folks who matter most to the Kings and their future. Feel free to agree/disagree with Ziller's take in the comments section. A quick teaser before we move on: I may have another one coming soon involving an old friend.

Ziller on Westphal hiring (quotes that weren't in the story)...

"I think there could have been so many more infinitely poorer decisions made. Obviously Westphal wasn't the favorite of most fans, I think. When it all started, there was a huge backing for the Eddie Jordan nostalgic contingent, of which I honestly was part of it...They could have chosen someone like John Whisenant, who would've really upset a lot of the hardcore fans."

On whether he's the right guy for this mix of players...

"It's obviously an offensive-minded team, so you need a coach who has an offensive system of note. I think a major failure over the last three years has been sort of a lack of offensive identity. (Eric) Musselman..I thought his biggest failure was on the offensive side, where Brad Miller - three quarters of the way through the season - was saying that he didn't know his role on offense when he was the most important offensive player in terms of being a facilitator. And then Reggie Theus didn't have a system - the owners called out his lack of a system a month into the season last year. I think implementing some sort of offensive scheme or offensive principles will definitely help the product on the floor." - Sam Amick

We ask the above question because we all know who won the battle off the floor, even if Ricky Rubio wasn't around to defend himself against Brandon Jennings.

Chances are, Rubio wouldn't have been able to stop Jennings no matter where he was.

The 19-year-old is simply too quick. That was the prevailing impression among those who watched Jennings play. The viewing audience was just like the majority of hoops fans out there, largely unfamiliar with Jennings game because he left to play in Italy after playing his high school ball at Dominguez Hills in Compton and the esteemed Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. But as he faced off mostly against Syracuse's power-packed point guard Jonny Flynn, Jennings impressed in a big way during the full-court scrimmage.

Unreal press conference with Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and - more importantly for these purposes - Italian professional/Oak Hill Academy product and Compton born and bred Brandon Jennings. Jennings and Flynn went at each other in a mega-workout that also included UCLA's Jrue Holiday in his second workout with the Kings.

And after Jennings showed off his game in a big way on the floor, he went about making huge headlines off of it. He was asked about Rubio and the fact that he isn't likely to work out for teams and will only interview, while Jennings is taking on big-time prospects The first Rubio mention is around the 1:30 mark, but it gets real juicy around 5:05, when Jennings is asked about the one time he faced off with Rubio (Flynn is on the left, Jennings on the right)

Enjoy...

This second video is more focused on the workout. Jennings wasn't shy here either, pointing out that his team beat Flynn's and how Flynn wanted to go again...

JENNINGS ON RUBIO

Q: How did he (Rubio) do and how would he do to compare to the other guys in college now?

A: "Well when I was playing he only zero assists and two turnovers, you know you tell me how that was."

Q: How many minutes was he (Rubio) playing?

A: "We had about even minutes, I had 12 points, about six assists, that was the most I ever played was 30 minutes. I was a little winded but I still think I got the best of him."

Q: How would he compare to the college freshman for example?

A: "Well put it like this, if he was in a workout with me, Jonny Flynn, Drew Holiday, (Ty) Lawson, and Stephen Curry he wouldn't even be at the top."

Q: Do you think he's all hype?

A: "Yeah because he played in the Olympics, been playing pro ball since 14, you know there it is right there. His stats you know 26 minutes, having 16 points, seven assists, nine steals in 26 minutes, and you have all that? You know, I really don't know, I can't wait to play him though."

Q: Is it safe to say you think should go before Ricky Rubio in the draft?

A: "Yeah, I think I'm a better player think he is, I can shoot the ball better than he can, you know the only time I have seen him do something is when he has a homerun pass or something like that. I think the dude is just all hype. I can't even front you know, I'm just going to be real with you guys." - Sam Amick

We'll be streaming the press conference of new Kings coach Paul Westphal on Friday at 1:30 p.m.. Meanwhile, Bee sports editor Bill Bradley and columnist Marcos Breton will be taking questions and making observations in a live blog.

I will try to join in after the presser. To watch the press conference and join in on the conversation, go to www.sacbee.com/live.

I'll likely wind up Tweeting somewhere in there, too, so feel free to follow me here or fellow scribe Jason Jones here. Jason will be covering the monstrous workout in the morning that includes Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, UCLA's Jrue Holiday and Italian League professional/Oak Hill Academy product Brandon Jennings. - Sam Amick

Here is the press conference from yesterday, with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie discussing everything from the hiring of Paul Westphal to the Kurt Rambis situation to the draft that is two weeks away.

Below we have the radio portion of this blog, from my interview with the Rise Guys yesterday to the Rambis interview in its entirety from yesterday. I only had a small portion of the Rambis interview in yesterday's post, but there was more discussion at the end in which Rambis talks about how he and his wife came to a decision on the matter followed by a few more not-so-subtle digs at the Kings to boot. Also, be sure to check out the surprise announcement from Kings draft prospect and Memphis guard Tyreke Evans at the end of this post.

Westphal, by the way, will be introduced to the media/public tomorrow and sharing the spotlight with the mega-point-guard-workout that includes Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, UCLA's Jrue Holiday (his second Sacramento stop) and Italy's Brandon Jennings. If you missed our one-on-one interview with Westphal from the night he learned he was hired, read it here.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie shared his views on the Kurt Rambis chapter of his team's coaching search earlier today, and now the Lakers assistant has shared his.

Speaking to the "Petros and Money Show" on Fox Sports Radio, Rambis had this to say. A transcript of the interview is below, or click on the MP3 file to hear the interview.

Rambis.mp3

"I really did not want to focus on it (the Kings' coaching situation). They put some sort of timetable there. I understand that they wanted to move forward in their coaching search, but really what it came down to was that they have a bunch of young players on their team. It's a project team. As it stands right now, that team is - particularly in the Western Conference - is a ways away from winning.

"They have holes in their roster, and they certainly have to improve as a ballclub if they expect to win. And I was just looking to be involved with that team for a longer term than what the Sacramento Kings were looking for. I think that that's basically what it came down to. I like the Kings organization, I like Geoff Petrie as a general manager. The Maloofs are good owners, but my vision and their vision just didn't coincide, so I decided to turn their offer down and they moved in another direction."

PROGRAMMING ALERT: We just posted my Q&A with Paul Westphal from last night - read it here.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie addressed a report that the coaching job was offered to both Kurt Rambis and Paul Westphal before Westphal became the guy. I've already shared my reporting on the matter in this blog post, but here is Petrie's response with questions in between.

His first statement on the matter...

A: "The way we approached this hire was that we had a compensation structure that was basically a pre-qualifying type of...commitment that was going to be needed. So all of the people who we talked to were either told ahead of time or immediately after in their interviews what this structure was. And in order to have a chance to be offered the job, there needed to be some acknowledgement that that structure would be acceptable, which is not unlike a lot of jobs that get put out there. The job could not have been offered to somebody who hadn't said that that structure was acceptable. The only person who was offered this job was Paul Westphal. That's the bottom line.

Q: How much thought did you give to riding this thing out until after the Finals, just because Kurt had seemed so loyal to the Lakers and not wanting to deal with this process during the Finals?

A: "I just think that we gave everybody enough time to examine, analyze, mull over. It wasn't a situation where you told somebody about this and then said, 'We need an answer in 24 hours.' There was no gun, really, put to anybody's head in that form. I guess the question was, 'How much time do you need?' And I think we gave everybody adequate time to formulate their own sense of whether this works or doesn't work. At some point, you want to have a coach, we liked them all very much and decided that Paul was the best."

Q: You had mentioned Paul's enthusiasm for the job, which he showed from the beginning and continues to show. Was it revealing to you at all how Kurt decided to handle the process? Did that say something to you about his interest level?

A: "That was up to each individual person to try to come to grips with on their own. I think we gave everybody adequate time to reach some point where they could be definitive one way or the other, and we weren't prepared to wait any longer."

I'll have much more in Thursday's paper, as I had long conversations tonight with agreed-in-principle Kings coach Paul Westphal, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof and Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie.

But before we put this story to bed for the time being, I wanted to answer one of the more relevant questions that probably shouldn't wait.

Did Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis turn down the job before it went to Westphal?

I was tracking Rambis' status very closely all along and until the end, and here's what I was told by sources who know.

There was 27 days between Westphal's interview and his hiring, with the main obstacle in between the fact that his leading candidate competitor, Rambis, was involved in the playoffs and making it very clear all along that he wouldn't be distracted by the Kings' process. The obviousness of that reality and what it says shouldn't be forgotten.

Yet after Petrie had to convince Westphal to stay in the race late last week, he had pressured Rambis' agent, Warren LeGarie, for an answer regarding what it would take to entice Rambis to take the job. That answer came this afternoon in the form of an e-mail from LeGarie, which was essentially a non-answer insisting that they needed more time and simply couldn't commit to anything.

Without a commitment on the Rambis front and with the fact that - as Petrie told me tonight - third candidate and Boston associate head coach Tom Thibodeau had pulled out of the race earlier in the day, the desire to get a deal done with someone whose desire to be in Sacramento was no mystery rather than head further down the rocky Rambis road won out. There had been rumblings all along that Rambis had serious doubts about the job on a number of fronts and may not have taken it unless the expected salary ($1.5 million per in two guaranteed seasons) increased significantly, and it became clear at the end that Petrie preferred the security of a guy he was also high on whose interest was indisputable and whose terms had been agreed to (at least the basic structure of the terms) weeks before.

"(Rambis) was a great candidate, and certainly being involved in the Finals and the responsibilities there can make it a little bit challenging," Petrie said. "But we felt we needed to move forward. We felt we had three terrific candidates and decided to go with Paul."

As a final note, Westphal said Wednesday is his anniversary and he will remain put in Los Angeles to celebrate the occasion. As such, a press conference won't likely happen until Thursday or Friday, I would think. - Sam Amick

As a follow-up to the breaking news on the Kings' hiring of Paul Westphal, I wanted to share the confirmation of the news.

I just chatted with Westphal by phone, and he had this to say (and a lot more to come)...

"I'm just very excited about the opportunity. I have been looking for a good opportunity to get back and do what I like to do and I think that the Kings present an exciting challenge for me and I can't wait to get started.
"I'm really happy I got the job, and whatever winding turns it had to take - I don't even know all the winding turns that it took - I'm just happy that they decided I'm the guy for them and I can't wait to get started."

I also talked with Kings co-owner Joe Maloof, who had this (and more in tomorrow's paper) to say...

"I think we've got a gentleman who has a wonderful reputation around the league. He's had a great winning percentage, over 62 percent of his games he's won in the NBA. He has been an experienced coach in the NBA.
"We knew that he was very strong offensively, and that he had all those great teams that scored a lot of points, but you don't get into the NBA FInals (as Westphal's Phoenix team did in the 1992-93 season, losing in six games to Chicago) if you don't teach defense as well. He went through some of his ideas on defense, which made a lot of sense to us."

Maloof went on to break down some of the finer points of Westphal's pitch, which I'll get to in subsequent blogs and, of course, tomorrow's paper. - Sam Amick

UPDATE: Westphal and Kings co-owner Joe Maloof have confirmed the decision to The Bee - read here.

By Sam Amick
samick@sacbee.com

According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, the Kings will hire former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal for their vacant head coaching position.

Westphal is believed to have agreed to a deal for two guaranteed seasons at $1.5 million per with the third season a team option worth $1.7 million.

BLOG CORRECTION: Upon further review, the third year is worth $2 million

There are likely incentives in the deal that could reward Westphal if the Kings improved even moderately from their franchise-worst 17-win campaign in 2008-09.

The decision brings an end to a Kings coaching search that lasted 47 days and came with similar twists and turns as the ones that had come before. It began with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie calling for experience over experiments, setting parameters that the Kings' fifth coach since 2006 would have to be have had "some level of success" as an NBA head coach. Eddie Jordan and Westphal were the first candidates, both of them easily meeting the qualifications and kickstarting the process with interviews on May 12 and May 13, respectively.

Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis eventually entered with a second group that also included Boston associate head coach Tom Thibodeau, just about the time Jordan was bowing out voluntarily. Despite being seen as a frontrunner largely for his ties to Petrie and the organization, Jordan was hired by Philadelphia on May 29. Just a day later, Thibodeau was interviewed by the Kings in Las Vegas and was followed the next day by Rambis' interview in Los Angeles.

Throughout the later stages of the process, Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and Petrie repeatedly made it clear that Rambis, Westphal, and Thibodeau were all impressive in their interviews and that they were all being seriously considered. And while Rambis was believed by most to be the front runner, sources say discussions between the Kings and his agent, Warren LeGarie, stalled for too long while Westphal waited for a verdict.

With the Lakers in the midst of the NBA Finals against Orlando, Rambis was adamant that he remain loyal to the Lakers and focused on the task of winning a championship. Westphal, meanwhile, had grown impatient enough that sources say he was close to pulling out of the race. In the end, however, he was alone at the finish line.

Memphis guard Tyreke Evans has made his Sacramento stop, working out at the team's practice facility floor on Tuesday in what was his first of five workouts.

The dynamic scorer who could wind up being the team's selection at the No. 4 spot seemed to impress, with a lot of chatter about his physicality, length and the general sense that he simply looks like a top-notch NBA talent. Evans said the fact that he did a one-man workout wasn't a case of him being afraid of the competition, but that he couldn't match schedules with the players who he would typically face off against. Whether he's alone or sharing the floor, there is certainty in his potential yet certainly questions about his shooting ability, which can be seen in the below workout video and heard in the interview below that...

The Kings have announced their updated workout schedule, and Friday will surely be a doozey.

The team that is on the prowl for a point guard has convinced three of the best in the draft to face off, as UCLA's Jrue Holiday will come in for a second time and be joined by Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and Italy's Brandon Jennings.

After today's workout with Nick Calathes , DeMarre Carroll, Wayne Ellington, Damion James, AJ Price, and Terrence Williams, here is the list ahead in its updated state (the new stuff is post-June 10). Also, I've included video to Friday's faceoff at the bottom of this post.

Compelling Game 2 in LA last night, not to mention a possible step toward simplification of the Kings coaching search.

The official stance remains that all three candidates are still in the running, but it's Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal who come with the complications. And a Lakers sweep, it's safe to say, would be embraced by all.

With his focus squarely set on winning a title, Rambis has made it clear that he refuses to be distracted by the Kings' situation. Couple that with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie's history of not wanting to step on other team's toes, and that means the situation is on hold (translation: no negotiations to know exactly what it would take contractually to land Rambis). Meanwhile, Westphal continues to wait while wondering exactly what to make of it all.

There were rumblings late last week that Westphal might pull out of the race, and it says something that he remains. If Westphal happened to pull out, this search would be without the only candidate that legitimately fulfills the initial parameters of experience and success. And then some. (To be fair, Rambis was 24-13 in his partial season as Lakers head coach in 1998-99, with a series win over Houston and a Western Conference semifinal loss - by way of sweep - to San Antonio)

Today's workout featured Wake Forest forward James Johnson and Louisville forward Earl Clark. We'll have more on them in tomorrow's paper, and Jason Jones will likely be blogging later to touch on the others who took part (Levance Fields, Marcus Landry, Leo Lyons, and Dionte Christmas).

Here's a short part of the interview with Johnson and Clark below. Both players are expected to be taken midway through the first round, meaning they aren't likely to become Kings unless there's some movement on draft day (which there could be) or if they fall to No. 23. I didn't take any action video today, but should be able to link to the team's video later.

- Sam Amick

The Kings' second workout has concluded (the first included UCLA's Jrue Holiday). Check out video of the workout and some of the interviews that followed.

The session included forwards Robert Dozier (Memphis), Omri Casspi (Maccabi Elite, Israel), and Jeff Adrien (UConn), with guards Greivis Vasquez (Maryland), Darren Collison (UCLA), and Tyrese Rice (Boston College). Collison and Casspi are seen as late first round or early second round picks and the most likely possibilities for the Kings. Click on the links on the players names to learn more about them.

We'll start with the coaching search, which I update in this story but wanted to touch on further in the trusty blog.

For starters, there's the qualifier on Kings co-owner Joe Maloof telling me there would be a decision "pretty quickly." A few moments after making that statement, he reverted back to the same old desire to have a coach in place before the June 25 draft. That's obviously a ways off, and certainly doesn't qualify as quickly in my book.

Now as for the more recent chatter about the search, there were some relevant thoughts from Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie that couldn't fit in print but are worth touching on. For the first time since the Kings interviewed Tom Thibodeau, I had a chance to ask Petrie about the fact that the Boston associate head coach simply doesn't fit the parameters that were set forth in the beginning - "no more grand experiements," as he had said - because he has no head coaching experience.

"No, that's true," Petrie quickly acknowledged. "He doesn't fit the total profile that I'd talked about, but I was impressed with him the last time (he interviewed two years ago) and he was somebody that Joe and Gavin (Maloof) had really wanted to talk to. In terms of experience, the breadth of people he has worked for is all very good."

Now on to the ongoing draft coverage...

DRAFT CENTRAL

There's just no reason for any of the material being produced on the draft to be lost on folks who always want more, so let's get our aggregating on. (Omri Casspi video below as well)

At the risk of sounding like a blogging Bee commercial, our web site is pretty snazzy sometimes. Specifically, I'm a fan of the feature that allows readers to "recommend" a particular comment and have it displayed more prominently than the rest.

While peeking at today's story on a couple of the Kings' big man possibilities in the June 25 draft, I noticed this salient thought from "Iloveeveryone."

"Instead of focusing on drafting a big, how about focusing on signing Ike Diogu to help out our front line rotation. We already know what we got in Ike, and if the new coach can keep that fire lit under Ike from the end of the season, Ike can be a great player. Our current/could be front court is Spenc, Jason, Donte, and Ike. While it may not currently be 'great', it has potential to be a 'great' front line. I would much rather see the Kings take a good wing player or even another PG with the #23 pick. The #31 pick will just be traded or eventually cut/waived. Sign Ike!! He is the key to our front line rotation."

It's a valid point. Yet while Diogu certainly impressed in his final two games of the season, it certainly doesn't mean the Kings won't ponder possibilities like Tyler Hansbrough or Gani Lawal. For one, there's the age factor (Diogu is 25 compared to 23-year-old Hansbrough and 20-year-old Lawal) and the question of whether older is considered better from the standpoint of who can contribute quicker or if younger with more upside is the choice because of the bigger picture at hand. More importantly, there's the money factor: while no one sees the Kings picking up Diogu's qualifying offer of $3.9 million (at which point he would become an unrestricted free agent), he'll certainly cost more than a No. 23 pick ($972K in first of two guaranteed years) or a No. 31 pick (negotiable).

From there, there's plenty to debate about Diogu's skill set as compared to the others. Yet that situation will unfold, so we'll instead say hello to Hansbrough and Lawal. Be sure to peek at the actual story, then check out these interviews that were taken at Chicago Predraft Combine.

HANSBROUGH

LAWAL

- Sam Amick

The Kings have added to their workout schedule, with Arizona State shooting guard James Harden set to work out in Sacramento on June 10.

They also added Dionte Christmas to Friday¹s session and added Robert Vaden to Saturday¹s workout.

Also, the Gani Lawal workout that he said was taking place on Wednesday didn't transpire and I'm not sure if it will be rescheduled. The Kings saw him in Chicago and Oakland, so that may be plenty. I discuss the possibility of Lawal or Tyler Hansbrough being picked at No. 23 or No. 31 in tomorrow's paper. Be sure to check the blog late tonight or tomorrow morning for videos from Chicago of Hansbrough, Lawal and Omri Casspi as well.

Here is the workout list in its updated state...

Thursday

Jeff Adrien,Omri Casspi, Darren Collison, Robert Dozier, Tyrese Rice, Greivis Vasquez

Friday

Earl Clark, James Johnson, Levance Fields, Marcus Landry, Leo Lyons, Dionte Christmas

Saturday

DeJuan Blair, Josh Heytvelt, Jerel McNeal, Tyler Smith, Marcus Thornton, Robert Vaden

June 8

Nick Calathes (this doesn't add up since he is reportedly forgoing the NBA to head for Greece),

BLOG UPDATE: Scratch that question from the record, as a wise reader commented below that they could simply draft him to get his rights and - come to think of it - save a few bucks in the process by not having to pay one of their three picks this season. It's Rudy Fernandez style, which could also wind up being the case for Casspi.

DeMarre Carroll, Wayne Ellington, Damion James, AJ Price, Terrence Williams

June 9

Tyreke Evans

June 10

James Harden

- Sam Amick

It could be an interesting few days ahead as they pertain to the Kings coaching search, as Monday's interview with Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis in Los Angeles appears to have served as the final step before a decision is made.

There's no reason to think that more candidates would be added to the list that includes Rambis, Paul Westphal and Tom Thibodeau. And judging from the conversations I had tonight, I'd call it a close race between Westphal and Rambis with Thibodeau bringing up the rear. To be clear, that's more of a sense on my end than it is an indirect statement from anybody of relevance in this situation.

Now before I move on to sharing my chat with Kings co-owner Joe Maloof following the Rambis interview, I wanted to add a few tidbits regarding Westphal. I focus on him only because there has been some spirited debate back and forth among fans regarding the notion of him as the next coach.

The Kings announced their workout schedule through June 9. Here it is, with schools and positions to come when I'm not writing for tomorrow's paper. Google away...

Thursday

Jeff Adrien, Omri Casspi, Darren Collison, Robert Dozier, Tyrese Rice, Greivis Vasquez

Friday

Earl Clark, James Johnson, Levance Fields, Marcus Landry, Leo Lyons, Player TBD

Saturday

DeJuan Blair, Josh Heytvelt, Jerel McNeal, Tyler Smith, Marcus Thornton, Player TBD

June 8

Nick Calathes, DeMarre Carroll, Wayne Ellington, Damion James, AJ Price, Terrence Williams

June 9

Tyreke Evans

BLOG UPDATE: Regarding the interview, I've been told Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof will be on hand and Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie - who is back East dealing with a personal matter - may join in by conference call.

Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis is being interviewed in Los Angeles today for the Kings head coaching position, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

Rambis will be the fourth candidate to be interviewed for the position, joining Eddie Jordan (who has been hired by Philadelphia), former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal and Boston associate head coach Tom Thibodeau. - Sam Amick

More to come...

I wanted to post a quick blog here regarding two topics: draft workouts this week and the Sacramento Professional Basketball League that starts tonight.

We'll start in reverse order. The best summertime hoops action in Sacramento officially starts tonight at Capital Christian High School (7 pm tip). As we've chronicled in years past , this event typically has some big name players involved who can be seen for a cheap price ($7).

I'm still waiting to hear who will be taking part tonight (in the game between Buggy's All-Star and Showtime Basketball), but it's usually a mixture of "local" pros (from Matt Barnes to Bobby Jackson to Kevin Martin), local high-level college players who have gone on to play overseas and the area's best high school players. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something to do on a slow evening, and it runs from tonight until June 25 (schedule info can be found here).

Now on the draft front, the Oakland workouts take place today and tomorrow, but the Kings are expected to resume their individual workout schedule in Sacramento on Wednesday. While I was in Chicago for Predraft Combine, a handful of prospects mentioned their workout times with the Kings. Here they are...

(Quick reminder: the Kings have the No. 4 and No. 23 picks in the first round, and the first pick in the second round at No. 31)

* Marquette senior shooting guard Jerel McNeal, who is seen as a second-round pick, said he has a workout in Sacramento "in the second week of June." He interviewed in Chicago with the Kings.

* Omri Casspi, a 20-year-old small forward who is attempting to become the first Israeli to play in the NBA and is seen as a late first-round or early second-round pick, said he will work out in Sacramento on Thursday. The Kings interviewed Casspi in Chicago. I caught up with him as well, and will have more on him in tomorrow's paper (tentatively).

* Gani Lawal, a Georgia Tech big man who did it all for the Yellowjackets, said he will get his chance to prove himself to the Kings in a workout on Wednesday in Sacramento. He interviewed with the Kings in Chicago. He would be a candidate for the No. 23 pick.

* Wake Forest small forward/power forward James Johnson, who is seen as a mid first-round pick, said he will workout in Sacramento on "June 5 or June 6." He also interviewed with the Kings in Chicago.

The Kings have been far more open about their workouts this year than in the past, so this stuff won't likely stay a secret for much longer. - Sam Amick

Editing stories in the newspaper business can be thankless work, with writers too often not saying a word when copy desk folks get it right (which is 99 percent of the time) only to scream indignation when there's a rare mistake.

But sometimes the imperfect (but wholly vital) process can produce a laugh, as was the case with my story on some of the Kings' point guard prospects today.

Two separate thoughts about how 1) Syracuse's Jonny Flynn was a former teammate of Kings small forward Donte' Greene and 2) league executives are impressed by Flynn, somehow became a hybrid sentence that was worth a chuckle...

"Kings small forward and former Syracuse teammate Donte' Greene said there is little doubt among team executives that Flynn will lead, produce and entertain..."

Since I clearly can't convey the point, well, clearly, and since Flynn is a well-spoken youngster on his own, we'll just go ahead and let him explain why he would be a good fit for the Kings if they A) picked him surprisingly-high at No. 4 or B) traded down to get him a bit lower in the June 25 draft. This is one in what will be occasional video from the NBA's Pre-draft Combine in Chicago that concluded on Friday.

Be sure to look at Sunday's Bee for Part 2 of the look at possible point guard picks (who attended the Combine, which means no Ricky Rubio or Brandon Jennings).

CHICAGO - Tom Thibodeau is in Las Vegas today, where he will add to his resume' with yet another head coaching interview and likely disappear from there.

No one I've spoken to sees him as the eventual Kings head coach, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't show up and make his pitch anyway. On his end, it's a no-brainer for any lifelong assistant. On the Kings' end, maybe they'll pick up a few defensive nuggets during the chat that can help with that cause for their team.

From there, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis is expected to come into Las Vegas soon for his interview. And while I've been told that he is a more realistic candidate for the post, I would tend to disagree with Phil Jasner's assertion that he's a "likely front-runner" for the post.

Paul Westphal is still in good standing, with a significant edge in almost every category the Kings have made relevant. There's his record (267-159), which stands alone when compared to his competitors for this post. There's his vibe with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, who had no prior relationship with Westphal but who seemed to gain a quick comfort level with him. And as we said would be the case all along, there's the financial factor.

Long before Eddie Jordan was signing with Philly for a three-year guaranteed deal worth $2 million, $3 million and $3.1 million, Westphal's camp was agreeing to handshake terms of a deal that fell more in line with what Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof preferred. According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, Westphal's price tag will be $1.5 million per season.

Could Rambis come in and wow his way into the lead spot? Absolutely. But Westphal, to be sure, is the man out in front. - Sam Amick

CHICAGO - Check out tomorrow's paper for a breakdown of Kings' point guard possibilities on the higher end of the draft, with a follow-up for Sunday's paper looking at point guards in the lower levels (the disclaimer is I left out guys who weren't in Chicago like Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings).

But just six of the Kings' 18 requested interviews at the Predraft Combine were point guards (or at least 1-2 guards), so there will be plenty of more prospects to get into from here. On the overall front, I spoke with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie about the three-day event on his way out of town.

On whether the lack of scrimmages this year made it more challenging to get a better feel for prospects...

"I don't think it's made it any more challenging. I think there was value here, at least for us. Having the three picks and being able to do the number of interviews that we did (and with) the format of the drills...it's just one more chance to see players do something. You get another sense of their actual size and what not....It's one more look. No amount of information is too much, and it's more information.

On the interviews with players, which lasted approximately 30 minutes each and wound up totaling 17. There were four for the Kings on Wednesday, nine on Friday and four on Saturday...

"At some point, you have to make the best judgment that you can on talent. And then all these other things play in after that...You're trying to give everybody a fair chance (in the interviews). I think there's some merit and virtue in giving all the players a chance to answer a lot of the same questions, but sometimes that may lead other places. It was good. I don't know that (players) prepare for something like that, but I was really impressed with the overall thoughtfulness and quality of the answers that they all gave."

On whether the Combine helped him get "a good grip" on what the Clippers, Memphis, and Oklahoma City plan to do ahead of the Kings before their first pick at No. 4...

"I wouldn't say that. I'm glad we don't have to make a decision today. There's more work to do." - Sam Amick

CHICAGO - It's 2009, and the NBA just handed the media two pieces of paper connected by a staple. But because the papers hold the official measurements from Predraft Combine - and with no answer as to why this information couldn't be transmitted in digital form - someone has gone to the trouble of transferring said info. That someone was going to be me until I noticed that DraftExpress was a little quicker on that front, so click here to see the breakdowns.

Of most relevant to the Kings (at least at first glance) is the confirmation that Tyreke Evans (Memphis point guard/shooting guard) is a physical freak. He stands 6-foot-4, yet has a wingspan of 6-11 1/4. That's just plain old ridiculous, and the Kings were high on him before that news came out. Those wings could come in handy slowing down opposing offenses at the top of the defense or helping clog passing lanes.

On the flip side, UConn's Hasheem Thabeet isn't the 7-3 monster everyone said he was. He is 7-1 1/4 without shoes on and 7-2 1/2 with shoes. - Sam Amick

CHICAGO - It's going to take some time to sift through all the interview material that's being compiled out here.

Some of it will be in the paper soon and some down the road a bit, but there's no reason we can't share some of the more humourous/interesting/surprising nuggets regarding draft prospects by way of Twitter. So for those looking for morsels of information along the way, follow me on Twitter by clicking on this page. - Sam Amick

CHICAGO - As I pound away transcribing interviews inside the Windy City Westin for pre-draft camp, the next significant event in the draft process is just around the corner.

Time-wise more than geographically-speaking, of course.

The list of players for the June 1 and June 2 group workouts in Oakland has been released, so I figured I'd share before getting back to the goings-on out here. The Kings will be among the teams in attendance, with approximately two-thirds of the league believed to be represented. For now, you're getting names only for the sake of expediency. Feel free to Google the players to learn more.

June 1

Group 1: Joe Ingles, Damion James, Marcus Thornton, Sam Young, Jeff Pendergraph, Luke Harangody,

Group 2: Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor, Patrick Mills, Derrick Brown, Taj Gibson, TBD player

June 2

Group 3: Terrence Williams, Chase Budinger, Dionte Christmas, Ater Majok, Tyler Hansbrough, Gani Lawal

Group 4: Omri Casspi, Austin Daye, BJ Mullens, Luke Nevill, Darren Collison, Daniel Hackett

- Sam Amick

The pre-draft camp isn't what it used to be, but it's here nonetheless.

Starting Wednesday night in Chicago, the event that included scrimmages among the prospects until this year begins. Quick backstory here: The complaint among teams in the past was that agents of the top-tier prospects consistently kept their clients away from pre-draft camp for fear their stock would fall if they had a bad showing against a "lesser" player, so guys like Blake Griffin would be nowhere to be found. So now the big names are back, but the most interesting aspect is gone: the actual playing.

It's all workouts and weigh-ins and interviews - those between the front office types and the players as well as the media and the players. I'll be there for the festivities, hoping to copycat the Kings in their lineup of requested sitdowns. Here's their wish list, as follows ...

Omri Casspi (Maccabi Elite, Israel), Earl Clark (Louisville), Darren Collison (UCLA), DeMar DeRozan (USC), Tyreke Evans (Memphis), Jonny Flynn (Syracuse), Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), James Harden (Arizona State), Jordan Hill (Arizona), Damion James (Texas), Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Eric Maynor (VCU), Jerel McNeal (Marquette), Jeff Teague (Wake Forest), Hasheem Thabeet (UConn), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland), and Terrence Williams (Louisville).

The media gets no viewing party like the old days, meaning we not only don't see the players in action but also won't be on hand to watch GMs talk shop at what has historically been an active time for trade talk. I'll have more on location, trying to gather all that is there for the taking.

I also wanted to give a quick coaching update. It sounds like the Tom Thibodeau interview could be Saturday in Las Vegas, but I don't believe that's for sure. Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, to review, won't be interviewed until the conclusion of the Western Conference finals with Denver. Rambis, however, is reportedly out of the running for the only other vacancy in Philadelphia. And fellow Kings candidates Eddie Jordan and Paul Westphal patiently wait ...

As for the teaser about Greene, the soon-to-be second-year player told quite a tale on the radio today about his Memorial Day weekend. Listen here(about six minutes long). - Sam Amick

The Kings announced today that the interview with Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau will be later this week.

The team didn't disclose the day or location of the interview, nor have I heard the particulars just yet. I had heard that Thibodeau would be at pre-draft camp in Chicago this week (Thursday and Friday), which would make a meeting simple considering Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie will be there as well. Or, of course, the group could head off to the Palms in Las Vegas as they so often do.

Thibodeau and Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis are part of the second wave of Kings candidates, with Eddie Jordan and Paul Westphal waiting in the wings after they interviewed on May 12 and May 13, respectively. Rambis' interview will not take place before the Lakers' Western Conference FInals with Denver are completed. - Sam Amick

Since the Kings next draft workouts in Sacramento aren't expected until early next month, Jrue Holiday is getting quite a dose of the spotlight from Kings fans.

And so we continue with the show...

We've already discussed the UCLA point guard (and other prospects, and Ricky Rubio) in this column, this blog post, this post, and this post, but below is a five-minute video of his actual workout with the Kings Thursday courtesy of the team.

- Sam Amick

Anyone who has peeked at the many mock drafts that are out there knows that Jrue Holiday's name isn't typically anywhere near the top five.

So after the 18-year-old who spent one season at UCLA worked out for the Kings on Thursday afternoon, I asked if he could honestly see himself deserving the call when they make the No. 4 pick on June 25.

"I see myself as a No. 1 pick," Holiday quickly responded. "That's what I'm shooting for. I'm shooting for the best, shooting for the stars. The sky's the limit. That's what I'm going for. The Clippers have (No. 1 pick). That's right at home."

Of course he could settle for No. 4 too.

"I think it'd be great (to wind up in Sacramento)," Holiday said. "I heard that they need a new point guard. That's what I'm here for. I'm definitely here to run the team and distribute the ball to Kevin Martin and (Francisco) Garcia. I think I could really fit in here."

Ailene Voisin will have more on Holiday in tomorrow's paper, but here's the cliff notes on the Kings' first draft workout that also included guards Aaron Jackson (Duquesne), Josh Akognon (Cal State Fullerton), Brandon Ewing (Wyoming), forward Tremaine Townsend (Cal State Northridge), and center John Bryant (Santa Clara).

BLOG UPDATE (4:23 p.m.): Per the below post, Lakers PR man John Black said Petrie and Kupchak spoke and permission was granted. The one caveat, according to Black, is that the interview would not take place until the Lakers are either between playoff series or have been eliminated by Denver.

Just as Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof indicated on Tuesday night, his team appears to be in the process of setting up Round Two of the coaching search with Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau.

I just spoke with Lakers vice president of public relations John Black regarding Rambis. He said that Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had played phone tag today, but the assumption on that side was that the Kings were calling to request permission to speak with Rambis. Black said permission would be granted. I should be able to get a more definitive word in a few hours and update this blog post.

As for Thibodeau, Boston general manager Danny Ainge just relayed word that the Kings called regarding the defensive guru this afternoon for permission. The irony, of course, is that Ainge himself pointed out just a few days ago that because the Celtics are out of the playoffs and Thibodeau's contract is up this summer, no permission is needed. If nothing else, though, it could be a matter of respect to call Ainge on the matter.

Both coaches are also being considered for the Philadelphia head coaching vacancy, with Rambis having already interviewed and Thibodeau expected to do so soon. - Sam Amick

Coverage in print: Story, sidebar, Voisin column
***

Gavin Maloof just kept going.

With a mob of media around him at the back of Center Court restaurant on Tuesday, the Kings co-owner and casino man whose team so badly needed a premier pick in the draft lottery kept insisting he wasn't mad at Lady Luck.

Sure they had drawn a pair when they needed a royal flush - being awarded the worst of all possible options with the fourth pick - but this hand wasn't completely lost.

"(Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) is going to come out with a rabbit in the hat, but you don't even need a rabbit with the fourth pick," Maloof said. "You're going to get an impact player there. In the NBA, normally your impact players are top five. And then after that, it gets a little dicey. But again, this is the first top four pick we've had in 18 years, so this is new ground for Kings fans. It's something they can get excited about and help take our franchise to the next level.
"My mindset going in was that this was a win-win for us. Twenty six other teams wish they had our pick. I look at it that way."

Just as Gavin was providing his pep talk for anyone who would listen, Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds was reminding the masses that even the most-seemingly predictable of drafts can be unpredictable.

At the table inside Chris Webber's Center Court restaurant in Natomas, Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof sat with their mother, Colleen, near a bowl of faux ping pong balls while awaiting their fate in the draft lottery across the country in Secaucus, N.J..

And while the party favors were all inscribed with the Kings logo next to a "#1,", their hopes for the top pick did not transpire as they were assigned the No. 4 pick in the June 25 draft.

After a moment of silence at the table, Gavin Maloof collected himself and said, "That's all right. That's all right. We'll get somebody good."

The Clippers, who had a 17.7 percent chance for the top pick, were awarded No. 1. They were followed by Memphis and Oklahoma City. The Kings, who had the league's worst record, had a 25 percent chance at the top pick. - Sam Amick

Things are getting going here at Center Court with the lottery coming soon, but there's news already.

Gavin Maloof just told The Bee that the Kings will be expanding their coaching search to include Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau and Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis. More to come...

Eddie Jordan is no longer the only candidate for the Philadelphia job, as the 76ers last week requested permission to speak with Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau.

That could obviously impact the Kings search, as Jordan remains in the running with Paul Westphal and it remains unclear whether more candidates will be brought in. For what it's worth, I just spoke with Boston GM Danny Ainge, who said the Kings have not contacted the Celtics about Thibodeau. As Ainge pointed out, permission is no longer needed now that the Celtics are out of the playoffs and any communication could be direct between the Kings and the lead assistant so widely respected for his defensive teachings. Thibodeau's contract expires this summer with Boston.

While Thibodeau does not fit the Kings' parameters of a coach who has previous head coaching experience in the NBA, the then-Houston assistant was a candidate two years ago before the job went to Reggie Theus. - Sam Amick

There's one day left until the Kings learn where they'll pick in the June 25 draft, and Chris Webber and the Kings have themselves quite the mutually-beneficial relationship going on tomorrow.

With the lottery taking place in Secaucus, N.J., and set to begin at 5 p.m. Pacific, the former Kings forward will be representing his former team while holding a party in his restaurant back in Sacramento. The event will include Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds and KHTK personalities Mike Lamb and Grant Napear, with Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof expected to be in attendance as well.

Fans can receive an e-ticket that guarantees access to special reserved seating at the party through Kings.com. There will - according to the team's release - be a family fun zone with a bounce house, basketball hoop, balloon artist and face painter, and music by DJ Armon. The restaurant is located at 3600 North Freeway Blvd., Sacramento. Call 916-419-4667 if you need to call.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie won't be at the event, as he is still in Spain watching draft prospect Ricky Rubio. While Petrie planned on having two Rubio viewings on this trip, the dazzling point guard who is in the playoffs with his DKV Joventut team left Saturday's game with an injury after just 10 minutes of action. Today, however, he had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a win while playing 30 minutes. - Sam Amick

Even though I never knew the man, my heart dropped when I heard the news this morning. Wayman Tisdale, 44, had left us way too early.

I had heard the stories from the old Kings days, read the stories about his fight against cancer and seen the stories that surely inspired.

And every time a day of yard work at home meant I would slip on the t-shirt that commemorated the beginning of basketball in Oklahoma City, my one memory of Tisdale and his joyful spirit would come rushing back.

On Nov. 1, 2005, in Oklahoma City, the accomplished jazz musician and beloved Oklahoma Sooner was asked to perform the national anthem for what was sure to be a powerful evening. Hurricane Katrina had moved the Hornets out of the Bayou, with the organization relocating into a city that already knew a thing or two about tragedy and was ecstatic about the team's new arrival.

With the lights dimmed and the arena electric, Tisdale - who had saxophone accompaniment - picked up his bass guitar and met the moment. He carried the tune that came with no vocals, the performance a musical delight and just slow enough for the mood to build and no one wanting it to end. It was a special touch on a special night from someone who so many said was a special man. Our condolences to the Tisdale family. From those who knew him to those who wish they did, he will be missed. - Sam Amick

The Kings coaching search is back in neutral, mostly because basketball president Geoff Petrie is back in Spain until Tuesday's draft lottery day but also because there is much to deliberate.

Ailene Voisin summed it up well in this post, and the undecided options remain as such...

a) Offer Eddie Jordan the job (which obviously hasn't happened)

b) Wait and see how the Philadelphia situation plays out with Jordan, who interviews Friday. He is reportedly more interested in the Sixers job and has yet to find anyone who doesn't understand why.

c) Offer Westphal the job (which obviously hasn't happened)

d) Wait until the Tuesday draft lottery to see if - depending on whether Kings get first, second, third, or fourth pick - the job might become more attractive to other candidates, then bring more coaches in. (Or, of course, just bring more coaches in for the sake of bringing more coaches in)

LAS VEGAS - I spoke with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie a while ago about the today's interview with Paul Westphal and wanted to share before running off to the airport.

PETRIE

"(The interview with Westphal) was good. He was impressive. I thought he had a really good working knowledge of our team as it currently exists. We went through a lot of important things, style of play on both ends of the court and he talked about his development as a coach. He had a close involvement with the renaissance of the (Phoenix) Suns in the early 90s and a long-term involvement with Phoenix. He's an impressive guy."

On whether Westphal's absence from a head coaching spot in recent years (he last coached Seattle in 2000 before coaching at Pepperdine for five seasons, then becoming a Dallas assistant under Avery Johnson and later the Mavericks' vice president of basketball operations).

"He was on the bench with Avery Johnson down in Dallas, he broadcast games for both the Lakers and the Clippers. He hasn't been detached from the game, and I don't think you forget about coaching when you've been involved with basketball - anyone who has been involved with basketball as long as he has."

On what's next

"We're going to talk some more, (Kings co-owners) Joe (Maloof) and Gavin (Maloof) and I, and at some point we'll decide what direction we're going to go, whatever that is. It's still open-ended I'd say at this point. We're going to talk some more and decide where we're going to go from there."

On whether he had much of a prior relationship with Westphal...

"I haven't had any personal experiences (with him), other than that I competed against him and at a distance, as a player to some extent."

Gotta go... - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - Round One of the Kings coaching interviews is over, with no sign yet as to whether there will be a Round Two.

But after Eddie Jordan made his pitch on Tuesday and Paul Westphal followed suit today, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof indicated that there won't be a quick resolution to this process no matter the extenuating circumstances.

"I think what's next now is that we've had two wonderful interviews with two very successful guys that have had great success in the NBA, and I think the next step is that (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) is going to go to Europe (Spain) to see (Ricky) Rubio play in the next couple of days (on Thursday)," Maloof said by phone. "And when he gets back I'm sure we'll get together again - Geoff Petrie and Gavin (Maloof) and I - and discuss what our next step is going to be."

Specifically, Maloof said the fact that Jordan is scheduled to interview with Philadelphia on Friday won't impact what happens from here on the Kings end.

"No, I think that's great that Eddie is getting another interview," Joe Maloof said. "That's a tribute to him, but I don't think that's going to affect us one way or another."

We'll have more coverage in tomorrow's paper about Westphal's interview... - Sam Amick

As a follow-up to the previous post, I've been informed that the Eddie Jordan interview with Philadelphia is on Friday. - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - Eddie Jordan is gone from the Palms, heading East again and scheduled to repeat this interview process again with another team in the coming days.

Unless, of course, the Kings bring the whole courting process to a halt with the right kind of offer. And rest assured, they aren't alone in the Jordan sweepstakes.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Philadelphia has scheduled an interview with Jordan for later this week. While the exact day is not known, the fact that there has been contact makes Jordan different from fellow rumored candidate Doug Collins. When Jordan and I spoke last night, it certainly sounded as if he expected to talk with the Sixers folks in the coming days unless the Kings made up his mind for him.

Paul Westphal is in today for his interview, so be sure to check back in for updates. - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - Eddie Jordan had a few minutes to chat before heading off to a late-night dinner with Geoff Petrie, and that alone should be a reminder that he's in a class all his own in this Kings search.

Having just missed catching up with him on the casino floor, I caught Jordan by phone and he was more than willing to talk about the interview that had just gone down with the team's basketball president and Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. Here are his thoughts that didn't make today's story, followed by the extensive thoughts of Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof. To review, the interview took place inside a room in the Palms Tower of the hotel. Jordan's case has been made and is over with, while Paul Westphal is up tomorrow.

Below is the extra material that is not in the story. Also be sure to read Ailene Voisin's column on the situation. Lastly, the early opinion from the fans is looking good for Jordan.

EDDIE JORDAN

On the Kings' unofficial mantra of "nowhere to go but up" and whether the reality of almost-certain improvement makes this an appealing job...

"No. 1, there's no guarantee that things are going to get better. There are no guarantees in the NBA. The NBA is a tough league to win in. You've got to have the main guys developing. You've got to have the main guys healthy. You've got to get through an 82-game schedule. There's no guarantee. As soon as you think that things can get better, sometimes they don't. You just have to put in the hard work, have a lot of trust, and you know sometimes you have to have good luck.

"It's going to be exciting to see the lottery next week. Let's see where everybody is going to be as far as picking. That'll be exciting. And I just want to take it step by step. Go through the process, get to know Joe and Gavin and the roster. They had good ideas, we had great discussion, great dialogue. We'll see if there's an offer, if they're going to interview other people. That sort of thing."

On whether Jordan's firing in 1998 plays any part in his desire to return to Sacramento...

"I told Geoff and the Maloofs this, I said, 'It worked out for the best for everybody.' Rick Adelman was a terrific coach, they were a terrific team, they did some exciting things in the NBA. I went on to help (then New Jersey head coach) Byron (Scott). Byron and I were part of the Nets (NBA) finals team two years in a row (2002 and 2003) and I got a head job (in Washington) and got to the playoffs four years in a row, did some things in Washington they hadn't done in 20 some-odd years, so it was the right decision. Pat Riley told me when I was let go (from Sacramento) that it was just a bump in the road. He said, 'You're a terrific coach, a lot of good things are going to happen. It's just a part of the journey, just a bump in the road. That's exactly what it was."

GAVIN MALOOF

On how he perceived Jordan before meeting him for the first time and how the interview changed his perception...

"I knew his playoff record, four out of five years (qualifying for the) playoffs in Washington. I knew he was well liked in Sacramento, and the people in the organization all liked him personally. And I think Geoff has a fondness for him as well. That's kind of what I knew. And what I found out was that it's probably all true (laughs)....It was a good interview, and I really haven't heard a negative comment about him to be honest with you."

On what Jordan said about the current Kings...

"He likes our players, likes all the young guys that we have, thinks they could be very coachable. He's very impressed with Spencer (Hawes), Jason (Thompson) and of course Kevin (Martin) as well. He showed us defensive sets and what he did, offensive philosophies, spacing and all that.

On the topic of defense and the perception that teaching it is a weakness for Jordan...

"(The Wizards) had a really good defensive team two years ago. They played (well) against Detroit (in the playoffs). I think that's kind of the misnomer, that he was just offensive. You see what's happened (Denver coach) George Karl, that was the big knock on him that he was all offense and you just saw what they've done. They play some defense."

At this point, I mentioned that the coach the Kings let go back in 2006, Rick Adelman, could fall in the same category with his current team in Houston...

"Yeah, he's done a good job in the playoffs. Yeah, true, you're right. He has done a good job, no question."

On what's next...

"We're just following Geoff's lead, really. We don't have a timetable. We don't have any preconceived ideas. We're just following his lead. When he's comfortable and he's ready to act, then we'll probably be on the same path." - Sam Amick

LAS VEGAS - I'll be moving on to the Kings coaching search in Las Vegas with another blog post in mere moments here, but wanted to take a moment to lament the unfortunate layoff of Jim Kozimor today as part of the Kings' cuts.

The talented radio and TV man was always the finest of colleagues with me, eager to engage on all things Kings and always willing to compliment or criticize about the state of affairs in Kings land. He has always been intriguing on the air, a top-notch interviewer who mixes humor and substance with a light-hearted style. On TV, Kozimor, Kayte Christensen and Henry Turner were a goofy, yet informative, trio on the show which Kozimor says will no longer exist.

Having already left his evening radio show, Kozimor was admittedly stunned by the news. He opted to write out his thoughts instead of running the risk of saying more than he truly wanted to.

"It came as a huge shock and I am numb," he wrote in an e-mail. "I had a wonderful 11 season run and want to thank the Maloofs for this chance. I especially want to thank the fans, viewers and listeners and friends I made in the media. They made this a special time for me and my family. We will miss them." - Sam Amick

As a quick follow-up to the word of the Kings' initial interviews, a league source tells me that Paul Westphal will be interviewed on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

He will, of course, take the baton from Eddie Jordan and do his best to run off with the vacant coaching spot. - Sam Amick

Michael Lee of The Washington Post caught up with Eddie Jordan, who reports that he will interview with Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Considering the Philadelphia job opened up today and Jordan is expected to be pursued for that post, this is a wise move to start the courting sooner rather than (before it's too) later. - Sam Amick

The Kings announced today that they plan to schedule an interview with Paul Westphal for their head coaching vacancy this week.

Westphal joins Eddie Jordan as the first two candidates to be targeted for interviews, and the former Phoenix and Seattle head coach is relevant beyond the obvious. While Jordan appears to be in a class all his own in this race, there are signs from his camp that he would strongly consider the Philadelphia job that - oh by the way - just became open.

The 76ers today announced that interim coach Tony DiLeo will return to the team's front office. And considering that every coach I've spoken with sees the Sixers' situation as more appealing on almost every front, not to mention Jordan's more recent familiarity with the Eastern Conference and the reality that it's easier to win on that side, that's something to watch. What's more, the possibility of a bidding war wouldn't likely go well for the Kings considering the Maloofs' desire to keep costs of all kinds down. The negotiating bar was raised a bit today also, as Toronto's Jay Triano was given a three-year deal (although I haven't seen any story indicating how many of the years are guaranteed or how much he was given).

If the Kings eventually lost out on Jordan's services, Westphal's stock would rise and he could have a stronger standing in his attempt to be a head coach for the first time since 2000. Since leaving the Sonics that year, Westphal was the coach at Pepperdine from 2001 until 2006 and is currently Dallas' executive vice president of basketball operations.

So long as Petrie is dictating the direction of the coaching search as Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said he would, it bodes well for Westphal that he is the second name to be officially acknowledged. Jordan has not yet been interviewed, but both are expected to be seen before Petrie leaves for Spain after this week. The Nuggets are currently up 3-0 in their series with Dallas and Game 4 is tonight in Dallas, meaning scheduling could become a little more simple if Denver can pull off the sweep. - Sam Amick

A late-night post on the Kings' own blog reveals tonight that Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie intends to interview Eddie Jordan for their coaching vacancy next week (no date scheduled).

The word comes from Troy Hanson, the team's VP of media relations who is sharing insights and updates in his new forum. It should shock no one that Jordan is first on the list, just as I continue to be told that it should shock no one if this search winds up looking like a whole lot of dust that settles and finds Jordan all alone at the end as well.

Jordan, who was the Kings coach from late in the 1996-97 season until he was fired after the 1997-98, was Washington's head coach from 2003 until he was fired after the Wizards' 1-10 start last season. He has long been seen as a frontrunner, largely because of the element of familiarity on almost every level. There's his proficiency with the very Princeton offense that Petrie holds so dear, not to mention the well-known fact that Petrie never approved of the way in which Jordan's tenure in Sacramento ended. The decision to fire him was that of former owner Jim Thomas. - Sam Amick

Adrian Wojnarowski obviously took the ball and ran with it, but it now appears to be rolling around in the gutter.

There was a reason Rick Pitino's name entered the fray in Wednesday's paper, but his decision to gauge the Maloof's interest in him as a coaching candidate raises one all-important question about his resume'. Does he use Reggie Theus as a reference? Just wondering...

As for the viability of the situation regarding Pitino, there have been rumblings for some time now that he was looking for a way out for reasons of both the personal and professional nature. In fact, our own Ailene Voisin asked Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie about Pitino in an indirect way on the day Kenny Natt was let go. I dug into the voice recorder to get his response, which was...

Q (from Voisin): "Would you look at the college ranks, at coaches who had coached in the NBA, are you open to that?"

A (from Petrie): "Ummm (followed by a legitimate five-second pause)...I think that you have to have somebody that has had some level of success in the NBA at this point."

While my sources had indicated that the Maloofs are intrigued by the possibility of Pitino running the show, the other factors involved - from his current contract to his potential expectations on a possible new deal with the Kings - qualify this as a longshot (yes, I realize Louisville has said Pitino isn't going anywhere but what else can they say right now?). Truth be told, I continue to hear that Eddie Jordan is the frontrunner that for some reason hasn't been brought in yet, even if every passing day means the increased likelihood that Philadelphia puts interim coach Tony DiLeo in the front office and swoops in and picks Jordan up.

As for the notion that they're waiting for someone to fall out of the sky from the postseason, the only new possibility to keep an eye on would be Mike Woodson. The Atlanta coach and former Kings player is down 0-2 in his second-round series against Cleveland, so who knows if he comes under fire if the Hawks get swept. Woodson has one more season guaranteed on his contract, though, so that situation wouldn't be simple to navigate through either. - Sam Amick

Great hoops entertainment last night in Lakers-Rockets, and reminders during the game and certainly afterward as to how Ron Artest's departure from Sacramento meant things would be far less interesting without him.

There was the latest dust-up with Kobe Bryant (see it here) that led to a locker room explanation that started so light and logical and ended as heavy and harrowing.

It's a must-see session that is best viewed here.

BLOG UPDATE: Anyone questioning Ron-Ron's death-by-table-leg story should read about it here.

On the Byron Scott front, I chatted with The Rise Guys about the situation yesterday (after discussing our own hoops exploits) yet have since learned a bit more. While the news conference is still expected today in which the Hornets will say that Scott will return next season, don't think for a minute that means the situation is smoothed over out there. It's not.

Hornets owner George Shinn has passed up numerous opportunities to give Scott a vote of confidence with the local media, and he's sending his son, Chad (the team's executive officer of the board) and brother-in-law Hugh Weber (the team's president) to handle the media today.

BLOG UPDATE: As expected, it was announced today that Scott will return to New Orleans for next season.

If Scott returns to New Orleans next season as it appears he will, it will be because Shinn couldn't find a way to get rid of him without taking a huge hit in the already-hurting checkbook. Thus, where the Kings could come in (even if it appears they won't).

It's not quite as complicated as some folks are making it out to be. He's owed $5.5 million, meaning the Kings and Shinn could crunch the numbers and find a way to save the Hornets' owner money while getting the Kings a well-respected coach for the next few years who most believe would be a good fit with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie. Hypothetically, you could tell Scott to give $3 million back and agree to pay him $2.5 million in the first year of the deal, meaning he would lose $500K in the first year but gain job security in a location he has longed for for years.

Shinn, who is hurting on the money front by all accounts, could find a bargain-basement coach for $1 million and still save $2 million. Considering nobody close to the situation sees Scott staying in New Orleans beyond next season, there could certainly be incentive to make that happen. And for anyone who wants to tell me that Scott wouldn't do it because of the money loss, I'm not buying it. Head coaching jobs are precious commodities, let alone jobs that just so happen to be on your short list of destination spots (Scott has always said he wants the Kings or Lakers jobs above all else).

What's more, there is no mistaking that the soon-to-be-lame-duck Scott sees the writing on the wall in his current gig and isn't real excited about possibly becoming the fall guy in the situation (whether now or midseason). And anyone questioning whether all this chatter is newsworthy, Scott's wandering eye and undeniable desire to become the Kings next coach is the driving force behind it all.

On the other hand...

If Shinn doesn't have another team telling him that they'll pick up part of the bill, then he likely doesn't get fired because then the money math just doesn't add up. Pay Scott $5.5 million, then pay a new coach for a team that has major injury problems with core players and is likely on the decline? That's not happening. Then again, Shinn is known as impulsive, so who knows how this ends up. - Sam Amick

Slow day at the office?

Well put those earbuds in and escape to the world of Internet radio. From talking playoffs to breaking down the Kings and their pivotal offseason, we're here to provide some digital distraction. Be sure to read the latest on Byron Scott first, then delve into the hoops chatter.

Whitey, Phantom and super-producer Little Joe of KHTK's Rise Guys show have been high-tech for some time, uploading some of their best interviews to this site . Here's some recent material worth listening to...

* With Rick Adelman looking to exorcise his Phil Jackson demons in the Houston-Lakers series, the Rise Guys had former Kings assistant and current Rockets assistant Elston Turner on for a lengthy and entertaining chat the morning after the Rockets' Game 1 win.

* Bee sports editor Bill Bradley joined the show to talk about a variety of topics, from the Scott situation to Alex Rodriguez.

* Rick Barry talks NBA playoffs and Kings coaching search.

* Celtics broadcaster and former player Cedric Maxwell talks playoffs and gets huge laughs with some unexpected Beno Udrih references.

* Former Bee writer and current SI.com contributor Scott Howard-Cooper joined the Rise Guys to discuss why Portland should be feared even though it fell in the first round. His written words leading up to the segment are here.

* The boys and I discussed our plans to hit the court together, and eventually chatted Kings of course a few weeks back.

* Carmichael Dave caught up with Ron Artest on April 20. And while the material is a bit outdated by now, the ebony and ivory duo is funny as always and definitely worthy of your time.

* Despite some challenging technical difficulties, I had a long segment with the boys from Rotoradio. The show is an hour long, featuring hosts Tamer and Tom, myself and Philadelphia 76ers beat writer Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

No surprise there. This Kings coaching search will take a while, meaning there is plenty of time to dissect the ins and outs of who may take over next. For today, though, we offer the raw materials for fans to delve into and form their own opinions. Ailene Voisin shared her take here, and my piece in today's paper can be read here.

Otherwise, below is our edited video of Geoff Petrie's press conference as well as the the presser in its entirety. For those looking to look back more than look forward, be sure to check out the photo gallery of Kings coaches in the Sacramento era.

Depending on your level of cynicism, this is either the lines being drawn or simply the parameters being set.

Either way, the hours following the announcement that Kenny Natt would not return as Kings coach today included unmistakable messages sent by both basketball president Geoff Petrie and one of his bosses, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof. And for once, it seems, they are on the same page.

While outlining the search to the media, Petrie - who has just one season remaining on his contract - was very detailed about what he wants when it comes to the team's third coaching search in the last four offseasons.

"We'll start to cull the list and look at people that we think meet some of the qualifications that we're looking for at this point, and they would be somebody that has had a lot of experience in the NBA, No. 1, and No. 2, somebody that's had experience as a head coach in the NBA, and No. 3 somebody who has had some level of success at some point as a head coach in the NBA," Petrie said in no uncertain terms.

After the news conference, I spoke with Maloof by phone and discovered that he is - at the outset - prepared to allow Petrie to operate within his own guidelines.

"The decision will be made by Geoff and the basketball people," Joe Maloof said. "They're going to make this decision, and I guess in time they'll probably start the interview process, Geoff will, and go from there. Geoff has complete control of it. I don't know who he's going to speak to."

We'll have more obviously, but one final note is that Petrie said Shareef Abdur-Rahim will remain with the organization in come capacity. As for Kings consultant Pete Carril, he said "Coachie" was not in a position to be a full-time assistant coach at this stage in life but said role as a "wise sage" could be attractive to the next Kings coach. - Sam Amick

By Sam Amick
samick@sacbee.com

As expected, the Kenny Natt era has come to an end. And for the third time in the last four years, the Kings will engage in an offseason coaching search.

The interim Kings coach will not return in the post for the 2009-10 campaign, the team announced this afternoon. Natt, who took over for Reggie Theus after he was fired on Dec. 15, went 11-47 during his time with the team and simply couldn't overcome the seemingly-slim odds he had at winning the job. Natt wasn't the only coach waiting to hear his fate, as his assistants were on uncertain ground as well. Assistants Rex Kalamian, Randy Brown, Jason Hamm, and assistant coach/advance scout Bubba Burrage were also let go. Assistant coach Shareef Abdur-Rahim was on a one-year contract for last season.

Yet the prospect of Natt remaining beyond this season was real enough that the Kings had orchestrated a unique contract for his possible return. Not long after he took over, Natt signed the deal which would have paid him $1.7 million for the 2009-10 campaign. The Kings held the contract option on the one-season deal and had a May 1 deadline to pick it up. But now, of course, they will simply pick up where they left off on the coaching front.

The organization that enjoyed such success and stability in eight seasons under coach Rick Adelman (1998 to 2006) has been stuck on the coaching carousel that included Eric Musselman, Theus, and Natt in the last three years. The first coaching search lasted 24 days after Adelman was not resigned, with Musselman wowing his way into the job and a three-year, $7 million deal during the interview process but unable to impress while on the job as his team was 33-49 in his one season.

The second coaching search was 62 days long, with Theus becoming a late leader and securing a two-year, approximately $4 million contract after it appeared Lakers assistant Brian Shaw was ahead of the pack. With Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie scheduled to leave for Europe on Friday and not return until mid-May, it appears this search could be a long one as well.

The preferred salary range this time around is believed to be between $1.5 and $2 million in annual compensation, although Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof may not adhere to their own parameters in either direction. While league sources indicate the Kings did not reach out to any potential candidates before relieving Natt of his duties, they are expected to consider the likes of Mike Fratello, Eddie Jordan, John Whisenant, and Jeff Ruland. Yet in truth, the list is likely to be as long as the process.

Because there will likely be coaches considered whose teams are currently in the playoffs, the possibility exists that the Kings would have to wait as late as the last possible date of the NBA Finals on June 18. There is, of course, also the possibility that a high-profile coach could be fired after the postseason and immediately appear on the Kings' radar. While teams can request permission to speak with coaches whose teams are still playing, Petrie has opted against it in the past.

"You really have to wait until their teams are done playing," Petrie said on May 8, 2007. "Nobody's going to give you permission anyway if you try and get involved and they're trying to coach their team."

While the Kings have the only vacant head coaching position in the league, there may be more to come that could provide competition for candidates. Denver's George Karl, New Orleans' Byron Scott and Philadelphia's Tony Dileo shouldn't feel completely secure unless their teams survive their first round playoff series, while the lottery-bound New Jersey Nets are currently contemplating whether to fire or retain coach Lawrence Frank. Otherwise, Minnesota's Kevin McHale has yet to decide if he will return for a second season, Toronto's Jay Triano has yet to receive a new contract but is widely expected to remain and Phoenix's Alvin Gentry is also expected to receive a new deal.

The economic climate could play a part as well, as fear of an NBA lockout that may be looming could prompt owners to focus on short-term deals for coaches and lower pay. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2010-11 season, but the league has an option to extend it through the 2011-12 campaign. That decision must be made by Dec. 15, 2010, or else the agreement expires on June 30, 2011. Considering the Kings were believed to be on track to lose between $25 and $28 million this season before their flurry of trades in February that included significant salary dumps, the financial factor could be relevant in this situation.

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.

A couple quick programming notes...

1) It takes a few coherent thoughts or a couple facts worth sharing to make a blog post worthy, but I'm using Twitter to share the more random and less substantive insights, info etc. To sign up, go here.

2) Best of luck to Melody Gutierrez, a classy and comical colleague who has left the sports department to take over the education beat on our news side (yes, still at The Bee). She'll be fantastic over there just as she was over "here," but she will be missed.

The versatile Jason Jones will be contributing in that capacity from here on out, just as soon as he's done covering the NFL draft. He's coming from the Raiders beat, so there is certainly expertise when it comes to covering a struggling club.

***

So it was quite an interesting night at the Roseville Sports Center, where season-ticket holders were on hand to hear from the Kings' powers-that-be.

And while I discussed this event in the context of the Kenny Natt situation in Wednesday's paper, we'll springboard from there to provide some additional coverage for the blogosphere.

The story linked above is required reading, if only because I won't be providing any further context here. So in supplemental form, here we go...

Now that Vlade Divac and Chris Webber's jerseys have been retired, the nostalgia has got to go. It really does.

No offense to the Kings fanbase that had such a blast during those most glorious of years, but those very memories - as I see it - too often keep the faithful from accepting the reality of the organization in its present state and embracing the process of becoming competitive again. Yes, as I remind our readers in today's piece, it's ugly. But it's still pretty fun, because it's sports and because the road to recovery will certainly be full of intriguing twists and turns and no shortage of drama. Not saying that's a winning pitch to renew season tickets tomorrow, but it's worth watching from a distance at the very least.

All that being said, I love nostalgia just like the rest. In small doses, it's a welcome distraction to the situation at hand. As such - and because the Kings will miss the postseason for the third consecutive season - we present a playoff preview as it pertains only to former Kings. But first, two quick Kings-ish sidenotes: 1) almost-Kings-head-coach Scott Brooks officially won the Oklahoma City job today and 2) Quincy Douby won the job that Will Solomon could not, as the third-year guard out of Rutgers picked 19th by the Kings in 2006 was signed by Toronto through next season on a partially guaranteed contract.

Now on to the postseason and how former Kings will play a part...

Kings (16-63) at Minnesota (24-57)
Scoring: Kings 12th (100.6 point per game), Timberwolves 21st (97.9)
Shooting: Kings 25th (44.7 percent), Timberwolves 29th, (44.2)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (109.8 points), Timberwolves 22nd (102.77)
Shooting defense: Kings 30th (48.4 percent), Timberwolves 25th (47.4)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-4.97), Timberwolves 13th (plus-0.79)

The link: Timberwolves coverage in The Minneapolis Star Tribune (Story and preview) and the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Story). Kings coverage in The Bee (Voisin column on Joe Maloof's anger toward Kenyon Martin)

On this date in NBA history: On April 15, 2009, the Sacramento Kings became the first team in its franchise's 50-year history to finish a season with fewer than 19 wins.

***

MINNEAPOLIS - This is where it all began, where a two-point loss to the T-Wolves in the season opener wasn't considered so bad because Kevin Martin's shot was off (5 of 19), and because the Kings didn't have Brad Miller and because the young frontcourt of Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes had thoroughly impressed.

The promise wouldn't last long, not with the way they would be run off the floor against Miami, Orlando and Philadelphia during the rest of the road trip. For a night, though, they thought - they hoped - that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad season after all.

Headline YOUTH KEEPS SACRAMENTO CLOSE TO THE END

Origin Sam Amick samick@sacbee.com
Publication Date 10/30/2008
Page C1
Section SPORTS
Edition METRO FINAL
Dateline MINNEAPOLIS

The confidence should have been at an all-time high, what with Spencer Hawes looking more like Al Jefferson than Jefferson himself and the Kings in position to win largely because of it.

But with five seconds left Wednesday night at Target Center and the Kings trailing Minnesota and its dominant forward by two in their regular-season opener, Hawes took a pass from Beno Udrih at the free-throw line and was struck by a moment of indecisiveness. The second-year center dribbled once, then shoveled the ball back to Kevin Martin when he had nowhere to go.

Martin heaved the ball from the left wing and missed, John Salmons' putback fell short, and the Kings walked off the floor having done the same in a 98-96 loss.

"I should've shot it," said Hawes, who started in place of Brad Miller (five-game suspension). "I caught it, overpenetrated maybe a dribble ... I saw it, tried to take up a little slack, and (the lane) just closed quicker than I thought it would. I've just got to go with my game and hit the first one ... trust my instincts, I guess."

The Kings opened with a loss for the fifth consecutive season in the opposite style most anticipated. With so many wondering whether Martin would receive enough offensive assistance to complement his high-scoring ways this season, he had a 5-of-19 shooting night while the supporting cast was far more productive than even coach Reggie Theus could have expected.

While Jefferson turned in his standard performance (21 points, 10 rebounds) that Martin had joked he could do in his sleep, Hawes bested his counterpart with 12 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks that set a Sacramento-era record for a King on opening night.

Kings forward Jason Thompson became the franchise's first player to post a double double (18 points and 10 rebounds) in his NBA debut since Jerry Lucas tallied 23 points and 17 rebounds in 1963. Salmons added 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting.

Yet Martin was out of rhythm from start to finish. He went 0 of 5 in the fourth quarter, including an open jumper from the left wing with 26 seconds remaining that would have put the Kings up by one.

"It's one of them games where I'll forget about it quickly," said Martin, who ended with 17 points. "I cost us a couple buckets. It's just something I'll have to go back and look at on film, because I don't know what was going on there. I think tonight was just on me, personally."

This was opportunity lost for the obvious reason that it only gets tougher from here. Among Minnesota, Miami, Orlando and Philadelphia, no team faces lower expectations this season than the Timberwolves, who were 22-60 last season.

What's more, the Kings had four days in which to prepare for the opener yet will have two practice days jammed between the next three games.

Hawes didn't take long to look comfortable, scoring nine points in the first six minutes as the Kings went up 20-14. He hit his first four shots, Thompson followed with a layup for the six-point lead, and the notion of untested youth as a liability was nowhere to be found.

But the Kings gave up an 8-0 run late to trail 33-32 at the end of the first quarter. The run continued thereafter, as Jefferson scored 10 second-quarter points. Martin's 1-of-5 quarter had much to do with the Kings' 56-49 halftime deficit.

"It was a tough first half," Theus said. "I'd like to think the team who we are played more in the second half ... (when the Kings were) plus-12 in rebounding and (they trimmed the T-wolves') 42 points in the paint (in the first half) to 16. ... I'm encouraged because I think our guys saw that they're a better team than they played in the first half."

And Martin, quite certainly, can be better as well.

"If Kevin has any type of game at all, we beat this team," Theus said. "But it's a team game."

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs

They thought it wouldn't be that bad. They were, of course, very wrong. - Sam Amick

MINNEAPOLIS - In the it-could-have-been-so-much-worse category, the Kings were relieved to officially hear today that Spencer Hawes' left knee injury was merely a strain.

The second-year center took a tumble (with inexplicable help from Kenyon Martin) in the Kings' loss at Denver on Monday, and the MRI taken in Sacramento on Tuesday confirmed the strain. I haven't spoken to Hawes or Kings officials yet and will update when more is known. Needless to say, he will not be playing in the team's season finale at Minnesota on Wednesday. - Sam Amick

SAN ANTONIO 95, KINGS 92

Game story, Game notes

Box score, Video recap

***

It's not as if the Kings didn't accomplish anything on Sunday night.

They secured the worst record in the league and thus gave themselves the best possible shot (25 percent) at landing the No. 1 pick in June. They secured their place in history, guaranteeing that this season will go down as the worst in the franchise's 50 years. That much was already certain from the standpoint of winning percentage, but now they can claim the trophy for fewest wins (from 16 to 18, depending on outcome of final two games) than the 19-win Cincinnati Royals teams in 1958-59 and 1959-60 that played in 72 and 75 games, respectively. The home-record (11-30) was an all-time worst, too, both from a record and winning percentage standpoint.

And while the Kings were certainly robbed in their loss to the Spurs because of the game-winning Michael Finley three that shouldn't have counted, make no mistake about one thing: they left the door open for the burglars. Come to think of it, point guard Beno Udrih - and by extension coach Kenny Natt - answered the door and let them in.

It's not a coincidence that the Kings have lost 11 straight games that were decided by seven points or less, with the late failures hurting Natt's chances at winning the job every time. They almost always fall short in the most crucial possessions, and finishes like the latest one have been prompting shaking heads on press row - and even on the Kings bench - for some time.

Kings (16-62) at Clippers (18-60)
Scoring: Kings 11th (101.06), Clippers 27th (95.48)
Shooting: Kings 23rd (44.9 percent), Clippers 22nd (44.1)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (109.66), Clippers 25th (104.11)
Shooting defense: Kings 30th (48.4 percent), Clippers 26th (47.5)
Rebound differential: Kings 30th (minus-5.06), Clippers 28th (minus-4.03)
The link: Clippers coverage in The Los Angeles Times,, and the LA Daily News. Kings coverage in The Bee (Game story vs. Houston on Thursday, Game notes,. Photo slideshow).

***

It's all about change from here on out for the Kings, even if there are four more games that must be played for the sake of schedule keeping.

With the obvious focus on changing their own dire situation, it's certain that there will be player changes (they have only eight players on contract for next season) and almost certain that there will be a coaching change. And if it was up to Chris Webber, there would be a front office change as well.

The former Kings forward told me recently that he would like to team with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie in the Kings' rebuilding effort, rejoining the team in an ambassador-type role in which he could help attract free agents, weigh in on the remaking of the roster and help the organization on all matters of public relations. In an interview that took place before the retiring of Vlade Divac's jersey at Arco Arena on March 31, Webber said he was already talking to three teams about a return to the game as soon as next season (though he would not disclose which ones). And while the Kings aren't one of them, he wishes they were.

"Yeah, I'm definitely going to be in basketball," said Webber, whose official title at present is that of TNT analyst. "I'm deciding now if I want to do TV next year. I have some opportunities (in the NBA). And of course I would like (to be in) Sacramento first. But it is what it is."

HOUSTON 115, KINGS 98

Game story, Game notes, Gameplan for Clippers game Friday

Box score, Video recap

***

We knew the Ron Artest return would be anticlimactic.

That much was clear when the schedule was set, if only because the trade that sent him to Houston went down in August and the Rockets' first regular season affair at Arco Arena was in early April. But this was elevated irrelevance, with the Rockets in the midst of a tight race for playoff position and the Kings counting the days until the end.

Meanwhile, the former King is in a fortuitous position after what was a messy ending in Sacramento. After having his hopes for a long-term future with the Kings dashed last summer, he has become the second-half hero of the Rockets' season after Tracy McGrady's season-ending left knee injury and microfracture surgery.

Since McGrady's last game on Feb. 9, Houston has won 20 of 27 games and Artest has led the charge. The timing of it all was impeccable, as McGrady and Artest had been sniping at each other in the locker room prior to McGrady's exit and the chemistry declining by the day. The new development, though, was that those I spoke to in Houston had said Artest was the one receiving support while McGrady's act was growing increasingly tired on that scene.

Kings (16-56) vs. New Orleans (45-27)

Scoring: Kings 13th (100.26), Hornets 25th (95.75)
Shooting: Kings 23rd (44.9 percent), Hornets 17th (45.5)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.59), Hornets 4th (93.44)
Shooting defense: Kings 29th (48.2 percent), Hornets 6th (44.8)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-4.94), Hornets 17th (plus-0.36)

The link: Hornets coverage in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Kings coverage in The Bee (Voisin's 'Divac's Greatest Hits,' Kings notes).

The almanac: On this date in 1982, the NBA and the Players Association reached a four-year agreement that included a revenue-sharing plan, the first of its kind in team sports. Players received 53 percent of revenues starting the 1984-85 seasons in return for minimum and maximum payrolls. On this date in 1992, Phoenix Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons guided the Suns to a 128-111 home win over Portland, becoming the sixth coach in NBA history to chalk up 800 career wins. On this date in 1996, after defeating the visiting Phoenix Suns 97-83, the San Antonio Spurs become the 11th NBA team to go unbeaten over a month, with a 16-0 mark in March. The Spurs tied the 1971-72 Lakers (who were 16-0 in December of 1971) for the winningest month ever by an NBA team.

***

In the land where Kings coaches roam and PR chiefs reign, the curtain is down these days and paranoia is up.

And while the practice facility drape that keeps the media from observing is black, it really should be gray. That's the true color of this coaching situation in its current state. The misguiding of gray matter. Gray areas galore. And growing gray hairs for me, of course, as the absence of black and white indicators means Kenny Natt's status remains unclear.

Public perception is the easy part. The record alone leads to opinions such as the one below, as written by former Rocky Mountain News writer and current In Denver Times scribe Chris Tomasson in a Hoopshype column on interim coaches...

Kenny Natt of Sacramento is 9-36 since replacing 6-18 Reggie Theus. If one were to measure the impact the change has had, perhaps he should be known as Kenny Gnat...

Put (Washington's Ed) Tapscott, (Toronto's Jay) Triano and Natt as guys who soon might want to head to Kinko's to choose the font for their resumes.

Kings (15-56) vs. Phoenix (40-33)

Scoring: Kings 13th (99.9), Suns 1st (108.86)
Shooting: Kings 24th (44.8 percent), Suns 1st (50.4)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.46), Suns 27th (106.9)
Shooting defense: Kings 29th (48.2 percent), Suns 22nd (46.4)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-5.04), Suns 10th (plus-0.89)

The link: Suns coverage in the Arizona Republic. Kings coverage in The Bee (First of two stories in Vlade Divac series, leading up to Tuesday's jersey retirement, Kings notes, Suns preview)

The almanac: On this date in 1952, Minneapolis center George Mikan scored a then -NBA Playoff record 47 points against the Rochester Royals in Game 1 of the Western Division Finals, but the Lakers were defeated, 88-78. On this date in 1960, Boston Celtics standout Bill Russell hauled down an NBA Finals record 40 rebounds as the Celtics lost to St. Louis 113-103. On this date in 1988, Indiana scored an NBA record-low 55 points (since the introduction of the 24-second shot clock) in a 74-55 loss to San Antonio. On April 10, 1999, the Chicago Bulls scored 49 points against Miami to set a new record low.

PROGRAMMING ALERT: Vlade Divac himself will be live blogging for The Bee on Monday at 1 p.m. ., cramming his monstrous frame into a cubicle at our offices and spending an hour answering your questions and getting nostalgic at www.sacbee.com/live. Be sure to take part.

***

Western Conference powerhouse team is exciting and successful, just not champions. Unable to reach the top of the NBA mountain, their high-scoring, scintillating offensive ways come into question and a conflict between ownership and the team's front office ensues over a lack of attention paid to defense.

A coaching change is made. It's never the same in the standings or the stands. The fun is taken out of a franchise.

Yes, the Suns are in town today, those distant relatives of the Kings who are still trying to keep their story from ending like the one in Sacramento did. Mike D'Antoni, of course, was their version of Rick Adelman, but D'Antoni was more disenfranchised than he was fired by the franchise. He went to New York, Phoenix owner Robert Sarver and GM Steve Kerr brought in defensive-minded Terry Porter to fix what they were sure was ailing them, and he was gone by the midway point of his first season after going 23-18.

Kings (15-55) vs. Memphis (17-53)

Scoring: Kings 13th (99.97), Grizzlies 30th (93.1)
Shooting: Kings 24th (44.8 percent), Grizzlies 22nd (44.9)
Scoring defense: Kings 28th (108.4), Grizzlies 14th (99.68)
Shooting defense: Kings 28th (48.1 percent), Grizzlies 26th (47.4)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-4.95), Grizzlies 21st (minus-1.47)

The link: Grizzlies coverage in the The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Kings coverage in The Bee (Story on Bobby Jackson's possible return; Game preview; Breakdown of Vlade Divac events surrounding his jersey retirement Sunday)
The almanac: On this date in 1994, Magic Johnson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers as head coach and led them to a 110-101 victory over Milwaukee. Johnson coached the Lakers for the last 16 games of the 1993-94 season, posting a 5-11 record. On this date in 1998, an NBA record 62,046 fans witnessed Chicago's 89-74 win over Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. On this date in Utah's Karl Malone and John Stockton are both held under 10 points in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This marks the first time since November 21, 1987 that both Malone and Stockton did not reach double figures in scoring in the same game.

PROGRAMMING ALERT: Vlade Divac himself will be live blogging for The Bee on Monday at 1 p.m. 11 a.m., cramming his monstrous frame into a cubicle at our offices and spending an hour answering your questions and getting nostalgic at www.sacbee.com/live. Be sure to take part.

***

This is not the kind of race you want to stay in.

The Kings, as we've been noting for some time now, remain right on track to finish as the worst in franchise history. Aside from watching the team's young core come along or wondering just how many empty seats there will be at Arco Arena every home game, this is one of the few remaining points of intrigue about this particular team.

There's just something heavy about being the worst, about being alone in that category of futility. Year after year, their season of struggle will be chronicled in the team's media guide. Whenever a Kings team approaches that kind of season-long failure, they will become the point of reference. And with 12 games left, that's a very real possibility.

It's a tidbit kind of time in the late stages of this Kings season, but there are a few worth getting into. Off we go...

* After practice today, it's still unknown which injured players will be ready to go against Memphis on Friday. Kings coach Kenny Natt said he's not sure if he'll have Andres Nocioni (right quad tendonitis) and it didn't sound as if Bobby Jackson (fractured left cheekbone) would be ready to return just yet.

"I think he's still under doctor's care and they're restricting his play from standpoint of playing in a game, but he's practicing every day," Natt said.

I'll probably have a story on Jackson for Friday's paper, but he told me today that he believes Spencer Hawes is the culprit of his face fracturing. Against Cleveland on March 13, the two players were going for the same rebound and Jackson bore the brunt of a Hawes elbow. Now Jackson - who declined surgery on his cheek last Friday - is wearing a purple protective mask and looking the part that he had already played in so many fans' eyes - a true Kings hero. Nicknames anyone?

* Oh, the irony.

Will Solomon misses a chance to seize the backup point guard spot in Toronto, gets traded from the Raptors to the Kings and sees his playing time decline the longer he's in Sacramento. And proving that the law of Murphy is alive and well in the NBA, former Kings guard Quincy Douby - who was waived just before the Feb. 19 trade deadline - is promoted from the D-League Erie Bayhawks to the Raptors and has a chance to earn the very minutes Solomon left behind. Douby didn't play in his debut game against Milwaukee.

* Lots and lots of chatter about Nocioni's comments in the Argentine publication 'Ole'' today.

Nocioni did not speak after practice, but I caught up with him via phone tonight and he was good enough to discuss the matter for some time. You can read our story for tomorrow's paper or his comments in full at the end of this blog post, but it's worth reading the original material to get a more fair sense of what he was saying (most, if not all, of which is true).

Kings (15-54) vs. Philadelphia (34-33)

Scoring: Kings 13th (99.97), Sixers 23rd (97.1)
Shooting: Kings 24th (44.8 percent), Sixers 14th (45.7)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.3), Sixers 11th (96.7)
Shooting defense: Kings 28th (48.0 percent), Sixers 18th (46.1)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-5.11), Sixers sixth (plus-2.40)

The link: Sixers coverage in the the Philadelphia Daily News,. Kings coverage in The Bee (Kings plus story on Kenny Natt; Marty Mac's World; Preview of today's game, Week ahead.)
The almanac: On this date in 1960, the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Celtics in Boston 128-107 in Game 5 of the Eastern Division Finals, a game which featured an NBA Playoff record 169 rebounds by both teams. On this date in 1991, Phoenix guard and future Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson was honored by President George Bush as the 411th "Daily Point of Light" in recognition of Johnson's work in helping the youth of his hometown of Sacramento, CA. On this date in 2000, the Phoenix Suns Jason Kidd is lost for the remainder of the regular season after breaking his ankle in a 114-93 triumph over Sacramento at America West Arena. The following day the Suns announced that Kevin Johnson was coming out of retirement to help his former team in its time of need. Johnson, 34, whose career average of 9.2 assists per game ranks fourth in NBA history, had not played since the 1997-98 season.

***

At this point, Kenny Natt would love to be Paul Silas.

That's what he said in a round-a-bout way on Friday, when the Kings coach talked at length about his job and his future in an interview that led to my piece on the matter in today's paper. Like always, there was more material that went unused, and that included Natt answering my question about whether he had talked to other coaches who had been through a similar experience to his, that of the first-time head coach who inherits a less-than-flattering roster and runs the risk of being run out before he has even started.

"Paul Silas," Natt said inside Madison Square Garden. "I just saw him in Charlotte, and he said (how) he won 16, 17 games one year (Silas' 1981-82 Clippers went 17-65 in his second season as a coach after going 36-46 in his first season with the Clippers). He knows what I'm going through. He just said hang in there, learn from the experience, just keep working hard and things will work out for you. They always do."

Silas, of course, wound up working his way toward better times. His Hornets teams (in Charlotte and one season in New Orleans) were perennial playoff contenders during his five seasons with that organization, and his hiring in Cleveland in 2003 meant he would usher in the LeBron James era before he was fired near the end of the 2004-05 season. Silas added Natt to his coaching staff with the Cavs in 2003, pulling him away from Utah after nine seasons under Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

NEW YORK - Bobby Jackson plans to return this season, according to Kings coach Kenny Natt.

And knowing Jackson, the veteran guard may be on the floor at Arco Arena on Sunday against Philadelphia. Jackson - who did not travel with the team on their four-game road trip that concludes tonight - was scheduled to have corrective surgery on his fractured left cheekbone today at the UC Davis Medical Center, but the procedure was delayed. Natt said Jackson intends to play as soon as possible. - Sam Amick

Kings (14-54) at New York (28-39)

Scoring: Kings 13th (99.66), Knicks fourth (105.8)
Shooting: Kings 26th (44.6 percent), Knicks 28th (44.4)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.5), Knicks 29th (108.5)
Shooting defense: Kings 29th (48.1 percent), Knicks 28th (48.1)
Rebound differential: Kings 30th (minus-5.42), Knicks 27th (minus-3.94)

The link: Knicks coverage in the the New York Times, The New York Post , Newsday, and the New York Daily News. Kings coverage in The Bee (Story on Rashad McCants, notes)
The almanac: On this date in 1976, John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics became the first NBA player to score more than 1,000 points per season for 14 consecutive years. On this date in 1990, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's jersey No. 33 in honor of the NBA's all-time leading scorer. On this date in 1998, Karl Malone moved past Elvin Hayes (27,313) for fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

PROGRAMMING ALERTS
We're trotting out the all-stars this morning for the "Kings Weekly Rap" at 11 a.m. Pacific as Ailene Voisin and Marcos Breton will field your questions about Kings/arena issues/NBA etc. and maybe even debate a bit on their own. Go to www.sacbee.com/live a few minutes before 11 to take part.

Also, I'll be Twittering during the game again on my page. I already threw up a relevant update, as Andres Nocioni (right quad tendinitis) and Rashad McCants (right ankle) are out tonight. Kevin Martin is back from a one-game absence (virus).

***

In this season of rock bottom re-invention, with the Kings about to see if they can avoid going 0-29 against the Eastern Conference tonight or at least a historic 0-30 against Philadelphia on Sunday, they have had more than their share of "It could get worse" moments. It can always get worse. And so far for this team, it typically has.

But tonight's tilt against the Knicks offers a rare moment of "It could be worse." No, really. It could. They could have Danilo Gallinari instead of Jason Thompson.

While the Kings rookie forward taken No. 12 overall last June continues to play like a viable member of their future blueprint club, the Knicks' Italian small forward who was taken sixth may need back surgery that would end his disappointing rookie season. In the months that led to the 2008 draft, there was always a sense from the Kings' front office folks that picking 12th was just late enough that all the good ones would be gone by the time they were up. Gallinari, specifically, was always the name that arose when they lamented how the top-tier talent simply wouldn't fall that far.

If he had, Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie might have been the one having to defend his decision rather than Donnie Walsh. The Knicks president is standing by the choice, saying he's confident the 20-year-old will reach his potential eventually. The Kings know a bit about being patient with 20-year-olds (see: Spencer Hawes), so he could very well be right. But in the here and now, in this Kings season in which so very little has qualified as positive, it could certainly have been worse if the Italian Stallion had come to Sacramento. - Sam Amick

PROGRAMMING ALERT: We're trotting out the all-stars this morning for the "Kings Weekly Rap" at 11 a.m. Pacific as Ailene Voisin and Marcos Breton will field your questions about Kings/arena issues/NBA etc. and maybe even debate a bit on their own.

Go to www.sacbee.com/live a few minutes before 11 to take part. - Sam Amick

WASHINGTON 106, KINGS 104 - Game story; Game notes, Box score
ATLANTA 117, KINGS 99 - Game story, Game notes, Box score
CHARLOTTE 114, KINGS 97 - Game story, Game notes,Box score, Video recap
(Fell behind on "Overtime" and have documented the greatness that is the Kings' last three games)

***

NEW YORK - Donte' Greene has been entertaining off the floor. We know that much.

But while chatting with former Kings small forward Gerald Wallace last night, I couldn't help but wonder about conversations that may take place with the Kings rookie small forward in the years to come. Where he will be? How good of a player will he become? Will he regret coming out of college (Syracuse) after just one season? Will Greene be the next Wallace?

I break down Greene's recent surge of playing time and share a chat with him in tomorrow's paper, but also wanted to share Wallace's thoughts on the similarities between their plights. After Wallace left Alabama after one season and was drafted by the Kings in 2001, he sparked a lot of the same perceptions that are taking place now with Greene. While he was stuck at the end of the bench during the Kings' glory years, the same questions about his focus, his drive, his maturity circulated about him then like they are with Greene now.

CHARLOTTE - Just a quick programming note that Kevin Martin (virus) and Andres Nocioni (right quad tendonitis) are out tonight against Charlotte.

Rashad McCants get the start at shooting guard, Francisco Garcia is plugged in at small forward, and the Kings have themselves a 23rd different starting lineup this season. I will be making comments and observations both snarky and simple during the game on my Twitter page, for those of you who are engaged to that degree. - Sam Amick

The Kings just announced that Bobby Jackson will undergo corrective surgery to repair a fractured left cheekbone at UC Davis Medical Center by Dr. Craig Senders on Friday. His playing status for the rest of the season will be determined after the surgery. - Sam Amick

Kings (14-50) at Washington (15-51)

Scoring: Kings 13th (99.8), Wizards 26th (94.8)
Shooting: Kings 25th (44.8 percent), Wizards 26th (44.8)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.5), Wizards 22nd (102.4)
Shooting defense: Kings 29th (48.0 percent), Wizards 29th (48.0)
Rebound differential: Kings 30th (minus-5.13), Wizards 23rd (minus-1.89)

The link: Wizards coverage in the The Washington Post and The Washington Times; Kings coverage in The Bee (Kings Plus story; Kings Plus Week ahead; Notes; Game preview).
The almanac: On this date 1991, Moses Malone of Atlanta picked up his 15,000th career rebound in the NBA during the Hawks' 127-117 win over Dallas at Reunion Arena. On this date in 1992, Cleveland Coach Lenny Wilkens became only the fifth coach in NBA history (joining Red Auerbach, Jack Ramsay, Dick Motta and Bill Fitch) to record 800 career victories after the Cavs defeated Denver 100-91 at Richfield Coliseum.

***

WASHINGTON - Today's matchup is pretty cut and dried. Two bad teams whose players would love nothing more than to pulverize the other team but whose respective organizations could benefit from putting another 'L' on their record. Although really, if the Kings compete like they did against Cleveland the other night then the Wiz will be routed by 20. They are a better and more interesting team post-trades.

On the update front, Bobby Jackson (fractured left cheek) did not make the trip and will be re-evaluated on Monday. I'm curious to hear what becomes of B-Jax, as I wouldn't be surprised if surgery was needed or if he at least has to don a "Phantom of the Opera" mask to protect his face. Meanwhile, I spoke with Beno Udrih last night and he said he will "probably" play. Not sure if he starts or if Will Solomon gets the nod. Lastly, I'll be offering random thoughts and updates on my Twitter page during the game (already have a few up, as a matter of fact).

But rather than dissect the rest of this matchup, let's rewind a bit and go over some extra material from today's piece on Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes. I didn't quote either player all that extensively, and that was almost unfortunate because they were pretty good. It was a joint interview that said quite a bit about where their relationship is even when they weren't talking. As always, Pete Carril put it best when I asked about the current status of the JT-Hawes dynamic: "They are rivals in a teammate way."

Shane Butler. I don't know much about the winner of our 'Kings reporter for a day contest' just yet, although we had a nice chat on the phone yesterday. He is a longtime Kings fan who is looking forward to see No. 23 tonight (no, not Kevin Martin). We're meeting up soon, and it should be a good time. Thanks to all who put in submissions. - Sam Amick

Cleveland (51-13) at Kings (14-50)

Scoring: Kings 14th (99.5), Cavaliers 13th (99.7)
Shooting: Kings 25th (44.75 percent), Cavaliers fifth (46.82)
Scoring defense: Kings 28th (108.2), Cavaliers first (90.4)
Shooting defense: Kings 29th (47.94 percent), Cavaliers first (42.87)
Rebound differential: Kings 30th (minus-5.31), Cavaliers third (plus-2.96)

The link: Cavaliers coverage in the Cleveland Plain Dealer ; Kings coverage in The Bee (Story, notes and game preview.
The almanac: On this date in 1962, the season ended and Philadelphia's Wilt Chamberlain became the only player to exceed 4,000 points (4,029) and average over 50 points (50.4 per game) in an NBA season. On this date in 1962, the Boston Celtics beat the Syracuse Nationals 142-110, becoming the first team to win 60 games (60-20) in an NBA season. On this date in 1998, Utah's John Stockton scored the 15,000th point of his career in a 110-101 win over Vancouver. On this date in 1999, Charles Barkley of the Houston Rockets became the third player in NBA history to amass 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists when he recorded his first assist in a 100-89 victory over Cleveland. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain in this elite group.

***

After watching LeBron James' performance last night against the Phoenix Suns, I just had to ask: Is there anyone out there who doesn't expect him to come up with another triple-double tonight against the Kings - for what would be his fourth straight? Actually, it should be interesting to watch Andres Nocioni try to aggravate and outmuscle James, one of the three obvious candidates (Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade) for the MVP award. But these are the Kings. Their defense is horrific. Poor Andres will be flying solo ....

The only way James figures to have an off-night is if he doesn't play, which became a real possibility Thursday night. With 1:56 remaining in the third quarter, and the Cavs leading 86-83, he collided with Grant Hill on a drive to the basket, then fell to the court, clutching his left knee/shin. He stayed in the game, however, and in his postgame TNT interview with Craig Sager, said he planned to ice the leg, receive treatment, and see how he felt Friday before determining his availability against the Kings.

FOR THE STAT FREAKS, WHEREVER YOU ARE

LeBron's last three games:
Against the Suns: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists.
Against the Clippers: 32 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists.
Against the Heat: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists.

For those of you wanting to break down the rest of the Kings season (for whatever reason), get into draft talk, the Kings' uncertain coaching situation beyond this season or even arena issues, Melody Gutierrez and I will be awaiting your queries at 11 a.m. Friday morning. To log into the session, go to www.sacbee.com/live. - Sam Amick

Donte' Greene was still all smiles after practice on Thursday, but he had plenty of reason to frown.

One day after a Yahoo! story came out tying his name to shady dealings between agents and future NBA players and has led to an investigation at Syracuse, he now has Bobby Jackson to deal with too.

After the rookie's car was the latest to be filled with popcorn for failing at his rookie duties, , Greene vowed revenge in an interview with The Bee's Melody Gutierrez and exacted it on Jackson's car today.

Oklahoma City (17-46) at Kings (14-49)

Scoring: Kings 14th (99.5), Thunder 21st (97.9)
Shooting: Kings 26th (44.7 percent), Thunder 22nd (44.95)
Scoring defense: Kings 29th (108.4), Thunder 23rd (103.3)
Shooting defense: Kings 30th (48.0 percent), Thunder 26th (47.43)
Rebound differential: Kings 29th (minus-5.3), Thunder sixth (plus-2.63)

The link: Thunder coverage in the Oklahoman; Kings coverage in The Bee.
The almanac: On this date in 1961, Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to score 3,000 points in a season while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors. On this date in 1963, Chamberlain, playing for the San Francisco Warriors, scored 70 points in a 163-148 loss to Syracuse, one of six 70-plus point games in his career. On this date in 1985, Dallas coach and former Kings coach Dick Motta became the fourth NBA coach to record his 700th career victory as the Mavericks beat New Jersey 126-113. On this date in 2002, Utah point guard John Stockton registered 13 assists in a 95-92 loss to Houston to improve his career assist total to 15,000 and become the only player in NBA history to reach that plateau.

***

They're rooting for local boy Blake Griffin in Oklahoma City while hootin' and hollerin' for the local Thunder, too, and those contrasting messages clearly have this team conflicted.

Four wins in five games for former Kings assistant and interim Thunder coach Scott Brooks and his squad has pulled the Thunder a tad further from the likelihood of landing Griffin come June, when the Oklahoma product who won four state titles at Oklahoma Christian High School will be the likely No. 1 and the Kings surely hope he goes a long way from home ("Welcome to Cali, Blake, even if you're nowhere near the surf's-up zone. You like train museums?").

Oklahoma City's surge has come without Kevin Durant for all five games and without Jeff Green for four. The absence of both players to injury (Durant ankle, Green back) may have revealed potential chemistry and flow problems that may have been there all along with this bunch. Durant and Green are and should be the core pieces, to be sure, but something's going right with their running mates with them gone and it'll be up to Brooks to maximize the masses when they return (no Durant tonight and Green is questionable). Translation: Keep everyone involved and don't force-feed Durant to the point of bringing the offense to its knees. Brooks was here when Ron Artest and John Salmons would share floor time, after all, so he has seen that act before.

It will be interesting to see how the Thunder finishes, as there is motive to entertain and excite the loyal new fan base but also incentive to pair Durant with a frontcourt freak like Griffin. Eleven of its final 19 games are on the road, where the Thunder is 4-26 this season. Thirteen of the 19 games come against "playoff" teams (quotations because I included Chicago and Milwaukee, teams that are vying for the final spot in the East).

Brooks would love to win in his home region for the first time as a head coach, as the Manteca native watched in agony as his team fell 122-118 in overtime at Arco Arena on Feb. 1. The Thunder defended its home floor Feb. 8, winning 116-113 when Durant had 39 points. - Sam Amick

KINGS 114, DENVER 106

Game story, Game notes

Box score, Video recap

***

It would have been a good night to have a clone.

A Kings win meant a trip to the Kings locker room was a must, which is the case even after most losses. But from chatting with The Denver Post's Chris Dempsey afterward, it sounds as if a visit to the visitor's locker room would have been far more interesting.

The woe traded sides for a night, as the depressed Denver Nuggets finally woke up and realized how much of a must-win that game was right about the time it was over.

"We have to know how important these games are," said Denver point guard Chauncey Billups, who had 22 points and eight assists. "These are the games you look at at the end of the year and say, 'Man, if we could have just taken care of business in that game, we could have had home court (advantage).' I don't think we really understand the importance of these games."

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