The Kings are trying to build a winning culture. How their G League team plays a role
These young Kings are preparing to take their first step toward the franchise’s first crown.
However, for the NBA G League team in Stockton, while winning a championship is one goal, having players improve their game and strive to reach the NBA is just as important, Sacramento Kings general manager Vlade Divac said Tuesday.
“We’re working together toward the (Sacramento) Kings’ future,” Divac said of the relationship with Stockton’s front office. “Stockton is a place where we want to develop our guys.”
The team, which made the playoffs five times in 10 seasons in Reno, now will play its first playoff game in its first season playing about 40 minutes south of Sacramento.
The No. 4 Kings will host the No. 5 Memphis Hustle on Wednesday night at Stockton Arena. In the 12-team bracket, the conference playoffs are just one game and the finals are a best-of-three series.
One player who discussed his experiences with a similar format is forward Daniel Ochefu. A senior starter on Villanova’s NCAA championship team in 2016, Ochefu is the team’s leading rebounder at 8.9 per game while averaging 14.8 points in 39 games.
“It’s real similar since the first three rounds are single elimination, so it’s the same type of mindset,” he said of the G League playoffs. “I think it’s good to have that type of experience.”
The Kings (30-20) swept the season series 3-0 against the Hustle (28-22). However, the players insist they will not overlook their opponent.
“That’s still a good team that made it into the playoffs like we did, so we’re not going to look past them,” said Troy Williams, who is on a two-way contract with Stockton and Sacramento. “They’re coming out with their all, so we should do the same.”
Williams is one of a few players to play with Stockton and Sacramento this season. He appeared in 18 of the NBA club’s first 28 games and averaged 5.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.9 minutes. He’s also played in 86 G League games over three seasons, so he knows what it’s like to play at both levels.
“It’s not my first time having to do it, to come here and be comfortable doing it. It makes a big difference,” he said. “For me to be with these guys, it’s like I’m playing the veteran role,” adding his teammates ask questions about his basketball experiences. He’s played in 69 NBA games with four teams.
Also playing for both clubs this season is rookie big man Harry Giles III, who averaged 22.8 points in four contests with Stockton.
Some players who were with Stockton have made the leap to the NBA. Cameron Reynolds signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the rest of the season and Kalin Lucas has appeared in one game with the Detroit Pistons.
It has also given a local player a chance to be recognized by the parent club. Cody Demps signed a 10-day deal with Sacramento last week. The Pleasant Grove High School and Sacramento State product has played with the G League team the last two seasons, so he’s experienced Reno and Stockton.
“It’s the first time I was happy to be woken up from a nap,” Demps said of the phone call about the contract. “It’s a dream come true to sign my first NBA contract, so we’ll see what happens.”
For now, he’s still with Stockton and, unless he’s called upon during Sacramento’s current trip, should play Wednesday in front of the fans who have seen him all season.
According to the club, the team averages more than 2,000 fans per home contest. They set a record in their regular-season finale Saturday, when 7,740 people showed up for a 128-123 loss to the Capital City Go-Go.
Stockton coach Ty Ellis says being so close to the parent club has helped build a rapport with fans.
“Sacramento has such a strong fan base, and those same fans came to support us in Stockton, not to mention the close proximity with the Kings and having access to the NBA guys,” he said. “To see the crowd grow game by game, to see the same people in the stands game by game, it shows me that the community has embraced us. I’m most excited to win for those fans who have committed to supporting us through the ups and the downs. To have a first-round game at home, I’m ecstatic. Not only me, but the guys are, too.”
Should the Kings win, they’ll draw the West’s top seed in the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In all, it would take five victories to be crowned champions.
Ellis knows it won’t be an easy task.
“I played professional basketball for 11 years and I was fortunate enough to win one championship,” said the coach, who was with the Fraport Skyliners when they won the German title in 2004. “There are guys who play as long or longer and never win one. Just to say that we’re the best, it would mean a lot. It would mean the world to me because of (the players).”
Divac, who is with the NBA club on its trip, said he’ll keep an eye on Stockton as it shoots for its first G League title in its 11-year existence.
“Beside development, that’s our goal: to taste winning,” Divac said. “That’s the culture we’re trying to build in both places.”
If you go
What: Stockton Kings vs. Memphis Hustle in NBA G League playoff opener
Where: Stockton Arena
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Broadcast: Facebook Live
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com
This story was originally published March 26, 2019 at 6:47 PM with the headline "The Kings are trying to build a winning culture. How their G League team plays a role."