Sacramento Kings info

Ever year it seems that some NBA basketball analyst writes that the door is shutting on the Sacramento Kings. And every year, it seems that they manage to keep it open a little while longer to the amazement of the loyal Kings ticket holders. In the spring of 2004, the Kings truly resembled a championship contender, but were knocked out of the playoffs by the Seattle Sonics. With some outstanding signings in the offseason, the Kings look to be ready to treat their happy subjects to another year of playoff tickets.

The Sacramento Kings have made their home all over the United States. Beginning in 1948 as a charter member of the NBA as the Rochester Royals, they have put Kings tickets on sale in Cincinnati, Kansas City, and finally settled in their current kingdom of Sacramento in 1985. The early team in Sacramento was less than stellar, and they only made the playoffs once between 1985 and 1995. However, general manager Geoff Petrie, twice the NBA Executive of the Year, began to turn the team around in 1998 by adding Jason Williams, Vlade Divac, and Mitch Richmond. Peja Stojakovic was added the next year and the team improved steadily and became one of the NBA’s elite teams in the first part of the 21st century.

GM Geoff Petrie, known for his shrewd deals, brought free-agent Shareef Abdur-Rahim onboard as a high-scoring power forward to replace the departed Chris Webber, while Bonzi Wells, acquired in a trade with the Grizzlies, will provide some scoring from the wings. Peja Stojakovic’s performance has fallen off a bit in the past two years, but fans look to him to improve greatly now that he isn’t sharing the court with Webber. The Kings ticket to success lies with Stojakovic, and since this is his contract year, he’ll be looking to rule the court.

Head coach Rick Adelman has put in seven straight winning seasons with the Kings. In fact, he’s put in the Kings’ only seven winning seasons. But this is the last year of his contract, and the front office feels he needs to advance a little further in the playoffs to be offered an extension. With the Phoenix Suns struggling with injuries, this may be Adelman’s chane for winning the Pacific Division in the West and taking his team all the way. Wells and Abdur-Rahim will enhance the Kings’ already excellent offensive core. If Stojakovic can return to his past form, the Kings just might be unstoppable. The loyal subjects at the ARCO Arena believe it can happen.