Tag Archives: sacramento kings

December 15, 2009

5 Things That Need To Happen In Sports

By mceezy

Consider this my Christmas wish list for the world of sports. Here’s a few things I’d like to see happen. They’re not necessarily the most pressing issues, but they just seem to make sense in my head.

College Football Playoff System – Let’s start with the obvious. This topic has been beaten to death, and is destined to sit at its current impasse. 95% of the population wants a playoff, while the BCS and a few others do not. It’s been said that the point of the BCS is only to ensure the top two teams are playing for the National Championship. However, this year, we’ve got an unprecedented THREE undefeated teams NOT playing for the Title. If Cincinnati beats Florida, they’ll have a pretty convincing argument. At the same time, the winner of the Fiesta Bowl, either TCU or Boise State, will also have the right to consider themselves co-champions.

Likelihood of this happening: Slim to none.

Realignment of MLB Divisions – It’s been 12 years since the Milwaukee Brewers jumped to the National League, yet we’re still sitting here with 6 teams in the NL Central and 4 teams in the AL West. The solution is simple, click here for my proposal.

Likelihood of this happening: Doubtful, at least as far as my plan specifically. Realignment as a result of expansion or contraction might be a more likely scenario.

Eliminate NBA Referees’ Biases – Even though the NBA has been in denial for years, we all know they have a problem. Over the course of the last 15 years, the game has evolved into a whistle blowing exhibition. Either cut the crap or start selling referees’ jerseys at the NBA Team Store. I can’t stand watching my favorite sport get ruined more and more each year.

Likelihood of this happening: Not on Stern’s watch.

Chris Cohan To Sell The Warriors – I’m not entirely convinced it’s this guy’s fault. I’m pretty sure it’s a collective effort driving the franchise into the ground. If I had to choose someone to blame, it’d be team President, Bobby Rowell. However, since he appears married to Cohan, it’s going to take a change in ownership to revive this thing. The W’s fan base is the best in basketball; they need an owner who shares the same sentiment.

Likelihood of this happening: It’s probably more a matter of a buyer willing to spend the money than Cohan’s willingness to sell.

Sacramento to Build and Arena HERE – I know there’s a lot more to it – for example, money – but sometimes logic only slaps you in the face so often. The downtown railyards are just sitting there, practically begging for an arena. Meanwhile, the more favored location is not. If money is such an issue, why not scale back arena plans a little? Basketball in Sacramento has never been about the amenities, just build an arena that keeps up with the Joneses, put a quality team on the floor, and watch your money grow.

Likelihood of this happening: Wake me when it’s over.

4 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Sports

November 23, 2009

Two Man Race for NBA Rookie of the Year

By mceezy

Perhaps many would disagree with the headline. After his 55 point performance against the Warriors, Brandon Jennings had some signing, sealing, and delivering their ballots for Rookie of the Year. Combine his ridiculous 25.3 ppg and 5.5 apg – which apparently is Michael Jordan / Oscar Robertson territory for rookies – with Milwaukee’s 8-3 record, and Jennings does, in fact, look like the easy favorite. However, we can’t reasonably expect Jennings to keep up the pace he’s started off on. At the time of writing, he’s just 6-21 for 12 points against the Spurs, in what, barring a miracle, will be Milwaukee’s fourth loss.

Lost in all this, though, is the other candidate. While Jennings grabs all the headlines, Tyreke Evans is putting his own team on his back. His averages of 18 pts and 5 ast obviously are inferior to Jennings, but keep in mind Evans scored single digits in two of his first four games, which given the smaller amount of games played in the early going, are sure to go up. That was with Kevin Martin in the lineup though. Once Martin opted for surgery that would keep him out of action for two months, Evans realized the Kings’ were HIS team. He’s responded with SEVEN consecutive 20+ point games, including a high of 32 against the Jazz en route to a big road victory in Salt Lake. While Jennings has hit the ground running, Evans took a few games to find his footing, but has clearly established himself as the second candidate for the award. I’m not saying he’ll win it, but he’ll be right in the mix when all’s said and done.

5 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Sports

November 13, 2009

Trick or Treat in the NBA Tonight

By mceezy

I know, Halloween’s passed, but the picture just made me think about what’s going on tonight. ESPN has a great doubleheader on: Atlanta @ Boston and Los Angeles @ Denver. Sounds like a great night right? Nope, those are the only treats. The rest of the lineup is one big trick. Here are the games, ranked in order of least bad to worst.

Portland @ New Orleans – Our panel was in agreement that this is at least one of the two next best games.  Taking away some of the appeal is New Orleans’ disappointing start, capped by the firing of Byron Scott this week. Nonetheless, Chris Paul battling it out with Brandon Roy is still plenty reason to watch this one.

New Jersey @ Orlando – I must be on my own here, because everyone else ranked this game in the top three, but I couldn’t feel more different. Yes, Orlando is the defending conference champion. Yes, Vince Carter will be going up against his old team, but his old team is 0-8 and Devin Harris isn’t playing. Lopez vs. Howard should provide some highlights though.

Utah @ Philadelphia – This game actually had the same average ranking as the Warriors – Knicks, but I’ll list it first since one of us had it as their #1 game. I’m not sure who it was, or why they chose it, but it surely won’t be for the Carlos Boozer – Elton Brand fall from grace Duke matchup.

Golden State @ New York – East meets West in this matchup of teams that play in Top 5 basketball markets, but continue to make more headlines for disasters than winning ballgames. The only silver lining to this game will be the stat sheet after the game. Both sides will take turns letting each other score, so there’ll be plenty of points, but expect to see a healthy dose of turnovers and three point attempts as well!

Houston @ Sacramento – I ranked this game the highest, and I’m not being a homer. Believe it or not, this is the only other game where both teams are .500 or better. Many expected Houston to struggle without anyone good playing, but they’re off to a 5-3 start. Meanwhile, the Kings were the hands down favorite to be the worst team in the NBA this year, but since losing Kevin Martin, have rattled off three straight and sit at 4-4. Now, I’ll admit the action on the court isn’t the most enticing, but watching Tyreke Evans is a treat. He’s just now starting to realize that without K-Mart, this is his team. It’s a good thing Houston has guys like Ariza and Battier to throw at him after Brooks and Lowery give up.

Dallas @ Minnesota – The Mavericks look they might have one last good run in them this year. They’ve got plenty of weapons, but it’s unclear whether they have the depth to make a postseason run. We won’t find out tonight, as the Mavs’ reserves are sure to get plenty of garbage time minutes in the second half.

Toronto @ LA Clippers – It’s amazing how the Clippers can turn anybody off. It doesn’t matter who they’re playing, they’d still end up here at the bottom. Celtics – Clippers? Nah, blowout. Grizzlies – Clippers? Nah, garbage teams. It’s really a lose-lose. Even with Chris Bosh coming to town, and the Raptors figuring to be in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture this year, watching anyone play the Clippers sounds undesirable.

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Sports

November 5, 2009

Did Iranian Gov’t Forbid Hamed Haddadi From Playing Against Kings?

By mceezy

On Monday, many international basketball media were reporting on the anticipated matchup between Grizzlies’ center, Hamed Haddadi, the NBA’s first Iranian player, and Kings forward Omri Casspi, the first Isreali-born player in the league. What HASN’T been reported on, however, is the fact that Haddadi was a no show for the game. I was in attendance on Monday in Sacramento, and quickly noticed that Haddadi was not present. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, as Hadaddi is frequently on the inactive list for Memphis. I figured he stayed home for the road trip. Last night, though, I was at Oracle Arena for the Grizzlies’ game against the Golden State Warriors, and Haddadi WAS present. SO, does this mean he was told to stay away from Arco Arena?

Did Iranian Government officials send this guy to yank Haddadi off the court?

3 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in News, Sports

October 22, 2009

A Night Angels Fans Will Never Forget

By mceezy
This is the Angels window.... shutting.

This is the Angels' window.... shutting.

Sure, I’ve called myself Nostradamus before.  It’s too bad our blog is so young, because I’d love to go back and audit all my predictions, such as declaring Jamarcus Russell a bust when the Raiders selected him first overall.  However, since we can’t talk about the past, allow me, if you will, to explain what’s going to be set in motion tonight.  The Angels will lose another post season series, this time at the hands of a tremendously overpowering Yankees squad.  I’m not just predicting a loss, though.  I’m predicting the beginning of the end for the Anaheim Angels current “dynasty.”  Much like Sacramento Kings fans will remember Chris Webber’s fateful knee injury during their Western Conference Semifinal series against Kevin Garnett’s Minnesota Timberwolves as the moment that kicked off the demise of the Sacramento Kings, the conclusion of the Angels’ season tonight will trigger a downward spiral for years to come.

At the center of the issue is the decline of Vladimir Guerrero.  Although he’s only 34, he looks like Wilfred Brimley stepping to the plate.  The Angels will have to address the issue of whether or not he’s going to continue to be the man in Orange County.  As a result, if you take Vlad out of that lineup – or perhaps even if you leave him in there – the offense looks pretty suspect.  It remains unclear, also, if Bobby Abreu will be in their plans.  Across the infield, Howie Kendrick appears to have hit his ceiling, and Chone Figgins can’t be getting any faster.  Kendry Morales should be a mainstay at first, but I don’t see him having a Tim Salmon-like career in Anaheim.  There are no question marks when it comes to the pitching staff, however, as Lackey, Saunders, Santana, Kazmir, and Weaver should hold down the rotation for years to come. And although the organization is usually deep on pitching, there’s a lack of offense in the Angels’ system right now.  Once a heralded prospect, Brandon Wood has pretty much settled into the role of AAAA star.

Vlad takes a breather between pitches.

Vlad takes a breather between pitches.

What I envision happening tonight, on a greater scale, is a fan base realizing that their team has already peaked, and won’t remain in contention much longer.  Unless they bring in a few big ticket names next season, which I’ll admit is a possibility, fans won’t have much to be excited about, knowing their window is all but shut.  Let’s be honest, how many Angels fans even existed before 2002?  Although it can be said that owner Arte Moreno’s deep pockets will keep the team competitive, waning attendance could prove too much for the franchise to handle.  I’m not saying the Angels are going to fold in the next few years, but just don’t expect to see them in the same position they are tonight for a while.

UPDATE: I really didn’t see the Angels hanging on in this one. Check back here next game.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Sports

June 10, 2009

Kings Get In A Relationship For The Hell Of It

By mceezy

The Sacramento Kings have had many boyfriends aka coaches over the years.  There was their first kiss Jerry Reynolds, the one-night stand Bill Russell, the older man Dick Motta, their first real relationship Garry St. Jean, and their first black guy Eddie Jordan.  Then came Rick Adelman.  The two were together for eight magical years and many thought they would spend the rest of their lives together.  The Kings went from undesirable to Prom Queen (ahem, King) during their time with Adelman.  Then they got greedy.  Thinking they were hot, they ditched Adelman in hopes of doing better.  There was the rebound Eric Musselman but his drinking and jealousy became too much.  Then they went for looks by getting involved with Reggie Theus.  Ultimately, that didn’t work out either.  After messing around with Kenny Natt for a few months, the Kings found themselves single and unwanted again.  Not wanting to spend the upcoming season alone, it was time to find a new man.  At this point, the Kings have been around the proverbial block a few times.  They’re not the bombshell they used to be.  The options are not as plentiful as they once were.  They basically had just three prospects who would possibly take them, once Eddie Jordan wisely decided he had been there, done that.  Tom Thibodeau wisely deleted the Kings number from his cell phone, realizing they would never work out.  Kurt Rambis was not ready to give up his much hotter and wealthier woman to get involved with the Kings.  That left just one guy…. Paul Westphal.

The Kings are now like that friend you have that’s in a relationship, even though you know they aren’t meant to be together.  They clearly just don’t want to be alone, or spend the time looking for a better partner.  You know who I’m talking about.  We all know them.  We all know the Kings should’ve married their high school sweetheart, Adelman, but he’s happily engaged to an Asian now, so he would never be stupid enough to leave that.  Westphal and the Kings are now an official couple, but we’ll see how long before one finds greener pastures and let’s the other go.  It’s only a matter of time.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Sports