Sacramento Kings

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Sacramento Kings
Conference	Western Conference
Division	Pacific Division
Founded	1945
History	Rochester Royals 1945-1957 Cincinnati Royals 1957-1972 Kansas City-Omaha Kings 1972-1975 Kansas City Kings 1975-1985 Sacramento Kings 1985-present
Arena	ARCO Arena
City	Sacramento, California
Team Colors	Black, Purple, and Silver
Owner	The Maloof Family
Head Coach	Eric Musselman
Championships	1 (1951)
Conference Titles	0
Division Titles	5 (1949, 1952, 1979, 2002, 2003)

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contents 1 Home arenas 2 Franchise history 2.1 1980s 2.2 1990s 2.3 2000s 3 Facts 4 Season-by-Season Records 5 Players of note 5.1 Basketball Hall of Famers 5.2 Current Starting Lineup 5.3 Not to be forgotten 5.4 Retired numbers 5.5 Current roster 6 2005-2006 Record 7 2006-2007 Season 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] Home arenas

Edgerton Park Arena (1948-1955)

Rochester War Memorial (1955-1958)

Cincinnati Gardens (1958-1972)

Kansas City Municipal Auditorium (1972-1974)

Omaha Civic Auditorium (1972-1978)

Kemper Arena (1974-1985)

ARCO Arena I (1985-1988)

ARCO Arena II (1988-present)

[edit] Franchise history

The franchise that would become the Sacramento Kings initially played in Rochester, New York, as the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League. Success was almost immediate: founded in 1945, the team won the NBL championship in 1946. In 1948, the Royals moved to the Basketball Association of America, which absorbed the NBL the following year to become the National Basketball Association. The Royals won the NBA title in 1951, which remains the only championship in the team's history.

In 1957, the Royals moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. The team's star player throughout the 1960s was Oscar Robertson, but though he met with individual success, averaging a triple-double in 1961-62 and winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1964, the Royals were an also-ran throughout his tenure. Robertson left in 1970, and the team left Cincinnati shortly thereafter, moving to Kansas City, Missouri. Renamed the Kings (because of the Royals baseball franchise in the same community), the team initially divided its home games between Kansas City and Omaha, Nebraska. But the Kings were no more successful in their new time zone than the Royals had been.

[edit] 1980s

In the 1980-1981 season, the Kings made a surprise run in the NBA Playoffs, reaching the Western Conference Finals despite finishing the season with a losing record. But this moment of success was little more than a blip.

The Kings moved west to their current home of Sacramento, California, in 1985. Much of their early tenure in Sacramento was spent in the NBA's cellar, and the team made the playoffs only once between 1985 and 1995 (and even then had a losing record). Some of their failure to succeed was attributed to poor luck, such as the virtually career-ending car crash suffered by promising point guard Bobby Hurley, and some was attributed to poor management such as the too-long tenure of head coach Garry St. Jean and the selection of "Never Nervous Pervis" Ellison with the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft.

[edit] 1990s

The early 1990s were not kind to the Kings. Sacramento was known for having strong fan support, but it never had a good team, and its owner, John Thomas, rarely paid for top talent. The Kings squeaked in to the playoffs in 1996 largely due to the effort of star player Mitch Richmond, but they did not distinguish themselves in the postseason. Eventually the team was sold to the Maloof Family, who finally changed the direction of the team.

The Kings emerged from years of mediocrity with the draft selection of Jason Williams, the signing of Vlade Divac, and the trade of Mitch Richmond for Chris Webber prior to the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season. These acquisitions coincided with the arrival of Peja Stojakovic, who had been drafted in 1996. Each of these moves was attributed to general manager Geoff Petrie, who has won NBA Executive of the Year several times.

Following these acquisitions, the Kings rose in the NBA ranks, becoming a perennial playoff contender, as well as one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. ^{[citation needed]} Led by new head coach Rick Adelman, and aided by former Princeton head coach and Kings assistant Pete Carril, their so-called "Princeton offense" turned heads around the league for its run-and-gun style and superb ball movement. The Kings led the league in average points per game year in and year out, and established that a team could be successful and still be fun to watch. ^{[citation needed]} Some criticized the Kings for their poor team defense, Williams's "flash over substance" style of play with its many turnovers, and Webber's failure to step up his game in important matchups. Still, they quickly became NBA darlings, garnering many fans outside of California, and even around the world, many of which were enthralled by Williams's amazing passing abilities and Webber's sharp all-around game. Despite their tremendous successes, they were still a young team, and were ultimately defeated by more experienced teams in the playoffs, losing to the Utah Jazz in 1999 (in a thrilling five-game matchup), and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.

[edit] 2000s

Following the 2000 season, the Kings traded starting small forward Corliss Williamson to the Toronto Raptors for defensive shooting guard Doug Christie, opening a starting spot for sharpshooter Stojakovic. Stojakovic and his dead-eye long range shot served as the perfect complement to Webber's smooth inside game, taking the Kings' already-potent offense to new heights. With their continued success on court came their continued rise in popularity, culminating in their gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated in February 2001, with the title "The Greatest Show On Court". In 2001, they won their first playoff series in the Webber era, defeating the Phoenix Suns 3-1, before being swept in four games by the Lakers, who went on to win the NBA championship.

In July 2001, Petrie traded starting point guard Jason Williams to the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies for point guard Mike Bibby. The trade solved needs on both sides: the Grizzlies, in the process of moving to Memphis, wanted an exciting, popular player to sell tickets in their new home, while the Kings, an up-and-coming team, sought more stability and control at the point guard position. Although questioned by some Kings fans at the time, NBA officials and experts proclaimed Bibby as the better (if less exciting) player in the deal, as well as a better leader, having led the Arizona Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1997. This move was complemented by the crucial re-signing of Webber to a maximum-salary contract, securing the star power forward for years to come.

With the addition of Bibby, the Kings had their best season to date in 2001-02. The team finished with a league best 61-21 record and stormed through the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Kings eventually lost to the rival Lakers in the conference finals, falling in overtime of Game 7 at home in Arco Arena. Despite questionable calls by officials during Game 6, the series is widely considered to be one of the best playoff series in NBA history. ^{[verification needed]}

After winning another division championship in 2003, the Kings lost Webber to a knee injury in the playoffs, ultimately losing to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven game series. Webber's knee required major surgery, and his questionable mid-season return in 2004, in which he visibly lost much of his explosiveness and agility, led to a playoff defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games.

The 2004-05 season marked another season of dramatic change for the Kings, who lost three of their starters from the 2002 team. In the offseason of 2004, Divac opted to sign with the rival Lakers, giving Miller a starting spot at center. Early in the season, Christie was traded to the Orlando Magic for shooting guard Cuttino Mobley. But the most dramatic change came in February, when Webber was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for three relatively unheralded forwards: Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, and Brian Skinner.

The Kings ultimately lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Seattle Supersonics. The 2005 offseason continued the team transformation, with the Kings trading fan favorite Bobby Jackson for Bonzi Wells and acquiring free agent forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The 2005-06 season started off poorly, as the Kings had a hard time finding chemistry in the team. Popular SF Peja Stojakovic was traded for the controversial Ron Artest, who all but guaranteed the Kings would make the playoffs. Artest's prediction came true, as the Kings returned to their winning ways, earning an 8-seed before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2006 playoffs, 4 games to 2.

The 2006 offseason was started with the announcement that head coach Rick Adelman's contract would not be renewed. On June 2, 2006, the Kings named Eric Musselman as Adelman's replacement as head coach.

The kings start, so far this season has been alright. Starting the season as the only team facing 3 away games, they lost 2 but since has turned things around now standing at 5-3. Kevin Martin has exploded this season stepping up his game with a career high 30 points twice this season.

[edit] Facts

• They are the brother franchise to the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs.
• The current ARCO Arena is the second building by that name to be the home of the Kings holding 17,317 people. The first ARCO Arena was used for only a few seasons from 1985 until the end of the 1987-88 season and seated 10,333 people, and has since been converted into an office building.
• The status of ARCO Arena, however, is uncertain. Sacramento city leaders and the Maloof Brothers have been discussing about building a new arena elsewhere in the city for the team to play in, including a possible move to a vacant lot near the current location. Nonetheless, discussions have been deadlocked, partially over funding of the new arena. [1]
• The Kings are in second place behind the San Antonio Spurs (nine) in terms of NBA teams with the longest active consecutive playoff seasons with eight in a row (see Active NBA playoff appearance streaks).
• ARCO Arena has sold out the last 317 Kings home games. [2]

[edit] Season-by-Season Records

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss %

Season	W	L	%	Playoffs	Results
Rochester Royals (NBL) (Not Included in W/L Total)
1945-46	24	10	.706	Won NBL Semifinals Won NBL Finals	Rochester 3, Fort Wayne 1 Rochester 3, Sheboygan 0
1946-47	31	13	.705	Won First Round Won NBL Semifinals Lost NBL Finals	Rochester 3, Syracuse 1 Rochester 2, Fort Wayne 1 Chicago 3, Rochester 2
1947-48	44	16	.733	Won First Round Won NBL Semifinals Lost NBL Finals	Rochester 3, Fort Wayne 1 Rochester 2, Anderson 1 Minneapolis 3, Rochester 1
Rochester Royals (BAA) (Included in W/L Total)
1948-49	45	15	.750	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Rochester 2, St. Louis 0 Minneapolis 2, Rochester 0
Rochester Royals (NBA)
1949-50	51	17	.750	Lost Division Tiebreaker Lost Division Semifinals	Minneapolis 78, Rochester 76 Fort Wayne 2, Rochester 0
1950-51	41	27	.603	Won Division Semifinals Won Division Finals Won NBA Finals	Rochester 2, Fort Wayne 1 Rochester 3, Minneapolis 1 Rochester 4, New York 3
1951-52	41	25	.621	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Rochester 2, Fort Wayne 0 Minneapolis 3, Rochester 1
1952-53	44	26	.629	Lost Division Semifinals	Fort Wayne 2, Rochester 1
1953-54	44	28	.611	Advanced in 3-Team Round Robin Lost Division Finals	2-1 Minneapolis 2, Rochester 1
1954-55	29	43	.403	Lost Division Semifinals	Minneapolis 2, Rochester 1
1955-56	31	41	.431
1956-57	31	41	.431
Cincinnati Royals
1957-58	33	39	.458	Lost Division Semifinals	Detroit 2, Cincinnati 0
1958-59	19	53	.264
1959-60	19	56	.253
1960-61	33	46	.418
1961-62	43	37	.538	Lost Division Semifinals	Detroit 3, Cincinnati 1
1962-63	42	38	.525	Won Division Semifinals	Cincinnati 3, Syracuse 2 Boston 4, Cincinnati 3
1963-64	55	25	.688	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Cincinnati 3, Philadelphia 2 Boston 4, Cincinnati 1
1964-65	48	32	.600	Lost Division Semifinals	Philadelphia 3, Cincinnati 1
1965-66	45	35	.563	Lost Division Semifinals	Boston 3, Cincinnati 2
1966-67	39	42	.481	Lost Division Semifinals	Philadelphia 3, Cincinnati 1
1967-68	39	43	.476
1968-69	41	41	.500
1969-70	36	46	.439
1970-71	33	49	.402
1971-72	30	52	.366
Kansas City-Omaha Kings
1972-73	36	46	.439
1973-74	33	49	.402
1974-75	44	38	.537	Lost Conference Semifinals	Chicago 4, Kansas City 2
Kansas City Kings
1975-76	31	51	.378
1976-77	40	42	.488
1977-78	31	51	.378
1978-79	48	34	.585	Lost Conference Semifinals	Phoenix 4, Kansas City 1
1979-80	47	35	.573	Lost First Round	Phoenix 2, Kansas City 1
1980-81	40	42	.488	Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals	Kansas City 2, Portland 1 Kansas City 4, Phoenix 3 Houston 4, Kansas City 1
1981-82	30	52	.366
1982-83	45	37	.549
1983-84	38	44	.463	Lost First Round	Los Angeles 3, Kansas City 0
1984-85	31	51	.378
Sacramento Kings
1985-86	37	45	.451	Lost First Round	Houston 3, Sacramento 0
1986-87	29	53	.354
1987-88	24	58	.293
1988-89	27	55	.329
1989-90	23	59	.280
1990-91	25	57	.305
1991-92	29	53	.354
1992-93	25	57	.305
1993-94	28	54	.341
1994-95	39	43	.476
1995-96	39	43	.476	Lost First Round	Seattle 3, Sacramento 1
1996-97	34	48	.415
1997-98	27	55	.329
1998-99	27	23	.540	Lost First Round	Utah 3, Sacramento 2
1999-2000	44	38	.537	Lost First Round	L.A. Lakers 3, Sacramento 2
2000-01	55	27	.672	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Sacramento 3, Phoenix 1 L.A. Lakers 4, Sacramento 0
2001-02	61	21	.744	Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals	Sacramento 3, Utah 1 Sacramento 4, Dallas 1 L.A. Lakers 4, Sacramento 3
2002-03	59	23	.720	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Sacramento 4, Utah 1 Dallas 4,Sacramento 3
2003-04	55	27	.672	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Sacramento 4, Dallas 1 Minnesota 4, Sacramento 3
2004-05	50	32	.610	Lost First Round	Seattle 4, Sacramento 1
2005-06	44	38	.537	Lost First Round	San Antonio 4, Sacramento 2
Totals	2187	2378	.479
Playoffs	76	109	.411	1 Championship

[edit] Players of note

[edit] Basketball Hall of Famers

• Nate Archibald (Cincinnati/Kansas City/Omaha)
• Jerry Lucas (Cincinnati)
• Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati)
• Maurice Stokes (Rochester/Cincinnati)
• Jack Twyman (Rochester/Cincinnati)

[edit] Current Starting Lineup

• Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Center
• Kenny Thomas, Power Forward
• Ron Artest, Small Forward
• Kevin Martin, Shooting Guard
• Mike Bibby, Point Guard

• Head coach: Eric Musselman

[edit] Not to be forgotten

• Jon Barry
• Otis Birdsong
• Bob Boozer
• Doug Christie "DC13"
• Vlade Divac
• Phil Ford
• Brian Grant
• Bobby Jackson "B-Jax"
• Eddie Johnson
• Scot Pollard
• Mitch Richmond "The Rock"
• Lionel Simmons "The L-Train"
• Adrian Smith
• Peja Stojakovic
• Reggie Theus
• Wayman Tisdale
• Spud Webb "The Spudster"
• Chris Webber "C-Webb"
• Jason Williams "White Chocolate"
• Keon Clark

[edit] Retired numbers

1. Nate Archibald, G, 1970-76 (1970-72 Cincinnati, 1972-76 Kansas City)
2. Mitch Richmond, G, 1991-98 (only Sacramento player as yet honored)

• 6 (Sixth Man) - The Fans of Sacramento, 1985-present
• 11 Bob Davies, G, 1948-55 (all in Rochester)
• 12 Maurice Stokes, F, 1955-58 (career-ending injury in team's first season in Cincinnati)
• 14 Oscar Robertson, G, 1960-70 (all in Cincinnati)
• 27 Jack Twyman, F, 1955-66 (1955-57 in Rochester, 1957-66 in Cincinnati)
• 44 Sam Lacey, C, 1970-81 (1970-72 in Cincinnati, 1972-81 in Kansas City)

[edit] Current roster

Sacramento Kings Current Roster
Head Coach: Eric Musselman				Edit
PF	3		Shareef Abdur-Rahim	(California)
SF	93		Ron Artest	(St. John's)
PG	10		Mike Bibby - Captain	(Arizona)
SG	8		Quincy Douby	(Rutgers)
G/F	32		Francisco Garcia	(Louisville)
PG	5		Jason Hart	(Syracuse)
SG	23		Kevin Martin	(Western Carolina)
C	52		Brad Miller - Co-Captain	(Purdue)
C	20		Vitaly Potapenko	(Wright State)
PG	7		Ronnie Price	(Utah Valley State)
SG	15		John Salmons	(Miami (FL))
PF	24		Maurice Taylor	(Michigan)
PF	9		Kenny Thomas	(New Mexico)
SF	34		Corliss Williamson	(Arkansas)
(FA) - Free Agent				Sacramento Kings

STARTING LINEUP Mike Bibby- PG Kevin Martin- SG Ron Artest- SF Shareef Abdur-Rahim- PF Brad Miller- C

[edit] 2005-2006 Record

The Sacramento Kings finished the regular season with a 44-38 record, which placed them 4th in the Pacific Division. The Kings obtained the 8th seed of the Western Conference playoffs. They were matched up in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs in a seven-game series. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Kings in the first round 4-2 out of six games. Game 1 was a blowout as the Spurs won 122-88, but Game 2 showed less of the first game's point deficit through out the whole game; the Kings came close to winning, but a three-pointer by the Spurs with around four seconds left had sent the game into overtime, where the Spurs garnered a 128-119 victory. Game 3 showed another tight game; the Kings were losing by one point, but a turnover to Bibby and a shot by Martin just before the buzzer earned the Kings a 94-93 win. In the next game, Game 4, the Kings had a blowout of their own, winning the game 102-84 and at one point leading by 26. Game 5 was a back-and-forth game between leads, but the Spurs won with 109-98. Game 6, a possible Sacramento-elimination game, was steady in the first half. However, the game was marred with turnovers and missed shots, primarily by the Kings, making them lose and eliminated from the playoffs by the Spurs in 105-83 game.

[edit] 2006-2007 Season

As of November 19, 2006, the Kings have an overall record of 5-4, and are 4-1 at ARCO Arena. The Sacramento Kings are currently 4th place the Pacific Division.

[edit] See also

• Lakers-Kings Rivalry
• Pete Carril
• Active NBA playoff appearance streaks

[edit] External links

• Sacramento Kings official web site
• Sacramento Kings Official Summer Practice web site
• Sacramento Bee: Sacramento Kings Page
• Sacramento Kings Information

National Basketball Association (2006–07)
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