Ty-Reking Havoc

I remember when Tyreke Evans won NBA Rookie of the Year back in 2009.  If Blake Griffin had been healthy, he probably would have won, but that's not how fate worked.  After that first season when he averaged 20-5-5, everyone thought he would become one of the best young players in the league.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen as he constantly got injured, and his statistics regressed every season.  Worst of all, the Sacramento Kings did terrible and never made the playoffs, so every year, they were always in danger of relocating.  In the end, they didn't move, but new ownership signaled the end of the short lived Tyreke Evans era.

Fast forward to this current season, where things are a lot different for Tyreke.  He's on the New Orleans Pelicans now, he's not starting anymore, and he has Anthony Davis, instead of Demarcus Cousins.  Their team has struggled badly, but I don't think it's Tyreke's fault, since he is doing all he can in limited time.  I know this sounds wrong, but if I had to blame anyone, I would blame Monty Williams, the Pelicans head coach.  He's always been average at best, but has been praised because of the talent he's had, like Chris Paul.  But the record shows, even when he has talent, he never knows what to do because his teams still stink.  They never do well in the playoffs, and in the case of this season, they won't be anywhere near it.  With Monty Williams, another reason why he's a terrible coach is because it took him so long to play Tyreke.  I mean, this guy was a former Rookie of the Year, and has some of the best dribbling and slashing ability in the league, but he isn't starting over Al-Farouq Aminu, Brian Roberts, or Austin Rivers?  What a joke!  Recently, since Tyreke has been starting, he has thrived statisticly the way he did his rookie year.  And while he may be inconsistent, his play shows he can produce, which made me wonder what took Monty Williams so long to realize it.

Now, I have to admit, I'm biased toward Tyreke.  As much as I love him, I can't deny he does a lot of things wrong.  He can't shoot the ball, makes questionable decisions, and doesn't hustle all the time, but no one can deny the talent is there.  Maybe because he has struggled, I should be harder on him, but he's still one of my favorite players, whether he's on the Kings or Pelicans.  And while I do wish he was still on their team, I'll be cheering him on, hoping he gets his game back together, and back to superstar potential.

Another Win For The Kings!

We Sacramento Kings fans have had it rough this past season with our team struggling to win games, and the cloud of whether our team is moving to Seattle or not, but for one night, we Kings fans can enjoy a dominating win over one of the top teams in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls.  The Kings beat the Bulls 121-79, and yes, you guys are reading that score right.  The Kings decimated the Bulls from start to finish, and while Bulls fans may defend themselves by saying they didn't have Derrick Rose, the Bulls defense (ranked #1 in the NBA) didn't have it tonight.  Here are some things I highlighted from tonight's game.

• Tyreke Evans had his best game of the season with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.  He shot efficiently and did everything well overall.  Some people are down on Tyreke because his stats aren't there every night, and he's lackadaisical on defense sometimes, but I think he's having a fine season because his overall game has improved, and he's playing despite personal issues and injuries.
• The Patrick Patterson trade for Thomas Robinson still makes me scratch my head, but I loved his play tonight.  He started for Demarcus Cousins and nearly had a double-double, stretching the floor, and playing good defense.  If he plays this way all the time, then I think this deal in retrospect won't look so bad.
• Isaiah Thomas is slowly making a name for himself as one of the best up and coming point guards in the league, which is great to see considering he was the last pick in the NBA draft a few years ago, and he just seems like a nice, hardworking guy.
• The bench played together tonight, which was a sound sight.  If only they could play like that every night, but I understand everything is a work in progress.  Still, it was nice to see.
• Games for the Kings that include 17 assists to 5 turnovers will lead to wins most of the time.

Yes, I know I'm getting excited over one game for a team that isn't going to the playoffs this year, but I don't care.  The game was entertaining, and displayed the potential of what the Kings could be (and they didn't even have DeMarcus).  Of course, in the NBA, this is just one game.  The Kings played great against the Bulls, but now it's time to look ahead.  Next stop is LA against the Los Angeles Lakers, and I can't wait!       

Sacramento Should Keep It's Kings!

I live in Boston and follow all of their sports teams like any diehard fan would, but because I'm young, play all the latest games, and go online all the time, I follow all the other sports teams too.  One of the teams I love to death is the Sacramento Kings, which surprises all of my friends.  To be honest, I'm surprised I liked them too, but they hooked me in right away with their talent, fighting spirit, and passionate fan-base.

Their team has been in the news a lot recently because of the rumor that they're moving to Seattle.  I understand the methodology from the standpoint of the NBA and the Maloof Brothers to move because of the revenue from TV, fans, and the fact that Seattle is just a bigger sports town, but that doesn't mean it's right for the Kings to leave.  They've been a staple in Sacramento for so long from the days of being the Royals to the Chris Webber days.  The fans were supportive of them throughout their struggles to their pastures, so why should they have to suffer now without even having a say.  I understand basketball and that sports is just a business, but sometimes the rich owners and players need to step back and connect with the fans who helped make the team what they are today.

You may not know a lot about the Kings, but their team is youthful and exciting with the right mix of veterans.  They have Demarcus Cousins, one of the best and most talented young Centers in the NBA.  Added onto that, they have my boy Tyreke Evans, former Rookie of the Year (2009). He takes a lot of crap because he has sort of regressed since his rookie year, but he's been injured so much since then and asked to play many different roles, which I don't think many players would be willing to do.  Regardless of what people say, I love him and his handles.  Plus, he hits a ton of half-court shots. Then there's Isiah Thomas, the humble, dyanamic point.  Jimmer Fredette plays the role of pinpoint shooter. The list goes on and on with Jason Thompson, Marcus Thornton, John Salmons, Thomas Robinson, Chuck Hayes, etc.  The point is that their team still attracts fans to remain popular.  Maybe they may not have the largest attendance, but their fans come, and they try really hard compared to teams we know that suck like Toronto or Charlotte.  I mean, I can't even take their jerseys seriously.

An example of Kings fans at their best and craziest

All in all, I say, keep the Kings in Sacramento.  Maybe they aren't the 1996 Bulls, but their fans don't deserve another year of their heart potentially being broken.  The NBA shouldn't have moved a team from Seattle in the first place; I just hope they don't make the same mistake again.  Otherwise, they will be losing one of the most admirable fan-bases I've seen in a long time.  As their great commentators Grant and Jerry say "If You Don't Like That, Then You Don't Like KINGS/NBA Basketball"!  Hopefully I, and other Kings fans will hear that for many years to come.

Grant and Jerry's emotional sign-off brings a tear to my eye, and shows how much the Kings have meant to them and Sacramento

Questions: What do you think of the Kings relocating to Seattle?  Do you think it's a good or bad idea?  Also, if you had the choice to build an NBA franchise anywhere in the United States, where would you put one?