Don’t look now, Kings fans, but the NBA preseason is only two weeks away, and for many Sacramento Kings fans, that brings an abundance of hope and excitement.
If there is a franchise in the NBA that epitomizes the term “eternal optimist,” it would have to be the effervescent Kings fans who still believe that this year’s team may be the next version of “Hoosiers.”
I would like to believe that, too!
As I was recently studying some of the more successful franchises in the NBA, I turned to the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s, and I was reminded that three of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s six titles came after Dennis Rodman became a member of the team. In fact, they actually enjoyed a rare three-peat with Rodman on board.
Not known for being a scorer, Rodman showed the Chicago Bulls how rebounding was done and played defense with reckless abandon. Regardless of his multicolored hair, wild histrionics and seemingly out-of-control behavior off the court, for at least three seasons it was Dennis Rodman who was the straw that stirred the drink.
The legendary Michael Jordan did much to encourage the Bulls franchise to take a chance on Rodman, and to this day Rodman is much admired by Jordan for his world-class rebounding and some of the toughest defense ever seen on an NBA court. Rodman actually led the NBA in rebounding seven consecutive years and received the title of Defensive Player of the Year two times.
Well, the Sacramento Kings don’t have six world championships, and after 40-plus years in Sacramento are still searching for their first, but make no mistake about it, hope springs eternal despite what GM Scott Perry refers to as a rebuild.
Someone who should already be mentioned in the conversation as an all-time great Sacramento King is often-maligned big man Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis, criticized for his less-than-stellar defense, in my opinion is getting a bad rap, and I think it’s high time the fans of Sacramento come to his defense.
Domantas’ streak of leading the NBA in rebounding sadly came to a halt last season due to injuries that limited him to only 19 games after playing 70 the prior season.
This stevedore of the hardwood played one season in a Kings uniform with a broken thumb, and playing through the pain led the league in rebounding. Add that to being one of the most exceptional team players the Sacramento Kings have ever had, and Sabonis nightly exhibits the kind of grit that any GM should be proud to have on his team.
Although not a rim protector, Sabonis gives 100% every night and is every bit the foundation piece the Sacramento Kings need to bring credibility to their franchise.
Inexplicably, the Kings forgot what they had in De’Aaron Fox, and that lack of judgment led to the San Antonio Spurs getting a diamond in the rough while sending the Sacramento Kings on a two-year search for a replacement point guard.
At this very moment, the Kings have a built-in double-double holding down the paint in Domantas Sabonis and a heralded rookie point guard by the name of Darius Acuff Jr., ready to begin his inaugural season.
Selling tickets in Sacramento? Yes, I think so, but Scott Perry’s next move looms large, and any suggestion of moving Domantas Sabonis could easily lose fans in a way that the Kings organization hasn’t seen in years.
Make no mistake about it, Domantas Sabonis is the current face of this franchise, and it’s time to celebrate that fact and not look for ways to send him packing.
Likewise, Zach LaVine, hampered by injuries last season, is a former two-time NBA All-Star and has something to prove in garnering nearly $50 million in the upcoming season. Shooting nearly 40% for his career from beyond the arc and just a shade under 20 points per game, Scott Perry should be giving this talented shooting guard all the minutes he can play.
While we’re at it, let’s not forget that at one time Keegan Murray was thought to be a potential NBA All-Star and needs to come back from a dismal, injury-riddled season just a year ago.
Just one month from opening night. Stay tuned.
All the best!
V.G. Harris
Vince Harris is an area resident and the author of Kings Corner, in which he contributes to Folsom Times, giving readers a look at the happenings on the court and behind the scenes of the Sacramento Kings.
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