Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 77 – NBA Blog

Hornets trade Hilton Armstrong to Kings

The Sacramento Kings today acquired the services of center-forward Hilton Armstrong in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional 2016 second round pick and cash considerations, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to having Hilton join the team,” explained Petrie. “He gives us an athletic player who can play the four and five positions. We think he can come in and contribute and we’re looking forward to watching him play.”

Armstrong, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, is averaging 2.8 points (.380 FGs, .464 FTs) and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Hornets through 18 outings. He has amassed career averages of 3.6 points (.513 FGs, .605 FTs) and 2.7 rebounds per game through 209 contests.

Selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Armstrong enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Connecticut and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Tyreke Evans hits game-winner to beat Nuggets

Saturday in Sacramento, the Kings beat the Denver Nuggets 102-100. It was a great game, and the win came in dramatic fashion.

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

With the score tied 100-100 after Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups buried a three-pointer over Evans with 11 seconds left, Kings coach Paul Westphal called for the isolation play that sparked much debate among fans and media in recent weeks…

With seven seconds left, Evans took an inbound pass behind halfcourt and slowly dribbled toward Kenyon Martin. Evans drove left, then pump-faked Martin and Nene in the lane, and spun 360 degrees before burying a 10-footer.

“Coach told me before the other games that if he had a chance to call one-four flat and put the ball in my hands, he would do it again,” said Evans, who had 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. “I’m just glad he didn’t give up on me and he gave me that opportunity.”

The Kings not only broke a five-game losing streak, they finished in a fashion that lifted their broken spirits.

Spencer Hawes had a big game off the bench for the Kings, shooting 8-of-10 for 10 points and five rebounds.

Francisco Garcia returns to practice

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Francisco García was scared, even if he didn’t show it.

The Kings’ fifth-year swingman had returned to work with his trademark flair Monday, practicing for the first time since breaking his right (shooting) wrist nearly three months before. He was running and jumping and shooting. And yapping. Of course he was yapping.

With his scrimmage team down three points with 25 seconds left and García open on the left wing, he took the pass in stride and buried what appeared to be a three-pointer. It was like he’d never left, as García not only made the long-range shot but argued to no avail when assistant coach Mario Elie ruled it a two-pointer in what led to his team’s loss.

“I was still a little scared because of my arm, but it was good,” García said. “I think the biggest challenge is getting comfortable on the floor, getting hit on the floor.

“When I fall on the floor, how am I going to feel? Other than that, I feel good.”

Kings GM Geoff Petrie signs contract extension

The Sacramento Kings and Maloof family today signed President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie to a multi-year contract extension.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “after earning approximately $4 million this season, the NBA’s longest-tenured executive will make $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.5 million – absorbing a massive financial hit in his desire to remain with the organization.”

“First of all I want to thank Joe, Gavin and the rest of the Maloof family for the ongoing opportunity to grow our exciting young team,” said Petrie. “We all are looking forward to a brighter and more successful future. Secondly, I want to thank our entire management staff for the hard work and support they have committed over the years. We also have been a team and will continue to be one. Finally, a hat’s off to Paul (Westphal) and his staff for the professionalism, knowledge and experience he has brought to the Kings.”

A two-time NBA Executive of the Year award winner, Geoff Petrie has been a key figure behind the success of the Sacramento Kings over the past 16 years.

“Geoff is like a member of the Maloof family,” said Joe Maloof. “We’ve known him for all of these years. He’s someone we can depend on and someone we can trust and look to for advice and guidance. We’re pleased to have someone as talented as Geoff lead this organization.”

Under Petrie’s direction, the Kings have qualified for the NBA Playoffs in eight of the past 11 campaigns and nine of the past 14 years overall, while winning Pacific Division titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03 and advancing to the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Between 2000-01 and 2004-05, Sacramento joined San Antonio and Dallas as the only teams in the league to register 50-plus wins in each of those years.

“Kings fans can rest assure that the future of this franchise is secure with Geoff Petrie leading the way,” explained Gavin Maloof. “He has a good eye and special ability to pick talent. We are pleased that Geoff will be with us for many more years. We’re all looking forward to seeing this young, talented team rise.”

When Petrie was named The Sporting News NBA Executive of the Year following the 1998-99 campaign, he became the first person to win both the league’s executive and rookie annual awards. Petrie shared the 1971 NBA Rookie of the Year award with Boston’s Dave Cowens. Following the 2000-01 season, Petrie was named The Sporting News Executive of the Year for a second time.

Additionally, the contracts of Wayne Cooper and Mike Petrie were renewed as each received promotions. Cooper was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager while Petrie was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Bulls lose to Kings despite 35-point lead

Monday night the Chicago Bulls had a 35-point lead over the visiting Sacramento Kings, but wound up losing the game 102-98.

John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

The Bulls were up 79-44 early in the third quarter and scored only 19 points the rest of the way, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

Just when it seemed the Bulls (10-16) were getting things turned around — and Del Negro was safe for the time being — they managed a new low this season.

Some of the grim numbers:

– Besides scoring only 10 points, the Bulls were 2-for-10 from the field with nine turnovers in the fourth quarter.

– They scored their last field goal with 10:15 left on an 18-footer by Kirk Hinrich for a 92-74 lead.

– During one stretch in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Bulls committed turnovers on six of seven possessions.

– By contrast, the Kings (13-14) scored 33 points in the fourth, including 17 in the final 3:08.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

Vying for their second three-game winning streak this season, the Bulls instead suffered a complete collapse, losing all of a 35-point third-quarter lead in a stunning 102-98 loss to the Kings.

After a torrid start that featured season highs for points in a quarter and a half, the Bulls made just two fourth-quarter field goals and got outscored 33-10. Rarely has a laugher turned so serious so suddenly.

“We’re not good enough to take a minute off, let alone a half,” coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Derrick Rose’s driving attempt to tie with 7.9 seconds left fell woefully short, and Noah failed to exit a scrum with the rebound. Beno Udrih grabbed the loose ball and was fouled, making two free throws for the final margin.

Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports:

The Bulls (10-16) took control of this game right from the start and scored a season-high 67 points in the first half. They opened the third quarter with a 12-1 run to open the fateful 79-44 advantage.

At that point, the Bulls seemed to shut down and start thinking how many points they were going to score instead of doing the same things that built the lead.

The Bulls on Tuesday visit the Knicks in New York.

Kings lure fans with beer

Cynthia Hubert of the Sacramento Bee reports:

The Sacramento Kings have given away food, offered discount ticket packages and touted their prized rookies.

But they have yet to find the formula for bringing raucous sellout crowds back to Arco Arena.

Could the answer be cheap beer?

Quite possibly. Wednesday night, with a national television audience watching, the Kings could be playing before a sellout crowd at Arco for only the second time this season. The draw? Dollar Beer Night.

“Sacramento and its fans have such a good reputation nationally,” said Kings spokesman Mitch Germann. “We want to showcase that on national TV.”

Their efforts seem to be paying off. As of Monday afternoon, only “a limited number of tickets” were available for the Wednesday game, Germann said.

Have opinions on the team? Share them on the Sacramento Kings forum.

Former Kings employee bet on NBA games

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports:

A former Kings employee has been barred from working in the NBA after an investigation showed he gambled while employed by the team.

The Kings in January fired Jack Mai, who was in his third season as the team’s assistant director of scouting. His dismissal was not related to gambling.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Kings said they had been informed that Mai participated in “improper wagering activities” while working for the team. The Kings added that they cooperated with the league’s investigation.

The NBA is naturally focused on stamping out any form of gambling/betting that is against their rules after the Tim Donaghy scandal. They should be commended for this, continuing to monitor and look into it, and outing anyone, including this former Kings employee, who did anything wrong.

Have an opinion? Share your reaction in this forum topic.

Maloofs no longer operating Sacramento Monarchs; team looking to move

The WNBA is in active discussions with potential investors to relocate the Sacramento Monarchs to the Bay Area in time for the start of the 2010 WNBA season, league President Donna Orender announced today. Going forward, Maloof Sports & Entertainment will no longer operate the Monarchs.

“The Bay Area has been a desirable market for the WNBA and the availability of the Monarchs provides an opportunity to move a well-known franchise and broaden its fan base within Northern California,” said Orender. “Maloof Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Monarchs, has deemed it essential to focus all of its resources on the Sacramento Kings at this time. We understand this decision was a difficult one for them and appreciate the vision, leadership, and support of the Maloof family over the past 10 years.

“The Maloofs have shown a passion for women’s basketball and seen the WNBA as great entertainment that has a positive impact on the way society views women and sports. They take great pride in the Monarchs’ players, both for their contributions on the court and in the Sacramento community.”

One of the league’s original eight teams in 1997, the Monarchs won the WNBA championship in 2005 and the Western Conference crown in 2006. Featuring former Stanford player and WNBA All-Star Nicole Powell, Olympic gold-medalist and WNBA All-Star Kara Lawson, and Piedmont, Calif. standout Courtney Paris, the team also holds the second pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft.

“We enjoyed our time with the WNBA and the Monarchs,” said co-owner Joe Maloof. “We are extremely proud of an amazing run that included six straight playoff appearances and the 2005 WNBA Championship. All of our resources are now dedicated to bringing the Sacramento Kings back to championship caliber form.”

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Spencer Hawes missing shots early

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports:

No one can say Spencer Hawes looks at his performance through rose-colored lenses.

When asked to assess his progress nine games into his third season, the Kings center was blunt.

“Not terribly excited,” Hawes said. “But I think that has mostly to do with offensive stuff, shooting the ball. But the other things I’m feeling pretty good about.”

While the other things – rebounding, defense and setting screens – have drawn praise from the coaching staff, Hawes has been inconsistent on offense.

Hawes has made just 41.8 percent of his field-goal attempts. One of Hawes’ strengths is his outside shooting, but the 7-foot-1 center is 0 for 12 on three-point shots. Hawes, however, is second on the Kings with 7.2 rebounds per game and tied with Jason Thompson for the team lead in blocked shots, averaging 1.3.

Despite this, the Kings are off to a better than expected start to the season, even with super-scoring, shooting guard Kevin Martin injured.

Kings attendance is lacking

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

The Kings’ attendance is still lagging. After selling out only one of their first two home games as part of the Sellout 2009 initiative, the Kings had crowds of 11,751 and 10,760 in their following two home games. But Westphal said he’s confident the fans will come out if the team continues to compete as it has recently.

“This town is watching,” he said. “Whether this building is full yet or not, people are paying attention to see what we do. We can’t guarantee any records. We know how tough this league is. But we do have a lot of players with a lot of fight in them, and we’re doing that on purpose.”

The Kings have actually been worth watching lately and are playing better team basketball ever since Kevin Martin went out. That’s not a knock on Martin; he’s a super-scorer and the entire team has stepped up in his absence. They’re also playing better defense without him, though.