Kevin Martin to have surgery

Kevin Martin to have surgery

Sacramento Kings’ guard Kevin Martin will undergo surgery Monday, November 9th at the UC Davis Medical Center to repair a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left Wrist. Dr. Robert Szabo will perform the procedure. Martin is expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks.

Considering the team is set to endure another losing season, it probably makes sense for Martin to have this problem fixed correctly rather than trying to play through it.

It’s tough to say who on the Kings will make up for Martin’s scoring. There was a huge gap between him and everyone else.

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Kevin Martin has fracture in left wrist

An MRI taken today on Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin’s left wrist revealed a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone. The treatment options are currently being evaluated. More information will be be posted here when it’s known.

Martin is the lone big offensive option Sacramento has. In five games this season he’s average 30.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 41.8 minutes per game. He was shooting 42.3% from the field and a terrific 44.7% from three-point range.

The team is 1-4 in the regular season so far.

Kings waive Desmond Mason

The Sacramento Kings Thursday requested waivers on swingman Desmond Mason, according to President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Mason, currently in his 10th NBA season and first with the Kings, averaged 2.6 points (.417 FGs, .750 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game through five outings (started four) for Sacramento.

The Kings are facing rough times lately. Star shooting guard Kevin Martin has suffered a hairline fracture in his left wrist. And forward Andres Nocioni was recently arrested for suspicion of DUI.

Andres Nocioni arrested for suspicion of DUI

KCRA reports: Sacramento Kings player Andres Nocioni has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, police said. Police Sgt. Norm Leong said Nocioni was stopped while driving in the downtown area at about 2 a.m. Thursday.

CBS 13 reports: Just hours after the Sacramento Kings lost to the Atlanta Hawks at ARCO Wednesday night, Kings forward Andrés Nocioni was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Sacramento Police arrested Nocioni at 3:36am this morning. Charges indicate he had a blood alcohol level of .08 or more.  Nocioni started his career as an international player, played in the Athens Olympics, back in 2007 he was playing for the Chicago Bulls.

AFTERNOON UPDATE

GEOFF PETRIE:  “The Sacramento Kings are extremely disappointed in the poor judgment which led to the driving under the influence arrest of Andres. He has apologized to the organization and his teammates. We will wait for the outcome of the judicial process and the NBA’s decision on potential fines and or suspension. This experience now becomes a life lesson learned the hard way.”

ANDRES NOCIONI:  “I want to apologize to the Kings’ organization, my teammates, my coaches, the fans, the city of Sacramento and my family. Drinking and driving is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I made a mistake and I’m very sorry for my lapse in judgment.”

Kings sign Ime Udoka

Kings sign Ime Udoka

The Sacramento Kings today signed guard-forward Ime Udoka to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. InsideHoops.com hears it’s a non-guaranteed deal.

“We’re excited about the addition of Ime to the Kings,” Petrie said. “He is experienced, a tough defender and has the ability to help space the floor at the offensive end.”

The 6-5, 220-pound guard-forward amassed career averages of 6.0 points (42.8 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 70.4 FT%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through 227 games in five seasons with the Lakers (2003-04), New York (2005-06), Portland (2006-07), and San Antonio (2007-08 – 2008-09). Undrafted after finishing his college career at Portland State, Udoka was signed as a free agent by the Lakers (8/13/03). Before joining the Kings, Udoka was with Portland during the 2009 preseason. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 8.4 points (46.1 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 74.2 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game starting all 75 contests he played in with the Trail Blazers.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Kings exercise options on Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Donte Greene

The Sacramento Kings today exercised the fourth-year option on center Spencer Hawes and third–year options on forwards Jason Thompson and Donté Greene, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Hawes, currently in his third NBA season, was selected by Sacramento in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft as an undergraduate out of Washington. He has averaged 8.2 points (.464 FGs, .324 3FGs, .660 FTs), 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.90 blocks per game in 148 games over his first two seasons.

Thompson was selected by the Kings as a senior out of Rider (12th overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft. He averaged 11.1 points (.497 FGs, .692 FTs), 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 82 games in 2008-09, becoming just the second rookie in the Sacramento-era to play in all 82 contests.

Originally selected by Memphis in the first round (28th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft as an undergraduate out of Syracuse, Greene joined the Kings after being acquired in a trade with Houston last summer. He averaged 3.8 points (.326 FGs, .260 3FGs, .853 FTs) and 1.6 rebounds per game as a rookie in 2008-09.

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Kings hire Bobby Jackson

Kings hire Bobby Jackson as 'Ambassador' and assistant

Former Sacramento Kings guard Bobby Jackson today announced his retirement from the NBA as a player to pursue a career with the Kings off the court. Jackson will serve as the first-ever Kings Ambassador, as well as assisting President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie in Sacramento’s scouting department.

“It’s a tough day for me because I’m retiring from professionally playing the game I love,” said Jackson. “But it’s also a happy day because I’m retiring on my own terms and I get to work in a city and for an organization and franchise that I’ve grown fond of. I’m eager to help get the community involved in supporting the Kings as well as assist the team in putting a good product on the court.”

As the team Ambassador, Jackson will represent the Kings throughout the Sacramento region, engaging with fans, promoting the team and making frequent appearances in the community to support the organization’s initiatives.

Jackson played six of his 12 NBA seasons with the Kings, averaging 10.6 points (44.0 FG%, 35.6 3pt%, 81.0 FT%), 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 365 games with Sacramento. Drafted by the Seattle Sonics with the 23rd overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and then traded to Denver on the night of the Draft, Jackson played for six teams in his NBA career: Denver, (1997-98), Minnesota (1998-99 – 1999-00), Sacramento (2000-01 – 2004-05, 2008-09), Memphis (2005-06), New Orleans (2006-07 -2007-08), and Houston (2007-08). Jackson ranks fifth in three-pointers made (381) and sixth in attempted (1,070) in Kings franchise history. He also ranks 10th in steals (356) in the Sacramento era.

“Bobby has been one of our most beloved players with the Kings,” Petrie said. “And it’s very gratifying to see him retire as a King along with the fact that he’s going to go forward and join the organization is really exciting for all of us. I’m really looking forward to working with him in a different type of environment. I know he’ll bring the same attributes as he did on the court.”

Jackson averaged 9.7 points (41.7 FG%, 35.4 3pt%, 79.3 FT%), 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in 755 career games. In eight of his 12 seasons, Jackson played in the NBA Playoffs and averaged 9.2 points (40.5 FG%, 27.0 3pt%, 80.7 FT%), 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 58 contests.

His best season came in 2002-03 when he earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging a career-best 15.2 points (46.4 FG%, 37.9 3pt%, 84.6 FT%), 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 59 games. He became just the second point guard in league history to win the award, joining Orlando’s Darrell Armstrong (1999). Jackson tallied a career-best 31 points versus the Clippers on Nov. 29, 2002.

Jackson remains one of the most beloved players in Sacramento-era history for his efforts both on and off the court. He established the Bobby Jackson Foundation in February 2004, a community-based organization created in honor of his mother, Sarah, who passed away in January 2002 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. Additionally, he serves as the local spokesman for the Sacramento affiliate Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his mother.

Talk Kings basketball on the InsideHoops.com Sacramento Kings forum.

Bobby Jackson to retire

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

bobby jackson retiring

If Bobby Jackson picks his wardrobe appropriately today, he’ll stand at the Arco Arena podium and formally announce his retirement in a three-piece suit and sneakers.

He’s leaving behind a 12-year playing career and joining the Kings in a varied capacity that often will involve business attire, but the player in him is far from gone just yet.

And if the moment is truly destined to capture the spirit of one of the Kings’ most popular players of all time, it will be the pair of Nikes with the cut-off hi-tops.

He used scissors to create a unique size and spark eye-rolls from the company’s reps last season because, well, they just didn’t get the job done in their original form and he wasn’t about to cater to any corporate types.

Jackson was a good player. Never a star, but always able to help a team’s rotation.