The AP reports: Ben Gordon scored 24 points and the Chicago Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 99-94 on Tuesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bulls converted 33 of 36 free throws, but the three they missed nearly cost them. After making its first 29, Chicago converted just four of its final seven, allowing Sacramento to stay in the game. Drew Gooden had two of the misses, nearly spoiling a big return in which he had 18 points and 10 rebounds after being sidelined for eight games with a sprained right ankle… Kevin Martin had another strong outing for the Kings after scoring 36 against New Jersey on Monday and 45 against Indiana two days earlier, and Miller finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. But the Bulls prevailed thanks to Gordon, Gooden and solid outings by Rose (16 points and eight assists) and Thomas (14).
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Carter has 29, Yi 22 to lead Nets over Kings 98-90
The AP reports: With leading scorer Devin Harris sidelined in the second half, the New Jersey Nets turned to Vince Carter and couple of other things that have not been as reliable—Yi Jianlian and defense. Carter scored 29 points, Yi added 22 points and a season-high 13 rebounds and the Nets limited Sacramento to 36 second-half points in handing the Kings their 11th straight road loss, 98-90 on Monday night… Getting 17 second-half points from Carter was no surprise. Getting 15 points and 10 rebounds from Yi was stunning… Kevin Martin, who scored 45 on Saturday night, had 36 points for the woeful Kings (8-27). The reserve scored 11 in the second half, when he was 3-of-12 from the field.
Martin returns to help Kings edge Clippers
The AP reports: Playing his first game in nearly three weeks, Kevin Martin came off the bench to score 20 points and the Kings snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 92-90 Tuesday night… Brad Miller had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and John Salmons also had 15 points for Sacramento, which lost 19 of its previous 22 games. Beno Udrih had 13 points and Jason Thompson added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie guard Eric Gordon scored 24 points for the Clippers, while Paul Davis had a career-high 18. But he missed a foul-line jumper in the closing seconds that could have sent the game into overtime. Scoreless in the first half, Marcus Camby finished with 15 points and 24 rebounds. Bothered by a sore back, Baron Davis shot 3-of-17 and scored 11 points.
Celts return to winning ways, 108-63 over Kings
The AP reports: The Celtics bounced back from back-to-back losses in emphatic fashion, beating the Sacramento Kings 108-63 Sunday night in one of the most one-sided wins in franchise history… The 45-point margin of victory matched the sixth biggest by the Celtics, who also beat the New York Knicks by that amount last season. The last time Boston had a bigger win was a 153-107 victory over the Baltimore Bullets on Nov. 27, 1970… John Salmons’ 11 points led the Kings. Francisco Garcia shot 1-for-7 before leaving in the first half with stiffness in his right calf. Kevin Garnett made 10 of 11 shots to lead the Celtics with 21 points and 11 rebounds despite playing just under 23 minutes. He now has 20,894 career points, moving past Bob Pettitt into 27th place all-time. Ray Allen added 19 on 7-for-8 shooting and Eddie House had 15 off the bench.
Dec 26: Raptors 107, Kings 101
The AP reports: Jermaine O’Neal scored 36 points in his highest-scoring game in two seasons and the Toronto Raptors ended a 10-game losing streak in Sacramento with a 107-101 victory over the Kings on Friday night… With Chris Bosh limited to just 13 points because of foul trouble, O’Neal took over the game for the Raptors. He hit a pair of difficult drives midway through the fourth quarter after the Kings had tied the game at 95 with just under 5 minutes to play… Jose Calderon added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Andrea Bargnani also had 14. Brad Miller and John Salmons scored 20 points each to lead the Kings. Bobby Jackson added 17 points off the bench.
Candace Parker: Bro vs husband game
The Sacramento Bee (Melody Gutierrez) reports: Candace Parker may not be rooting for the Kings tonight. With her brother, Anthony Parker, on the Raptors, and her husband, Shelden Williams with the Kings, the WNBA star will have her allegiances tested. Anthony and Candace Parker became the first brother-sister duo to represent the NBA and WNBA after the Los Angeles Sparks drafted Candace in April. “It will be like a family reunion,” said Williams, who joined Kings teammates and Monarchs players in handing out turkey dinners Tuesday to 200 families.
Dec 22: Spurs 101, Kings 85
The AP reports: Tony Parker committed five turnovers in the first 10 minutes but overcame the rough start by scoring 18 points to lead the Spurs to a 101-85 victory over the reeling Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Facing a Kings team that now has lost four in a row and is 3-17 since opening the season 4-5, Popovich did little talking to his players during timeouts… Parker was 8-of-17 from the floor and added six assists in 28 minutes as San Antonio (17-10) won for the eighth time in 10 games. The Spurs shot 52 percent and led from the 5:38 mark of the first quarter. They were 7-of-15 from the 3-point line… John Salmons scored 22 points to lead Sacramento. Beno Udrih, a former Spurs player and backup to Parker, added 13. Francisco Garcia added 10, but he struggled through a 3-of-13 shooting night.
Dec 19: Rockets 107, Kings 96
The AP reports: Now in his second season, Luis Scola is more comfortable in the NBA. It’s starting to show. The durable forward from Argentina had his seventh double-double of the season with 23 points and 10 rebounds to help the Rockets beat Sacramento 107-96 on Friday night… Yao Ming scored 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Tracy McGrady scored 18 and Carl Landry added 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who’ve won six straight at home. John Salmons scored 26 and Brad Miller added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings. Sacramento has lost four of its last six and dropped to 1-2 since Kenny Natt replaced fired coach Reggie Theus on Monday… Yao went 11-for-13 from the field, and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line to reach 30 points for the second straight game.
Kings to retire jerseys of Webber and Divac
The Sacramento Kings will honor the contributions of former All-Stars Chris Webber and Vlade Divac by retiring each of their numbers in two separate ceremonies during upcoming Kings’ games.
“Vlade and Chris represent the best duo at their respective positions in franchise history, and they were the centerpieces to one of the most exciting and popular teams, not only in Sacramento, but in the country,” explained Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “They were both great teammates and contributed the winning attitude and chemistry required to reach the heights that they did. Together they changed the face of the franchise and we’re all indebted to them for that.”
Webber’s #4 will be raised to the rafters on February 6th when Sacramento hosts the Utah Jazz (7 pm). Divac’s #21 will be hoisted high above the ARCO Arena floor on March 31st when the Kings take on the New Orleans Hornets (7 pm).
“We had such a wonderful run of success with Chris and Vlade that they became part of the family and an integral part of the franchise,” said Kings Owner Joe Maloof. “We will always be indebted to them for their great play, professionalism and charitable contributions to the community.”
Webber and Divac will be become the eighth and ninth players, respectively, to have their numbers retired in franchise history, and only the second and third players, respectively, of the Sacramento-Era.
“Chris was the face of the franchise and one of the best power forwards of his time,” said Kings Owner Gavin Maloof. “He is a great person and tremendous leader. We enjoyed watching him play on a nightly basis. He possessed great all-around skills. He had exceptional scoring, rebounding and passing abilities. It was fun to watch.
“I want to thank Vlade for his hard work, dedication and loyalty to the franchise. He is a first-class person, was the consummate teammate and one of the most likable individuals we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Along with Chris Webber and others, Vlade guided the Kings from obscurity to prominence during his tenure in Sacramento, and I’ll always be grateful for his contributions.”
Collectively, Webber and Divac powered a Sacramento Kings team that won a franchise-record 61 games in 2001-02, back-to-back Pacific Division titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03 and made six consecutive NBA Playoff appearances from 1998-99 to 2003-04.
“I never dreamed this day would come,” Webber said. “I’m honored and humbled because there are so many people to thank, including the fans, Maloof family, Geoff Petrie, my teammates and former coaches. I have wonderful memories of my time in Sacramento, and I’m glad I can call it home.”
Webber, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, whom the Kings acquired via a trade with Washington in-exchange for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe on May 14, 1998, played seven seasons for Sacramento from 1998-99 to 2004-05. He was a four-time NBA All-Star Game selection (five-time overall in his career) with the Kings (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), garnering two starting assignments (2001 and 2002). Additionally, Webber was a five-time All-NBA Team selection (1998-99 to 2000-01), and was named to the First Team in 2000-01. His 14 triple-doubles and 26 rebounds (versus Indiana on January 5, 2001) are the most in franchise history during the Sacramento-era. Among franchise career leaders, Webber, who normally filled his entire stats line on a nightly basis, ranks 10th in points (8,843), 7th in rebounds (4,006), 8th in field goals made (3,691), 6th in steals (568) and 4th in blocked shots (553). He led the NBA in rebounding in 1998-99 with a 13.0 per game average and was the Kings’ leading scorer in six of his seven seasons (1998-99 to 2002-03 and 2004-05) in Sacramento. Webber averaged 23.5 points (.473 FGs, .238 3FGs, .691 FTs), 10.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.51 steals and 1.47 blocks per game through 377 contests with the Kings. He is only the sixth player in NBA history to average over 20 points (20.7), nine rebounds (9.8) and four assists (4.2) per game in his career, joining Basketball Hall of Fame members Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor and Billy Cunningham, and current NBA player Kevin Garnett.
“I was very honored and humbled upon receiving the news about my jersey retirement,” Divac said. “For me, this is a pinnacle of my career and it is very special knowing that nobody will ever wear #21 again. I am thankful to the Kings organization, all the Kings fans, my family and all the people who supported me throughout my career. When you take into account all the medals and trophies, at the end of the day when you draw a line, you realize that this act by the Kings completes the circle. I was able to compete on the highest level for the Kings for many years and this news makes me feel amazing and it gives me a great satisfaction. The Sacramento Kings showed great respect to both Chris and I.”
Divac, a 7-1, 265-pound, crafty, skilled center, signed with the Kings as a free agent on January 22, 1999. He played six seasons in Sacramento (1998-99 to 2003-04) and was a 2001 NBA All-Star Game selection. Divac recorded career averages of 13.2 points (.478 FGs, .246 3FGs, .676 FTs), 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.15 blocks per game over 454 outings as a King. He holds a franchise record for the most offensive rebounds in a quarter with seven. Divac ranks 10th in rebounds (3,538) and 5th in blocked shots (523) on the franchise all-time career leaders list. He is one of only three players in NBA history (Abdul-Jabbar and Olajuwon) to amass 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocks. Divac was the 1999 recipient of the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given to a player, coach or trainer who shows “outstanding service and dedication to the community”.
Dec 16: Blazers 109, Kings 77
The AP reports: Brandon Roy scored 29 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 109-77 victory over the struggling Sacramento Kings. Playing with a splint on his injured right pinkie finger, Roy fell just short of scoring 30 points for the fourth straight game… LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers, who stopped their longest skid of the season. John Salmons had 16 of his 21 points in the first quarter for the Kings and he didn’t score in the second half. Sacramento fell to 1-1 under interim coach Kenny Natt, who took over for the fired Reggie Theus on Monday. Francisco Garcia was the only other Sacramento player in double figures with 12 points on 2-of-8 shooting.