The Kings announced yesterday that they will be honoring the late great Rick Adelman this upcoming season by wearing a black band with his name on their jerseys. The late Hall of Fame coach is the winningest coach in franchise history (395 wins) and helped lead the Kings to eight consecutive playoff appearances. Adelman also played for the franchise for two seasons back in the Kansas City era.
While I do think a more permanent tribute to Coach Adelman deserves to be put in place, this is a nice gesture to one of the greatest to ever represent the franchise. Adelman’s legacy is such that the Kings have yet to have a coach last more than three seasons since he left the team nearly 20 years ago, and only one (Mike Brown) has taken the team to the postseason since.
The Kings aren’t the only franchise honoring Coach Adelman with a jersey tribute; The Portland Trail Blazers, who were led to the NBA Finals by Adelman in 1990 and 1992 and for whom he played 237 games (including their first season in 1970), are also wearing a similar jersey band for the upcoming season. Portland will also be hosting a tribute game in his honor on December 15th against the Denver Nuggets, who are coached by Adelman’s son, David. The Kings haven’t announced a tribute game yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if they also do something similar, also with the Nuggets coming to town (which happens on March 8th and 29th).
Adelman booked more Kings wins than the next three winningest Kings head coaches – combined. 395 for Rick, 364 for St. Jean, Brown and Joerger. Only Adelman and Brown finished their tenure in Sacramento with a winning record.
That Mike Brown is pretty good. Wish we had a coach like him.
Wish we’d honored him while he was alive, but seems like a good thing to do.
It’d be nice if they could put his name in the rafters. Maybe someday…
OT: Expected this. Kings now have space under the tax for the the 14th rostered player, whoever that may end up being.
Ben Simmons come on down!!!
I predict an overpay for Lonzo Ball.
Didn’t realize Lonzo was still in the league. I thought once he got that injury that sidelined him for so long he was basically done.
Fits right in with the others we seem to be kicking the tires on
Simmons…Ball…Dipo…or Payne. Kangz gonna suck all the same.
One of the 3 guards they worked out will sign, along with some random guy for “depth”.
I’d prefer they leave the final roster spot open. It could come in handy if they find takers for LaVine, Sabonis, or Monk down the road and need to take back multiple contracts.
If they want to kick the tires on some has been to play the back PG for the 14th spot, fine, whatever. It’s not like it’s going to make much difference. I just want it to be a one year vet minimum deal.
IMO I wouldn’t take any of them. For just 12 10 15 minutes a game Monk is better than all of them. Let the assistant coaches do their job and work with Acuff. Keep that spot open. I would like to send our tpe and a protected first for Jarance Waker. Move Murray to the 3. Hunter as a backup. Start Walker and Achuuwa as a backup. A protected first is worth it to me for a starter who will be around for a long time. Hunter has said he is willing to come off the bench. Walker is a almost perfect with between Murray and either Sabonis or Raynaud.
Now for Lavine. If it were me I would not start the guy. He wanted the 49 million so be it. Just because he has all that money doesn’t mean he should start. IMO we should give those minutes at shooting guard to both Clifford and Sharpe. Combine both scores over a full game and would probably be even if Lavine were to start. Both Clifford and Sharpe play defense really well. Lavine does not. Enough said
I’m pretty sure the Kings don’t have the ability to absorb Walker into a TPE as they are over the cap. That would take a trade of like salary, and I don’t know why Indy would do that. He’s their prospect on a controlled deal. I’m also am NOT a fan of trading any future draft capital. Kings need all the draft help they can get.
I agree that Acuff should get all the minutes he can take, but a backup PG would be prudent. I’m not a fan of adding a vet guy like Dipo, Ball, or whoever, because that is just gonna temp Christie to give them minutes. This team ain’t winning so might as well add a young G-League prospect and mine for a diamond.
This team really like to pay people in the organization to not be in the organization.
I just have to point out how much of an absolute failure the Kings organization has been during the past 15-20 years. Multiple issues off the court with players and staff.
I know I missed a lot of other things, those are just the main ones that I could think of. Some of this happened before Vivek took over, but the majority of it has come under his watch. I would also like to point out that one of the constants in this has been Matina. She has been with the organization for like 25 years(?). I think it is about time that the fans show their displeasure and just boycott the damn team.
Don’t show up to games.
Don’t buy merchandise.
Don’t renew season tickets.
Don’t wear any kings gear.
This fan base deserves much better than what we are getting from those in charge. The on-court product sucks, and the off-court stuff is just as bad. I know I won’t be watching nearly as many games as I have in the past, and it will probably stay that way until changes are made at the top.
Never-ending cycle of being a King’s fan.
They know how to push their luck, its an expensive roster with mismatched players, players no one seemingly wants on other teams, poorly run on a variety of levels and every move they make is wrong. I’d suggest that if they can’t trade Lavine just let his contract expire. Once they have cap room I’m afraid of who the used car salesman will sign in free agency in his place. As the Schroeder signing was an S Show.
Glad to see this, and I have to say that the organization really got this one right.
Of course, even broken clocks are right twice a day.
And a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.
Etc., etc.
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