Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Friday, March 7th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
With all due respect to players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas, there’s really only one thing Kings fans are going to be focused on in this game. The return of De’Aaron Fox, and with it an article from ESPN’s Michael C Wright to re-open some wounds. In the article Fox displays his usual level of candor, and drops a couple quotes that I’m sure will incense Kings fans who already feel spurned (pun intended, I apologize for nothing) by Fox. Among the most incidiary:
“I was like, ‘Yo, I’ve been here for going on my eighth year. If Mike gets fired, I’ll be going on my fifth coach,'” Fox told ESPN. “And I told them, ‘I’m not going to play for another coach. I’m going to play for another team.'”
And regarding having a single team as his preferred destination:
“There was no f—ing list,” Fox said. “There was one team. I wanted to go to San Antonio. So, a lot of people are mad at me, saying I handcuffed the team by giving them a destination. Well, this is my career. If anybody else is in my position, you’d do the same thing. It’s not my job to help build your team. I’m not about to just go where they want me to go. I wanted to have a destination.”
Now, before we grab ALL the pitchforks, I’d encourage reading the full article because there’s a lot more context involved, but those are the quotes I’d expect to see on social media today, discussed on local radio today, and probably posted somewhere in the Kings locker room. I’m sure Fox was hurt by some of the fan backlash as he faced the brunt of the blame around the trade, just as he shouldered the blame for the organization firing Mike Brown (something Fox does bring up in the interview), but Fox is certainly fanning the flames.
In a way, the article serves as a bit of a Rorschach test. Think the Kings are incompetent and mostly to blame? You can find your validation. Think Fox did Sacramento dirty and has no remorse? You’ll find your supporting quotes you can cite. In the end, no matter who you blame, this game represents an important step in continuing to move on with our lives. When Fox is announced tonight, I’m sure there will be a mix of boos and cheers. Personally I hope there are more cheers, but I will understand the boos too. The title of this article is not a real request, simply a nod to a terrible article I wrote many years ago for the old site. Some fans are going to cheer, some will boo, and none of them are wrong for being fans in the way they feel is right. We know from experience that Sacramento fans have long memories – it’s still a heated moment anyone Tyrese Haliburton visits, or Buddy Hield, or Jason Terry – but I do hope with more time the boos will fade and Fox will be remembered for all the good he did, and not for the circumstances around how his time here ended.
Prediction
Keon Ellis gets the start for the injured Malik Monk, and Ellis locks down Fox all night. LaVine goes off. The Kings are declared winners of the trade by national media.
Kings 133, Spurs 117
Fox left and some here are furious;
For reasons that are a bit curious.
He was good while a King—
But here is the thing,
You could say his leaving was Spur-ious!
+1 Give the Spurs a beating
&ct=g
That leaves Fox bleating!
basket game or divorce court proceeding?
Jerry Reynolds or Jerry Springer?
no class, no balls or classy balls?
the choice is yours!
I certainly help people don’t Boo… stay classy Sacramento
I mean, both can be true.
The Kings front office being a trainwreck is common knowledge, and it seems Fox was open with them and stuck to his word. They created the situation, and they have control of who gets fired and when, and where people get traded, and what they say or don’t say to the public about it.
But also, it’s pretty clear that Fox manipulated the situation to his advantage, because it’s a business and he cares first and foremost about his bag. He’s been saying that for a long time. He isn’t particularly emotional about Sacramento, and has only the bare minimum of regard for how the fans feel or how his actions look to them. He moved on from the Kings weeks before he actually left, and I don’t think he cares at all about whether he’s cheered or booed.
Honestly, the reason to not boo him is so we don’t give him any fuel.
Fox is the one who reached out to local media in the aftermath of the trade to clear up what was being said about him. And who does the local media reach out to? The local fan base. So he clearly cares somewhat about how he was being portrayed, and adjacently, about how the fans perceive him. That feels more than “bare minimum” regard for the fans.
I think he’ll care if the fans boo or not. But I also think he’s smart enough to understand that not everyone will see things his way.
In my mind not a single word of this is a negative take on Fox.
I certainly didn’t intend it to be. But I think a lot of people see it that way.
DeMar revenge game > Fox revenge game!
Go Kings!
This reminds of a day in college. The night before I passed out on a couch and my friends wrote all over my body with sharpie pen. Next day went to play hoops at the gym. Shirts and skins. I’m skins. Oh yeah, the sharpie pen. Wave at a girl on a treadmill on the 2nd floor balcony overlooking the court. Game time.
“Please don’t boo”
WE ARE SO F’ing Back!!!
An amazing talent, and held his head up through tough times on a bad team (until the end). Credit where credit is due, he played amazing in that playoff series even with his injury.
“I’m not about to just go where they want me to go. I wanted to have a destination.”
I do not fault him entirely, but he said what he said and it stinks.
He was brought up in an era where players/agents have power and the public does not shame them for acting selfishly. It is uncertain whether the Kings had other better offers, but this whole scenario speaks to the stench of unfairness in our league, where the rich and trendy teams gain advantage over the others.
It would improve our league, (and the NFL/MLB), if player empowerment were reduced, contracts honored, and fairness restored. Money talks, so this will likely never change. What could change, however, is the public’s response to these types of demands.
As the article mentioned, whether people boo or cheer they are right, because they are at the game supporting their team and cheering them on.
GO KINGS!
I don’t see anything at all wrong with Fox expressing this sentiment. C Webb didn’t want to come here, but wound up staying because it turned out to be a good situation. Jimmy Butler wanted to go to Phoenix, but signed an extension as soon as he got to SF.
The Kings still had the opportunity to work in their own best interests and wait to find the best deal possible whether or not that involved a trade to San Antonio. It would have been up to the destination team to provide reasons for Fox to stay there.
CWebb didn’t want to come here, but he still got traded. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. We are in a different era, back then good players went where their team traded them, not all the time of course but I’d wager way more often than now.
Jimmy Butler is exactly what I’m talking about, a sour star who demands trades when his current team isn’t making him feel good, then shortlists teams he’ll accept being traded to.
Regardless of how the receiving team encourages the traded player to stick around, the issue lies in the fact that players have the power to dictate where their team trades them. It’s now the same in the draft, which has absolutely hurt the Kings I’m sure throughout the years.
How do you expect teams to get out of the bottom rung, if they cannot draft who they want, cannot trade their talent for the highest return, and cannot retain players who’ve signed contracts if the team doesn’t perform?
I’ll admit that perhaps this trade was a good faith move by the Kings, similar to what the 9ers allegedly just did with Deebo. Nothing has come out to suggest that however, so makes me believe the kings were forced into a rushed trade knowing they had to end fox at Spurs.
Yet Fox would have been contractually obligated to go wherever the Kings traded him just as Butler did not wind up having the power to dictate where he wanted to go.
I can see what you mean, and to be fair I’m not an expert on contracts or the NBA in general.
Fox went to desired team. Butler went to most profitable NBA team. I don’t think this is due to those teams offering the best return to Sacramento and Miami.
“The Sacramento Kings are acquiring free agent veteran DeMar DeRozan via a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade.” For example, DeMar DeRozan has already stated that he’s thinking about leaving us post Fox’s exit in a recent interview.
Each time these selfish me-first moves happen, and teams are forced into doing something, it hurts the integrity of the league. Maybe if I was a Lakers fan I’d feel different about the matter…
Your Lakers take at the end sort of refutes your whole thesis. Doncic didn’t want to leave Dallas. The GM personally disliked the guy and moved him, even though Doncic was “honoring his contract”.
So Dallas is showing you the solution to the “problem”, but I doubt you are enjoying the result.
Even the Fox scenario is shaky, IMO. I’m not sure the team wanted to have him here longterm on an even bigger contract. Monte was likely going to deal the guy, even though Fox was “honoring his contract”.
The GM/Ownership can make the move they want to make, but then longer term they risk a reputational hit – I suspect this will damage the Mavs’ reputation among players and agents for some time. But moving Fox might have been a good move for the Kings, longer term. They made Fox (and his agent) happy, and they likely got the better talent back in the deal.
IMO, there’s nothing to fix here. Make smart decisions, put talented people in charge of basketball operations and you’ll have a better chance of acquiring (and keeping) more talented players.
Luka to the Lakers is an exception, you are right about that. However it does play to a trend. Since I don’t remember them all, took a snippet from online which paints the point I’m trying to make:
“L.A. consistently manages to pick up a HOFer or two every 4 years or so when their team’s playoff performance starts to slide a little. (Bryant ((“Bryant threatened to play in Italy if he wasn’t drafted by a team he liked”)), Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, and countless others.). While regular teams have to obsess over nailing the draft, hoping and praying to land a player of LeBron, Kobe, Shaq or AD’s caliber to lead their franchise into the future, the Lakers always seem to be able to poach these superstars from other teams’ rosters”
My argument is that the Lakers are able to do this because the players/agents have too much power in our league.
My argument is that the Lakers are able to do this because the
players/agentsthe Lakers have too much power in our league.Fixed it for ya.
Malone, Payton, Howard, and Anthony were HoFers past their prime and on the decline. They did not impact the Lakers like the Luka trade did. Disgruntled players can still show up to work, do the bare minimum and be wary of any injury-dangerous plays, and still collect their millions. Ultimately, it is the organization with the deepest pockets and at the same time, the darling of the NBA, that gets earth-shattering deals done.
Mitch and Vlade both ended their careers in LAL too
Just realized that Fox’s choice on where to go was maybe a passive-aggressive F.U. to the Kings FO ( i want to go to a stable and respected FO compared to this clown show Vivek runs). He could have said he wanted to go to a championship ready team, but he wanted stability. If so, good on him.
Not entirely true. That Butler trade doesn’t happen if Jimmy doesn’t agree to an extension with the Dubs. I’d wager the vast majority of teams weren’t willing to sell the farm to get Butler for a 2.5 month rental.
I hope that Fox scores 50 and the Kings win. If I have to pick one, give me the latter.
De’Aaron Fox was a good King, an exponentially better player than the organization that he played for. I wish him nothing but health and happiness. And with that said, I hope that the Kings throttle the Spurs tonight.
Ditto. I’d also like to thank his family. They were great in our community and it was a joy to see them sitting court side for the majority of his home games. Off the court character matters just as much as on the court character.
Haliburton legit didn’t want to be traded – he didn’t even know he was on the block. Not sure I get why that would be at all heated?
It’s also looking more and more like there was some rifts in the locker room surrounding Fox and Brown
It’s Sabonis he wanted Brown gone and thought he was holding the team back. Wasn’t wrong in some ways at all, just handled it poorly from a communication standpoint.
I can so easily see a scenario where ownership / front office asks Brown why team is struggling, and Brown points at the wildly unbalanced roster. Front office does nothing to improve around the margins of the core, coach becomes obstinate about pounding square pegs into round holes.
We see examples of synergy between the front offices and coaching staffs of the successful NBA organizations. Why has it been so hard for Ranadive’s Kings? What is the constant? What is unchanging through all of these changes? I just wish that I could put my finger on it…
It’s Sabonis! He’s even sitting behind Vivek! Was he injured this game?
Ha! I looked back at the pic to confirm Sabonis was behind Vivek and immediately wondered why he seemed to be reaching out to stroke the back of Matina’s hair. Upon closer inspection realized that the arm that I focused on is not his arm.
Rob 1000% it’s funny how certain people think the rest of the outside world can’t see. The old guard just happens to have carte blanche to do whatever they want internally and externally with the organizations undying approval. Yet anyone since then thats come through and doesn’t just bend the knee to Matina is excommunicated.
Funny how much Lamb is up her ass….and damn he’s got a seat a the table too now haha.
I think that some of the difficulty may lie in the ability to be appreciative of Ranadive’s efforts to keep the team here while also being honest about how incredibly bad the basketball operations has been under his “leadership.” From hiring Michael Malone before hiring a GM to firing Malone to Karl to Vlade to present and many points in between, it has really been almost 13 years of non-stop failure with only the most fleeting glimpses of competency. And as a fan base, we have become so starved that we get excited about a team that has backslid to .500 and the need to win play-in games to get into the playoffs.
When viewed in the macro, the question is not why Fox wanted to leave, but what took him so long?
Boy, Matt is really sticking his neck out there by confirming what only a national media member has the courage to reveal.
Everything you need to know about Sacramento sports media in one post.
… I left out, “while still not naming names.”
Between the Kings slipping back into chaos, the lack of direction for the future, and the bullshit Doncic trade creating a contender for the Lakers out of nothing, I’ve really started to check out of the league this season.
Whats the point? Nothing changes. Love this community but that’s about all that’s keeping me engaged these days.
Why the hell boo him?
I was never the biggest Fox fan, and I am not thrilled how this whole thing played out (part of that is on him, bigger part on the org), but he was a good player here, a good person here, and he was good to the city of Sacramento.
Give the guy a nice, respectful round of applause and then put Keon inside his jersey and win the game.
We Boo’d Jon Barry. We can boo Fox and blame it on Vlade!!!
If you’re going to boo Fox, then you should 1m times that for Vivek, Matina, Anjali, Monte and Wes. Because those are the true villains in the never-ending story of this underperforming (dis)organization.
And boo the thick, creamy shakes! What have they ever done for us?
The thick, creamy shakes go right to my hips. The decisions of this organization haunt my soul.
Truth comes out! He outgrew his pants!!!
It’s those thick, creamy hips.
(Sorry, too Ailene Voisin-like?)
I see the fold lines at this picture which means…oh shit…do you have this poster in your bedroom, Rob? I think I’m gonna be sick LMAO
I actually have it framed on my mirror.
Favorite flavors:
JT’s Cold World
Metta World Reese’s Pieces
Christie Cream
Ginger Peach Swirl
Karlmel Cuz Delight
Ricky & Jon’s Berry-Barry Swirl
Pralines Voisin.
Chunky Monky.
DeMar DeRum DeRaisin
Snack Randolph (with THC!)
Carob Butler.
Least favorite flavor:
Kevin Zing Red Velvet Vodka Huerter
BREAKING NEWS: Kings trade Fox to Spurs
~Jim
Crandell’d
This. I don’t blame Fox one bit for being upset. Would any of us like to work for that yahoo front office? Fox likely knows the shenanigans that go on upstairs more than anyone. He put up with it for nearly 8 years.
He’s one of us.
Post of the day! Have a rec young man.
Ready to move on from the Fox stuff. Focusing on what the Kings need to do.
Go play ball, rotate defensively, get in to the paint, and that will win them the game.
The article just confirms Mickey Mouse is still in charge, and I can’t understand why anyone would boo Fox. We should be happy he’s been set free.
Fox being told of the trade:
Stoked for the game tonight, but at the same time, i have moved on, emotionally, from this Fox fracas. My friend’s son went to a card shop in Rocklin to sell his pristine rookie year Fox card, and it was a whooping $70. I don’t know how much it coat before the trade though, but that seems low.
Wishing Swipa all the best in the future. And on that note, LFG Sactown!
+1 – if the Kings lose tonight, it won’t be because of Fox, but it will be because Castle, Vassell, and Champagnie light us up from 3. Hell, you could also say that this is a Barnes-Mclaughlin revenge game too.
Luke Loucks has agreed to be the next Florida State Seminoles head coach. Guess we are 99.99% sure which asst coach Vivek wanted fire.
Don’t blame him one bit. He was passed over for interim HC. It wouldn’t surprise me if Triano doesn’t return either.
I would hope that Doug gets to pick his own coaches if he gets a contract.
Bibby? Bibby? Mike Bibby?
(if the trend of legacy hires continue, which i wouldn’t be a bit surprised)
Bibby’s a given. They made that commercial together. FWIW they both still have skills on a 7 foot rim.
Bibby is totally next to be on the bench. He coached his kid’s AAU team (I’m sure Vivek finds that qualifying) and he coached high school ball. Just don’t look up what happened to his coaching career there.
Vivek: Doug, you get to choose Mike Bibby, Jeremy Lamb, Anjali and Aneel, and Moley Moleman as your assistant coaches.
And 1 – I would be personally grateful if Kyle and Kayte were added to the coaching staff.
Then we can roll out Jim Gray and
BillLuke Walton!!!Does Vlade have any kids we can add to the coaching staff or front office?
I was about to post something similar in jest, but then hesitated because I didn’t want to put it into the universe and have it become reality.
I LOL’d at first, but then felt dejected as this is a real possibility. Damn you Rob. Just go stare at Peja’s poster or something….
Anjali: Just like Jeannie Buss, but without the winning and business experience.
Seems like no matter who the coach is, Vivek always wants to put someone on the staff that is not the coach’s choice. Nancy Lieberman was on Karl and part of Joerger’s time, and then Doug was on Walton and Brown’s.
True
OT: Well, that’s one thing the Kings can take advantage of when we play the Knicks (not saying it’ll be easy, regardless).
Fox was a true professional and a positive influence during his time in Sacramento. It’s unfortunate he disparaged the organization after he left, that’s our job and I don’t want anyone taking our job. Further, it has to be a tremendous disappointment that Wemby and Pops are gone for this season and now he’s playing for his 6th or 7th coach. Give him some love and let bygones be bygones.
The only gripe I have with Fox is why all the childish soap opera drama and spin from shortly before he left that appears to still be going on. He says he loves Sacramento and the fans. If true, why does he keep hammering the franchise? He’s not doing the city, fans and former teammates any favors. He has a new team and city. Wish he would just move on.
Hi Monte.
Your guy Fox got a semi-chilly reception last night. Player intro was a mix of cheers and boos. Did a tribute video midway through the 1st quarter. Was fairly quiet and then got a standing ovation at the end, which was nice. Beyond that, was booed every time he touched the ball and cheered every shot he missed or made a turnover, similar to how Buddy Hield has been received.
No sign of Monte, but Wes Wilcox was roaming around. Odd thing was Vlade sat next to Vivek for the last whole game.
Klutched Sported?
I guess I am not really clear what kind of answer they’re looking for. There’s no foundational superstar here so the only options are to keep upgrading the general talent level and hope for a 2019 Raptors kind of season or blow it up. The former is what Monte has been trying to do and in the latter scenario Domas is out the door anyways.
Conveying that pick to Atlanta would help tremendously in either scenario though
I’m in the no Boo camp. Except when he gets to the free throw line then cheer like hell once misses two. Stay classy Sacramento
Debating on whether “To Boo De’Aaron or to not boo De’Aaron” that has peppered the radio airwaves and various media threads the last week is exactly what makes Sacramento Sacramento. The players may care to an extent. Superstars feed off that shit. And at the end of the day, do what you like as a fan. Caring what Fox thinks is such a monumental waste of time, I just don’t get it.
I will say this, he is one player who is absolutely petty enough to take it personal, to whatever extent. He should have been petty about getting his ass kicked on his home floor more while he was a King. Coming from someone who still likes most things about his game, I never did understand why someone had to “piss him off” to get him to turn up.
And it doesn’t matter. Let him be petty about boos, let him get turned up, just let him get his ass kicked one more time on the floor he used to call home tonight. Then we can all be friends again.
Badge Legend