fbpx
Mar. 29, 7:00 PM
DAL @ SAC
Mar. 31, 6:00 PM
UTH @ SAC
Apr. 02, 7:00 PM
LAC @ SAC
Apr. 04, 4:30 PM
SAC @ NYK
Apr. 05, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BOS
Apr. 07, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BKN
Apr. 09, 5:00 PM
SAC @ OKC
Apr. 11, 7:00 PM
NOH @ SAC
Apr. 12, 7:30 PM
PHO @ SAC
Apr. 14, 12:30 PM
POR @ SAC

The Top 50 Sacramento Kings of All-Time: The Top Ten

We finish our breakdown of the top Sacramento Kings of all time as we take a look at the 10 best players to ever suit up in Sacramento.
By | 62 Comments | May 22, 2020

Credit: Kimani Okearah

Welcome to the final edition of the Top 50 Sacramento Kings of All-Time featuring the 10 players that I believe were the best to ever put on a Sacramento Kings uniform.  To help calculate these rankings, I am using the very official and very mathematical “KANGZ (Kinda Accurate Net GainZ) score) which factors in a players tenure, role, intangibles and individual and team success.  A perfect KANGZ score is a 25.  In the case of a tie, I went with my impeccable and infallible judgement.  If 50 different people came up with these rankings, there probably would be 50 different results, but it’s hard to argue that most of the players below don’t belong on this list.  Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane.

On to the list!

Previously: 50-41 / 40-31 / 30-21 / 20-11

10. Bobby Jackson

KANGZ Score: 19
365 GP, 10.6 PPG, .440 FG%, .356 3P%, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 STL, 0.1 BLK
9th All-Time in 3 Pointers Made (381)

Bobby Jackson spent most of his Kings career on the bench, but that didn’t stop him from making just as much impact as any of the starters.  Jackson was one of the best bench players in the league during his time in Sacramento (he won the 2002-03 Sixth Man of the Year, the only Sacramento King to ever win the award) and the absolute best sixth man the Kings ever had.  Jackson was known mostly for his ability to provide offensive spark off the bench, but he was also a tenacious defender.  The Kings often played two or even three guard lineups with Jackson, Mike Bibby and Doug Christie, with each of them providing something a little different.  It was only fitting that Jackson would return to Sacramento one last time to end his career, even if the team around him wasn’t the same.  Jackson has remained a local fixture since retiring, spending multiple years with the Kings as an assistant coach, a role he continues to this day on Luke Walton’s staff.

9. Doug Christie

KANGZ Score: 19
355 GP, 10.6 PPG, .443 FG%, .362 3P%, 4.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 2.0 STL, 0.5 BLK
1st All-Time in Steals (717)
5th All-Time in FT% (.863)
8th All-Time in Assists (1,505)


Doug Christie was the Kings go-to stopper. Whether it was Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady or Ray Allen, Christie was the man that was called upon each and every night to defend the opposing teams top guard or wing.  Christie made the NBA’s All-Defensive Team in four consecutive seasons with the Kings.  Ron Artest is the only other King to ever even make the list, and he did it once.

Christie was more than just a defender though.  He also spent time as the team’s de facto point guard.  Mike Bibby was more of a shooter and scorer than playmaker, and oftentimes it was Christie who would bring the ball up and initiate the offense.

As was the case with a few other Kings greats of this era, injuries eventually took their toll on Christie.  Even still, he has remained with the team and now serves as the team’s television color commentator, a role he took over from the legendary Jerry Reynolds.  While Christie has had some growing pains and he has enormous shoes to fill, he has done an admirable job and keeps getting better every year, much as he did in the NBA.  Plus he punched Rick Fox in the face so that alone earns him a spot on this list.

8. Reggie Theus

KANGZ Score: 20
234 GP, 20.0 PPG, .474 FG%, 3.4 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.1 STL, 0.2 BLK
4th All-Time in Assists (1,943)
10th All-Time in Free Throws Made (1,102)

Sacramento’s first star, Reggie Theus was perhaps the most prolific playmaker in Kings history.  In just three seasons in Sacramento (he had played two seasons priror with the Kings in Kansas City as well) he managed to still be 4th on the team in all-time assists.  Only Rajon Rondo managed to average more assists than Theus in a season, and Theus was also the team’s primary scorer.

Theus helped lead the Kings to the playoffs in their first year in Sacramento but they were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets.  The Kings wouldn’t end up making the playoffs again for another decade and they ended up trading him in 1988 for Randy Wittman and the 1st round pick that became Ricky Berry.

Theus would later go on to coach the Sacramento Kings for a little over one season before being fired shortly into his second season after the team started 6-18.

7. Wayman Tisdale

KANGZ Score: 20
370 GP, 18.4 PPG, .509 FG%, 7.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.7 STL, 0.8 BLK
6th All-Time in Points (6,808)
6th All-Time in Field Goals Made (2,853)
8th All-Time in Offensive Rebounds (769)
8th All-Time in Total Rebounds (2,676)
9th All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (1,907)
10th All-Time in Blocks (280)
10th All-Time in Minutes Played (12,522)

When Reggie Theus left, the Kings were in search of a new star.  They opted to trade starting center LaSalle Thompson to Indiana for lefty forward Wayman Tisdale.  Tisdale would go on to helm a Sacramento tradition of great players who receive little to no help.  Tisdale was far and above the Kings best player until Mitch Richmond came to town.  The “Tizzy Flip” as it was known was his iconic move.  Tisdale was also a charismatic personality and locker room leader.

€œWhen I think of Wayman Tisdale, I think of one of the absolutely most delightful players that we’ve had in the 24 years I’ve been associated with (the Kings) organization,€ said Kings Director of Player Personnel Jerry Reynolds in 2009. €œHe was certainly one of the most outstanding players, and his stats would prove that. I’ll take it a step further €“ there was never a time when he wasn’t the most popular player in the locker room.€

Tisdale also had a passion for music, and launched a successful Jazz career after his playing days were over. Tisdale unfortunately passed away in 2009 at the age of 44 from cancer.  Tisdale’s optimism shone through even in the darkest times, as he had this to say shortly before his passing:

“I’ve been blessed with this great gift, but I think it’s not music or basketball, my greatest gift is to make other people feel better.”

6. DeMarcus Cousins

KANGZ Score: 21
470 GP, 21.1 PPG, .459 FG%, .322 3P%, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.4 STL, 1.2 BLK
1st All-Time in Offensive Rebounds (1,380)
1st All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (3,676)
1st All-Time in Total Rebounds (5,056)
2nd All-Time in Points (9,894)
2nd All-Time in Blocks (558)
2nd All-Time in Free Throws Made (2,604)
3rd All-Time in Steals (661)
3rd All-Time in Field Goals Made (3,557)
4th All-Time in Minutes Played (14,996)
5th All-Time in Games Played (470)
10th All-Time in Assists (1,402)

DeMarcus Cousins was without a doubt perhaps the most talented player the Sacramento Kings have ever drafted.  Coming to Sacramento with the 5th pick in 2010, Cousins would go on to become one of the best big men in the entire NBA.  He would also be known as perhaps its most volatile personality.

It didn’t help Boogie that he came to Sacramento in the midst of a relocation battle that didn’t end for some time.  The Kings were in turmoil and yet Cousins continued to improve and excel.  As the face of the franchise, Cousins was blamed for much of the team’s ills and while he is definitely not blameless and exacerbated things to a certain extent, the Kings didn’t help matters with decision like firing Mike Malone or missing out on players like Damian Lillard or Kawhi Leonard in the draft that could have really helped out.

While Cousins’ on-court antics made the mainstream news, Sacramento also saw up close and personal how kind and generous he was off the court.  He made several contributions to the community that were rarely publicized and despite the lack of success, declared his desire to stay in the city of Sacramento multiple times.

5. Mike Bibby

KANGZ Score: 23
476 GP, 17.6 PPG, .439 FG%, .377 3P%, 3.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 STL, 0.2 BLK
1st All-Time in Assists (2,580)
3rd All-Time in Minutes Played (16,982)
3rd All-Time in 3 Pointers Made (775)
4th All-Time in Games Played (476)
4th All-Time in Steals (584)
5th All-Time in Points (8,384)
5th All-Time in Field Goals Made (3,008)
5th All-Time in Free Throws Made (1,593)

Mike Bibby has a well deserved reputation as the most clutch Sacramento King ever.  From the time he arrived in Sacramento, all Bibby seemed to do was hit big shot after big shot, none bigger than the game-winner in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

If Jason Williams was flash, Mike Bibby was substance.  When the Kings traded Williams for Bibby they instantly became contenders to win a championship.  Bibby gave them the consistency they had lacked and was as close to an All-Star caliber player as you can get to being without actually being named to an All-Star team.

4. Vlade Divac

KANGZ Score: 23.5
454 GP, 11.4 PPG, .478 FG%, 7.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 STL, 1.2 BLK
4th All-Time in Offensive Rebounds (1,019)
4th All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (2,519)
4th All-Time in Total Rebounds (3,538)
4th All-Time in Blocks (523)
6th All-Time in Assists (1,693)
7th All-Time in Minutes Played (13,676)
8th All-Time in Games Played (454)
8th All-Time in Steals (453)
9th All-Time in Free Throws Made (1,209)
9th All-Time in Points (5,176)
10th All-Time in Field Goals Made (1,967)

Vlade Divac was the greatest free agent signing in Sacramento Kings history.  The Kings are not a place that is usually able to acquire big names in free agency so when they were able to snag Divac away from the Charlotte Hornets in 1998, it was considered a coup.  Even then the Kings likely didn’t know how good of a deal they got. Divac was the glue that held together those great Sacramento Kings teams of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Divac never looked like the most athletic player on the court, but his skills were tremendous.  He had post move on post move, and the only big man in the league that could rival his passing at the time was his own teammate, Chris Webber.  In the 2003-04 season, Divac even led the Kings in assists a game at 5.3.

Divac’s only All-Star appearance of his career came as a member of the Kings in 2001, and it was well-deserved.  It’s too bad that he wasn’t able to end his career as a King, but his #21 will hang in the rafters forever as a reminder of his contributions on and off the court.  Divac now leads the Kings as their General Manager, and is hoping to get the team to the heights he was never able to reach as a player.  He has some work to do on that front yet.

3. Peja Stojakovic

KANGZ Score: 23.8
518 GP, 18.3 PPG, .463 FG%, .398 3P%, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 STL, 0.1 BLK
1st All-Time in 3 Pointers Made (1,070)
1st All-Time in FT% (.893)
2nd All-Time in Games Played (518)
2nd All-Time in Minutes Played (17,723)
3rd All-Time in Points (9,498)
4th All-Time in Field Goals Made (3,352)
4th All-Time in Free Throws Made (1,724)
6th All-Time in Steals (543)
6th All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (2,051)
9th All-Time in Total Rebounds (2,581)
10th All-Time in 3P% (.398)

Growing up, Peja Stojakovic was my favorite NBA player ever.  I loved players that could shoot, and Peja shot better than any other player I’d seen.  When Peja Stojakovic let go from range, you never expected it to miss.

When the Kings drafted Peja Stojakovic, it was not a popular decision.  Most fans wanted Syracuse’s John Wallace, especially with Peja unlikely to join the team for a couple of years.  Peja would go on to become a star in Greece before joining the Kings. It took a couple of years for him to get going at this level, but eventually he became a star in the NBA as well.

Peja was the Robin to Chris Webber’s Batman.  While Chris would terrorize the paint, Peja would light it up from outside. He was nearly the first player to three-peat the All-Star Weekend 3 Point contest since Larry Bird.  In the 2001-02 playoffs, Peja injured his ankle in the 2nd round against the Dallas Mavericks, forcing him to miss the rest of that series before he forced his way back on to the court for the final three games against the Lakers.  He clearly wasn’t healthy, but knew he had to try to be there for his team.  Who knows how differently that series would have gone if the Kings had been at full strength.

In the 2003-04 season when Chris Webber missed most of the year recuperating from his ACL tear, Peja became the Kings defacto best player.  He averaged 24.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and made 43.3% of his almost 7 attempts a game from three.  He would end up finishing 4th in MVP voting that year.  Peja would eventually go on to win an NBA Championship in his final NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks, even showing flashes of his old self in a series sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers.  Peja now serves as an Assistant General Manager for the Kings.

2. Mitch Richmond

KANGZ Score: 24
517 GP, 23.3 PPG, .453 FG%, .404 3P%, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 STL, 0.3 BLK
1st All-Time in Points (12,070)
1st All-Time in Minutes Played (19,532)
1st All-Time in Field Goals Made (4,230)
1st All-Time in Free Throws Made (2,617)
2nd All-Time in Steals (670)
2nd All-Time in Assists (2,128)
2nd All-Time in 3 Pointers Made (993)
3rd All-Time in Games Played (517)
8th All-Time in 3P% (.404)
10th All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (1,551)


Although I did not rank Mitch Richmond as the greatest Sacramento King of all time, I have no beef with anyone who does.  Richmond perhaps got the shortest shrift of any great player in NBA history, receiving little help over his seven years as a Sacramento King.  He was named to six All-Star teams while with the Kings, the most of any player to don a Sacramento uniform, and also made five All-NBA teams.  Michael Jordan once claimed that Richmond was the hardest player in the league to defend, high praise coming from perhaps the greatest player of all time.

Richmond never got the praise he deserved in Sacramento, in part due to the lack of success while he was here. That lack of success was not due to Richmond, who excelled despite multiple coaches and innumerable teammates.  Richmond was not only the Kings best offensive player, but also their best defensive player. He also helped lead the Kings back into the playoffs after a decade drought.

Richmond’s legacy is that of a great player on terrible teams, but Sacramento will never forget his contributions.

1. Chris Webber

KANGZ Score: 24
377 GP, 23.5 PPG, .473 FG%, 10.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.5 STL, 1.5 BLK
2nd All-Time in Field Goals Made (3,691)
2nd All-Time in Defensive Rebounds (3,037)
2nd All-Time in Total Rebounds (4,006)
3rd All-Time in Blocks (553)
4th All-Time in Points (8,843)
5th All-Time in Offensive Rebounds (969)
5th All-Time in Minutes Played (14,627)
5th All-Time in Assists (1,791)
5th All-Time in Steals (568)
6th All-Time in Free Throws Made (1,406)

Chris Webber was the greatest player on the greatest Kings teams ever assembled.  Webber could shoot, rebound and pass and thrived in Rick Adelman and Pete Carrill’s Princeton offense.  Webber could go toe-to-toe with Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki, and got the better of them on more than one occasion.

Under Webber, the Kings experienced more success than they ever had before.  The Kings made the playoffs every single season he was a King, and he was named to five All-NBA teams, including the 1st team in the 2000-01 season.  No other Sacramento King in history has made the All-NBA 1st Team.

Alas Webber’s legacy is tarnished by a knee injury that essentially ended his career.  Webber tore his ACL in the 2003 playoffs and was never the same after that.  Gone was the elite athleticism that made him a once in a generation player. The skills were still there, but his body was no longer capable of performing the same feats.  If Webber hadn’t suffered that injury, there is no doubt in my mind the Kings would have won at least one Championship.  Despite a worse record than their previous season, the 2002-03 Kings were better and deeper than the team that lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, and they were a team on a mission.  That opportunity was taken away from them once Webber went down.

Webber is still up for the Hall of Fame, and its honestly a travesty he has yet to be elected.  Webber was one of the most uniquely skilled big men of his time and the leader of perhaps one of the greatest teams to never win it all of all time.

***

Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed these rankings.  Let me know in the comments below how you would have ranked these players differently, and who you feel might have been snubbed.

Patreon Membership
* indicates required


To prevent spam, our system flags comments that include too many hyperlinks. If you would like to share a comment with multiple links, make sure you email [email protected] for it to be approved.
Subscribe
Notify of
62 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
1951
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 9:13 am

I was hoping you would get the correct order for the top 5!

(Boogie is too high though!)

Neil
May 22, 2020 9:19 am
Reply to  1951

Huge Demarcus fan, and I agree. His career with Sacramento and with the league is a story of a guy who never found a way to put it together.

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 11:15 am
Reply to  Neil

Maybe he did put it together. Maybe that’s just who he was.

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 2:49 pm
Reply to  Neil

You can’t spell the name DeMarcus without starting with at least two T’s.

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 4:32 pm
Reply to  ZillersCat

Actually I didn’t like the way I put that out in my disappointment of Cousins. I’ll say that DeMarcus has all the talent to be one of the best big men. The family part of a team didn’t work out. Injuries are also a big part of my disappointment in what could have been. I viewed him as much in the possibility of success that Chris Webber had with the Kings. His appearance & success, while a King, is lacking. Character seems to be pretty important and I find the current crop of Kings to be like-able. What is often said, is that the team needs more of a Dog. Someone to set a tone, as not being a good guy, but driven. Who was that guy on the Kings in 2002, 2003 which made them successful? Was it Christy? I don’t remember the magic blend to make a good team. It has been too long.

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 23, 2020 1:43 pm
Reply to  ZillersCat

I guess the magic player that I’m been waiting for, to set the kindling of the Kings on fire is probably Draymond Green Free Agency. I think June 30, 2020?

Neil
May 22, 2020 9:18 am

Peja was my first favorite player, but Bibby quickly became my all time favorite. Will never forget that shot. Even if the Kings go on to win a championship at some point in my life (a prospect that seems less and less likely) it will still be number one for me, just because of what it meant to me at the time.

That team deserved better.

LadyGrey
Patreon Supporter
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 6:38 pm
Reply to  Neil

Bibby has always been my favorite, with Peja being a close second. I think Webber is a fair choice for #1 based on talent, but those were the guys I liked best.

Jman1949
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 9:28 am

Obligatory!

comment image

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 9:56 am
Reply to  Jman1949

Obligatory +1 🙂

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 9:28 am

I’ve always kind of wondered…. What do you think think “Welcome Back Boogie” night at a Kings game looks like?

It’s true what they say about media/tv east coast bias, small market teams, etc. I’ve been a sports fan my whole life, and never saw Mitch Richmond play a single game. 🙁

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 9:57 am
Reply to  Marty

Welcome Back Boogie Night?
It should be hosted by Donte Greene and Andy Furillo, with Tyronbe Corbin as substitute Teach- Presenter.
Special guests are Nick Stauskas, Jaleel Cousins (a bit awkward for Furillo) and George Karl.
There will be breakfast (even though it’s at night) and hot yoga sessions.
At the end, Vlade will concede that we had a better night two days ago.

Klam
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
May 22, 2020 11:15 am
Reply to  RikSmits

comment image

1951
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:27 am
Reply to  Marty

I don’t know.

What would “Welcome Back George Karl” or “Welcome Back Petey D” or “Welcome back Luke Walton” nights look like?

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 10:34 am
Reply to  1951

You are utterly indefensible on Twitter and worse here. Ay ay ay.

1951
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:36 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Being indefensible should get me on the Top 50 list, no?

TheFifthMookie
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:40 am
Reply to  1951

Being indefensible will get you a #6 rating in Sacramento Basketball History actually.

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 10:54 am
Reply to  1951

Top 50 of what?

1951
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 11:09 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Top 50 greatest human beings of all time with any association to the Sacramento Kings whatsoever no matter how tenuous! Duh!

1. Me.
2. Jerry Reynolds.

9,546,768,365,710. Greg.
9,546,768,365,711. Grant Napear.

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 11:37 am
Reply to  1951

That’s so disrespectful to Peaches to say he’s slightly worse than the all time marriage ruiner.

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 11:13 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Technically it looks like you’re replying to me, so€¦

RobHessing
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
May 22, 2020 10:42 am
Reply to  Marty

One t-shirt for fan will not do it – everyone will receive two t’s!

SniperKing
May 22, 2020 11:12 am
Reply to  RobHessing

Just don’t give it away on Chinese New Year night.

Nardell
Nardell
May 22, 2020 7:47 pm
Reply to  Marty

The east coast bias has also played a role in Webber being snubbed by the HOF in my opinion. Obviously not as much as the Michigan scandal, but playing in Sac didn’t help. If he averaged the same numbers on the Knicks or Celtics he’d be in already.

TheFifthMookie
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 9:36 am

Looks legit to me, though DMC that high…. uuuuuuuuuuuugh!

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:19 am
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

I couldn’t (((triggered))) read that part.

Greg
Admin
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Author
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Author
May 22, 2020 9:54 am

Mitch Richmond was straight up better than Reggie Miller but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t a Kings fan to understand that.

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 10:30 am
Reply to  Greg

Don’t let Jared Wade in on this revelation.

BestHyperboleEver
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:40 am
Reply to  Greg

Ehhhh…. you know what, I’ll just leave this one alone. Mitch was a great player.

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 9:55 am

What’s up CWebb!

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 10:20 am

Pretty good list all in all.

What was your reasoning for not including Ricky Berry on this list?

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 10:54 am
Reply to  Aykis16

Fair enough. Enjoyed the list, thanks for putting it together.

Kingsguru21
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 12:06 pm
Reply to  Aykis16

I don’t remember the L Train best years. One great memory I have is how he played in Game 4 of tge 96 playoff series vs Seattle. Mitch went down early in game 4, L Train did his best to get the Kings back to Seattle. Like everything else on his career, wasn’t nearly enough.

outrider
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 12:58 pm
Reply to  Aykis16

What Mitch Richmond was to the toe on the line two pointer, the L-Train was to passing up a wide open shot from the free throw line to do some sort of spin dribble move into traffic.

MichaelMack
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 2:12 pm
Reply to  Aykis16

Omri was tough to leave out. I would imagine Terry Tyler, Billy Owens, Kenny Thomas,Garrett Temple, Darrin Collison, Bennie Mac, Kostas, WCS, and Jack Cooley were tough as well.

DrewGoodenEra
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:30 am

Hmm. I don’t recall seeing Drew Gooden on the list. The guy averaged a double/double in a Sacramento uniform. He had a Kings stat line of 12 PPG, .556 FG%, 13 RPG, 2 APG. Just must have been an oversight…

1951
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:35 am
Reply to  DrewGoodenEra

The Kings never lost a game with Jason Terry playing in a Kings uniform. You would think that being undefeated would count for something!

kfipp
Admin
Original Member
Author
Original Member
Author
May 22, 2020 11:35 am
Reply to  DrewGoodenEra

BRAD?!?!

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 23, 2020 4:49 am
Reply to  DrewGoodenEra

Dude, Tyus Edney isn’t on the list. Your Drew Gooden argument is invalid.

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 23, 2020 4:55 am
Reply to  ZillersCat

Tyus Edney was IT, before there was a IT. Cult hero.

SanjeshSingh
Member
Comments
Original Member
Author
Comments
Original Member
Author
May 22, 2020 10:34 am

Looked forward to these everyday. Thanks, Akis. Now it’s time to do the 50 worst Kings of All-Time 😂

TheFifthMookie
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:44 am
Reply to  SanjeshSingh

1. Spencer Hawes
2. Spencer Hawes
3. Spencer Hawes

48. Spencer Hawes
49. Spencer Hawes
50. Spencer Hawes

TheFifthMookie
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:45 am
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

dishonorable mention to Matt Barnes.

BestHyperboleEver
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 10:48 am
Reply to  SanjeshSingh

One could make an argument that Cousins belongs in the top 10 on both lists.

RobHessing
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
May 22, 2020 10:50 am

Richmond is my #1, but I’m of the same mind as Akis, in that I wouldn’t vigorously argue one over the other.

For those that did not get to see Richmond play, Jimmy Butler might be my first dart at throwing out a current comp, but Richmond did it with zero attitude. Maybe it was a function of the times, as guys like Jordan, Drexler and Richmond just showed up and balled out from baseline to baseline, every night.

The first few years that the Kings were in Sacramento, the presence of NBA basketball carried the fan base. In between that and the Adelman years, there was Mitch Richmond, for seven full seasons.

outrider
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
May 22, 2020 10:55 am

No problem at all with the list. I would’ve put Mitch first, but that’s me. Two way excellence every night for Kings teams that ranged from dreadful to mediocre over the entirety of his career here.

Kosta
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 12:54 pm

“Let me know in the comments below how you would have ranked these players differently, and who you feel might have been snubbed.”

RICHMOND. RICHMOND WAS SNUBBED!!! 😛
comment image

BetweenAMitch_AHardPlace
May 22, 2020 1:21 pm

Mitch HAD to be #2 on this list

Kosta
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 1:36 pm

If it wasn’t for his toe, he’d be 3.

MichaelMack
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 2:13 pm

Terrific work Aykis, I really enjoyed this.

Klam
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
May 22, 2020 4:14 pm

Ugh, this fucking year. Get well soon, Mr. Ewing.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1263965908453797889

Kosta
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 8:36 pm
Reply to  Klam

Get well soon, Patrick Ewing <3
comment image

ZillersCat
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
May 23, 2020 9:40 am
Reply to  Kosta

No weak stuff 🙂

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 22, 2020 11:46 pm
Reply to  Klam

One of my favorite players of that time.
I still remember his first game after being drafted, in MSG against the Sixers.
The buzz was amazing and then he had a putback dunk over Malone and the place erupted. Will never forget it.
Moses destroyed him that night but it didn’t matter. A star was born.

LadyGrey
Patreon Supporter
Patreon Supporter
May 22, 2020 7:03 pm

Pretty shocked that Jared Cunningham isn’t #1 on this list. No question the best King of all time in my expert opinion.

Other than that, this was a great read. Always nice to think about the golden age of Kings basketball.

G-naps
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
May 23, 2020 4:57 pm

Anyone remember the pop song about Wayman Tisdale when he was on the Kings?

Im pretty sure Wayman wrote and sang the song. It was in decent rotation on 102.5 for a couple months.

Also Ive asked this on another site that I cant remember the name of but does anyone remember the Kings song “We built this city on basketball”? The beat was the Jefferson Airplane “We Built This City” but they went through all the current Kings players. I vaguely one of the lines “Tyler,Thompson, Olberding PUT IT IN THE BASKET!”

NextTimeGadget
Original Member
Original Member
May 25, 2020 6:32 am

Omri Casspi 1-B article coming soon!

bjax1
Comments
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
May 26, 2020 5:07 pm

great writeup Akis! Good to be talking Basketball again. Was wondering why no Jim Jackson. A great super sub from the good old days. Some “honorable mentions” on my list. Michael “the Animal” smith – did the dirty work. Same goes for one of my all-time favorites Quincy Acy. Both kind of embody the Sac underdog ethos if you will. Also, no Mikki Moore? (jk)

Badge Legend

Patreon Supporter Patreon Supporter   Registered On Day 1 Registered On Day 1   Published Post Published Post  Published Post Nostradumbass
Comment Up Votes 200 Up Votes   Comment Up Votes 500 Up Votes    1,000 Up Votes    3,000+ Up Votes

Comments 50 Comments   Comments 100 Comments    250 Comments    500 Comments    1000+ Comments