Summer tidbits on the Sacramento Kings
The Summer Scoop-September 29
by Devin Blankenship
It’s actually with great pleasure that I write this last Summer Scoop for 2004. Not because I hate doing it or because I’m quitting (you’re not that lucky), but because basketball season is now here and we can ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THE ACTION ON THE COURT. Hallelujah!
Here are some of the pre-training camp happenings:
<LI>Most of the players are in town right now, participating in their own pickup games at the Practice Facility. Brad Miller, Bobby Jackson, Darius Songaila, Ricky Minard, Mike Bibby, Greg Ostertag, and Matt Barnes all hit the court on Tuesday in a spirited set of games, while Chris Webber worked with his shooting coach, Buzz Braman. Liu Wei, a member of the Chinese national team who has been invited to training camp, also shot around.
<LI>Basketball season may be around the corner, but baseball is the dominant topic of conversation right now between players and front office personnel alike. You have Cubs fans in Brad Miller and Vice President of Media Relations, Troy Hanson, a handful of A’s fans—including Director of Scouting, Scotty Stirling, and a small group of Giants fans (which includes yours truly) that are constantly debating the merits of their teams.
Miller even went so far as to do a little advance scouting this last weekend at SBC Park, checking out the Giants/Dodgers game—two teams Chicago is fighting for a playoff spot.
<LI>Another hot topic right now is fantasy football. The Practice Facility has its own league going, with nine teams trying to dethrone video coordinator Mike Petrie, fresh off last year’s championship.
Trainer Pete Youngman, perhaps the biggest Kansas City Chiefs fan on the face of the earth, shocked the rest of the league again on draft day by selecting all Chiefs for the second straight year, with the exception of first overall pick Priest Holmes. Believe it or not, but Youngman did not finish in last place last season—not sure if he’s going to be able to pull that miracle again this year.
As a side note, none of the participants in this league are allowed to ask the “godfather” for any advice—the “godfather”, a.k.a. Scotty Stirling, is actually one of the three original inventors of fantasy football back in the 60’s in the Bay area. Bet you didn’t know that little Kings’ factoid—click here to read about it.
<LI>Look for the Kings to announce a free-agent signing in the next few days. The player is a recognizable NBA face who should make the roster and has been working out the last few days at the facility. I’ll give you a hint: think teal.
The Summer Scoop-September 29
by Devin Blankenship
It’s actually with great pleasure that I write this last Summer Scoop for 2004. Not because I hate doing it or because I’m quitting (you’re not that lucky), but because basketball season is now here and we can ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THE ACTION ON THE COURT. Hallelujah!
Here are some of the pre-training camp happenings:
<LI>Most of the players are in town right now, participating in their own pickup games at the Practice Facility. Brad Miller, Bobby Jackson, Darius Songaila, Ricky Minard, Mike Bibby, Greg Ostertag, and Matt Barnes all hit the court on Tuesday in a spirited set of games, while Chris Webber worked with his shooting coach, Buzz Braman. Liu Wei, a member of the Chinese national team who has been invited to training camp, also shot around.
<LI>Basketball season may be around the corner, but baseball is the dominant topic of conversation right now between players and front office personnel alike. You have Cubs fans in Brad Miller and Vice President of Media Relations, Troy Hanson, a handful of A’s fans—including Director of Scouting, Scotty Stirling, and a small group of Giants fans (which includes yours truly) that are constantly debating the merits of their teams.
Miller even went so far as to do a little advance scouting this last weekend at SBC Park, checking out the Giants/Dodgers game—two teams Chicago is fighting for a playoff spot.
<LI>Another hot topic right now is fantasy football. The Practice Facility has its own league going, with nine teams trying to dethrone video coordinator Mike Petrie, fresh off last year’s championship.
Trainer Pete Youngman, perhaps the biggest Kansas City Chiefs fan on the face of the earth, shocked the rest of the league again on draft day by selecting all Chiefs for the second straight year, with the exception of first overall pick Priest Holmes. Believe it or not, but Youngman did not finish in last place last season—not sure if he’s going to be able to pull that miracle again this year.
As a side note, none of the participants in this league are allowed to ask the “godfather” for any advice—the “godfather”, a.k.a. Scotty Stirling, is actually one of the three original inventors of fantasy football back in the 60’s in the Bay area. Bet you didn’t know that little Kings’ factoid—click here to read about it.
<LI>Look for the Kings to announce a free-agent signing in the next few days. The player is a recognizable NBA face who should make the roster and has been working out the last few days at the facility. I’ll give you a hint: think teal.
