Kings v. Suns (Season Finale) 4.16.14

Wow. This season has gone by so quickly! I can't believe it's already the season finale. I've definitely enjoyed coming out to the arena so often... it's like a second home to me. Today's game was versus the Phoenix Suns. Outside the arena I was able to pick up Isaiah Thomas and Rudy Gay heads. Fun stuff.

Both Rudy Gay and Isaiah Thomas have a chance of not being in Sacramento next season. I know that Kings fans would like both of them to return. I personally think Isaiah and Rudy have been phenomenal for the Kings, and I hope they stay too.

There was a massive crowd of people watching the early warm-ups before the game. It's usually not this crowded. It looks like the fans want to get every ounce of the Kings in before the long off-season.

My Instagram friend Lindsey (pinky187) made a sign for this game directed towards her favorite player - Ben McLemore. She was right in the front during warm-ups.

The sign caught the eye of Kings team president Pete D'Alessandro, and he brought Ben out to do some autographs for the fans. Wow, how awesome is that? I know that Lindsey was really happy to get her sign autographed.

I saw this Kings fan with the same camera that I have (Sony NEX-5) so I said hi. Turns out he came from Europe to attend this game! Incredible! He explained to me that he calls Grant's show on KHTK 1140 to talk about the Kings on occasion. I have actually heard him on the radio talking to Grant before. I was glad to meet him - he had great seats by the way.

I had four total tickets to this game, but they were split up. My friends Arnold, Larry, and Dave all came with me to the game, but I ended up sitting with just Dave. It's been a blast getting to hang out with my fellow season ticket holders all year.Can't wait to do it all again next season.

Before the game Isaiah took the time to thank the fans for all their support this year. It was a nice gesture for him to do so on behalf of the team.

Here's the last tip-off of the year. DeMarcus Cousins did not play in this game as he was serving a suspension due to his 16th technical foul. It was really too bad that he didn't get a chance to play in this game. I would have loved to see him, and I know he would have made a huge difference in the outcome of this game.

Though DeMarcus was out, Rudy Gay was back in, and getting some action on the court. I don't think Rudy played too many minutes tonight as it looked like Coach Malone as giving his younger players some time on the court to get more experience.

Mitch Richmond was in the house tonight. He recently was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame - the first Sacramento King to get in! It was exciting news, and the Kings were celebrating it tonight.

Mitch Richmond took the time to wave and say thank-you to the Sacramento fans for their support. He later took to the mic and had a few words to say to the Kings fans in attendance.

The fans also showed their appreciate for Mitch as they cheered him on after his speech. Mitch was definitely one of the best players Sacramento has ever had on the team. He got lots of love.

As I mentioned earlier, players like Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum (above) got quite a bit more playing time than I had been used to seeing from them. Both players did a great job this game.

Sacramento fans also had the opportunity to cheer on Mayor Kevin Johnson as he was recognized at the game. I thought it was great how the Kings were playing the Suns - Johnson's former team.

It was great being able to see the routines practiced the day before in full performance mode at the game. The SKD were simply amazing on the court once again. Their hard work helped them look like they were effortlessly dancing on the floor. Of course I know that it was anything by effortless to get it that perfect.

After the second routine the SKD received flowers for a job well done this season. These girls totally deserved these and more. I thought recognizing each SKD member on the court was a classy way to personally thank each dancer individually.

And that was it! The game ends with the Suns winning it, but that's ok. I think all Kings fans are looking towards the future now. We are glad that leaving the arena today is not going to be marred by thoughts of the Kings relocating. Our focus now is on getting better.

I went to go say hi to Andrew over in social media and he brought me to meet some special guests for tonight's game. It was pretty awesome being able to hang out in the tunnel area with these guys. We had a nice conversation about technology implementation in the arena. Looks like the Kings will be one of the leaders in integrating new technologies!

Before I left for the night I had to say good-bye to these dancers who were still hanging around on the court. Chanel, Semaj, and Corina were all rookies this year for the SKD. I really hope that all three make it back again on next year's squad.

So that's it! This blog will continue to update over the summer with Kings related content whenever I can. Hopefully you'll see events from CapCity Kingdom as well as other planned events by the Kings. Keep checking back on the site whenever you can. Next season can't come fast enough!

Isaiah Thomas Signing in Roseville 4.15.14

It was a beautiful day in Roseville for Kings/Kaiser event! Scott Fresh and Slamson were part of the festivities. They were there entertaining all the fans who came out to meet Isaiah Thomas. I was debating with myself whether or not to come out to this signing as it would require me to immediately leave work and drive out to Roseville. I went for it... and I'm glad I did.

Kaiser had all sorts of information booths and activities set up for for people to check out. I saw hula hoop contests and basketball hoops set up for people to have fun with. I got to the event pretty late so I was pretty much in the back of the line, but I appreciated that the Kaiser folks cared for our health and gave us sun screen and bottled water as we waited - now that was thoughtful!

Here's Katie on the left who gets these events together for the Kings. If you've been to any of these Kings organized signings you've probably seen her around. She's done a great job all year of putting these things together and making them fun for the fans. The Kings are lucky to have her!

Isaiah was a total gentleman. Even though we didn't get a chance to talk to him for a long time, he acknowledged each fan who came to meet him. Though this signing began at a very early time, 3:30pm, there was a very good turnout - well over 200 people. The Sacramento fans really love their Pizza Guy.

I had Isaiah sign this photo I took of him at the Cap City Kingdom party a few months back. It's been a really busy week for me, so I didn't really have time to go out and print any other photos; I'm glad this one was on hand for me to have him sign. The signed photo collection grows! After I got IT's signature I jumped in my car to head off to watch the SKD practice. That opportunity was made available by redeeming Royal Circle Points. It was an amazing experience. Read about it in the post below this one.

SKD - 4 minutes, 4 hours.

Dedication. Hard work. Perseverance. Energy. Encouragement. Humility. Will. Power. Detail. Betterment.

These are words I would use to describe the Sacramento Kings Dancers.

Tonight I had the unique opportunity to sit in on an SKD practice. Man... I didn't know what I was in for.

Four hours of work was what I witnessed today. For what? For a few minutes of on the court perfection.

I wish other fans had the opportunity to see just what these dedicated women put in to the routines that they do at each and every Kings home game. See... I think most people realize that being an NBA dancer would take some work. But to really spend the time and see just how much work goes into one practice session is mind blowing. These girls put in serious work.

The Kings Dancers work hard and they work fast. The pace at which the practice went was staggering. As the dancers went through their routine, mistakes were pointed out... and fixed. Dancers had to re-do and adjust their moves. And they had to re-do and adjust them again... until everyone got it right. Attention to detail - no imperfection was missed. Jenn Santich has eyes like a hawk - and Kat and Brittany too.

They demanded perfection, and that was what was expected. I saw dancers that fought through their mistakes - sometimes over and over again. And no, they were not discouraged. I saw resolve... and they got it done. Sometimes with the help and patience of a fellow dancer. Teamwork? Check.

I wasn't sure that I was going to stay for the full four hour practice, but I did, and I'm glad I did. I felt like I was witness to something only a few people get to see for themselves. The Sacramento Kings Dancers are an amazing group of individuals...

and an outstanding team.

Thank you Jenn, Semaj, Angela, Mary, Chanel, Nelley, Moira, Tammier, Isela, Katerina, Brittney, Lynsi, Andrea, Megan, Roxy, Dany, Corina, and Charlie for welcoming me to your practice tonight... and Derrick (for hanging out with me!).

I'll leave you with some photos I took during practice.

Kings v. Timberwolves 4.13.14

Roldie and I went to this early evening game against the T-wolves. The 6:00 start time is nice because it let's all of us get home just a bit earlier! There's work on Monday to consider! This is also the second to last game of the season. Man... I can't believe this basketball season has gone by so quickly!

I was surprised to see these Shaq bobble heads on sale at the Kings stores on the concourse. They had a game night special price of just $10. I've actually been wanting one of these. Some fans got one as a special ticket promotion, and season ticket holders could use points to get one... so I thought I missed my opportunity. Guess not! I picked one up and now it sits on my desk.

The Kings were promoting heart health at the arena today so the special color of the night was red. Scott Fresh totally got into it by wearing a red tie and this stunning red jacket. He's looking mighty dapper in it!

A lot of people come out to the weekend games. The concourse was packed with fans early on. Often times the later weekday games are a little less crowded. The arena was definitely abuzz with activity today.

I was really excited to see Isaiah Thomas back in the Kings line-up for this game. He had been out with a thigh injury for quite a few games. Some were speculating that the Kings would sit him for the rest of the season. But he came out and played today... and did really well.

The Kings introduction is always a great time. Rudy Gay did not play in this game as he was having some back issues. Derrick Williams got this nod for the starting line-up. 

This was something I totally didn't expect - it's the SKD in a joint venture with the Kings drum corps. They were all clad in red and put a whole routine together. It was cool to see something a little different today.

The fans loved this. We had a wiener dog race on the court during halftime. Most of the dogs knew exactly where to go, but a few decided to go in the direction they wanted to. Some really funny stuff going on here.

The second half of the halftime entertainment featured these Sikhs. They were clad in a rainbow of colors and danced on the court. They had a ton of supporters in the stands - and they were going nuts cheering them on! These Sikhs were very entertaining as they danced to some modern dance music.

Slamson was adorned in his retro Kings gear tonight. He was up to all of his usual shenanigans as he skating all around the arena.

Ray McCallum did a great job backing up Isaiah tonight. It would be awesome to have both him and IT in the lineup next year working together.

DeMarcus Cousins had a huge game for the Kings, but it was marred a bit by his 16th technical foul of the season. That foul would give him an automatic next game suspension. I really thought this foul was just something that happened in the spirit of an intense game. It's too bad he got T'd up. Following the T, the Big Cuz pulled it together and responded very well to finish the game strong.