Kings Power Forward Event 5.20.14

It was an early start time for this Kings event... 2:30pm on a Tuesday! Though it was early, and most people were still at work, a good sized group of Kings fans came out to support the team as the city council was set to vote on the new arena deal tonight. The Kings organization put forth a major effort with a whole schedule of events to fill the day.

The local media definitely got everything covered. There were local news trucks parked all around the block. This is definitely big news here in Sacramento - I saw plenty of television news reporters and cameramen out and about trying to get the scoop!

Kings social media had a presence right near the front stage. Today's hashtag for the event was #powerforward, so if you go to a social media site such as Instagram or Twitter and search for it, you'll see everybody's pictures and comments about today's event.

Of course Slamson had to be there! Here he is causing a bit of trouble for Kings PA Announcer Scott Moak. Slamson took Scott's shoe and gave it to a little girl near the front of the crowd. She was nice enough to return it to Scott in pretty fast manner.

Here's a bit of a closer look of Scott Moak sans his shoe. I've got to hand it to Scott though, he's got the purple thing going on all the way down to his socks... not that's Sacramento Kings pride right there! He also hung in there and spent a lot of time on stage without his shoe on.

It was awesome to see Isaiah Thomas visit on his own accord this afternoon. He flew in from his home state of Washington to come and support the Kings today. Besides the vote, the Kings' draft position would be decided.

Many Kings fans gathered at the nearby KBAR to watch the NBA draft order. Vivek was in attendance along with many other Kings staff and fans. Sadly, the Kings got the number eight pick. It was one position lower than they were expected to get. There was some rumors going around that the pick was already up for trade by the Kings, but we'll just have to wait and see on it.

The Kings Breakers came out to entertain the crowd. They definitely impressed with some awesome break dancing moves.

The Sacramento Kings dancers also came out to do a few performances for those in attendance. I always enjoy seeing the SKD in action and they didn't disappoint. I also had a great time catching up with some SKD members... it's great to hear what they've been up to since the season ended.

Again, I was humbled and honored to have some of my photos show up in a gallery on Kings.com. I appreciate that the Kings organization credited me on the site and I am always excited to have some photos on the main site. Go over them and check them out!

Kings Group Leaders Event 5.12.14

Last year I had a group of almost 90 people come out to the Kings Faith & Family night... and that made me a group leader. I got a notification that group leaders would be able to come to the arena for a special event, of course I had to go!

Tonight the group leaders had the chance to listen to a presentation from Kings president Chris Granger while eating a delicious meal. And it was delicious! I wasn't sure what we were going to get at this dinner event (King dogs, maybe?), but the Kings really went the extra mile for us. It was quite a delicious spread.

Of course one of the coolest parts of going to these things is seeing the various Kings personnel in attendance. It was great catching up with Scott Fresh and finding out what he's been up to so far during the off-season. Well... I did end up putting down a deposit for next year! Hopefully I'll be able to get a big group out to the arena again next season.

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.