Sacramento Kings Blog and Kings Schedule with NBA News

Sacramento Kings Blog for Fans

info — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:40:20 +0000

Welcome Kings fans!

KingsHoops is a Sacramento Kings blog and fan site dedicated to other Sacramento Kings fans like yourself. We update our Kings Blog with news and Kings Rumors every single day. Looking for an updated Kings Schedule or Sacramento Kings Tickets? We can direct you to the right places for those things as well.

We are also taking applications for new Sacramento Kings bloggers at KingsHoops.

The NBA Off-Season is upon us. Keep KingsHoops in your favorites for all of Sacramento Kings News.

And if you need Sacramento Kings Tickets, you can find the image link on the left side panel.

Cousins Returns in Kings’ Loss to Grizzlies

Slureprop — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:26:56 +0000

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Grizzlies wanted to put the blowout loss from their last game behind them, and the Sacramento Kings paid the price for Memphis’ recovery.

Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Grizzlies beat the Kings 113-96 on Tuesday night.

Memphis’ performance was a big improvement from its lackluster 104-64 loss at Chicago on Sunday.

“We had to get it out of our mind,” said guard Mike Conley, who scored 14 points in his return from an ankle injury. “That was a terrible way to lose. We just didn’t put forth the effort. But I think we did a good job of putting it in the back of our mind. New day, new game.”

O.J. Mayo had 16 points, Marc Gasol also scored 14 and Tony Allen had 10. Gasol also had 15 rebounds as Memphis outrebounded Sacramento 49-41.

“The crazy thing about (Chicago), we didn’t even do any partying or anything the night before to celebrate the New Year,” Mayo said. “We tried to keep it professional, and still came out and got beat by 40. This definitely was a great win to get coming back home.”

Jimmer Fredette scored 17 points and fellow rookie Isaiah Thomas had 15 to lead Sacramento as the Kings’ reserves got extended minutes with Memphis leading by double digits for a bulk of the second half.

“(I did it) for two reasons,” Kings coach Paul Westphal said of playing the bench. “One is that we had a lot of offensive firepower on the floor with Jimmer and Isaiah and (Francisco Garcia). We were able to spread to floor and have a lot of 3-point shooting and get penetration. I thought the best chance to get back in the game was to crack open a few steals and get some threes.

“If that did happen, we would have our starters fresh for the last 5 or 6 minutes. If it didn’t happen, they would be rested for dinner.”

J.J. Hickson was the only Sacramento starter to reach double figures, scoring 12 points. Travis Outlaw added 11. The Kings’ starting backcourt of Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton combined for only 14 points on 6 of 18 shooting.

Memphis finished 55 percent from the field, led by Gasol’s 7 for 10, Mayo at 8 of 11 and Gay 10 for 16. Part of that came from Memphis controlling the paint 72-46.

The Kings shot 41 percent.

DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench, as expected, after missing Sunday’s game against New Orleans when Westphal told him to stay away from the team. Cousins finished with four points on 1-for-5 shooting in 22 minutes.

“I thought we were coming off the bench well,” Cousins said. “Once I got a little sweat, I was into it. I don’t know why I’m missing all these little putbacks. I am missing them, so I have to keep working.”

The Kings were down 17 points early and rallied to tie the score at 50-all in the final minute of the first half. However, Gay’s tip at the buzzer gave the Grizzlies a two-point lead at the break.

“I thought Rudy Gay was a double handful for us throughout the first half and into the next quarter,” Westphal said.

Gay scored 15 points in the first half, and no Kings player was in double digits. Both teams committed eight turnovers, but the Kings shot 12 for 18 in the second quarter to get back into the game.

“In the first half, we went up, we let back up. We went up, we let back up,” Young said. “In the second half, it seemed like we were more focused and played our way of basketball with more consistency.”

Memphis then had a 9-0 run in the early minutes of the third quarter and the Kings never threatened the rest of the way.

The Grizzlies got their offense back on track, scoring off turnovers and getting out on the break. They also started controlling the boards as they extended the lead to 23 late in the third quarter, eventually holding an 87-68 advantage heading into the fourth.

“In the second half, we ran off a 35-18 lead (in the third quarter), and we kept getting stop after stop,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “When we do that and rebound, we are able to run.”

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Kings-Nuggets Preview

fluinivionick — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:01:45 +0000

The Denver Nuggets played well in their back-to-back-to-back stretch. The
Sacramento Kings are hoping things start looking up after a rough start to
theirs.

The Nuggets will try to keep their perfect home record intact when they face
the Kings on Wednesday night.

Denver (4-2) opened a stretch of three games in three nights with a 92-89
road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, but bounced back with a 99-90
win over the Lakers the following night before recording a 91-86 victory over
Milwaukee on Monday.

The Nuggets, playing without starting forward Nene (bruised heel), showed
signs of fatigue, shooting 39.8 percent while committing 16 turnovers, but
outscored the Bucks 23-12 in the fourth quarter.

Danilo Gallinari finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Ty Lawson had
16 points and six assists.

“They didn’t look like they had three games in three nights,” Milwaukee’s
Stephen Jackson said. “That says a lot about how good of shape they’re in, and
they didn’t have Nene, so you’ve got to credit them for that.”

The win was Denver’s third in as many home games this season. They shut down
the Bucks in the fourth quarter after holding the Lakers to 19 points in the
final period on Sunday. Those teams shot a combined 40.9 percent and were 9 of
42 (21.4 percent) from 3-point range.

“In the fourth quarter it’s very easy to find extra energy,” Gallinari said
of feeding off the crowd. “You have a tight game, you want to win, especially at
home.”

Gallinari has elevated his play of late, collecting 41 points, 14 rebounds
and five steals in the last two games. He had 34 points and 14 boards in his
three previous contests.

The Nuggets may need another big game from him if Nene is sidelined again
Wednesday, although Al Harrington has been playing effectively off the bench. He
had 17 points and eight boards Monday and is averaging 15.7 points and 6.5
rebounds.

Like Denver, Sacramento (2-4) began its back-to-back-to-back series with a
113-96 loss to Memphis on Tuesday, but it could have a tougher time bouncing
back.

The Kings were outscored 31-17 in the first quarter, shooting 5 of 20.
Rookie Jimmer Fredette scored a season-high 17 points, shooting 4 of 6 from
3-point range, while J.J. Hickson contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.

DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench and had four points and eight rebounds
in 22 minutes. Cousins was told on Sunday to stay away from the team by coach
Paul Westphal after demanding a trade.

“I wouldn’t say it’s resolved,” Westphal said before the game. “We will see
how it plays out. I think DeMarcus has to continue to show maturity and a desire
to go the same direction as his teammates. We’re all hoping that happens.”

Cousins is third on the team with 11.2 points per game and adds 10.6
rebounds.

Sacramento will close this three-game stretch Thursday against Milwaukee.
The Kings starters should be rested after Westphal pulled most of them early
Tuesday. No starter played more than 27 minutes.

The Kings have lost four of five overall against the Nuggets and five
straight in Denver since a 118-115 win on April 5, 2008.

That’s all the news for today.

Kings Blown Out In Memphis

GroorpCadia — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:33:25 +0000

DeMarcus Cousins of the Kings goes up for a shot against Memphis’ Marc Gasol during the Grizzlies’ 113-96 win on Tuesday. (credit: Getty Images)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies easily beat the Sacramento Kings 113-96 on Tuesday night.

O.J. Mayo had 16 points, and Mike Conley — returning from an ankle injury — and Marc Gasol scored 14 points each. Tony Allen added 10 points. Gasol also had 15 rebounds as Memphis outrebounded Sacramento 49-41. Tony Allen had 10 points.

With Memphis holding a double-digit lead for a bulk of the second half, the Kings’ reserves got extended minutes. Jimmer Fredette scored 17 points and fellow rookie Isaiah Thomas had 15 to lead Sacramento.

J.J. Hickson was the only Kings starter to reach double figures, scoring 12 points. Travis Outlaw added 11.

Memphis shot 55 percent from the field, led by Gasol at 7 for 10 and Gay at 10 for 16. The Kings shot 41 percent.

DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench, as expected, after missing Sunday’s game against New Orleans when coach Paul Westphal told him to stay away from the team after Westphal said Cousins asked to be traded. Cousins, who had denied the trade demand, finished with four points on 1-for-5 shooting in 22 minutes.

Before the game, Westphal said of the Cousins situation, “I wouldn’t say it’s resolved. We will see how it plays out. I think DeMarcus has to continue to show maturity and a desire to go the same direction as his teammates. We’re all hoping that happens.”

The Kings were down 17 points early and rallied to tie the score at 50-all in the final minute. However, Gay’s tip at the buzzer gave the Grizzlies a two-point lead at the break.

Gay scored 15 points in the first half, and no Kings player was in double digits. Both teams committed eight turnovers, but the Kings shot 12 for 18 in the second quarter to get back into the game.

Memphis then had a 9-0 run in the early minutes of the third quarter and the Kings never threatened the rest of the way.

That’s all the news for today.

Sacramento Plays Poorly and Loses to Memphis…

Nefekicalycle — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:10:00 +0000

The Sacramento Kings are struggling to open the 2011-12 NBA season. Sacramento lost again on Tuesday January 3 to fall to 2-4 on the season.

The team put together a solid first half before getting blown away in the second half and losing the game 113-96. Not even the return of DeMarcus Cousins helped in this game. Cousins came off the bench and played just 22 minutes. His poor shooting continued as he shot just one out of five from the field on his way to four points and eight rebounds.

The starting unit accounted for only 36 out of 96 points in the game. No NBA team will win a game when they get performances like that from their starting five. The starting unit only made 13 out of 35 shots for just 37% shooting in the game. Sacramento is a young team and needs to get more consistent play out of their stars like Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton.

The one bright spot is that this may have been a breakthrough game for rookie guard Jimmer Fredette. Fredette has struggled coming into this game and has not had an outstanding start to his rookie season. Fredette led the team in scoring and played the most minutes on the team in the loss to Memphis. Fredette made six out of 12 shots including four three pointers on his way to scoring a season high 17 points.

Sacramento also saw a good game off the bench from rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has played very well early on and has earned more playing time off the bench. Thomas finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.

One of the biggest problems the team is having early in the season has been their lack of assisted baskets in games. This directly translates to the stagnant offense that fans are watching in games. The team is not moving the ball well and the offense is struggling because of it. No player on the team has had a game with more than five assists through six games this season.

Sacramento fans shouldn’t panic quite yet. Several of the teams losses have come against quality opponents so far this season. Sacramento needs to start playing better and more consistent basketball. Once they do, victories will come and the improvement will be evident.

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and a lifelong fan of the Sacramento Kings. He started going to Kings games at age six and has attended hundreds of games since. Follow him on twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Leave any suggestions in the comment box.

Gay, Young lead Grizzlies past Kings, 113-96

Insamnesloask — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:19:18 +0000

Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Memphis
Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings 113-96 on Tuesday night.

O.J. Mayo had 16 points, and Mike Conley _ returning from an
ankle injury _ and Marc Gasol scored 14 points each. Tony Allen
added 10 points. Gasol also had 15 rebounds as Memphis outrebounded
Sacramento 49-41. Tony Allen had 10 points.

With Memphis holding a double-digit lead for a bulk of the
second half, the Kings’ reserves got extended minutes. Jimmer
Fredette scored 17 points and fellow rookie Isaiah Thomas had 15 to
lead Sacramento.

J.J. Hickson was the only Kings starter to reach double figures,
scoring 12 points. Travis Outlaw added 11.

Memphis finished 55 percent from the field, led by Gasol at 7
for 10 and Gay at 10 for 16. The Kings shot 41 percent.

DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench, as expected, after missing
Sunday’s game against New Orleans when coach Paul Westphal told him
to stay away from the team. Cousins finished with four points on
1-for-5 shooting in 22 minutes.

The Kings were down 17 points early and rallied to tie the score
at 50-all in the final minute. However, Gay’s tip at the buzzer
gave the Grizzlies a two-point lead at the break.

Gay scored 15 points in the first half, and no Kings player was
in double digits. Both teams committed eight turnovers, but the
Kings shot 12 for 18 in the second quarter to get back into the
game.

Memphis then had a 9-0 run in the early minutes of the third
quarter and the Kings never threatened the rest of the way.

The Grizzlies got their offense back on track, scoring off
turnovers and getting out on the break. They also started
controlling the boards as they extended the lead to 23 late in the
third quarter.

Memphis outscored Sacramento 35-18 in the period and led 87-68
going into the fourth.

NOTES: Before the game, Westphal said of the Cousins situation,
“I wouldn’t say it’s resolved. We will see how it plays out. I
think DeMarcus has to continue to show maturity and a desire to go
the same direction as his teammates. We’re all hoping that
happens.” . Conley returned after missing two games with a sprained
left ankle he injured in the second game of the season. .The Kings
were playing the opener of their only stretch of three games in
three days during the compressed season. It was also the third of
five games in six nights. .During the game, it was announced that
Gene Bartow, who served as president of Hoops LLC, the parent
company of FedExForum and the Grizzlies, and a Hall of Fame college
coach, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Not much else going on in the NBA world today.

Jimmer scores 17, Kings lose to Grizzlies, 113-96

asydayplamuts — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:05:47 +0000

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Rudy Gay scored 23 points, Sam Young added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings 113-96 on Tuesday night.

O.J. Mayo had 16 points, and Mike Conley _ returning from an ankle injury _ and Marc Gasol scored 14 points each. Tony Allen added 10 points. Gasol also had 15 rebounds as Memphis outrebounded Sacramento 49-41. Tony Allen had 10 points.

J.J. Hickson was the only Kings starter to reach double figures, scoring 12 points. Travis Outlaw added 11.

Memphis finished 55 percent from the field, led by Gasol at 7 for 10 and Gay at 10 for 16. The Kings shot 41 percent.

DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench, as expected, after missing Sunday’s game against New Orleans when coach Paul Westphal told him to stay away from the team. Cousins finished with four points on 1-for-5 shooting in 22 minutes.

The Kings were down 17 points early and rallied to tie the score at 50-all in the final minute. However, Gay’s tip at the buzzer gave the Grizzlies a two-point lead at the break.

Gay scored 15 points in the first half, and no Kings player was in double digits. Both teams committed eight turnovers, but the Kings shot 12 for 18 in the second quarter to get back into the game.

Memphis then had a 9-0 run in the early minutes of the third quarter and the Kings never threatened the rest of the way.

The Grizzlies got their offense back on track, scoring off turnovers and getting out on the break. They also started controlling the boards as they extended the lead to 23 late in the third quarter.

Memphis outscored Sacramento 35-18 in the period and led 87-68 going into the fourth.

NOTES: Before the game, Westphal said of the Cousins situation, “I wouldn’t say it’s resolved. We will see how it plays out. I think DeMarcus has to continue to show maturity and a desire to go the same direction as his teammates. We’re all hoping that happens.” . Conley returned after missing two games with a sprained left ankle he injured in the second game of the season. .The Kings were playing the opener of their only stretch of three games in three days during the compressed season. It was also the third of five games in six nights. .During the game, it was announced that Gene Bartow, who served as president of Hoops LLC, the parent company of FedExForum and the Grizzlies, and a Hall of Fame college coach, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

There is the quick update of the day.

Cousins demands trade from Sacramento Kings

periactin buy now — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:26:49 +0000

DeMarcus Cousins and the NBA‘s Sacramento Kings appear to be breaking up as the club told Cousins to stay home rather than attend what turned out to be a victory over New Orleans.

Cousins, a center who was selected fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, had asked to be traded and was not with the Kings when they defeated the Hornets 96-80 on Sunday, improving to 2-3.

“DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded,” Kings coach Paul Westphal said. “In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game.”

Westphal said he hopes the 21-year-old big man will rethink his position and join the Kings, with whom he averaged 13 points and 11.3 rebounds in four games.

“I hope that DeMarcus has a change of heart and joins up with full reinstatement,” he said. “That’s really all up to him. This will give him the best chance to do that.

“It’s something I think the team can use to band together which is the most important thing for a new team.”

Cousins was suspended last February for starting a fight on an airplane with a teammate and had been fined over a dispute with a conditioning coach. Westphal indicated there was more behind-the-scenes trouble with Cousins.

“Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public,” said Westphal. “This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling or unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

“As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates.”

The Kings need all the improvement they can get. They have not won more than 25 games in any of the past three seasons and have not reached the NBA playoffs since 2006.

Comment Below!.

Sacramento Kings Send Two Players to D-League:…

Pyncloyaday — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:49:00 +0000

The Sacramento Kings have sent two of their young players to the Reno Bighorns, their developmental league team. The team announced that rookie small forward Tyler Honeycutt and second year center Hassan Whiteside would leave Sacramento and join the D-League affiliate.

Both players were drafted in the second round of the NBA draft and were chosen as developmental players. Now they’re getting the opportunity to do just that, develop their game and get the playing time they need to do so. This will be a good move for each player because they should learn more from actual game experience than sitting on the bench and watching.

Whiteside is a seven-foot center who is in his second season and has seen very little playing time with Sacramento. I was hoping that Whiteside had developed enough in the offseason to be able to contribute minutes off the bench this year. Sacramento has just four big men on the roster and recently sent home center DeMarcus Cousins after asking for a trade. Sending Whiteside to the D-League must indicate that the situation with Cousins isn’t serious and he will return soon. Sadly, it also indicates that Whiteside hasn’t improved and is not ready to contribute at the NBA level.

Honeycutt is only five games into his rookie season and was Sacramento’s first of two second round draft choices in the 2011 draft. The other player, point guard Isaiah Thomas, is on the roster and seeing playing time. The biggest difference between the two players is that Thomas had much more experience on the collegiate level and is more ready to play right now. Honeycutt is stuck behind John Salmons, Travis Outlaw, Donte Greene, and Francisco Garcia at his position. This means it is very unlikely he will see playing time this season unless Sacramento is blowing out an opponent or getting blown out.

Fans shouldn’t look too much into players being assigned to the D-League. This will give each player an opportunity to receive more playing time and try to improve their game. Hopefully it helps the team longterm and each player benefits from their time in Reno.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Beyond the box score: New Orleans Hornets vs….

arnsimotiffany — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:22:38 +0000

Stats that stand out from the New Orleans Hornets’ 96-80 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

1. 15. Hornets’ 3-point attempts.

2. 0. Hornets’ 3-point baskets made, establishing a club record for futility.

3. Plus-19. Hornets rebounding advantage over Kings, 60-41.

4. 11. Turnovers by Hornets starting guards, eight from Jarrett Jack, three from Marco Belinelli.

5. 10. Total turnovers by Kings.

FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Hornets 22, Kings 21

Hornets points in the paint: 14.

Kings points in the paint: eight.

Hornets second chance points: two.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: six.

Kings fast-break points: two.

Hornets biggest lead: seven.

Kings biggest lead: two.

Times tied: four

Hornets leading scorer: Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor, six.

Kings leading scorer: Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans, seven.

SECOND QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Hornets 18, Kings 17.

Hornets points in the paint: 12.

Kings points in the paint: eight.

Hornets second chance points: three.

Kings second chance points: 0.

Hornets’ fast-break points: four.

Kings fast-break points: five.

Hornets biggest lead: four.

Kings biggest lead: one.

Times tied: three.

Hornets leading scorer: Chris Kaman, six.

Kings leading scorer: John Salmons, five.

THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Kings 30, Hornets 18

Hornets points in the paint: 12.

Kings points in the paint: 12.

Hornets second chance points: two.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: two.

Kings fast-break points 11.

Hornets biggest lead: four.

Kings biggest lead: 14.

Times tied: one.

Hornets leading scorer: Marco Belinelli, six.

Kings leading scorer: Evans, 13.

FOURTH QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Kings 28, Hornets 20

Hornets points in the paint: 16.

Kings points in the paint: 18.

Hornets second chance points: eight.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: 0.

Kings fast-break points: nine.

Hornets biggest lead: 0.

Kings biggest lead: 20.

Times tied: 0.

Hornets leading scorer: Carl Landry, six.

Kings leading scorer: Thornton, seven.

What do you guys think about this.

Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt and Whiteside to…

BawnBaild — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:04:11 +0000

January 2, 2012 – NBA Development League (D-League)
NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2012 – The Sacramento Kings assigned forward Tyler
Honeycutt and center Hassan Whiteside to the Reno Bighorns, the Kings’ NBA
D-League affiliate, it was announced today. The assignments mark the eighth
and ninth time in the 2011-12 season an NBA player has been assigned to an
NBA D-League affiliate. It marks the first assignment for Honeycutt and
second for Whiteside in his career.

Honeycutt (6-8, 188) is a rookie this season after being selected out of
UCLA by the Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft with the 35th pick overall. He has
appeared in one regular season game this season and competed in both of the
Kings preseason games. Selected to the 2010-11 First Team All-Pac 10 as a
sophomore, he currently ranks sixth on the UCLA charts with 99 blocked
shots.

Whiteside (7-0, 235) is in his second NBA season after a rookie season in
which he played one game and missed a majority of the season due to an
injury. He played 14 games for the Reno Bighorns during an assignment last
season and averaged 4.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.14 blocks per game.

• Discuss this story on the NBA Development League message board…

• Digg this story

• Add to Del.icio.us

• Washington Wizards Assign Hamady N’Diaye to Iowa Energy – Iowa Energy

• Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt and Whiteside to Reno – D-League

• Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt, Whiteside to Bighorns – Reno Bighorns

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt, Whiteside to…

Erurrendearee — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:03:51 +0000

January 2, 2012 – NBA Development League (D-League) Reno Bighorns
RENO, NEV.- The Sacramento Kings have assigned rookie forward Tyler Honeycutt and second-year center Hassan Whiteside to the Reno Bighorns, their NBA D-League affiliate. This marks the first career assignment for Honeycutt and the second for Whiteside.

Honeycutt (6-8, 188 lbs.) was drafted by the Kings in the second round (35th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft. During two seasons at UCLA, he averaged 10.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 59 games. He played one game with the Kings during the regular season, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound in four minutes. In a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, he scored six points in 19 minutes of action.

Whiteside (7-0, 235) returns to the Bighorns after playing 14 games with the team last season. During his stint in Reno, he averaged 4.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.14 blocks per game. He was drafted by the Kings in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft out of Marshall.

Fans can see Honeycutt and Whiteside in action as the Bighorns take on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, NBA D-League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, on January 3rd at the Reno Events Center.

Reno Bighorns season and group ticket packages are on sale today. Groups can experience one of the many Fan Experience Packages, including playing a game on the Bighorns court or performing a routine at halftime of a game. For more information call (775)853-8220 or visit RenoBighorns.com.

• Discuss this story on the NBA Development League message board…

• Digg this story

• Add to Del.icio.us

• Washington Wizards Assign Hamady N’Diaye to Iowa Energy – Iowa Energy

• Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt and Whiteside to Reno – D-League

• Sacramento Kings Assign Honeycutt, Whiteside to Bighorns – Reno Bighorns

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Not much else going on in the NBA world today.

Sacramento Kings Pick Up Huge Victory Over New…

OccurnToure — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:26:55 +0000

Read More: John Salmons (F – SAC), Chuck Hayes (F – SAC), J.J. Hickson (F – SAC), Tyreke Evans (G – SAC), Marcus Thornton (G – SAC), DeMarcus Cousins (C – SAC), Jimmer Fredette (G – SAC), New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings

With a lot of distraction centering around Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins and absence from the game on Sunday night, ti became clear the rest of the team would need to step up. Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton were up to the challenge, leading Sacramento a comfortable 96-80 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Evans had 27 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Thornton added in 25 points, six rebounds and five steals. Chuck Hayes had 10 rebounds and J.J. Hickson had nine, while Jimmer Fredette added seven points, five assists and two steals off the bench. John Salmons also provided 13 points. The difference was at the three point line, where the Kings knocked in eight of 23 three pointers, and the Hornets missed all fifteen. Sacramento used a strong third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 30-18 to blow open a tied game.

To discuss the Kings victory, head on over to Sactown Royalty. To discuss the Hornets loss, go to At The Hive.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

Kings: DeMarcus Cousins demands to be traded

johnGwatson — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:47:36 +0000

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins abruptly began to sever ties Sunday after the team said the promising young center demanded a trade.

Kings coach Paul Westphal released a statement before Sacramento hosted the New Orleans Hornets, criticizing Cousins’ commitment to the franchise and excusing him from the team’s game. He also confirmed that Cousins asked for a trade.

“Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction,” Westphal said. “As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life! As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

“Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public,” Westphal continued. “This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

“DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.”

When reached by phone, Cousins’ agent, John Greig, said he wasn’t informed of the Kings’ decision until Westphal’s announcement. He declined comment when asked if Cousins requested a trade.

“I have no idea what the Kings are doing,” Greig said. “The fact that I’m just finding out about this announcement now speaks volumes about them.”
The Kings had been expecting big things from Cousins this season.

They had been optimistic that he would show improved maturity after a strong rookie campaign that also had its share of temper tantrums and blow-ups. While the comical Cousins off the court never disappeared, the team expected its up-and-coming big man would learn to control his emotions.

Sacramento drafted Cousins with the fifth overall pick in 2010 after he spent one season at Kentucky. The 21-year-old Cousins was averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes per game this season.

Cousins’ behavior has been well documented going back to high school and his one season at Kentucky, mixing in dramatic and astonishing plays with outbursts against players, coaches, trainers and referees.

His conditioning has been questioned and so has his work ethic, however, he showed up for training camp in prime condition and appeared ready for a breakout season.

Teamed with 2009-10 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, Cousins was expected to anchor the frontline for a young and emerging roster in the deep Western Conference. Sacramento finished 24-58 last season and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, although a late-season surge behind a healthy Evans provided hope that maybe the Kings aren’t that far off from making the postseason again.

Gotta run!.

DeMarcus Cousins Trade By Sacramento Kings…

Acehealekaw — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:12:00 +0000

Read More: Paul Westphal (H – SAC), DeMarcus Cousins (C – SAC), Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are clearly involved in a tense situation with their promising young big man, as DeMarcus Cousins was sent home from Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Hornets. Cousins apparently demanded a trade, and Paul Westphal figured it was time to send a message to his young rookie.

While this might suggest Westphal is losing his grip on the team, it’s clear that management stands right behind their head coach on this decision.

However, there are multiple conflicting reports about how serious Cousins is about his trade demands. Cousins has been considered to be an immature player, and the trade demand could have been made in jest. The organization also doesn’t seem seriously interested in dealing one of their most talented players.

It would indeed be rather hasty for the Kings to decide to deal Cousins. This is likely Sacramento trying to be firm in disciplining the big man to try and avoid future headaches. There is really no one Petrie could make a deal for anyway to try and make up for the loss of a player like Cousins. Try and get the situation settled before things deteriorate out of control.

Although it seems like the situation is already in a bad, bad place.

To discuss Cousins and the Kings, head to Sactown Royalty.

If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it.