NBA JAM: SACRAMENTO KINGS

In our continuing rundown on the NBA season, Neate looks at the Pacific Division, specifically the Sacramento Kings.

Last season: 44-38, 8th in Western Conference, lost to San Antonio in first round
Coach: Eric Musselman
New faces: John Salmons, ex-Raptor Loren Woods
Funny-looking white guy: Brad Miller's the best we can do
Blogs: Sactown Royalty

The Kings are off next Tuesday, Nov. 7, but it's the most important day on the franchise's calendar. It's when local voters will say yes or no to a proposal that will increase sales taxes a quarter of a cent in order to raise public funds for a new arena in California capital.

According to an this, the chances of the ballot measure passing are slim and none, and slim just went out for a latte. This one is a slam dunk for the Concerned Citizens who band together whenever there's talk of public money being put toward an arena or stadium. The Kings owners are party-hearty Lucky Sperm Club members Joe and Gavin Maloof, who recently appeared in a fast-food commercial chasing their their burgers with $6,000 wine. Far be it for me to say the optics of such a career move aren't good when you're trying not to be painted as a pair of corporate welfare bums.

On the court, Kings GM Geoff Petrie made a good move getting Ron Artest in the middle of last season -- Sacramento was six games under .500 when he arrived, and finished the year six games in the black. Singing jack-of-all-trades backup John Salmons, whom the Raptors coveted, should also pay off.

The problems for the Kings is they expect way too much from Mike Bibby, and they don't have a power forward who can make up for starting centre Brad Miller's poor defence and shot-blocking.

Anyway, as they were in those heady days circa 2002, the Kings will once again be slugging it out with their SoCal rivals, the L.A. Lakers -- only it's likely to be for the final playoff spot.

Also in Pacific Division: L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.