Sacramento Kings Retrospective: My Favorite Kings Players (Part 1)

I have no idea at this point if the Kings are staying in Sacramento or going. There's been reports now the Kings may stay in Sacramento. There's been reports that Chris Webber and a ownership group may buy the team and keep them in Sacramento. All of this doesn't matter. I love being nostalgic and remembering the good times. I've already talked about the Kings Bench Mob and who the Kings represent. Now is time for me to unveil my favorite Kings players. I started watching the Kings in the early 90's so I can't talk about the glory years when Reggie Theus and Kenny Smith were wearing the baby blue uniforms.

1. Mitch Richmond- I know what you're saying, Mitch Richmond is your favorite King of all-time? What about Webber or Bibby? Guys who actually played during your formative years? To answer those questions you need to know this. Richmond was the first star player on the Kings roster and the player who gave me my love for all things Kings.



Richmond was traded to the Kings before the 91-92 season for the draft rights to Billy Owens. Poor Mitch was stuck on some very bad teams during his career in Sacramento. He was the first, second, and third best player on the roster and he never complained. Richmond averaged over 20 points and 45% shooting from the field in his entire career with Sacramento. Richmond was named to the All-Star team every year he was in Sacramento and took home MVP honors in the 95 game. Richmond was also selected to represent his country in the 96 Olympics while with the Kings. When the Kings finally got a supporting group around Richmond, Sacramento made the playoffs and even stole a game from Seattle the year they played in the Finals against the Bulls.



Richmond will also be remembered as the guy the Kings traded to receive the next guy on my list, Chris Webber. That single trade transformed Kings. Richmond would eventually have his number retired by the Kings and will forever be remembered as one of the most important Sacramento Kings ever.


2. Chris Webber- Webber's entire career can be looked at two ways. Disappointing (glass-half empty take) or frustrating (glass-half full take). I go for the glass-half full take because Webber was suppose to lead the Kings to a title. Never happened because Webber would continually shrink from the moment in a big playoff game. He had been too damaged by calling that famous timeout while with Michigan in the NCAA Title Game.



That's not how I will remember Webber though. I'll always remember the player who was reformed by Sacramento at the same time he reformed Sacramento. Before being traded to the Kings, Webber had a rough start to his NBA career. He didn't get along with Don Nelson in Golden State and was traded to Washington after only one season in the Bay Area. Webber had a decent career in Washington, leading the Wizards Bullets to a playoff defeat in the hands of Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Webber though was trouble in Washington. He was arrested twice for possessing Marijuana. Webber needed a fresh start and Sacramento was the place.

Webber initially didn't want to go to Sacramento even going so far to say, "They don't serve Soul Food in Sacramento." Webber eventually came to love the area, he still owns a house in Granite Bay a suburb in Sacramento, and the city eventually came to love Webber. We loved Webber for his intensity and superb passing skills. 

You had to watch Webber to truly appreciate the type of player he was. Have you ever seen a near seven footer who could run the Princeton Offense in the NBA? I thought so. Webber to me was like the conductor of the symphony. Everything ran through him in the fun offense that featured Mike Bibby, Peja, Vlade, and Doug Christie. His unique skills put Sacramento on the map. We were no longer the town you crossed through to get to either Tahoe or the Bay Area. You just had to be there to appreciate his skills.

The Kings though never could get past the Lakers and referees and Webber would blow out his knee during the 2003 playoffs. Webber would never be the same and the Kings traded him to Philadelphia for the contract pu-pu platter of Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner, and Kenny "K9" Thomas. Just like that the Kings window closed and Webber would retire a few years later.



The Kings retired Webber's jersey during the 09 season and all my feelings rushed back to me about Webber. His career was disappointing when you look back. The player with unique skills who never fully lived up to expectations because he was too passive during crunch time. He was still fun to watch and people today still talk about those Kings teams that Webber was on. For that, I'll always be thankful for Chris Webber.