Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "coach keith smart"

A packed house watches one last game (for now?)

2013-04-19T20:08:14Z

None of the sell-out crowd which packed Sleep Train Arena on Wednesday night knew precisely what was ending.

Was it simply the 2012-2013 season, which ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers? Yes, but was it also the very existence of the Sacramento Kings? Possibly. We’ll find out next month when the NBA Board of Governors makes their decision on whether the Kings are sold to an investment group that intends to build a new arena and breathe life into the franchise, or whether the team is sold to a different group who intend to move the team to Seattle, Wash.; kill the franchise; and resurrect the Seattle SuperSonics.

The loss itself, 112-108, was relatively easy to take. The game was close and exciting, and the final score was almost an afterthought to the emotions of the event. With 2:31 to go in the game, the Kings held their last lead, a slim one point. They played lockdown defense on the Clippers’ next possession, and it seemed like the jubilant crowd would carry the Kings to victory. Then, at 2:08, with one second left on the shot clock, Jamal Crawford hit a fallaway three-pointer. The momentum switched, and that small gap lasted the rest of the game.

For the Clippers, the game meant that they would retain the important home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

For the Kings, the game meant that, despite playing without the recently injured Tyreke Evans, they were able to battle on even terms with the motivated, division-leading Clippers. Coach Keith Smart’s team has shown consistent improvement during the course of this season.

For the fans, the game was a chance to relive the old days. Mitch Richmond was there. Brad Miller was there. Cowbells were there. Chants of “Beat LA!” were there. The loud energy, which made Arco Arena famous and feared throughout the NBA, was generated from tip-off to final buzzer to — well, maybe, it’s still there. A large number of fans stayed in the arena and continued chanting and cheering as players like Travis Outlaw came out to mingle. In the parking lot after 11 p.m., crowds were still congregating and cheering.

Individual players had some noteworthy statistics.

All-Star Blake Griffin was held to seven points, four rebounds and four turnovers. Jimmer Fredette, among the league leaders in free-throw percentage, missed his only attempt, and is now two for his last 10, a percentage that even Dwight Howard would sneer at.

DeMarcus Cousins was DeMarcus Cousins. Big Cuz set career records in three categories: 36 points (leading scorer for the game and leading scorer for the team at 17.1), 22 rebounds (leading rebounder for the game and leading rebounder for the team at 9.9) and one technical foul (leading the league at 16).

Travis Outlaw (17 points and four assists) ended the season with three consecutive and powerful games, upping the chances that the Kings will opt to retain him, or that he will have no trouble finding a new home if the team does not.

The raucous crowd could not have asked for a more exciting game, just a less disappointing final score.

How did a Sacramento native Kings fan become a villain?

For some reason, Sacramento native Matt Barnes (who grew up loving the Kings and dreaming of joining his idols, and was terribly disappointed when the team traded him) was loudly booed.

There’s Donté!

Earlier this month, Sac Press asked “Where’s Donté?” and gave an update based on an exclusive interview with the popular former King. In it, he talked about his progress in recapturing his NBA shape and his hopes for the future.

Greene has just signed with the playoff-bound Memphis Grizzlies. Their first game is April 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Looking backward, looking forward

During Coach Keith Smart’s first full season, the Kings have certainly improved. They won the most games (28) and had the highest winning percentage (.341) since Reggie Theus coached the Kings during the 2007-2008 season.

Equally certain, improvement has been modest.

Nonetheless, “disappointment” is not the overriding emotion for Kings fans. Without a doubt, the season will be better remembered for the turmoil over relocation than for the Kings’ actual record.

A handful of fans were asked to describe, in one word, their feelings about the past season and the coming summer.

Looking backward, Bill Vannett of Sacramento said, “anxious,” because he is so worried about the team’s future.

Jackson Dwelley of Davis labeled the season “eventful,” while his emotions looking forward were “excited.” His sister, Madison, counts as a Kings fan despite sporting a shirt honoring Blake Griffin. Although he’s her favorite player, she said she would prefer watching the Kings win than watching Blake Griffin beat them on a last-second shot. Her emotions entering the summer are “hopeful.”

Bik Dosanjh and Peter Masih are from Yuba City. Dosanjh described the season as “exciting” and his emotions as “excited,” while Masih said the season was “shocking,” but he now feels “rejuvenated,” because the team won’t move, the Kings will get better, and Kevin Johnson has done everything possible to keep the team. He continued, “The Maloofs have been messing with our emotions the last couple of years, but enough is enough, let us keep our team. That’s why I feel it’s going to be rejuvenated.”

Sergio Armenta, of Sacramento, described the season as “unrealistic” because of the clash between two realities: the foreboding that “this will probably be our last game,” and the optimism over how “the city came together.” The net result is that he’s now “nervous.”

Armenta is married to Luis Delgado’s sister, and took his brother-in-law to the game. Armenta groomed Luis as a Kings fan all season (much to the chagrin of Luis’s sister who is a Laker fan).

Luis had a more youthful and upbeat perspective: The season was “great” and the summer will be “fantastic.”

Lili Solis’s family drove in from Winnemucca, NV. The 7-hour drive is a measure of the depth of their support for the Kings. Solis said the season was “good,” but looking ahead, she’s “scared.”

Lindsey Read, now 33, grew up using her family’s season tickets to watch the Kings. The season was “exciting,” and the future looks “hopeful.”

Brothers Stefan and Chris Falcon drove up from Stockton with their friend, Leroy Madarang. Stefan Falcon used “resilient” to describe the season, but “unknown” to describe the off-season. Chris Falcon said the season was “amazing” (“Every game I came to, it was great. It was crazy.”). Like Read, the future looks “hopeful” to him. Madarang said the season was “uncertain,” but looking forward, he’s “excited.”

When the game was over, the fans simply wouldn’t leave. Their overriding hope is that the Kings, too, simply won’t leave.

Note : Thanks to George Young for all his great photographs in this article and throughout the season.

Disappointing ending to 'Here We Buy Night 2'

2013-03-27T16:58:52Z

The Philadelphia 76ers arrived at the Sleep Train Arena Sunday night hoping to break their streak of 14 consecutive road losses. In contrast, the Sacramento Kings returned home from a Saturday night game in Denver with hopes of breaking their own streak of four consecutive home losses to the Sixers.

Guess whose streak was broken. (Hint: the last time the Kings beat the Sixers in Sacramento is still 2006.)

The Kings started well and enjoyed a 13-point lead within the first minute of the second quarter. Sadly, Philadelphia, whose 92-point scoring average ranks last in the NBA, scored 36 points in the second quarter and tied the game.

Indeed, before the fourth quarter had even begun, the Sixers were already just one point shy of their season average for complete games.

Coach Keith Smart felt that Sacramento simply “hit a big-time wall.” The team was out-rebounded 48 to 37 and was on the short end of a 13 to 2 tally of team rebounds.

Running out of gas is not surprising for a team playing on the end of back-to-back games, where the previous game was in the rarified atmosphere of Denver.

In front of 14,647 loud and energetic fans celebrating “Here We Buy Night 2,” Sacramento lost the game 117 to 103.

March Madness

The NBA game was played in the midst of college basketball’s most exciting period. It is the middle of March Madness, and the NCAA Tournament’s “Sweet Sixteen” was rounded out while the Kings entertained the Sixers. Some basketball fans were torn over which game to watch.

Chris and Regina live in Sacramento. They are both Duke fans and Chris pointed out, “My Blue Devils are playing in half an hour!” He relied on his phone to keep him abreast of the game. As to whether to spend that time at Sleep Train Arena, he did think “a little bit” about the conflict, but “I’d always rather watch the Kings.”

Trent Mathis and his father D.J. live in Maxwell, which is about an hour north of Sacramento. They enjoy watching the NCAA Championship (with Trent rooting for Georgetown), but would rather watch the Kings live than watch the tournament on television.

Jim and SueMay are season ticket holders from Sacramento. They were content to check the NCAA games on the internet while watching the Kings take on Philadelphia.

Johnny is definitely into the tournament, but never considered not coming to the Kings game. “I wouldn’t miss this!” Besides, his favorite team (North Carolina) had already lost.

Janet and David watched the Kansas Jayhawks win before departing for Sleep Train Arena. They both attended San Diego State and yet, were missing their alma mater play so that they could attend the Kings game. They recorded the game and were “kind of bummed” about missing it, but they would “rather come to a live event than watch something on TV any day.”

Dustin Hefner predicted Louisville would beat Georgetown in the championship game. Georgetown is now out of the tournament, but he is still avidly following the championships. Would he consider missing the Kings game to watch NCAA basketball? “Absolutely not. The Kings come first.”

Peter Ibara was born and raised in Sacramento. Two of his Final Four picks are still in the mix, but his heart is with Duke. Having to miss the tournament did play into his decision “a little bit, but I wasn’t going to miss [the Kings game].” He regrets not recording the college games, though.

Jordan and Robby are both from Lodi. Jordan’s favorite team is Michigan State, while Robby roots for Oregon. Although both teams are still alive in the tournament, coming to the game was an easy decision; their tickets were given to them.

Antwaun Billoups is definitely into the tournament and wants Louisville to win. He was watching it until it was time to leave for Sleep Train Arena but was recording what he had to miss.

Hoots for Hawes

Former Kings center Spencer Hawes was the most disliked opponent in a long time. He was loudly booed every time his name was mentioned, every time he stood up to enter the game, and every time he touched the ball. Sadly for angry Kings fans, he had a good game, scoring 14 points on better than 50 percent shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Were Kings fans angry that, after a mediocre career in SacTown, he seems to have turned a corner? After all, he returned to Sacramento converting 50 percent of three-point attempts in his last seven games, averaging 16 points in his last eight games and 10 rebounds in his last nine games.

No, his transgression was being open about his hope that the Kings relocate to Seattle.

Kings fans were angry that he seems to have betrayed his former home.

In Hawes' defense, however, (1) Seattle is his home town and he misses having an NBA presence there, (2) he admits to the hypocrisy of wanting to do to Sacramento what was done to Seattle, and (3) he describes his emotions as mixed.

Players who are honest about their thoughts and emotions, like Hawes (Ron Artest/Metta World Peace is another who comes to mind), are rare. Their candor is a welcome alternative to the “We’ll take it one game at a time” and “We have to give it 110 percent” platitudes that the majority feed their audience.

SacPress readers are invited to share their own opinions about Hawes. Was his honesty refreshing or should he have been more diplomatic?

"Well, at least, we beat Utah."

2012-04-02T00:11:59Z

GAME RECAP

At first glance, Saturday’s game between the Sacramento Kings and the New Jersey Nets was a match up between two equally struggling teams. The Nets carried an 18 - 35 (.340) record into Power Balance Pavilion, while the Kings, last in the Pacific Division, were 18 - 33 (.353). But, the Kings play better at home so, Advantage: Kings?

Not necessarily. The New Jersey Nets are one of only two teams to play better on the road than at home, and the only team to play substantially better. So it was that the Nets left town with a 111 - 91 win, and remained undefeated on their current swing west.

The home team started well. Playing crisply, the Kings led throughout the first quarter. With less than four minutes left in the quarter, the Kings enjoyed a 9-point lead, accumulating 7 assists marred by only one turnover .

Unfortunately, the rest of the game saw just 10 more assists, along with 17 turnovers. The Kings relinquished the lead for good with five minutes left in the half, although it was still close at the break (59 - 56).

The third quarter is when the Nets either stepped up their game or the Kings lost their energy. (In all fairness, the fans sounded as flat as the Kings looked.) New Jersey scored the first six points of the second half and were never seriously threatened after that. Their lead expanded to 14 points, but the Kings were able to close it to seven — before it ballooned again to 17 points just seconds before the quarter ended.

With seven minutes left in the game and the Kings trailing by 19, they made one more run. The 14,370 fans at Power Balance Pavilion came alive, and after Terrance Williams stole the ball and fed Francisco Garcia for a lay up, the Kings closed the gap to seven points (102 - 95) with four minutes left in the game. The chance to cut into the lead even further, however, was squandered by a bad pass. The Nets stole the ball, scored the next four points, and fans began to leave.

To the surprise of many observers, the starting five did not close out the game. Coach Smart commented later that he had hoped to find energy elsewhere. Williams, Garcia and Donte Greene were on the floor when the Kings made their final push, and all three remained to the end.

Noteworthy totals for the Kings include 23 points for Tyreke Evans, who also contributed five assists and four steals. Jason Thompson, who has been on a tear ever since he joined the starting five, tallied another double double (10 and 10). DeMarcus Cousins added 14 points, Marcus Thornton 13 points, and Isaiah Thomas 11 (with 6 assists).

For New Jersey, Gerald Wallace (whose introduction was loudly cheered by fans who remember his early years on the Kings) scored 18 points. Yet, the game’s leading scorer started the game sitting on the Nets bench. Anthony Morrow sank six of eleven three-point attempts and burned the Kings for 24 points.

KEEPING THE ENERGY

Coach Smart observed that “We didn’t have the energy we needed.” Indeed, teams often have a let down after an emotional win, such as the previous night’s victory in Salt Lake City. Only eight days after the Jazz had come here and beaten us on a basket with just a split second before the game ended, we had gone to Utah and beat them when their would-be winning basket was launched just a split second after the horn sounded.

Asked if that might have been a factor against the Nets, Coach Smart observed “It’s always hard. You’ve got an emotional game, a very big win, we came from behind and we won the game, you gotta travel back, you’ve got three games in four nights,...” But, the Nets had played the Warriors the night before. It was an emotional game, a very big win, they came from behind (19 points in the third quarter), they had to travel here, and this was their third game in four nights.

Smart did mention another difference: “They have a very, very top-level point guard that understood how to manage the game.” Coach was referring to Deron Williams, the Jazz point guard who scored 19 points and dealt 15 assists against the Kings.

Experience does matter. The Nets starting five averages about 6 years of NBA experience, while the Kings starting five totals only 8 years. Nevertheless, our rookie point guard has already outplayed such All-Stars as Rajon Rondo and Tony Parker. Coach Smart is confident that Thomas, already a team leader, as well as the team as a whole, will soon master these situations.

WHEN FEELING BLESSED IS NOT JUST A CLICHÉ

Professional athletes talk about “being blessed” almost as often as they talk about “playing one game at a time” and “giving 110%.” But, there’s one player for whom feeling blessed is not a cliché, and we’re lucky to have him in Sacramento.

Watch close-ups of players. Some of them seem to scowl disproportionately often. Some whine. Some have their mean “game faces.” One King, however, distinguishes himself by smiling — broadly, infectiously, and often. It’s Isaiah Thomas. When asked about it, he replied with obvious sincerity, “I’m blessed.”

DID WE BLOW IT WITH OMRI?

Omri Casspi, the first Israeli player in the NBA, was one of the most popular Sacramento Kings — in Sacramento and everywhere the Kings played. The Kings traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for J.J. Hickson. It was supposed to be an upgrade, but Hickson proved a disappointment and was let go earlier this month. Did we give up a popular and promising player to get, ultimately, nothing in return?

It’s not that simple. For one thing, Casspi is having a disappointing season in Cleveland. All his numbers (points, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds, and assists) are at career lows. More importantly, releasing Hickson left a gap that was filled with Terrance Williams, and in only 10 days, Williams has played his way into a crucial role on the Kings.

WILLIAMS TO STAY

Few players come in with 10-day contracts and fit in as quickly and as well as Terrance Williams. Having had a questionable record (let go by New Jersey, let go by Houston, hints of trouble with management), Williams agreed to the most tenuous of NBA contracts. Typically, these players are paid a pittance (at NBA standards) in order to fill a temporary gap or prove that they meet a minimal standard of production. If things work out well, they sign another 10-day contract. Then, the team must either sign the player for the remainder of the season, or be let go.

In that sense, Williams’ experience here is not “typical.” He immediately showed tremendous skills while focusing more on contributing to the team than on showcasing his talent. Within a couple of games, Coach Smart made it clear that Williams was to play an integral role, keeping him on the floor during critical moments. The team has signed him for the rest of the season.

Williams was “definitely surprised” that the team skipped the usual routine of a second 10-day contract before committing to the talented former first-round pick. He didn’t know much about the team or the city (“I thought everything closed at 10 o’clock.”) But, he’s already living in a condo and is happy to be playing for a coach who with faith and confidence in him.

YOUR TURN TO COMMENT

There was one Nets player who was booed every time he touched the ball. No, it was not Deron Williams, who has tormented the Kings throughout his stellar career. It was Kris Humphries, the newlywed groom and newly divorced husband of Kim Kardashian. Feel free to weigh in on why you hate (or don’t hate) Kris Humphries. Personally, I feel that, having been married to Ms. Kardashian, he has already suffered enough.

NOTE: Thanks to Darren Hall for the excellent photos. Check out more of his work at http://darrenhallphotography.net/

I went to a celebration and a basketball game broke out!

2012-03-01T02:58:31Z

In hockey, the joke is: I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out. At Power Balance Pavilion Tuesday night, there was a celebratory love fest with Gavin and Joe Maloof, Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento Kings, and about 14,000 fans. This was the first home game since a financing plan was announced for a new arena.

Along with the celebration, there was also a game.

Even Isaiah Thomas, whose 18 points and 8 assists helped defeat the Utah Jazz 103 - 96, was happy for Sacramento. Although one of the possible relocation destinations for the Kings was his native Seattle area (he grew up in Tacoma as a Laker fan), he also knows what it’s like for a city to lose its NBA team. Besides, he told me, he likes Sacramento — and there are no Jack’s Urban Eats in Seattle.

If Thomas was happy, Mayor Johnson and the Maloofs were absolutely beaming. Ovations began even before the game, as fans spontaneously applauded whenever Gavin Maloof happened to stroll past their section. During the first time out, the Maloofs were introduced to a standing ovation by the entire arena, while Mayor Johnson received another one when he arrived during a second quarter time out.

The game itself was icing on the cake. Sacramento had previously lost a close one in Salt Lake City exactly one month prior. A furious fourth quarter comeback had fallen just short when hometown favorite Jimmer Fredette missed a potential game-winner in the closing seconds. This game required another comeback, but nothing as daunting.

Both teams are hoping to turn a disappointing season around and used unorthodox starting lineups. The Kings relied on their three-guard offense while the Jazz used a three-forward offense.

The first quarter ended with the Kings trailing by two points, but the closely contested quarter saw seven lead changes and five ties. More importantly, DeMarcus Cousins played all 12 minutes, tallying eight points, four rebounds, and not one personal foul.

In the second quarter, the Kings never led. On the other hand, the biggest separation for the Jazz was only seven points, far fewer than the 13-point deficit the Kings tried to overcome in their first meeting. The game never seemed out of reach, and the Kings trailed by three at the half.

While DeMarcus continued to have a good game (10 rebounds and still only one foul by half-time), the Jazz struggled at the line. Missing seven free throws, they wasted a chance to build up a bigger lead.

It took the Kings a shade over two minutes to take the lead in the third quarter, as they began the second half with a 6-0 run. The period was tight with five ties, 11 lead changes, and no team establishing more than a 3-point lead. The Kings led by three going into the final stanza.

Noteworthy was the balance in scoring during the period (six for Thomas, seven for Tyreke Evans, eight for Cousins, and nine for Marcus Thornton). Hayward kept the Jazz in contention by hitting four of five attempts.

John Salmons, who did not attempt a basket until the fourth quarter, came alive offensively. Jason Thompson, whose hustling and rebounding were important factors prior to the quarter, poured in seven points. Thomas, whose hand is still swollen even after the six-day All Star break, added nine.

The game was closer than the seven-point differential (103-96) implies. With 24 seconds left and the Jazz trailing by two, Hayward almost gave the Jazz the lead with a wide open three-point attempt from the short corner. Hayward, who sank .437 of his three pointers last year, missed.

BEST BIG MAN IN THE NBA?

Cousins was the lone King to participate in the All Star Weekend. Though Charles Barkley drafted him to play on Team Chuck during the Rising Stars Challenge game and effused praise on the young center by saying he has the skills and body to be the best big man in the NBA, Cousins shrugs off the compliment. It wasn’t that long ago, Cousins reminded me, that Barkley labeled him “the worst thing that happened to Sacramento.”

SMART PLAYS IT SMART

I am not sure how many psychology courses Coach Smart took at Indiana University, but he seems a master at knowing how to treat his players. The difference in DeMarcus Cousins’ production under Paul Westphal and Smart is well known, as DeMarcus has risen from “problem child” to “All Star caliber center.”

But, Coach Smart also shows his uncanny empathy with players who have not yet blossomed. In talking with me about Jimmer Fredette, he made it clear that Jimmer has the skills to be a good player and has the intelligence to figure out how to overcome the swarming defenses that every team now throws at him. Smart does not want to tear down Jimmer through criticism, nor inhibit his instincts by overloading him with instructions. The coach has faith in Jimmer and, sometimes, that is the smartest thing a coach can do.

Disappointment Returns for the Kings

2012-02-14T00:52:20Z

Game Summary

Going into Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns had every reason to be confident. One of only five teams to have a better record on the road than at home, they had won three of their last four games, including two straight road games. Moreover, they had beaten the Kings in 17 of their last 22 encounters.

Having just stunned the "Best in the West" Oklahoma City Thunder, the Kings also had every reason to be confident. Sporting a 7 - 4 record at Power Balance Pavilion, they had won four of their last five games, while the three losses in the past seven games were by a combined total of a mere 8 points. Moreover, they had beaten the Suns in their most recent three meetings.

Phoenix left town with their confidence intact. Sacramento heads to Chicago with their confidence shaken. They next meet the Bulls, who are riding a five game winning streak, are 9 -1 at home, and own the best record in the NBA.

The Kings trailed the entire game, eventually losing 94 - 84. For Phoenix, who led 31 - 24 after the first quarter, the second quarter was crucial. Not only do the Suns rank 25th in the NBA in second quarter scoring, but they failed to score 20 points three times in the last week alone. The bad news for the Suns was that they scored just 22 points (their average) again. The bad news for the Kings was that they only managed 20. The Goon Squad just didn’t have it.

The Suns, who were 9 - 1 when they won the second quarter, were never threatened. By the end of the third quarter, the Kings trailed by 15 and any hopes of a 4th quarter comeback were dashed by registering 7 of their 16 turnovers in that final period.

DeMarcus Cousins was a bright spot for local fans, ending with 26 points and 9 rebounds. After taking only one shot in the first quarter, Marcus Thornton picked up his game and ended with 21. In contrast, Jason Thompson, whose strong play propelled him into the starting lineup, scored only 2 points. Meanwhile, John Salmons committed his second foul with 3:38 still left in the first quarter. Coach Keith Smart elected to keep him in the game, but Salmons was hit with his third foul just 35 seconds later. He left the game with 4 points, and never scored again. Tyreke Evans, who had averaged 21.4 points in the last 7 games, also finished with 4.

Coach Smart’s game plan was to make Steve Nash, the Suns All-Star point guard (for the 8th time!) work on defense. Defense is his weakest area and Smart’s hope was to tire out the 38-year old Nash. Coach Smart readily admitted that it didn’t work out that way. When the Kings drove the ball into the paint, the Suns made adjustments, ultimately blocking 11 shots (to the Kings’ 3). Nash ended with 15 assists (a mere one assist fewer than the entire Kings team). Even more embarrassing, the Kings used the entire game to gather their 16 assists, while Nash sat out the whole second quarter. Nash split his lower lip colliding with Isaiah Thomas, got stitched up, but played only 29 total minutes.

Speaking of Isaiah...

Isaiah Thomas, usually a spark plug for the reserves, had an off game. He sank only 2 of 9 shots, dished but 1 assist, yet did grab 6 rebounds. Nevertheless, he has become one of the Kings most popular players and received a huge ovation from the 16,964 fans. (The Kings have already matched last year’s total number of games that drew 16,000+ fans.)

A genuinely modest, sincere, and likable man, Thomas spoke about home and family with me. Sacramento is a bit larger than his hometown of Tacoma, while our greater metropolitan area is a bit smaller than his Seattle region. He likes that it’s a “low key city” with "not too much going on." (You can often find him at Jack’s Urban Eats.) And, he adds, the climate here is nicer.

Kings fans have no doubt noticed the ethereal portrait on Thomas’s left shoulder. The large tattoo is a likeness of his grandfather, who was close and supportive of Isaiah when he was growing up. Indeed, though he passed when Isaiah was in high school, his grandfather remains a strong influence in the point guard’s life.

16,000 Dirty Minds?

During one time out, the Kings entertained the crowd with a video of Donté Greene and Jimmer Fredette playing Password. If they team up on the court as well as they teamed up in Password, the Kings will make the playoffs. Greene got every one of Jimmer’s clues. Still, the highlight was Jimmer’s hint: “When you really like someone and really care about them, you BLANK them.” For some reason, 16,000 people burst out laughing. (The correct word — which Donté eventually identified, by the way — was LOVE.)

Note: Special thanks to Ron Nabity (http://nabityphotos.com/) for the photographs!

Disclosure: No connection.