The Sacramento Kings hoped to make it two straight on the road, following their victory Wednesday against Toronto Raptors.  But the Houston Rockets came out on top Friday, beating the Kings 103-89 in the Toyota Center.  Tyreke Evans led the way with 27 points, but no other Kings crested the 13-point mark.

After a huge night in Toronto, DeMarcus Cousins got taken to the woodshed by former King Samuel Dalembert.  Known for his defense, Dalembert was an offensive revelation and scored 21 points against his old team.  He also pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked four shots, while holding Cousins to four points and four rebounds in 18 minutes of foul-riddled ball.

Kyle Lowry kicked in 25 points and nine assists for Houston.  Like Dalembert, power forward Luis Scola notched a double-double, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

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The Sacramento Kings square off against a few familiar faces as they try to win their second consecutive road game in Houston.

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As you’ve probably already heard, an all-time Sacramento Kings great is calling it a career.

Peja Stojakovic announced today he’s retiring from the game of basketball.  He spoke one-on-one with ESPN’s Marc Stein and says health is a primary reason why he’s decided to walk away from the NBA.

Stojakovic told ESPN.com on Monday that the physical toll caused by a string of back and neck troubles, at age 34, convinced the three-time All-Star that “it’s time” to step away from the game despite interest from a handful of contenders in signing the sharpshooter away from the Mavericks.

“When you start competing against your body more than you’re preparing for the actual game,” Stojakovic said, “it’s a wakeup call.”

During the relocation saga of last spring, I had planned to write a piece for SLAM featuring perspectives from past Kings players and coaches on their time in Sacramento.  Since the Dallas Mavericks had already made their two visits to Power Balance Pavilion earlier in the season, I made a trip out to Oakland to catch the eventual NBA champs play the Golden State Warriors.  I caught up with Stojakovic and asked him to share his take on the Kings then-impending relocation to Anaheim.

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Photo: James Ham

It wasn’t NBA caliber.  But host Donté Greene and company put on a show that entertained the fans in attendance at the Goon Squad Classic.  His Black Team toppled the Purple Team, 167-164 in overtime at the UC Davis Pavilion.  Greene’s team featured  Jimmer Fredette, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes.  Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Hassan Whiteside and Matt Barnes played together on the Purple Team.

James Ham will have his own take on the game in a post later today.  For now, I’ll share a few notes about Sunday night’s charity exhibition.

• Several players who were slated to play didn’t show.  Not surprising considering that’s been a common theme in many of these lockout contests.  After the game, Donté explained to me why some of guys didn’t make it.  “Jonny (Flynn) decided to participate in the game in Houston – John Lucas’ game.  Kevin Martin, I think went on an overseas tour.  And Kevin Durant had a family emergency he had to take care of, so it was last minute and he couldn’t come out.”  Donté added that he’s hoping to get those guys for perhaps another exhibition game in the future and appreciated the ones who did come out.
• John Wall made an appearance, but didn’t play.  I had overheard some chatter about his groin giving him some issues, forcing him to sit out the contest.  Donté told me that that Wall was indeed injured because he had been playing overseas and that the Washington Wizards guard wanted to “rest his body”.
• Questions arose on Friday about Evans’ weight when Jonathan Givony of Draft Express tweeted that Evans appeared to be at least 20 pounds bigger.  From what I saw, he looked bulkier, heavier with less defined muscle tone.  But overweight?  I can’t say exactly.  We’d need a check of his body fat to make a fair assessment.
• Tyreke’s jumper had no issues though.  In fact, he and Fredette traded back-to-back 40-foot threes during an exciting in-game exchange.
• The most impressive player physically was Hassan Whiteside.  He’s clearly added upper-body muscle this offseason.  He told me before the game that he’s actually been in Sacramento during most of the lockout.  He displayed extraordinary athleticism when he finished a slam by sticking his arm into the basket.  It was reminiscent of Vince Carter’s final jam from the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest.
• Best part of the halftime show was when a little rookie hazing took place and Fredette and Thomas were forced into an entertaining dance-off.  Watch below to see who won. (H/T to Blake Ellington with the video.)

• There were no stats being kept during the game.  But fortunately, Ben Taylor of KDVS Radio in Davis logged some numbers.  Evans was the leading scorer in the game with 54 points and connected on 10 three-pointers.  Cousins and Thompson both scored at least 40.  And Fredette dropped 32 34, connected on eight three-pointers.  The final scoring numbers for the game’s all notable players are below.
• No head count on attendance was given.  I’d estimate that maybe 3,500-4,000 people attended the game.  The Pavilion was about two-thirds full.

Image: Kevin Fippin

Sacramento, get ready.  This weekend may be your only chance to get a taste of NBA basketball for a very long time.  Thanks to Sacramento Kings forward Donté Greene, there are a plethora of events happening and leading up to Goon Squad Classic charity game taking place on Sunday.  Here’s a rundown:

Donté Greene Charity Poker Tournament
Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association.  Featured players include Kings big men Jason Thompson, Hassan Whiteside and Cowbell Kingdom’s own James Ham.
When: Tonight. Check-in at 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM. Tournament begins at 6 pm.
Where: Roseville Health and Wellness Center – 1650 Lead Hill Blvd., Roseville, CA 95661
For more info visit the tournament official website.

58th Annual Causeway Classic Tailgate
Greene and Thompson will be tailgating and selling GSC tickets before the annual rivalry game between UC Davis and Sacramento State football teams.  They will also be collecting canned food for Thompson’s Live Like JT Foundation.
When: Festivities kick-off at 11 am.
Where: Main Parking Lot at Hornet Stadium on the Sacramento State campus.  Look for a large white UHaul truck with the GSC signs.

Goon Squad Classic Meet-and-Greet
After tailgating, Greene and Thompson will head over to West Sacramento for a meet-and-greet with fans.  Other GSC participants may make an appearance during the session as well.
When: Tomorrow, Saturday, beginning at 3 pm.
Where: West Sacramento Recreation Center - 2801 Jefferson Boulevard, West Sacramento, California 95691

Goon Squad Classic Charity Game
Participants include Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, John Wall and others.  A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Save Ourselves Foundation For Breast Cancer, Sacramento Food & Clothing Bank, Crocker Riverside, 4th R, and Shriner’s Hospital For Children.  Thompson’s Live Like JT Foundation will also be collecting canned food at all the entrances.
When: Sunday, November 20th.  Doors open at 5:30 pm, game tips off at 6:30 pm.
Where: UC Davis Pavilion

Photo: Steven Chea/CK

The Goon Squad Classic, which takes place this Sunday at 6:30 pm at the UC Davis Pavilion, will feature a host of Kings players, past and a present.  Kevin Martin, Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins and even rookie-to-be Jimmer Fredette are slated to play in the charity exhibition game.

Unfortunately, Sacramento Kings guard Marcus Thornton won’t be one of the game’s NBA participants.  In a phone interview with Cowbell Kingdom, Thornton said he wouldn’t be able to come because of family obligations this upcoming weekend.

“I’m quite sure Donté (Greene) and all the guys are going to give the fans a show,” he said.

Plenty of tickets are still available.  You can purchase yours at the UC Davis Pavilion Box Office, Tickets.com, or call (530) 752-1915.  Check back later today for a post on Thornton, where he shares his thoughts on the lockout and the possibility of playing overseas.

There have been many voices in this God forsaken NBA lockout.  Lawyers, commissioners, federal negotiators – all with some sort of spin coming at us.  Today, former Sacramento King and current Houston Rocket shooting guard Kevin Martin stepped up to the plate to voice the opinion of what has now been deemed, “the silent majority.”   Martin, not typically known for sparking controversy, spoke to SI.com’s Sam Amick via text:

If you know for sure [the owners] are not moving, then you take the best deal possible.

It appears that factions have formed within the union – the hardliners who want to decertify and fight the owners in a lengthy court battle; the union heads who are not willing to take the current deal on the table, but also not ready to decertify the union; and lastly, a large number of players who are willing to take the deal on the table, “the silent majority”, if you will.

I’m not criticizing the fight our union is doing, because they have been in every meeting adding up to countless hours and have been breaking down every number possible. I believe in them and know they have the best interest for us. My opinion — which is just one of 450 players — is that if it comes down to losing a season and 100 percent of the money, we all definitely have to sit down and think about reality. That doesn’t sound smart to possibly become part of the [country's] growing unemployment rate.

Certainly there will be backlash for Martin, but at this point, what does he and countless other players have to lose?  Hunter and Fisher have been handed their lunch in negotiations.  The decertification camp is ready to blow up the league.  Shouldn’t someone say what is on the minds of the third and most likely largest contingent of players?

No spin here.  Just a heavy dose of reality.

For more on this story, visit Sam Amick’s excellent work over at SI.com.

Image by Kevin Fippin

Add another former Sacramento King to the Goon Squad Classic lineup.  Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes will make his return to the capital city region for the planned November 20th charity game.

A new flyer features the former Kings center, along with Donté Greene, Jimmer Fredette, Kevin Durant and others.  Former Kings guard Kevin Martin, now with the Houston Rockets, has also committed to playing in the exhibition.

The game looks to be a go, but it’s still pending an official announcement due to the NBA labor impasse.  The players union and owners are conducting another federally mediated negotiating session today.  And though the league has cancelled all games for the month of November, an agreement on a new labor deal would probably nix the GSC from happening.

Image by Kevin Fippin

Pending Donté Greene’s signature, a charity basketball game for Sacramento is a go.

Appearing on the Carmichael Dave Show this afternoon, the Sacramento Kings forward said the Goon Squad Classic is scheduled for Sunday, November 20th at the UC Davis Pavilion, with tip-off planned for 6:30 PM PST.  Tickets are expected to go on sale Thursday, November 10th.

Greene said he was waiting on the recent negotiations between both sides to finish before signing a contract with the university.  But with NBA owners and players unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, the game is an all but certainty.

The Kings forward also added some new names to the list of participants.  Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant will compete and play on Greene’s team.  Former Kings guard Kevin Martin, now with the Houston Rockets, has committed to the game, too.  Chandler Parsons, also with the Rockets, has confirmed to play as well.  Greene said he’s still working to convince Sacramento-native Matt Barnes along with teammate-to-be Jimmer Fredette to participate.

“I did talk to his manager, his assistant,” Greene said of Fredette. “And he said that he really wants to come out and play for the fans and get a chance to hang out with some of his teammates and what not.  But he has a busy schedule.  He’s a busy guy, so we’re just trying to get a yes from him.”

Greene also confirmed the participation of DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, Hassan Whiteside, Darnell Jackson, Jason Thompson, Isaiah Thomas, Jonny Flynn and John Wall.

(Updated at 9:11 pm PST following latest labor news)

With all of the golf coverage from this last weekend, we got away from the morning cup o’ Kings.  Today, we are back and since it’s his birthday, we will look into some old footage of Kings power forward/center Jason Thompson as a senior at Rider University.

Kings President of Basketball Operations, Geoff Petrie, became known for his ability to mine talent in Europe through the late 90′s and early 2000′s.  Peja Stojakovic and Hedo Turkoglu became crucial pieces during the glory years of Kings basketball, both drafted as young European prospects by Petrie and his staff.  Following the European invasion, Petrie turned to players from small U.S. colleges such as Western Carolina, Rutgers and Rider.  Like his European picks, Petrie found success, first with Kevin Martin and most recently with Jason Thompson.

Thompson started out hot as a rookie, joining Spencer Hawes in a promising front line.  But the hope that a Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson front court could return the Kings to the playoffs dissipated quickly.  Before last season, Hawes was traded to Philadelphia with Andres Nocioni for center Samuel Dalembert, clearing minutes for rookie DeMarcus Cousins.   Lost in a four man rotation of Dalembert, Cousins and Carl Landry, Thompson struggled in his transition to a role player.  After starting 114 games his first two seasons, JT started only 39 games last season and saw his minutes drop from 31.4 in year two to just 23.3 in his third year as a pro.

More after the jump…

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