The California Kings: The 5 Greatest in Sacramento History
The Sacramento Kings are an organization with a rich history. It was founded as early as 1923 as Rochester Seagrams. In 1945, he entered the NBA as the Rochester Royals. In history, it has worked under a total of 8 formations to get to its current one in 1985. The "Kings" are not among the most successful teams in the NBA, and their only title remains the one in 1951 - before moving to the capital of California . However, Sacramento has been home to legendary basketball players over the years. And these are the five greatest:
5. Peja Stojakovic
The Serbian was known as an incredible shooter. He delighted Sacramento in the early years of the 20th century. In a total of 5 full seasons as a starter, Stojakovic shot over 40% in 4 of them. He was known for the very high point at which the ball left his hands on field goal attempts. Adding to his 208 centimeters, Predrag was extremely difficult to block. As a Sacramento player, the wing made 3 All-Star appearances and once was the league's leading shooter from long range. The 03/04 season was the most successful regular season for the Kings since 1973. Stojakovic's role in that is undeniable.
4. Mike Beebe
In 2001, Sacramento parted ways with Jason Williams to acquire the attractive guard. Over the years, he built one of the strongest teams in the organization's history with the help of Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. In Sacramento, Bibby averaged 17.6 and totaled 2,580 points. The muscular basketball player has started at least 80 games in 5 of his 6 full seasons. Extreme persistence! Mike will long be remembered for the fantastic 36 points in the decisive Game 5 of the 2004 playoffs against Dallas. As well as the winning basket in the finals of the West against the Lakers to lead the "Kings" with a 3:2 success.
3. DeMarcus Cousins
No. 5 in the 2010 draft. For many years, Cousins was one of the best in the NBA, and Sacramento never gave him a title fight. With him in their lineup, the Kings never went past 30 wins in a season. However, the center served the organization faithfully for 7 seasons. Extremely strong and strangely technical for 208 cm and 122 kg. A physique that Cousins successfully wrestled with Dwight Howard in his prime.
2. Chris Webber
C-Web took over Sacramento in its first games and maintained its high level for many years. Weber had at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in each of his first 5 seasons with the Kings. This earned him 4 consecutive All-Star appearances between 2000 and 2003. As well as second place in our rankings. Webber has been criticized for never becoming the leader the team hoped he would be.
1. Mitch Richmond
The big name in Sacramento in the 1990s. With 23.3 points per game in 7 seasons with the Kings after coming from Golden State, he became the leading scorer in each of those campaigns. In 1996, he made the US Olympic team with names like Shaquille O'Neal, Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley. In the prime of his career, Mitch was known as one of the best shooters in the history of the game. And certainly one of the greatest Sacramento Kings basketball players since the organization was formed in its current format in 1985.