Sacramento Kings Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that notion. 

Considering the Sacramento Kings joined the NBA in 1945 as the Rochester Royals, the task becomes enormously challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting task of compiling a Kings Dream Team. The Kings called Rochester home from 1945-1957 before playing in Cincinnati from 1957-1972, they were also known as the Royals. In 1972, the franchise played in both Kansas City and Omaha (1972-1975), also changing their name from Royals to Kings so as to avoid confusion with Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals. The franchise played exclusively in Kansas City until 1984 and have called Sacramento home since 1985. 

The Kings have a complicated legacy. They were a regular playoff participant while in Rochester, Cincinnati and Kansas City. The franchise’s lone NBA championship came in 1951, beating the New York Knicks 4-3. In Sacramento, however, the franchise has just ten playoff seasons in 35 years, including a streak of eight in a row from 1998-2006. The best of which came in 2001-2002. That season the Kings won a franchise record 61 games and reached the Western Conference Finals, losing 4-3 to the Los Angeles Lakers, which swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the Kings/Royals for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from Rochester, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Sacramento.

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Kings/Royals during a season of being a contender does not get you a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starting lineup

Point guard: Nate “Tiny”  Archibald

Archibald played for the franchise during both the Cincinnati and Kansas City/Omaha era from 1970-1976. He was a second-round draft choice in 1970 and became a Hall of Fame performer.

Archibald was an All-Star three times for the franchise and was also three-time first team All-NBA. He was the NBA scoring champion and assist leader in 1973.

Shooting guard: Mitch Richmond

Though known for his time as a Golden State Warrior as a rambler of Run TMC (Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin), Richmond's career was actually longer and more impactful as a King. Richmond was the franchise's first star player in the Sacramento era of the franchise.

Richmond made the All-Star team six consecutive seasons. He was NBA All-Star game MVP in 1995 and five-time All NBA (three as a second-teamer and two as a first teamer). Richmond led the Kings in scoring in each of his seven seasons, averaging no fewer than 21.9 points per game. Richmond was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Small forward: Oscar Robertson

Robertson was considered the Michael Jordan of his era. Robertson's Hall of Fame career is largely known for his role in the Milwaukee Bucks 1971 NBA championship but his 11 seasons (1960-1970) when the franchise was known as the Cincinnati Royals was unmistakable. 

Robertson was a triple threat who could score inside and outside and also be a tremendous playmaker. He holds numerous NBA records. Robertson was NBA MVP in 1964, 12-time All Star, 11-time All NBA (nine as a first-teamer) and Rookie of the Year in 1960. Robertson was a natural point guard who also played small forward. 

Power forward: Chris Webber

Weber initially did not want to come to Sacramento because they were a perennially losing franchise but he had some of his best seasons as a King. In his eight seasons, the Kings became one of the top franchises in the NBA. Webber was a five-time All-Star and five-time All NBA (three as a first-teamer), and led the NBA in rebounding in 1999.

Webber's Legacy actually had a dramatic effect on two franchises. He was traded after two seasons from the Golden State Warriors. Golden State did not make the playoffs for 12 Seasons after the trade. Before Weber's arrival, the Kings made the playoffs just twice since moving to Sacramento. 

Center: DeMarcus Cousins

This may not be a popular choice given Cousins’ antics and controversial attitude. Cousins, however, was as skilled as any center in NBA history. Cousins was a four-time All-Star and two-time NBA second team and also a member of the NBA All-Rookie first team. 

In his career, cousins averaged 21.2 points per game and 10.9 rebounds. Cousins is No. 2 in franchise history in scoring behind Richmond and is the franchise all-time leading rebounder.

Bench

Mike Bibby: Bibby joined the Kings in 2001 and played for the franchise for eight seasons. Bibby helped the Kings have two of the best seasons in franchise history. Bibby never had All Star status but those who watched the Kings know his value to the team as a clutch scorer and very adept floor general. 

Doug Christie: Christy played for seven different teams in his 15 years but his most impactful years came as a Sacramento King from 2001-2005. Christie could score from time to time but made his living as a stalwart perimeter defender during the Golden Age of the franchise’s time in Sacramento. Christie was All NBA defensive team four times (one as a first- teamer). 

Vlade Divac: Divac played for the franchise during their peak years in Sacramento (1998-2004) and was an All-Star in 2001. Divac is a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Divac is one of seven players in NBA history to record 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocked shots.

Sam Lacey: Lacy played 12 Seasons (1970-1981) with the franchise  overlapping Cincinnati and Kansas City/Omaha eras. Lacey's lone All-Star season came in 1975. Lacey is one of five players in NBA history to have registered 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons.

Jerry Lucas: Lucas played for seven seasons (1963-1969) when the franchise was in Cincinnati. In a Royals uniform, he was an All-Star five times and All NBA on five occasions (three as a first-teamer) as well. Though he was known chiefly as a rebounder, Lucas was also a capable scorer. He had two seasons with the Royals where he averaged more than 20 points per game. 

Peja Stojakovic: Stojakovic played eight seasons (1998-2006)  during the franchise’s golden age in the Sacramento area. Stojakovic was an All-Star for three consecutive seasons and was a deadly three-point shooter. Stojakovic averaged 20 or more points and four of five seasons during a stretch of time with the Kings. 

Reggie Theus: Theus’ time with the franchise was short-lived (1984-1988) but  he remains one of the most popular players in franchise history. Theus was versatile enough to play both point guard and shooting guard. He averaged 18.8 points and 8.1 assists per contest.

Wayman Tisdale: Tisdale spent Five Seasons with the Kings (1989-1994), During which time, he and Richmond formed a very solid duo. Over the course of his 12-year NBA career, Tisdale averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest.

Jack Twyman: Twyman played for 12 seasons (1955-1966)  during the franchise’s Rochester and Cincinnati eras. Twyman is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and two-time second-team All-NBA. Twyman and Wilt Chamberlain became the first players in NBA history to average more than 30 points per game in a single season. 

Bobby Wanzer: Wanzer played 10 seasons (1948-1957) when the franchise was known as the Rochester Royals. Wanzer led the Royals to an NBA championship in 1951. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time second-team All-NBA. Wanzer was the first player in NBA history to connect on 90% of his free throws in a single season. 

Coach: Les Harrison. 

Though a case could be made for Rick Adelman, it’s hard to go against the coach that delivered the franchise’s lone NBA title. Adelman was the franchise’s longest tenured coach. Harrison is second in franchise history in both regular season (295) and playoff wins (19) to Adelman. Harrison, however, attained his totals in shorter regular seasons and postseasons. The 1951 title is the tiebreaker. Harrison’s crowning moment was the 1950-1951 season, when the Royals defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons, Minneapolis Lakers and New York Knicks for the NBA championship. 

Team: 1950-1951.

If we’re talking strictly the Sacramento era, 2001-2002 gets the nod but since we are all-encompassing, 1950-1951. Arnie Risen led the team in scoring, avering 16.3 points per contest. Arnie Johnson, Jack Coleman, Wanzer and Bob Davies also rounded out the starting lineup. In this era, conference playoffs had only semifinals and finals. The Royals went 41-27 in the regular season. In the NBA Finals, the Royals took a 3-0 before the Knicks won the next three to tie the series 3-3. The Royals won Game 7 79-75.