(Welcome back to our off-season series, “Just Wait ‘til Next Year!” in which special guest Jerry Reynolds and I bring you our 147 combined years to bring you our recollections of past Kings years.)
On June 17, 1994, O.J. Simpson and Al Cowlings led the LAPD on a low speed chase throughout the greater Los Angeles area, forever immortalizing white Ford Broncos. 16 days prior to this chase, the Kings hired Geoff Petrie as their new general manager. 12 days after the chase, Petrie drafted a trio of power forwards that collectively saw more success in Sacramento than almost the entirety of the prior nine year’s drafts, combined.
Let’s Kings basketball!
Not to get ahead of ourselves, but one thing that would be an early staple of Geoff Petrie was getting good value out of his draft picks. His inaugural draft in 1994 would net Brian Grant at 7 (“Where the hell is Xavier?!?” was the beleaguered Kings fans battle cry), Michael “The Animal” Smith at 35, and Lawrence “Those knees will never see a minute in the NBA” Funderburke at 51.
The ”same as it ever was” moment came when Grant held out (this was prior to preset rookie salaries), and did not agree to contract until just before the season was set to begin.
The Kings had really not made a lot of wholesale changes over the off season. Olden Polynice would be in his first full season with the Kings after coming over the prior trade deadline, but aside from that and the rooks, the core was pretty much the same (minus Wayman Tisdale, who moved on to Phoenix). Expectations were, to say the least, low.
And then the Kings won their first two games of the season, their home opener and a trip to Seattle. The season-opening starting five included the twin towers of Polynice and Duane Causwell, Walt Williams on the wing, and Mitch Richmond and Spud Webb in the back court.
The Kings were 5-5, and then 11-9, and then 17-13. And there was much rejoicing throughout the land. Brian Grant had supplanted Duane Causwell in the starting lineup a couple of dozen games into the season, and the team was clicking in a way that had not been seen around these parts. Richmond was on the short list of premier NBA shooting guards, Grant was more than holding his own as a rookie. Williams and Polynice were both exceeding expectations. Michael Smith was a surprise and solid bench contributor, Bobby Hurley and Randy Brown were sufficient in their limited roles, and Causwell and Lionel Simmons went from key contributors on a bad team to occasional options for a better team (albeit part of Simmons’ limited minutes were due to injuries).
Friday the 13th, 1995. I was still living in Chicago, though had already made plans to return to Sacramento. My buddy Mike gifted me floor seats for the Kings – Bulls (still sans Jordan) game. The Kings, led by Olden Polynice’s 25 points, Brian Grants 14 rebounds and Spud Webb’s 10 assists (and a 15-8-7 from Mitch Richmond), rode a 24-12 4th quarter to an 89-79 victory. Walking out of the arena, still wearing my Kings baby blue jacket, I heard from over my shoulder “The Kings still suck.” It was the first time anyone had ever taken the time and energy to hurl a Kings-related insult at me. Not pity, mind you. Anger and frustration. It was the proudest moment of my Kings fandom to that point. The Kings were now 25-18.
(Side note – I left Chicago two weeks later. Michael Jordan came out of NBA retirement and returned to the Bulls less than three weeks after I left. I guess that town just wasn’t big enough for the both of us.)
Mitch Richmond was named to his second All-Star game, but it would be his first appearance, as he had missed the prior season’s game due to a broken thumb. Richmond elevated Sacramento to new levels of civic pride when he brought home the All-Star game MVP award, scoring 23 points on 10-13 shooting, including all three from beyond the arc.
The Kings stood pat at the All-Star break and won their first three games after the break, extending their record to 28-20. They had the 7th best record in the Western Conference and 12th best in the league.
(Record scratch…)
The Kings would then lose their next five, all roadies, and ten of eleven. At 29-30, they were under .500 for the first time since they were 6-7. They were 10-13 the rest of the way, finishing 39-43. For the tenth straight season (out of ten in Sacramento), the Kings failed to finish with a winning record, and they agonizingly missed the playoffs by two games, after spending most of the season in a playoff position. The fanbase was simultaneously energized and deflated, as the entirety of the season actually meant something, but once again ended with no bonus basketball.
Reynolds’ Wrap
“A lot of memories concerning the Brian Grant draft. He was not on any mock drafts as a top 20 player early but as the process worked out he was moving up. The workout and psychological test with him were outstanding and by draft day it was a rare unanimous selection among all Kings front office, coaches and scouts. I don’t recall it ever happening before or after. It made Petrie’s first pick easier and the right one. I always remember the draft was held in Indianapolis and my youngest brother Randy (RIP) represented the Kings on the phone. He had grown up and played HS bball with Larry Bird and this was a real high point in a life that was soon ravaged by Diabetes. Soon we had the press conference with Brian, and I remember him telling the media how he would play for a Coke and chips. He then held out in contract negotiations until the end of preseason. Yep, it’s still the NBA.” – Jerry Reynolds
***
The 11-game improvement from 93-94 to 94-95 was an oasis to a parched fan base, but by this point everyone wanted to see a playoff game take place in ARCO II. Would it ever happen? For the time being, and once again, we would have to Wait ‘til Next Year.