Sacramento Kings GM Scott Perry dismissed reports that team owner Vivek Ranadive roasted players and staff at a team dinner. According to Perry, Ranadive delivered a motivational message to rally the group against outside disrespect as the Kings look to bounce back this season.
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After NBA analyst Zach Lowe shared the story of how Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive reportedly roasted the team and staff during a team dinner, Kings general manager Scott Perry has responded to the claims.
In an appearance on the Deuce & Mo podcast, Perry highlighted that the interaction was not portrayed properly and that Ranadive motivated people rather than roasted them.
"I've seen all of the chatter and the noise around it. And I would say that it's definitely not portrayed in the proper way of perspective," he said.
"First and foremost, I asked Vivek to say a couple words to the team. The first thing he did was really light-heartedly talked about about himself and how he's been viewed or treated in the media for a number of years. Then also started saying the same to a number of the guys in the room and then everybody that I visited with afterwards all kind of had the same take I did, was very motivational.
"Then to talk about players and how they may have been disrespected or how we've been counted out as an organization and let's all use that as a collective to prove people wrong. And that was the clear messaging in the whole meeting from him. Vivek has a lot of respect for his players, there's no bigger fan of any player that puts on a King uniform than himself. So there was no roast."
Vivek Ranadive
Vivek Ranadive
Vivek Ranadive
Kings will look to improve on last season
The Kings finished last season 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record.
They will look to get back to winning ways with Domantas Sabonis returning after missing a lot of last season with injuries.
Rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. might be a bright spot for the Kings as he is showing promise in the preseason games ahead of the season start.
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