Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sacramento Kings


Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings might have played their last game on Wednesday.


The city's beloved franchise is likely leaving for Anaheim, a move which would end the Kings' 26-year stay in California's capital.


With that in mind, Page 2 opens the history book to compare Wednesday's game to the team's last game in its previous home of Kansas City:


APRIL 14, 1985: LOS ANGELES LAKERS 122, KANSAS CITY KINGS 116


Site, attendance: Kemper Arena; 11,371


Opponent absences: Lakers played without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and James Worthy.


Leading scorers: Byron Scott 25, Mitch Kupchak 19 (L.A.); Mike Woodson 25, Larry Drew 22 (K.C.).


Selected fan signage: "Nuke Sacramento," "Kill Axelson," in reference to vilified general manager Joe Axelson, whom many fans blamed for the team's departure.


Final Kings record: 31-51 last in the Midwest Division.


Future NBA head coaches who suited up: Kurt Rambis and Byron Scott for the Lakers; Larry Drew, Reggie Theus and Mike Woodson for the Kings. Also, future Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak played for Los Angeles.


Kings coach's quote: "We wanted very much to win this game for our fans here. I felt something special and I know the players did, too." -- Phil Johnson


Closing music: "Auld Lang Syne," played a few minutes before 4 p.m. CT.

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