How A Brutal Training Camp Set the Tone for the Kings Season →

Even though the Sacramento Kings currently sit outside of the final playoff spot, Kings player development coach Larry Lewis doesn’t discount Sactown’s performance or effort.

"This season has already been a phenomenal season for us," Lewis said in an interview with Business Insider. "Whether we make the playoffs or not, we have overachieved this season. We've gone over and beyond what anyone expected of us as far as outside of our coaching staff.”

In some ways, the squad might credit their improvement this season to the grueling preseason training camp the completed last fall.

"They ran the s--- out of us," Willie Cauley-Stein told BI.

And just with a mention of "7-by-8", you can feel the unease within the Squad’s expressions.

"They felt it," said Lewis, with a smile. "It was definitely a test."

The "7-by-8" drill - a.k.a. seven sprints, baseline-to-baseline, eight separate times - was one that most of the team despised, while some chose to welcome the challenge.

"Guys hate running," third-year guard Buddy Hield told reporters. "I don't care what you say. No basketball player likes running."

But the rook, Marvin Bagley III says otherwise.

"I like running," MBIII told Business Insider. "So, when we did that it was kinda cool, getting in shape and competing with everybody. Just trying to be the first guy in all the sprints, making it fun. Just turning my mind, changing it from making it a bad thing to thinking of it in a positive way, just going out and getting better. So, it was a good experience.”

But it was all a part of Coach Dave Joerger’s plan. "This is how we want to play," Joerger told BI in training camp. "This is how hard we want to play. We want to be a greatly conditioned team, and we want to play fast."

"We figured if we could get in shape before all the other teams get in shape, we could steal games," No. 00 said. "And that's what we did! It worked.”

Sactown currently leads the league in pace, at 104.47 possessions per game – a number that is slower than their record 107.06, but still faster than any other team in the NBA in the last 23 years.

“It’s not a surprise to us as a staff and as a team, but I think what newspaper articles were saying… nobody predicted this" Lewis stated.

The team is set on continuing their playoff push and gearing up for another long summer of sprints, transition skills and scrimmages before heading into next season.

“Just go. Just push it. Good things happen when you do."

Giles: 'I’m Starting to Identify Myself' →

With the playoff chase in full swing, each game for Sactown becomes more pivotal.

Harry Giles, who has battled injuries and rehabilitation in recent years, is healthy and making his presence known at the most opportune time for the squad.

“Motivation. It just keeps you going, you know?” No. 20 admitted.

Over his last three contests, Giles is averaging 16.6 points and 6.6 rebounds on 66 percent shooting in just under 20 minutes.

“I’ve just been figuring out how to play, and it’s taken time,” the Duke product said. “I couldn’t go out there and just have it all figured out, so it’s taken me time to get used to the contact, the style we play in and finding a happy medium with the way I play with them.” 

After the injury to Marvin Bagley III, Giles has played additional minutes and taken full advantage of his time on the floor.

“I’m on a new level, probably a point that I’ve never been at before” Giles states.

“It’s incredible to have the whole organization behind me,” Gizzle continued, “I’m starting to identify myself and find myself. I’m taking my time, but keep on pushing myself to see what I can do.”

The Kings continue their postseason hunt Wednesday, with the Boston Celtics visiting Golden 1 Center.

Equality Night Spotlight: Lisa Feigenbaum →

What is your role with the Sacramento Kings and how long have you been with the team?

“I moved across the country from Connecticut six years ago to be part of one of the best leadership teams in sports. I’m currently the VP of Group, Premium Hospitality & Event Sales. I oversee the strategy for Kings and Golden 1 Center group sales, as well as the arena’s nearly 100 premium suites, lofts and balcony boxes. I also had the opportunity to take the lead on building a new team to facilitate the use of the arena for special events.”

How would you describe the experience of coming out to your family, friends and teammates?

“I was afraid of how those closest to me would react, and am fortunate to have had a great experience coming out. I came out in my senior year of high school and the most common response I got was, ‘Yeah duh, if you didn’t tell us soon, we were going to tell YOU.’  I guess that’s not surprising for a tom-boy with a bowl cut, that once wore a tux and bow tie to a wedding as a kid.

For me, it was hardest to come out to those I was the closest with.  My twin sister is my best friend, we have the stereotypical twin bond but for some reason she was one of the last people I told. In the end, she was, and is still, the most supportive of me and my coming out didn’t affect our bond at all.

That said, I feel like I still come out almost every day and at times I have that little thought in the back of my head – ‘What if they don’t accept me?’”

How has your personal experience helped you in your profession?

“Being a lesbian, female in a very male dominated sports industry, has made me resilient, progressive, and a dynamic leader. I oversee one of the most diverse staffs in professional sports and entertainment, and have cultivated a culture of growth, family and collaboration. 

My experience has helped shape me into a leader that encourages diverse thought and challenges the status quo.”

What challenges as an LGBTQ member have you faced working in the sports industry?

“I’m thankful and lucky to say, no experience sticks out to me.  I’ve been intentional in surrounding myself with leaders and peers that support me.  I will admit however, that I am conscious of my interactions in the workplace as a gay female, and recognize not everyone is as fortunate as I have been to be in such an accepting work environment.”

How do you think companies can be more inclusive of their LGBTQ team members?

“I think companies can start Employee Resource Groups like the Kings have.  In addition to launching the Career Advancement Program, I serve as a member of the Diversity Council, and just recently launched our Women in Sports Network group. These groups can engage, retain employees, and help be a tool for awareness and change.”

How can fellow team members help advance awareness and equity for their LGBTQ teammates?

“Be aware and emotionally intelligent.  Do what you can to be inclusive, make everyone feel welcome, and help educate others to become aware if they are doing anything otherwise. Be supportive of pride events, or walk side by side with them and other members of the Kings for the pride parade. 

Don’t tell them you accept them, show them in your actions.”

What advice would you share with members of the LGBTQ community who are looking to get into the sports industry?

“Don’t make excuses, you can do it. Surround yourself with people who will support you, challenge you, and grow you – just like my boss, Phil Horn.  Own who you are and be authentic. So many jobs these days are about who you know. Don’t be afraid to use your networking skills in your own community; it could turn into a job!”

What resources would you recommend for fellow LGBTQ members in the sports business?

“Develop a strong network within your field. Find great mentors, develop meaningful relationships, and don’t forget to pay it forward.”

What does it mean to you that the Sacramento Kings organization hosts and participates in causes that strive to bring greater awareness and equity to the LGBTQ community?

“It means everything to me. I’ve been brought to tears of joy while seeing the Kings wave a giant rainbow flag and when my peers walked by my side at the annual Sacramento Pride parade.  I’m proud to say the Kings have hosted an Equality Night for a number of consecutive years.

I’m proud to be an out and successful member of the LGBTQ+ community and to also be part of one of the best Executive teams in professional sports and entertainment.  I’m proud to bring my girlfriend to work functions and feel welcome! 

I’m proud to feel like I can be an example for those in the LGBTQ+ community, it does get better.”

Black History Month Spotlight: Eric King →

In the second chapter of our Black History Month Spotlight series, we sat down with Eric King our Vice President of Technology. Eric has been with our team for over seven years and he provided us with insight on where he finds inspiration, his heritage and journey.

How would you describe your role with the Sacramento Kings?

"As VP of Technology I am responsible for overseeing and managing all technology for not only the Sacramento Kings office but for Golden 1 Center, the world’s most technologically advanced and sustainable arena. My extremely talented team and I provide service to 350-plus full-time users that are housed in the Sawyer Hotel, Golden 1 Center, as well as in Stockton.

My role is to not only manage and maintain our current technology, which includes but is not limited to: a Tier 4 Data Center, Enterprise Applications, Security Postures, and everything in between but I also must be innovative and stay on top of current technologies and developments that are released frequently.

This is key in order for me to lead the Technology department and to help us maintain being the most technologically advanced arena in the world. Vetting out new technologies from inception to the design and through implementation is a major part of my role as well."

Who have been your biggest role models?

"I wouldn’t necessarily say that I have specific role models, but I would say that there are a few people I have found extremely intriguing throughout the years who influenced me to some degree like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Those are probably two people that most tech professionals mention when talking influencers and role models. But, as typical as it sounds, it’s completely true for me. These are two men that dominated the tech industry over the years, really launching us into the tech society we are today.

I was really intrigued by the inner workings of different things as a child. From as far back as I can remember, I spent countless hours taking things apart to see how they worked and then put back together. Also, I have always liked change. The idea of change and progress is something that drives me.

Gates and Jobs both had extreme drive and determination, which allowed them to continue to push the boundaries of technology and help create and shape the tech industry that I love so much today."

In what ways do you celebrate your African American heritage?

"I celebrate my African American heritage year-round. I mean after all, I am an African American executive for an NBA Team, so I have a strong platform to make a difference.

Growing up I had very limited access to books and information on black history. Now, as an adult, I have so much access to all kinds of information and history literally right at my fingertips. I really enjoy watching documentaries and segments on history, so I make a conscious effort to incorporate documentaries and history segments specifically on African American history into my list.

Of course, I’ve watched quite a few different segments on Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. but I find myself searching more for content that focus on others who inspired change around racial justice. Through continued education on black history and the men and women who inspired change, I feel like I am able to learn from the past and help us move forward into a culture where we are all one people.

I also make sure that I stay up on current events centered around diversity and race. It’s important to become educated in these current events, and it’s equally as important to look at everything from all angles.

As an African American in an executive role, I realize I have a tremendous responsibility to represent all African Americans in a positive light at all times.

I think the biggest thing I do to celebrate my African American heritage is by going through life, being me, working hard and staying true to myself. I am an African American but that’s not my only identity. I am a father. I am a mentor. I am a friend. I am an executive for an NBA franchise. I am someone people can count on. I am a high producer at work. I am a good citizen. And I am proud of all of that.

I am all of these things (and more) and I work hard to be the best me possible every single day."

What advice would you give to fellow African Americans who are striving to succeed in the sports and entertainment industry?

"I want to start off by sharing a quick bio on me before I get into this question. I will say first and foremost, I am a huge supporter of continued education. I think college and trade schools are important and with the growing population. What you do during that continued education can help set you apart from all the others.

But that wasn’t my path. Continued education after high school was not for me, so I went into the military. During my time with the military I was a Field Radio Operator. It was a semi technical position you could say. I did one term with the military but decided to not re-enlist and came back to the civilian life.

As a child growing up, I was always into electronics and technical things. I was always interested on how to take something apart and put it back together. I was fascinated with what little technology was around during that time in the 80s.

So when I got out of the military, I decided I wanted to get into the technology field. And from that moment on, I never looked back. From the start, I knew this was the path for me. The inter workings of technology came so natural to me. That was it. I was hooked.

There I was, in my early 20s, fresh out of the military, no college degree. And here I am, in my mid 40s, serving as the Vice President of Technology at the Sacramento Kings & Golden 1 Center.

I didn’t get to this point in my career for any other reason than determination, integrity and hard work. I buried myself in books and tutorials and always offered to take on more work to expand my skillset and my knowledge. I did a lot of research on the things I didn’t know. I never gave up.

So, to my fellow African Americans who are striving to succeed in the Sports & Entertainment Industry, I offer you this advice:

• Never stop working hard.

• Don’t be afraid to try something new. Your skills and competencies are transferable to different jobs and positions.

• Be confident in who you are. Be confident in what you stand for.

• Keep an open mind and continue to learn and grow with each organization you work in.

• Don’t be afraid to speak up, step outside your comfort zone, take chances and do not be afraid of change.

• Be dependable.

• Continue to grow and expand your mind (through books, conversations, documentaries, etc.) Always feed your mind. You cannot move forward and succeed if you are stuck in past.

• Find mentors that share the same demographics as you, but also find mentors that have different demographics then you to help broaden your prospective on life, professionally and personally.

• Never give up.

• And represent our African American heritage proudly and well. Show the world how much we can greatly contribute to the sports industry, corporate America, and our communities."

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

"There are so many aspects that I enjoy about what I do that it’s really hard to narrow it down! I love working in this super-fast paced, forward-thinking environment, where the technology is constantly changing and evolving. We are constantly finding new ways to be cutting edge and I get to be part of that.

Vetting out the new technology is not the only thing I really enjoy about my job though. Being able to deploy these technologies is also something I would say I enjoy the most. Being able to find technology that makes us cutting edge is amazing but deploying the technology that makes other’s jobs easier, being able to deploy technology that streamlines processes and increases efficiencies or that can enhance the fan experience, is extremely rewarding and it definitely drives me.

The direct influence I have on the technology we use is perhaps the single most thing I enjoy the most about what I do.

Another part of my job that I really enjoy is my team. I get to work with an amazing team. I say this all the time, but we have hands down, the best Technology team in the League. My team shares my same passions and they are all determined and committed to help move the organization forward in technology.

I also get to be a part of an extremely educated and dynamite executive team. One minute you can find me sitting around a table of Kings executives and the next I am on a keyboard console working on something in the Data Center. I get the best of both worlds in my current role and that is pretty amazing to me."

NorCal Rivalry Continues as Warriors Praise Kings →

“That’s the fourth game we deserve to lose against this team,” reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant said after his team’s 125-123 win against the Kings.

Thursday’s win gave the Warriors the season sweep of Sactown, but with all four contests being decided a combined 12 points, the respect is growing between the rivals.

“They’re a good team” Draymond Green admitted. “They’re scrappy, they’re young and probably the fastest team in the history of the NBA. They never quit, they have a lot of young talent.

After another back-and-forth battle, the Kings fall to 30-28 on the season, but hold firm in the tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.

"I like how fast they play," KD continued.

“They’re just lacking experience, in my opinion. They’re going to be one of those teams to be reckoned with soon."

“I have no doubt in my mind that this team is going to win a lot of games coming up here soon,” Green said. “They’re putting it together and they’re doing a damn good job.”

And what about a potential first round playoff series between the two?

“Every time we play them dudes, I leave the game exhausted,” Green laughs. “When I go home, I’m dead. So I hope not.”

“That organization has done a really good job the last couple of years building their roster by adding shooting and playmaking,” Steve Kerr told reporters after the game. “I have a lot of respect for what [Dave Joerger] and Vlade [Divac] have done with the Kings and their roster.”

While the Kings were showered with positive words from their opponent, the sting of four close losses was evident.

“I want to beat them,” Marvin Bagley III said after dropping 28 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.

“I hate losing to them,” No. 35 proclaimed. “We got to work on it and figure out how to get over that hump…We just got to keep going.”

Sacramento is back in action on Saturday against another formidable West foe, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Get to Know: Corey Brewer →

Corey Brewer might be new to California’s capital city, but he isn’t a stranger to the West Coast.

Before we jump into what Brewer has in store for us here in Sactown, let’s take a look at what got him here.

Brewer began his journey to the NBA back in 2004, when he accepted a scholarship to play college ball with the Florida Gators. In his sophomore season, Brewer recorded the first triple-double in Gator history in ’05 posting 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists.

He then won back to back NCAA championships in ’06 and ’07 and was The Most Outstanding Player in the 2007 NCAA tournament.

After his strong show in college, the Tennessee native entered the 2007 NBA Draft and was selected No. 7 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

No. 22 appeared in four seasons with the Wolves before being traded to the New York Knicks. He then went on to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, where Brewer won his first NBA Championship in 2011.

Following that championship season, Corey went on to play for the Nuggets, a second stint with the Wolves, Rockets, Lakers and Thunder before signing a 10-day contract earlier this season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Corey is no stranger to shifting gears and understands that players have to be ready for anything.

Standing 6-foot-9, Brewer is ready to make his mark with the young Kings heading into the second half of the season with playoffs in sight. Every game is crucial to ensure the team secures their spot. “The young guys are really good, they’ve been playing great. They just keep working their way up” said Brewer.

“As a veteran guy, I’m just coming here and trying to help any way I can…I’m a hard nose guy, I play hard every night and I’m going to give it my all.” After 11 years and championships at both the collegiate and professional level, Brewer believes he still has plenty to contribute to the squad.

Fun Fact:

In 2013, the defensive-minded forward scored a career high 51 points in a 112-110 win over the Houston Rockets. In doing so, he joined Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Rick Barry as the only players to record 50+ points and 6+ steals in a single game.

2019 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap →

Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox, and Marvin Bagley III all had a hand in putting on a show at the annual Rising Stars Challenge while Fox and Buddy Hield also took part in the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest on Saturday night.

Four members of the young Kings represented Sacramento this past weekend during the showcase of the best basketball talent from around the Association.

The weekend kicked off with the annual Rising Stars challenge, which rounded up the top players in the League in their rookie and sophomore seasons. The contest featured the Sactown duo of De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III representing Team USA and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who took home last year’s Rising Stars MVP honors in the game, suiting up for Team World.

Team USA was able to break their 2-year losing streak by leading the majority of the game and finishing with a 161-144 win. Fox lived up to his Swipa nickname with five steals and also racked up 16 assists in the game. This marked the second-most assists in a single Rising Stars contest.

But it wasn’t just De’Aaron who shined as MBIII scored 14 points to go with five rebounds and three steals.

Bogi also logged a solid outing with his 15 points, five rebounds and six assists on the night.

Even though MBIII wasn’t tabbed for Saturday night’s Slam Dunk Contest, he was not shy to show off his hops, by dunking 7 times during Friday night’s game. These jams included an impressive windmill throwdown as well as a 360 finish after receiving a pass from a familiar source.

Heading into Saturday night, we had Fox in the Skills Challenge where he faced Atlanta Hawks rookie Trae Young. Swipa breezed his way into the lead early on but as the competition wound down to the final objective, Young was able to sneak a three-pointer just before No. 5’s attempt found the net, eliminating De’Aaron.

Buddy Buckets shined in his Three-Point Contest and put on a show in the first round. The Kings guard caught fire in the first round by scoring 26 points to propel him to the finals alongside the Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris and Warriors’ Stephen Curry.

However, both Hield and Curry were unable to top Harris’s 26 points that he opened with in the final round.

Despite finishing short of bringing the trophy back to Sacramento, No. 24 remained optimistic afterwards.

Overall the young Kings represented Sactown well and left everything they had on the court in a fun weekend for the squad. With the All-Star festivities now in the rear view, the Kings will look ahead to the next game as they will be back at it against the Warriors on Thursday night.

Buddy Sheds Light on Plans for India Trip →

“It’s the culture.”

That’s what intrigues Buddy Hield the most about the nation of India. 

In light of Sacramento’s upcoming trip to India in October, Buddy talked to the Deccan Chronicle about planning some side adventures beyond the squad’s preseason matchup with the Indiana Pacers.

Thanks to his television habits, the Kings guard has garnered a lot of interest in Indian culture and specifically the temples.

“I watch a lot of National Geographic channel,” he laughs before adding, “I got to see some temples, there are a lot of them that fascinate me.” He mentions one in particular that caught his eye - ‘The Golden Temple’ also known as Darbar Sahib.

“I also learned that the population is big and there are also many languages in the cities throughout India,” explained Hield. “I want to see the people and the way of life there… and try their curries,” he noted.

Buddy Buckets also feels a connection to India’s sports culture, specifically cricket.

“The game is big in the Bahamas too,” said the Freeport native.

In regards to the game and what we can expect, Buddy said, “We will come and give our best by showcasing our talent... I just want to have some fun, soak in the excitement and inspire the kids out there to become NBA players in the future.”

Bogdanović to Coach Prospects at Basketball Without Borders Camp →

On February 12th, 2019 the NBA and FIBA announced the fifth annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.

Kings sophomore shooting guard Bogdan Bogdonović will join 2019 NBA All-Stars Nikola Jokić and Nikola Vučević, as well as Phoenix Suns rookie Deandre Ayton to coach the top high school age campers from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Additionally, Bogi will be joined by numerous NBA and WNBA veterans and Hall of Famers such as Micheal Ray Richardson, Allison Feaster and Festus Ezeli as well as select players participating in NBA All-Star 2019.

The camp will feature 10 current prospects from NBA Academies, and five prospects who participated in The NBA Academies Women’s Program. Both academies focus on networking top male and female prospects from outside of the U.S.

Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities on and off the court, including movement efficiency, skill development stations, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication.

To follow the camp use the hashtag #BWBGlobal on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find out more about NBA Academies visit nbaacademy.nba.com and follow on Instagram (@nbaacademy).