Sad Sacs: Can the Kings Regain Their Western Conference Throne?

Sacramento Kings: the team of the past.

All too many times these days, people bring up how the Kings USED to be a Western Conference power-house. How Stojakovic, Divac, Webber and Bibby MADE such a great team. Or the most famous, WHAT IF Horry never made that shot?

If you are a Kings fans, you understand what I'm talking about.

For as long as I can remember, the Kings were always on the move—running the fast break non-stop, hitting 3 pointers left and right, and coming up in the clutch to excite the crowd of ARCO Arena.

Today, however, the Kings look—as much as it hurts to say—like a lost cause. The core group has broken up, the scoring average has gone down drastically, and the coaching system has changed twice now in a matter of two years. 

New rising star, Kevin Martin, looks to be one of the bright sports that shine on the Kings. He has broken out for 20 ppg the past two seasons—and the best part about him is, he's consistent.

Ron Artest has been pretty well-rounded, considering his domestic violence case. Mike Bibby, well once he's back from injury, hopefully can break his shooting woes and help Artest and Martin carry the load. Brad Miller, coming off one of his worst seasons as a King, looks more energized and recently has been gaining the confidence back of his sweet jumper. New addition John Salmons has been stuck with running the show lately and hasn't done a bad job—but without Martin and Bibby, the Kings will need to start getting their acts together. 

Some of the Kings' decisions of past years have been...questionable. Draft picks of Garcia, Price, and Douby seemed to have worked out as a general matter, but none of them seem to have that flare to drive the Kings to victory. Spencer Hawes, the latest Kings draftee, was believed to have been the best shooting center in the draft coming out.

It looks like we'll all have to just wait and see if the once powerful Kings can regain their stature and bring glory to Sacramento.