Sacramento Press, in support of the RekeRoy campaign, has organized an exciting pre-game party at Arco Arena tomorrow, March 19th with a special appearance from Tyreke Evans! Join us to cheer on Tyreke Evans and your Sacramento Kings as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks and their Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Jennings. The party will include making signs supporting Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year AND a visit from Tyreke prior to the game to thank his RekeROY supporters. Come meet your Rookie of the Year candidate Tyreke Evans! The party starts at 5:30 p.m. If interested in joining us, visit http://www.groupshavemorefun.com/SacramentoPress to purchase your tickets. Purchase in

Without a doubt, this has been the best basketball Tyreke Evans has played in his rookie season for the Sacramento Kings The Kings’ 20-year-old guard has averaged 19 points, 8.75 rebounds, 7.75 assists and 0.75 steals per game since March 9.  Since then, the Kings have played the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland and home games against the Toronto Raptors, the Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In that span the team has a 2-2 record. Evans posted 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and a steal in the 88-81 loss in Portland.  The Kings were within three points of the Blazers late in the game, but the experience of the Blazers overtook the Kings – the least-experienced team in the N

Sacramentans should be enjoying a sigh of relief today, and a swell of pride. After months, years, even a decade of back and forth, conflict and aimlessness, there is finally some movement forward on a sports and entertainment complex. Yes, forward. Thursday morning's decision by the Sacramento First Task Force to recommend - if just recommend - the complicated but far-reaching "land swap" proposed by Gerry Kamilos' and David Taylor's organizations, and supported by the NBA and other crucial organizations, means that we are moving forward. Finally. There will be a lot of arguing about this for some time. As an assistant to Mayor Kevin Johnson, who is to be praised for making progress on

With four games played in March, Sacramento Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans is still producing, despite his team losing three of the last four games to playoff-bound teams. Evans put up 17.5 points, 4.75 rebounds, 5.75 assists and 1.75 steals per game since March 2. He had had a team-high 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has the sixth-best record in the Western Conference.  The Thunder's defense tightened up late in the game, securing a 113-107 home win over the Kings. Oklahoma City's top two players, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, combined for 69 points. The next night, the Kings were in Houston to play the Rocket

The Sacramento Kings could take a lesson from comedian Bill Engvall on how to fill Arco Arena. Be funny. Not just funny, but really funny. In that regard, Engvall was an MVP on Saturday. Engvall, best known for his partnership with Ron White, Larry The Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy in the "Blue Collar Comedy" tour, showed off his vast comic chops in his solo, almost sold-out show. Watching the seats fill up, Engvall's mass appeal was obvious. The demographics ranged from grandparents to grandkids, with every stage in between represented. So, it was no surprise that Engvall's most offensive term was "douche bag," used it to describe one of his very famous "Here's your sign" victims. The ph

Deadlines are looming for Mayor Kevin Johnson’s volunteer arena task force. The panel expects to announce its recommendation on a new sports and entertainment complex March 11. The 12-member task force plans to appear before the City Council and make its suggestions March 16. The task force is making recommendations for a new arena, but does not have the power to put its recommendation into action. The City Council will decide how to address the task force’s ideas. These appearances will mark the panel's final public events, according to Jeremiah Jackson, its project coordinator. “The task force will not disband immediately, but will be available for another month or so to ensure the c

Some of the world’s top motocross stars took to the air Friday and Saturday in an acrobatic display that kept people on the edge of their seats from start to finish.   The occasion was the Gravity Slashers tour at Arco Arena. Ten riders from around the United States perform tricks that most riders only dream of doing. The floor of Arco Arena was equiped with four ramps and two landing pads. At one end of the arena was three ramps side-by-side, the middle ramp was wider to accomodate a snowmobile; with an elevated landing pad across from the ramps. A single ramp and landing pad were at the other side of the arena.   The star studded list of riders included: Derek Burlew Brody Wilson

Mayor Kevin Johnson’s volunteer task force on Thursday continued its second session of challenging proposals presented by prospective developers of a new arena in Sacramento. The 12-member task force heard presentations from Thomas Enterprises, the Kamilos Group, Natomas ESC Partners and Tripp Development. The prospective developers explained their financing plans, among other issues. Task force member Mike Kvarme asked how much of Thomas Enterprises’ project financing would rely on obtaining federal funding. “It’s a large part of it,” said Suheil Totah, vice president of Thomas Enterprises. Totah also commented on the site’s location at the railyards in Downtown. Thomas Enterprises is

 The Kings have been having a roller coaster season. The team is undeniably better than last year, but its recent monthlong collapse has left it with a 18-35 record. This tally has been accompanied off-court by injuries, trade rumors, and uncertainty about a new arena and the Kings' future in Sacramento. While it's a turbulent time to be a Kings fan, most fans who attended Tuesday's home game remained optimistic and excited about the future. "They're pretty good," William Yu said. "They're making a lot of progress," added the 38-year-old engineer. "They play all the way, and they're fun to watch," warehouse operator Jerry Sudderberg said. Much of the optimism centers around the front-

Freestyle Motocross (FMX) is acrobatics meets NASCAR as riders fly 50 feet in the air on 250 pound motorcycles while performing gravity slashing tricks such as backflips and Hart Attacks!!  Gravity Slashers hit ARCO Arena. Sacramento California February 16, 2010 Thrills and chills is an understatement when you are referring to the event taking place at ARCO Arena this Friday and Saturday night. The Freestyle Supercross Motorcycle event comes to the arena with some of the hottest superstars in the industry. Per event promoters, the riders will converge at ARCO Arena to battle head-to-head for the top spot on the podium. The regular home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings will be transformed in

A consultant for the National Basketball Association pressed the City Council earlier this week to back its proposal for a new arena in Sacramento. The NBA, developer Gerry Kamilos and the Maloofs are working together on the proposal, which is led by Kamilos. John Moag, a consultant for the National Basketball Association, expressed his preference for the NBA/Kamilos plan in a Feb. 9 letter sent to Mayor Kevin Johnson and City Council members. “We expect the City of Sacramento will be the lead agency on the convergence project with a major role being played by the state of California,” Moag wrote. “We urge you to make the review and consideration of the convergence plan a priority of th

Meet the Kings 100. The Sacramento Kings unveiled the Kings 100, a community program that aims to reconnect the Kings with the Sacramento area Tuesday night. The group's honorary executive director Sheriff Lou Blanas led a press conference before the Kings/Warriors game at Arco Arena. Flanked by Gavin Maloof, former KCRA anchor Kelly Brothers and Bobby Jackson, Blanas outlined the plan. The Kings have chosen 100 fans to act as ambassadors for the Kings. "These 100 people are community and business leaders who are dedicated to the success and support of the Sacramento Kings," said Blanas, standing in front of most of the group. "In fact, some of the 100 already purchased and distributed

The Sacramento Kings introduced an exciting new program to benefit high schools in the greater Sacramento area Friday, January 22. Participating high schools will compete in the “Kings Size High School Challenge” to raise funds for their school. “The Kings Size High School Challenge is a great vehicle for local high schools to raise funds for their school programs,” said Danette Leighton, vice president of marketing for Maloof Sports & Entertainment. “This program is the first of its kind for this community, and we hope to grow it to include even more schools next season.” All participating schools attended a draft lottery event yesterday at the Kings Practice Facility, similar to the NB

The Harlem Globetrotters made a stop in Sacramento Monday as part of its "2010 'Magical Memories' World Tour." They wowed the thousands of fans at ARCO Arena and faced its long-time rival Washington Generals, but the game was only part of the show. The team's dancing, antics, and fan participation showed that the Globetrotters are more than high-flying dunks and spectacular passes. It's also about entertainment. "That's the best part of it all," Firefly Fisher said about making fans smile. "It's entertainment, plus basketball and you put those two together, it's fun." The Cordero family experienced the fun first-hand when Laurie and Tim were invited onto the court, while their son, Tyl

Forty professional bull riders convened in the Capitol City for the Sacramento Classic last weekend at Arco Arena. After two days of intense competition, current reigning world champion J.B. Mauney took home the trophy and title. Fans from all over the region stomped, clapped, yelled and screamed as their favorite riders or bulls took to the ring. For the first time ever on Friday, J.B. Mauney and Kody Lostroh competed in a one round $10,000 prize. Riding the bull Troubadour, Mauney rode for 8 seconds to capture the prize in front of a cheering audience. Each rider rode once Friday and once Saturday. The top 15 cowboys with the highest combined score advanced to the third and final round

City councilman Ray Tretheway, District One, takes the podium Saturday at a press conference held by the Natomas Chamber of Commerce to launch its "Keep the Arena In Natomas" campaign. The Chamber has gone on record criticizing the NBA and Maloof family for endorsing a complex land swap proposal that would move the arena to the railyards downtoan and the state fairgrounds to Natomas. The Chamber backs a proposal to build a new sports and entertainment complex on 100-acres adjacent to the existing site. Says Natomas business owner and chamber board member Marni Leger, "We don't want the door to be shut just because the NBA has annointed one proposal." Photo by LARRY RODDA/PhreePhotogr

Arco Arena was turned into a musical theatre Wednesday night for Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family." The play featured a high-tech set that revolved around the stage to create different scenes for a 15-part cast backed by a 12-part band in the orchestra pit. Beginning around 8 p.m., thousands, including former Kings players Bobby Jackson and Shareef Abdur-Rahim and current Kings player Francisco Garcia, laughed, cried and sang along to the play. Perry, who is best known for his recent work as writer, producer, director and actor in a number of Hollywood films (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Why Did I Get Married, Madea Goes To Jail), wrote this play to honor his mother who passed away

Call them crazy. Call them reckless. Just don't forget to call them cowboys. This weekend at Arco Arena, Professional Bull Riding returns with death-defying action and good family fun. Three intense rounds of competition will produce a winner. The rider who amasses the highest points total after enduring three rides will be crowned the Sacramento champion in the "Built Ford Tough Series." This weekends event will also feature a first-time competition between the No. 1 and 2 riders in the world. A one-time challenge is scheduled, with the highest point total after one ride taking home $10,000. Riders must hang onto the bull for 8 seconds. Points are awarded for technique, form and length

The WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) did not disappoint Sunday at Arco Arena with an action-packed card. The first fight of the night was a battle that set the stage with Will Campuzano’s bloody victory over Coty Wheeler. Charlie Valencia had a split-decision win over Akitoshi Tamura. Iranian Olympian Kamal Shalorus showed his stand-up skills winning by decision over Dave Jansen. Mike Brown had an easy dominating victory over Anthony Morrison in the first round. In the main event, Jamie Varner lost his lightweight championship belt to Benson Henderson with a submission in the third round. Even though Urijah Faber (23-3) versus Raphael Assuncao (14-2) was not the main event on paper, mos

The Sacramento Press called me Friday afternoon to see if I would be able to cover tonight's game against the Denver Nuggets. I jumped at the opportunity to get media credentials and be able to walk behind the scenes at Arco. Go Kings!    THE PRESS LOUNGE: Free food for the media. The “dinner of champions." A countdown clock in the Press Lounge shows how much time is left before the game starts. Look at me, I'm part of the press. I got to sit courtside, right by the Denver bench. THE FIRST QUARTER: Jon Brockman started the game for the Kings! Brockman grabbed four of his career-high 12 rebounds during the first quarter. There were many other times when h