The Kings not only have won three straight games, they're playing their most entertaining basketball in a long, long, long, long time. Keith Smart has his squad playing hard and fast, and minimizing their lack of frontcourt length by swarming the passing lanes, rotating quickly and, in general, exhibiting the level of energy that leads to fastbreaks, victories, and more fans in the seats. If they keep this up - the Utah Jazz is here Thursday - theirs will be an appealing product even against lousy opponents during mid-week stretches.
But, since we're speaking of Smart: His wife, Carol, who stayed in the Bay Area with the two kids for his first season in Sacramento, moonlights as a seventh-grade girls basketball coach in her spare time. During a quick visit last night, Ms. Smart just happened to mention that the Fallon Mustangs (Dublin) went undefeated (12-0) and won the league. Only half-joking, of course - we think - she reminds her husband that she has a higher winning percentage than he does.
A few other late-night thoughts after the Kings' victory over the Memphis Grizzlies:
* While members of the media conducted interviews in the locker room, DeMarcus Cousins, Marcus Thornton and teammates walked closer to the televisions to catch ESPN replays of Brittney Griner's dunk against Florida. When the Baylor star threw down the one-hander, several of the Kings started screaming. Cousins, holding a towel, started waving the cloth and jumping up and down. Unfortunately, Cousins wasn't around to enjoy the Monarchs, who won the 2005 WNBA Championship before the franchise ceased operations.
* Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said arena negotiations with AEG representatives lasted eight hours. He wouldn't talk specifics, though, and said the family plans to hire a p.r. firm to deal with the inquiries as the plan moves forward.
* Grizzlies center Marc Gasol barely missed a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Cousins, who had been struggled, responded with a nice performance - 23 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals in 25 minutes.
* Stat of the night: 28 assists.
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