RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The franchise began with the Rochester Seagrams (a semi-professional team) from Rochester, New York, that formed in 1923 and hosted a number of teams there over the next 20 years. They joined the National Basketball League in 1945 as the renamed Rochester Royals, winning that league's championship in their first season, 1945–46. They later jumped with three other NBL teams to the Basketball Association of America, forerunner of the NBA, in 1948. As the Royals, the team was often successful on the court, winning the NBA championship in 1951. The team, however, found it increasingly difficult to turn a profit in the comparatively small market of Rochester and relocated to Cincinnati in 1957, becoming the Cincinnati Royals.
In 1972, the team relocated again, this time to Kansas City, Missouri, and renamed the Kansas City–Omaha Kings because it initially split its home games between Kansas City and Omaha, Nebraska; the nickname was changed to avoid confusion with the baseball Royals. After three seasons, the team truncated to Kansas City Kings, but continued to play several home games per season in Omaha, through March 1978.
The franchise again failed to find success in its market and moved after the 1984–85 season to Sacramento, where they presently reside.
USA TODAY Sports reporters Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick discuss the battle for the bottom seeds in each conference with USAT's Kevin Spain. Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel and Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford talk to Jeff Zillgitt about what their teams need to do to make the playoffs in the East. Fat Lever talks to Sam Amick about how well Russell Westbrook has been of late. Sam Amick talks to Vlade Divac, who is back in the NBA, as an executive with the Sacramento Kings.
Summer League drama / The best part of the NBA offseason is the drama that goes with it. USA TODAY
Summer League drama / The best part of the NBA offseason is the drama that goes with it. USA TODAY Sports Sam Amick discusses how some of the rookies at the Las Vegas Summer League are not off to a great start with Kevin Spain. The guys also talk about some of the big news around the league, like the awkward handshake between Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and coach George Karl and the craziness and fallout of the DeAndre Jordan situation with the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
Draft preview; DeMarcus Cousins discussion / The NBA draft is approaching the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff
Draft preview; DeMarcus Cousins discussion / The NBA draft is approaching the A to Z guys Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt talk about some of their recent interviews of potential draftees with Kevin Spain of USA TODAY Sports. They discuss Phil Jackson's first draft with the New York Knicks and what he's looking for. They talk about the interesting situation with Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and the A to Z guys pick the top free agent who could be with another team next season.