When rumors initially broke that the Sacramento Kings were interested in the Houston Rockets Chuck Hayes, groans rumbled the Valley floor. It wasn’t so much about Chuck himself – it was the fact that the Kings were spending their money on blue collar role players – not the All-Star talent many hoped for. Understandable, but don’t let your anger and irritation towards the lack of a Nene or Tyson Chandler alter your perception of just how talented and effective Chuck Hayes is, despite his 6’6 frame.

For so long we’ve all clamored for defense – some type of defense, any type of defense – please, just give us some defense.

Defense you say? Oh yeah. Hayes – he got that. Watch the Chuckwagon shut down an A-list of NBA Superstars on the defensive end below:

Hayes destroys Kevin Garnett after the jump among many others:

(more…)

After being on the winning end of two consecutive blowouts and winners of four of their last five, the Sacramento Kings had their bell rung in their first half of their Texas two-step last evening in Dallas. The World Champion Mavericks scored the first six points of the game and never looked back, obliterating the Kings by 37 in the clubs first meeting of the young season.

Offensively, the Kings were terrible – shooting sub 32% for the game highlighted by the woeful offensive night from DeMarcus Cousins who shot a paltry 4 of 17. Tyreke Evans didn’t fair much better as the Kings guard could only muster 4 of 13 from the field. Not a single King was able to score in double digits, the closest being J.J. Hickson, Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans who all tied for the team lead in points at NINE.

For the Mavericks, the onslaught was headed by Dirk Nowitzki who scored 39 on an amazing 12 of 14. On the defensive end for the Champs, Tyson Chandler was in beast mode, racking up his season high in blocks with 7 to go with his 14 rebounds, most coming off Sacramento King misses.

The Kings (4-6) will play San Antonio tonight in a back-to-back scenario before heading home for a Monday evening tilt with the New York Knicks.