April 03, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Donte Greene (20) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 109-100. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Despite a wrongful perceived notion, playing in Sacramento is a special time for just about any player – especially one as personable as Donte Greene. Yes, around the league Sacramento has a stigma attached to it but almost any player who’s suited up for the Kings franchise will tell you just how wonderful a place it is to play. From a franchise cornerstone like Chris Webber to a reserve big man in Scot Pollard, players are universally loved and held in the highest regard, no matter their role on the team.

Few players felt that more than former Kings forward Donte Greene, who after four seasons in Sacramento said goodbye this offseason. Still currently a free agent, Greene never fully matured into the talent the Kings front office had hoped for when they acquired the 28th pick in the ’08 Draft (along with Bobby Jackson and Omri Casspi) from Houston in exchange for Ron Artest.

A solid sophomore campaign in which Greene had career high’s (still to this day) across the board gave the purple and black faithful reason to believe the former Orangeman was their small forward of the future. In 21 minutes a game, Donte put up 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and nearly a block and an assist a night on 44% shooting – not to mention playing semi-respectable defense at a young age. Given annual growth, it was fair to speculate that Greene had a long-term future in Sacramento but it never materialized.

For the following two seasons, Donte struggled – struggled to see floor time and struggled to make an impact when on the court. His numbers dipped and the second year explosion looked more like an anomaly than growth. As much as he was beloved by the King fandom, the writing was slowly being written on the wall.

April 02, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Donte Greene (20) reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

In terms of a goodwill ambassador, few could ever rival Greene. His caring and open ways were constantly on display, be it visiting local hospitals to working with children to even putting on charity basketball games from fan requests during last years lockout. It was Greene who, when many felt the Kings had played their final game in Sacramento, stayed in the arena with the distraught King faithful. It was Greene who always made himself available to local media and fans. Greene’s the pro’s pro and his constant happiness was a beacon of light for a franchise that struggled to find their way in the dark.

But in the cutthroat world of wins and losses, the one part Greene couldn’t master was his performance on the court. The Kings had the opportunity to retain Greene this offseason as he was due just under $3 million in a qualifying offer, but Geoff Petrie and company opted to move in a different direction trading for James Johnson to fill Greene’s spot, both on the court and financially.

Donte etched himself into the heart of King fans both old and young and will be missed by many, but it was clear he and the Kings needed a change for each party to get where they want to be.

I know one thing though – there isn’t a King fan not rooting for Donte to find success, wherever that may be. Good luck, Mr. Kane – we’re pulling for you.

Grade: Painful as it might be to say it, it’s an A for both parties – though Donte’s passion and energy will be sorely missed in both the locker room and community.

Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-US PRESSWIRE

When Geoff Petrie traded Omri Casspi and a conditional first round pick for J.J. Hickson prior to the 2011 NBA Draft, it seemed like a clear victory for the Kings. I mean, how often do 22 year old “big men” who averaged 14/9 in just 28 minutes a game go on the market, let alone for a discount price like Omri Casspi and a highly protected draft pick?

Petrie is notorious for taking problem children and turning them into productive, solid players. With a very respectable trade record, it was hard to think the Kings got the raw end of that deal but I guess as the old adage goes, if it’s too good to be true – it probably is.

J.J. Hickson had his problems in Cleveland. That’s not to say he wasn’t a charming guy or a bad teammate, it’s just that he continually butted heads with the coaching staffs during his tenure. Per Jason Lloyd:

I like JJ. A lot. But his lack of focus drove both Mike Brown and Byron Scott absolutely crazy. I asked Byron late last season if JJ had done enough to secure a spot in this rebuild. His answer? “I’m not sure yet.” If Scott wasn’t sure after about 76 games, I knew JJ’s time in Cleveland was ending.

Byron Scott, who coached Hickson last year, more or less threw J.J. under the bus, making sure to back up and run over him a few more times before J.J. departed to Sacramento citing his poor work ethic, hustle, desire, among many other things. The end result was Hickson getting traded because he was “unhappy” in Cleveland:

“I’m not adjusting very good,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any secret. Coach [Byron Scott] knows I’m not happy. My teammates know I’m not happy. But as a professional basketball player, you deal with it as a pro.”

Yes, very professional. Of course, this is the same player who just weeks ago essentially put Sacramento on blast and yearned for his former dwellings in Cleveland, which months earlier he despised.

So now we come back to yesterday, when Cowbell Kingdom’s Jon Santiago caught up with Hickson as his tenure with the Kings came to an end:

CK: Did you have your agent request a trade on your behalf to the Kings front office?

Hickson: Like I said, I felt like it was the best decision for both (sides) and that’s something we did.  But, as far as trades, that was something that my agent was talking to the team about.  I didn’t go into the front office and demand or request anything.  But that was one of our options as far as what was best for me and the team.

So, let me get this straight. You’ve essentially made three coaching staffs irritated which resulted in a benching (of some form) in all the said scenarios. You’ve been outplayed by your counterparts, which resulted in decreased time in all the said scenarios and in your two NBA stops in Cleveland and Sacramento, you’ve pretty much forced your way out because you were “unhappy” – namely because you were outplayed and weren’t given the job, you had to earn it which you couldn’t do.

Oh, okay, I get it now.

Look – I don’t dislike the person. J.J. seems like a swell guy, but you have to know your role and the only thing bigger than the blunder of a game he currently has is his head.

There’s a lot of talent in that body, but that head is currently a lost cause.

Good luck Mr. Hickson, I think you’re going to need it.