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Sacramento Kings: 3 Ways To Honor The 1998-1999 Season

By Ryan Anderson

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: Former NBA player Peja Stojakovic, analyst Chris Webber and Vice president Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings pose for a photo prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 26, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: Former NBA player Peja Stojakovic, analyst Chris Webber and Vice president Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings pose for a photo prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 26, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It has been 20 years since the 1998-1999 Sacramento Kings team began their season. So here are three ways that I think the organization should honor that squad.

In 1998, the landscape of the Sacramento Kings was different than it was in prior years. The team just traded away their franchise player, Mitch Richmond, along with Otis Thorpe to the Washington Wizards for Chris Webber. Two months later, with the seventh overall pick, the Kings then drafted a relatively unknown point guard, Jason Williams.

The Kings then added Rick Adelman as their head coach. Adelman led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances but was coming off of a disastrous run as the Head Coach for the Golden State Warriors (finished with a total record of 66-99). These moves would be the beginning of the greatest era in Sacramento Kings history.

As we head into the 2018-2019 campaign, it is a good opportunity to honor the 20th anniversary of the Kings’ 1998-1999 season. That team that pushed the Utah Jazz to overtime in an elimination game in the first round of the Western Conference.

Here are three ideas to celebrate that Kings squad.

Retire Jason Williams’ #55

Jason Williams was different. He could be equal parts frustrating as he would take a quick three-point shot on a fast break, but he could also entertain the Arco Arena fans like no other Kings player did in team history.

Williams’ breakneck speed and penchant for astonishing passes made him an instant fan favorite. Who could forget the elbow pass in the 1998 NBA Rookie Game?

A great way to pay tribute to Williams is if the Kings would retire his jersey. Williams’ contributions to the Kings show that he deserves to have that number hanging in the rafters proudly with other franchise legends. It would be the right moment to say thank you to the point guard that made the Sacramento Kings must-watch television.

Bring Back The Purple Alternate Uniforms

In the NBA, jerseys define eras for their teams. Back then, the Kings would have the traditional black road or white home jerseys, but the alternate purple-colored uniforms define the moment the Kings started to rise. The team that wore them was different than any of the other Kings teams that proceeded them.

If this year’s team is the beginning of a new era of Sacramento Kings basketball, it would be an excellent way to pay homage to their team 20 years ago. Not only would it be a great tribute, but everyone knows that nostalgia sells. Especially nostalgia from one of the more entertaining teams in the organization’s history.

Opening Night Tribute To The Roster

What better way for the Kings to start the 2018-2019 season than against the Utah Jazz? Twenty years ago, the Kings took the Jazz to five games in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

If the Kings found a way to bring as many players from that 1998 team to the season opener, it would be an awesome way to honor them. Especially if a tribute video was shown on the big screen before tipoff.

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The Golden 1 Center would be rocking during the pregame for guys like Chris Webber, Jason Williams, Rick Adelman, and more to usher in the new era of Kings basketball.  It would be nice for the Kings to pay tribute in the season opener to a team that changed basketball in Sacramento, and in the NBA.

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