Sacramento Kings: 30 greatest players in franchise history

There are some people on the planet earth who everyone loves to be around. They bring a high level of energy — whether it be with their words or actions —  and it truly brings out the best in most people.

Wayman Tisdale was one of those guys. He always played the game of basketball with a certain level of joy with an understanding that while it was his job, it was also a kid’s game at heart.

Before arriving in Sacramento in the middle of the 1988-89 season, Tisdale was already an above-average player. A power forward with good size, he found his way near the basket with the ability to back almost any opponent down, and he could finish around the rim with a soft touch or fade away with his lefty jumper.

His rebounding was above average. He wasn’t a high-flyer. Instead, he planted his behind into the opponent and because of the strength he possessed, it was very difficult to move him out of the way.

Once he was traded to the Kings, Wayman would go on to produce the best numbers of what would be a 12-year career. His only two seasons averaging a minimum of 20 points came while in Sacramento, and overall he’d go on to average 18.4 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting for the organization.

Tisdale wasn’t able to even get the Kings into the playoffs, much less make some postseason noise. He was, however, a guy everyone loved to play with for the way he approached each and every game, and for some, respect is the true measure of greatness.