A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Daniel Lubofsky

SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 16: Chris Webber #4, Predrag Stojakovic #16, and Mike Bibby #10 of the Sacramento Kings are shown during a break in the action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of Round 2 of the 2004 NBA Western Conference Playoffs May 16, 2004, at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly aknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 16: Chris Webber #4, Predrag Stojakovic #16, and Mike Bibby #10 of the Sacramento Kings are shown during a break in the action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of Round 2 of the 2004 NBA Western Conference Playoffs May 16, 2004, at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly aknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo credit should read DAN LEVINE/AFP/Getty Images) /

1990-97. Lionel Simmons. 25. player. 67. . Small Forward

If the career of Lionel Simmons was represented by a stock, it would be the tale of one that got off to a smoking-hot start only to be derailed, sputtering out of control into the abyss in the process.

The seventh overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft from La Salle University, Simmons looked like a budding star right from the get-go, a guy who would only improve and who could just maybe become one of the best in the game.

Despite standing just 6-foot-7 and weighing around 210 pounds, Simmons’ primary area of work was in the post, where he’d back his opponents down and cook them with a nice fadeaway touch on the baseline.

He could run the floor in transition and even lead the break with solid handles and a high IQ. Simmons didn’t provide some of the more gaudier numbers in the league at the time, but he sprinkled in a little bit of everything at the offensive end, making him a high-impact player.

Unfortunately, the L-Train was bitten by the injury bug hard after only four seasons in the league. His production, minutes and games played would all decrease significantly over the next few years, and following the 1996-97 season, he called it quits, unable to play due to the pain he was in day after day.

When it comes to guys like Yao Ming and Grant Hill, the NBA is left to wonder what would be of their careers had injuries not plagued them. Lionel Simmons didn’t have the fanfare surrounding him as those two and others did, but his offensive gifts were nothing to pass off. Had he maintained a reasonable bill of health, he likely could’ve done some real damage to the rest of the association.

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