A Royal Pain
Fansided

All-Star Weekend: A Sacramento Kings Retrospective

By Ryan Ritter

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 15: Brad Miller #52 and Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Western Conference All-Stars pose for a portrait on February 15, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 15: Brad Miller #52 and Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Western Conference All-Stars pose for a portrait on February 15, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a lay up during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a lay up during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Skills Challenge

DeMarcus Cousins (2016, 2017)

Buddy Hield (2018)

De’Aaron Fox (2019)

The Skills Challenge is relatively new, so there’s not much history here. Only two Kings have participated, although that will change this weekend when De’Aaron Fox shows off his skills. DeMarcus did it twice, and Buddy Hield participated last year.

The Skills Challenge is one of those events that they haven’t quite figured out yet because they keep changing up the rules.  Cousins’ first year in 2016 was a “guards vs. bigs” tournament format that pitted him against Anthony Davis, in the ultimate foreshadowing. Even though he looked doomed due to completely mishandling the ball early on, Cousins actually knocked Davis out in the last second off a three-pointer. However, Cousins was eliminated fairly quickly by Karl Anthony-Towns shortly afterwards.  In 2017, Cousins gave it one more try but was eliminated by former-Knick Kristaps Porzingis at the last second.

Related Story. De’Aaron Fox to be in All-Star Skills Challenge. light

Last year, Buddy Hield faced off against Spencer Dinwiddie in the first round. He was actually in a good position to win, but just couldn’t get his three-pointers to fall in the end and Dinwiddie moved on instead.

In the end, Cousins gets the title of a champ, if just for his come-from-behind victory against Davis.  It’s still really satisfying to watch, and Buddy missing as he did was inexcusable. Also, Cousins and Davis facing off is the kind of irony you just can’t make up.

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