Training camp preview with Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone

There is a new buzz and excitement surrounding the Sacramento Kings this season and a lot of that has to do with the team’s new mentality.  This was a 28-win ball club a season ago.  They failed to show improvement and coach Keith Smart and his staff paid the price for that lack of growth.

New head coach Michael Malone, like general manager Pete D’Alessandro is getting his first opportunity to run his own team.  He has made himself and his staff accessible and the players have responded in mass.  Beginning in early September, many of the Kings players returned to Sacramento a month early and they have been working together on a voluntarily basis ever since.

“The one thing that excites me more than anything is that they’ve realized that they need to be here in September to work and get better and push each other,” Malone said.

Malone opens training camp in Santa Barbara this morning.  Four of his five starting positions are completely up for grabs and the competition is going to be fierce.  During the hustle and bustle of Monday’s media day, we were able to catch up with new Kings front man for a little one-on-one training camp fodder.

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