Video: Beno Udrih guarantees a playoff spot for Kings (with plenty of prodding)

Let's face it.   Nobody is gonna compare Beno Udrih to Joe Namath, but when I badgered the Kings guard about whether he was willing to guarantee a playoff spot for Sacramento this year, he came through.

So have a look as Beno plays "Stud or Cop-Out"

Sure thing: Kings win NBA title

Okay, let's get all carried away after one trivial, meaningless, preseason game.

This team is unstoppable.

A force underneath.

Great talent at every position.

We are the champions of the world.

Then again... maybe not.  

I'm gonna wait until the second preseason game before I take a flying leap onto the bandwagon.

I'm gonna wait to see if anyone can hit a deep three beyond Marcus Landry.  Marcus Landry?

I'm gonna wait and see if Donte Greene has regressed again or if he's mature enough to step up and finally produce consistently.

I'm gonna wait and see if Omri Casspi can take a deep breath and become a team player.

I'm gonna wait and see if Samuel Dalembert has anything left in his tank.

I'm gonna wait and see if Jason Thompson can make it through a game without the histrionics.

But let me tell you.  If they all produce Thursday, I'm buying playoff tickets.

Video: Donte Greene talks his future, guarding Kobe, and bad teammate dancers

Donte Greene figures to play a big role for the Kings this season.  We put him to an early test by quizzing him in a game of "Stud or Cop-Out."

He talks about where he expects to be in three years in the NBA, playing defense against Kobe, and bad dancing teammates.

Watch:

Video: DeMarcus Cousins vows revenge (in a fun kinda way)

Kings rookie center DeMarcus Cousins may actually end up being a futue media darling. 

Yes, he usually sports a surly look and he's tough to crack, but he's got something.  Call it charisma.  Call it an odd type of charm.  There's something there if you can get him to open up a bit.

Mr. Cousins played a little "Stud or Cop-Out" with Kings Talking Points.  Watch for the very end of the video.  You get a real glimpse of his playful side and what he may become off the court.

Will he become like the jovial and sometimes controversial Charles Barkley?  You never know.

It's time for the Maloofs to unleash "The Threat"

Grant Napear and his cohort on KHTK, Mike Lamb, have have been spending a lot of time recently on the arena issue (or should we say the dead arena issue).

Both of these broadcasters have blasted the city for its ineptitude. No argument there.

But here's where they both go horribly wrong.

Both think Joe and Gavin Maloof should come out and say that they are here to stay for the forseeable future. Grant and Mike seem to believe this would comfort the loyal Sacramento fans and make it an easier atmosphere to reach a deal.

Wrong. Very wrong.

Here's what the Maloofs should say:

"Ladies and gentlemen of Sacramento, we have been patient and loyal to Sacramento for more than a decade. We have watched you fumble various attempts to build a world-class entertainment complex. We are losing money. Our arena is half full. We have no name for our arena.


We want to stay in Sacramento. We'd love to stay in Sacramento. But under these conditions, we can't.


That's why today we are giving the city of Sacramento a deadline of Jan. 15 to come up with a viable plan to build an arena or we will announce our intention to move the franchise."

Yes, Kings fans would likely collapse in a pool of their own vomit upon hearing this, but it's the only course of action.

You have to make the threat public. You have to establish real ramifications for failure. If not, there's no impetus to make a deal.

That's why tough labor deals only get made with the threat of strike.

I don't want the Kings to leave, but it's time for Shock and Awe.

It's time to break out The Threat.

Make the move, Maloof brothers.

And let's see what happens.

Video: Can Jason Thompson solve the Middle East problem?

Jason Thompon plays a game of  "Stud or Cop-Out" with Kings Talking Points and answers some very tough questions, including whether he will convert to Judaism after his trip to Israel and predicting the number of technical fouls he'll receive next year.

And as a bonus:  Jason gives us his best dirty look after a referee's bad call.

Demarcus Cousins has a big body, small hands

Surprising fact: Kings rookie center DeMarcus Cousins can barely palm a basketball.  I watched as he struggled to hold a basketball with one hand during a photo shoot. He told me he had small hands.

Will that be a problem in the NBA?  Maybe, but he's no Duane Causwell so his superior basketball skills should overcome that shortcoming.

By the way, where is Duane Causwell?  I miss him so.

Video: Omri Casspi answers some very important questions - and some not so important

Omri Casspi stepped to the plate for a little "Stud or Cop-Out" with Kings Talking Points.  The results were very revealing.  You'll learn about which player in the NBA he'd most like to be compared to, his verdict on Sacramento vs. Tel Aviv women, and whether he's a Durant Guy or a Lebron guy.

Plus, a special guest appearance by Samuel Dalembert, who joins in on the fun.

Video: Does Tyreke Evans think anyone can stop him one-on-one?

Tyreke Evans was kind enough to play a little "Stud or Cop-out" with Kings Talking Points. Here's how the game works: Five questions. Five tough questions. Answer each honestly and you're a stud. Refuse to answer one and you've copped out.

In this version, we learn which Kings like to look in the the mirror the most, what Tyreke thinks of Brandon Jennings, and whether Tyreke would ever use a little fact to help him with women.

Oh, and he also tells us whether he thinks anyone in the NBA can stop him one-one-one. Have a look:

Official Wildly Optimistic (and probably delusional) Pre-Camp Happy Talk

Camp is here. And wow I'm excited.

Well, not really. Maybe a tad pumped? Nah.

But hey, it's here, okay, so let's get it on.

And I'm going to be stay positive (in loving memory of Positive Dave).

But first a note of pessimism.

WE'RE DOOMED.

Run for the hills. The Maloofs are already packed and ready to leave town. The Kings will be playing in Pensacola by this time next year. Nothing but cobwebs here instead of C-Webb. All is lost. Including this season, which will mean nothing when the team leaves us high and dry.

There. Now back to our Positivity. Here are some reasons to get motivated:

Demarcus Cousins: A big load of talent. He puts us back on the basketball map with his sheer force of will. Love the attitude. Hates to lose. Leaves no prisoners. And he's got skills.

Samuel Dalembert: Lookee here. A shot blocker. Haven't seen one of those around these parts since, well, uh... you get the picture. No more driving the lane against the Kings like a carefree toddler in the park.

Tyreke Evans: Stud rookie. Bigger stud with a season under his belt. And a jump shot. Now if he could just learn to look for his teammates just a teeny-weeny more.

Omri Casspi: Guy hates to be off the court and that's a huge plus. Might have the most need to succeed of anybody. And my biggest prediction: Helps solve the Mideast problem during All-Star break.

Donte Green: This is exactly where Gerald Wallace was after two years in the league. We all know what happened to him. This time, Kings are patient and turn the potential into stardom.

Hassan Whiteside: A tall leaper project with more basketball ability than more tall leaper projects. Reportedly battled Attention Deficit Disorder. Kings must figure out a way to keep his head in the game. I'm doing my part by making him an honorary correspondent.