The Diesel Parks in Sacramento 

Once proclaimed the “Sacramento Queens” by O’Neal, he is now a minority owner of the team. The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers battled in the early 2000s for supremacy of the Western Conference. We all know how those battles ended, whether a Robert Horry three-pointer or a thunderous slam by Shaq, the Kings would end up on the canvas.

The Sacramento Kings have a face to their franchise. Shaq won’t be playing on the hardwood however he brings credibility and hardware. As a four time champion, O’Neal identifies which characteristics it takes to build a championship team.

Sacramento was a similar to a college basketball atmosphere when the Kings were great. The fans would make distinct noises from cowbells ringing throughout the arena. Now O’Neal has the task of luring free agents to Sacramento. In this era of the NBA, superstars want to play with other superstars. It’s getting harder for small market teams to thrive in the NBA. Demarcus Cousins has been a troubled player in the past, but under Shaq’s tutelage maybe Cousins can thrive.

Let’s hope the queens start playing like kings under O’Neal’s watch.