Shaquille O'Neal's purchase of a stake in the Kings last month brings about an odd coda to the rivalry between his current team and the Lakers, the franchise with which O'Neal tormented Sacramento both on the court and off in the early 2000s. This season could be the first since that time that neither the Kings nor the Lakers make the playoffs, so the teams have little to fight over these days, even if some fans still harbor animosity. Here's more on a pair of franchises looking to regain the glory of years past:
- Extension candidate Greivis Vasquez grew up a Kings fan, and he wants to stay in Sacramento for the long haul, The Bee's Ailene Voisin writes.
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim is the only member of the Kings front office left over from last season, but the team has entrusted him with plenty of responsibility, as Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee details.
- Xavier Henry did plenty last night to help his case for a spot on the Lakers opening-night roster, but his 29 points against the Warriors belie his inconsistency during camp, Medina notes as he profiles the former lottery pick's path to L.A.
- Last season, the Lakers allowed the 18th most points per 100 possessions in the league, and they lost a pair of former Defensive Player of the Year winners in Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News examines how some of the team's new additions can help the club overcome its shortcomings on defense.
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