Live from Kemper Arena | Presented by Monarch Energy Drink | #DefendTheThrone

Darth Vegito (GM):
“Last season will go down in league history. Not just because we won — but because we took the hardest path to do it. Down 3–1 in the Finals. No panic. No excuses. Just grit, execution, and belief. That comeback wasn’t magic — it was earned. We lost some veterans in free agency. Elvin Hayes and Allen Leavell — two warriors — will always have their place in Kings history. But this group? They’re not satisfied. They’re not easing in. We’re back. We’re deeper. And we’re hungry to do it again.”
Mike Gminski (C):
"Winning the championship changed me. That playoff run — every minute, every possession — it forced me to grow. I learned that the mental part of this game is just as important as the physical. When things get tight, when the pressure’s turned up, you’ve got to stay centered. Elvin helped me understand what it means to lead from the front. Now it’s on me.
This year, I’m stepping into that role. I’m not just here to be a big body. I’m here to set the tone — defensively, emotionally, vocally. We’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore. Every team we face is going to give us their best shot. And I say bring it. Because we’re not backing down from anything. We’re the champs. And if they want it? They’re gonna have to rip it from our hands."
Wes Unseld (PF):
“When I got the call to start this year, I didn’t think about touches or stats. I thought about responsibility. This isn’t some lottery team looking to develop. This is a championship team — a team that knows what it takes. And when you step into that kind of locker room, you’d better come correct.
My job is to stabilize. Box out, hit the outlet, make the extra rotation, hold guys accountable. I’ve seen a lot of young squads that collapse under expectations. This one? No chance. These guys are wired different. I’m here to give them another backbone — and to make sure the little things never get overlooked. Titles aren’t won with flash. They’re won with consistency. And that’s what I bring."
Bernard King (SF):
“I’ve heard all the talk this offseason. ‘Was that run for real?’ ‘Can the Kings do it again?’ Let me make this clear: what we did wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of months of blood, sweat, and accountability. We went through hell and clawed our way back from it — together.
And now I see a new challenge. Not proving people wrong. But proving ourselves right — again. I’ve been in this league long enough to know how quickly people forget. They move on. Crown someone else. That’s fine. I don’t need headlines. I need wins. I need another ring. And I’ve got the squad around me to get it. These young guys? They’re locked in. I can feel it. And if I’ve got to be the guy who sets the standard every single night — emotionally, physically, vocally — then that’s what I’ll do. Just don’t bet against us. You saw what happened last time.”
Calvin Natt (SG):
"People look at the comeback and they think it was luck. That we caught fire. What they didn’t see was the grind behind closed doors — the film sessions, the heated practices, the uncomfortable conversations. We sharpened each other until we couldn’t be broken.
This season’s different. We’re not chasing — we’re being chased. That’s a whole new kind of pressure. But honestly? I love it. I feed off it. I want the challenge. Every team that comes in thinking they can knock us off — they’d better pack a lunch. Because I’m not pacing myself. I’m not easing into this. I’m treating every night like we’re down 3–1 again. That’s where the edge comes from. That’s where the hunger lives. If we stay there mentally, we’ll be impossible to beat."
Jon Sundvold (PG):
“I’m not going to pretend I’ve been through what these guys have. I wasn’t part of the championship run — I was watching it from a dorm room. But now I’m here. And the minute I stepped into this locker room, I felt the weight of that standard. And I welcomed it.
Starting on a title team as a rookie? That’s not pressure — that’s opportunity. I’ve got killers around me. My job is to get them the ball, keep the rhythm, and make sure the engine runs clean. And I’m going to mess up, sure. But I promise you this — I’m going to play my heart out every possession. I’m going to absorb everything from these vets. And I’m going to fight like hell to earn their trust. Because they don’t owe me anything. I’ve got to prove I belong. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Darth Vegito (GM):
“We’re not interested in hanging our hats on last year. This league moves fast. Teams think we got lucky? Good. Let them think that. We’ll be over here, building, evolving, and smashing expectations again. This team is deeper, sharper, and battle-tested. And most importantly — they still give a damn. That’s dangerous. We’re not defending a title. We’re chasing another one.”
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