The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Pump up your team to the media with your Pre-Season Press Conference!
Post Reply
D
Darth Vegito
Posts: 2594
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:20 pm
PBSL Team: KC Kings

The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by Darth Vegito »

🏆 Kansas City Kings 1983–84 Season Tip-Off Press Conference 🏀
Live from Kemper Arena | Presented by Monarch Energy Drink | #DefendTheThrone
Image
GM Darth Vegito steps to the mic, flanked by his five starters. The Larry O’Brien trophy gleams under the lights, with a new championship banner above them.

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.”
#DefendTheThrone || #KCKings || #BuiltNotBorrowed
User avatar
WigNosy
Posts: 7222
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:39 pm
PBSL Team: Portland Trailblazers

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by WigNosy »

Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beatwriter for the Oregonian...

This offseason, you lost key starters while the Bucks brought in reinforcements. Will you be keeping an eye on the Bucks' record this season, and do you think if you meet in the Finals again, you will come away with another title?
The Cat is Back
User avatar
AngryBanana
Posts: 4437
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 2:56 pm
PBSL Team: Boston Celtics

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by AngryBanana »

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: What was your initial plan for PG going into this season? Did you want to keep the band together initially?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Image Image
M
Mike Lowry
Posts: 1110
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 8:44 am
PBSL Team: Washington Bullets
Location: D.C.

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by Mike Lowry »

First Off - CONGRATULATIONS CHAMP!!
That was quite an impressive run.
I know you are not at all satisfied with just one and your intention is to be the first team to successfully defend the championship in NPBSL history.
That being said, you took some seemingly significant losses in UFA.
Can you tell us how you will address those substitutions on your roster, and how you plan to game plan with the pieces you have now?
What cha gonna do
D
Darth Vegito
Posts: 2594
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:20 pm
PBSL Team: KC Kings

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by Darth Vegito »

WigNosy wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 2:42 pm Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beatwriter for the Oregonian...

This offseason, you lost key starters while the Bucks brought in reinforcements. Will you be keeping an eye on the Bucks' record this season, and do you think if you meet in the Finals again, you will come away with another title?

Not to disrespect those starters that we lost, but we didn't resign them for a reason. We didn't even bid on Leavell or Hayes in Free Agency. We had a plan and executed that plan. We drafted a PG, and while we didn't think he'd have as good of a TC that he had, we hoped he would grow into the PG starter spot.

Look we resigned the 3 guys that won us that title. That was our main priority and we did that. We think we can run it back and have the same results.

As far as the Bucks go...they needed the reinforcements. When you choke up a 3-1 lead in the Finals it makes you a bit paranoid and crazy. We aren't worried about the Bucks. They are in the East. Getting thru the West is a true gauntlet, we're going to focus on the West first.
D
Darth Vegito
Posts: 2594
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:20 pm
PBSL Team: KC Kings

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by Darth Vegito »

AngryBanana wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 2:48 pm Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: What was your initial plan for PG going into this season? Did you want to keep the band together initially?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I touched on this in my last answer but we did not offer Leavell a contract at all. If he took some time to sign maybe we would have re-engaged, but that didn't happen and we were fine with that. We wanted to find a PG in the draft that could at least play some minutes. We drafted Sundvold but didn't think we'd be playing him much in his rookie season.

But he's worked his ass off and had an amazing Training Camp. So we will try him at starter and see what happens. We have a few trade pieces if needed to go and find a veteran PG but we think Jon will have a solid season for us and do enough to keeps the Ws rolling in.
D
Darth Vegito
Posts: 2594
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:20 pm
PBSL Team: KC Kings

Re: The CHAMPS Are Here! *KC Kings Presser*

Post by Darth Vegito »

Mike Lowry wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 2:50 pm First Off - CONGRATULATIONS CHAMP!!
That was quite an impressive run.
I know you are not at all satisfied with just one and your intention is to be the first team to successfully defend the championship in NPBSL history.
That being said, you took some seemingly significant losses in UFA.
Can you tell us how you will address those substitutions on your roster, and how you plan to game plan with the pieces you have now?
Thanks for the praises, it was a wild roller coaster ride!

So I'm assuming those losses you speak of are the 2 green/green players in Elvin Hayes and Allen Leavell. I bring up the rating colors because I think people are overvaluing what they brought to the team.

First off, Elvin Hayes didn't start for the entire playoffs. I discovered quickly after I traded for him that he was a liability while on the court. His rebounding was not up to Kings par and his defense was mediocre at best. He also committed dumb fouls pretty often which prevented him from staying on the court. He ended up on the bench while I moved one of my other bigs, Rich Kelley, into the 4 spot due to his great rebounding and blocking ability.

Leavell...as we all know was destroyed in TC the year before and was a shell of his former self. He was fine and important to our championship run. But I wouldn't say he was someone that's not easily replaced. I may eat these words this season but I think we'll do just fine without him.

I say all of this to say, this team is VERY top heavy. The 3 men at the top, reigning DPOY Gminski, and 2 of the top scorers in the league, Natt and King, they handle the load well and just need the perfect role players around them. I think we've achieved that this off-season and I think they'll pick up right where they left off.

I will plug in a few different guys into those holes that play Kings basketball, and if for whatever reason they don't answer the calling, we'll find someone who will. Thanks for the question!
Post Reply

Return to “Pre-Season Press Conferences”