In honor of the team's final games at Sleep Train Arena, Kings.com is catching up with team legends who will be in attendance at the last game to get their thoughts and favorite memories from playing in Sacramento.
Since he moved with the Kings from Kansas City to Sacramento, Jerry Reynolds has worn many hats within the Kings organization.
From Head Coach, to General Manager to his current role as Kings TV Color Analyst, Reynolds has been a staple in the history of professional basketball in Sacramento.
We recently caught up Jerry to get his thoughts on closing this chapter in team annals.
On what was special about playing in the arena:
“For me it meant so much, because when we first came over from Kansas City, we were in the temporary building [ARCO Arena I] for three years. So we were looking forward to this building being built and knowing that we were going to have a legitimate NBA arena. It was really special; much like [Golden 1 Center] downtown creates a similar feeling.
On an instance where the crowd changed the game:
“I could think of 20. This building really has been home court advantage. The crowd has really helped this team. I know from talking to players around this league, being a coach, and being involved in a lot of different ways, that the emotion and the energy of this building is second to none.”
On his favorite memories in the building:
“It goes back to the ’96 Playoff series that was held here. It was the first playoff game in about 10 years and the crowd was just fantastic. That series has always stuck out to me as a special memory.”
On being in attendance for the final regular season home game with fellow Kings legends on April 9:
“I’ve seen every Kings and Monarchs game in this building. So this building really means a lot to me. There’s been bad times in here, but certainly some good times and I’ve gotten to be a part of all of them.”
On the opening of Golden 1 Center:
“It’s terrific, I think even more for the city [of Sacramento] even more so than the [Kings]. It’s going to revitalize our downtown and I sure think Golden 1 Center will do that.”
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