It's hard to believe now, but the Kings were once one of the most marketable franchises in the NBA — a paragon of uptempo, team-first basketball. Now led by the guy on the left (head coach Doug Christie), they're in the home stretch of one of the most embarrassing tank seasons in recent memory, the seeds of which were planted by the guy leaning on his shoulder (former GM Vlade Divac). It might be a while before "The Greatest Show on Court" returns to Sacramento.

This issue is the first SI cover for Christie, Jason Williams, and Peja Stojaković, and the second cover for Vlade Divac and Chris Webber.

Swipe for bonus image of an article about the collapse of Rick Ankiel's pitching career, years before he made a successful return to the big leagues as a power-hitting outfielder.