Round and Round We Go

Well, by the end of today I was hoping to have better news than what I do. However, I don't have bad news, it just isn't what I would consider good news, so let's split it and say it's okay news.

Today should have been the end of it. The Board of Governors should have either voted for or against the move. That isn't exactly what happened though. With Commissioner Stern saying that both Anaheim and Sacramento presentations were compelling, the BOG is not receiving complete enough information. Stern called the Anaheim presentation "incomplete". In what could be seen as glass half full, or glass half empty, Stern announced that the NBA would grant a second extension on the relocation deadline for the Maloofs. The new deadline is now May 2, 2011.

In another twist of this ongoing saga, Mayor Kevin Johnson, as he put it "suited up for the Sacramento Kings" for the first time in his life. The last anyone knew when Johnson flew to New York, after making a brief showing at the Kings season finale loss to the Lakers on Wednesday, was the proposal that was made semi-public by Chris Webber on TNT. No one saw what he presented coming. Johnson, along with Sacramento lobbyist Darius Anderson, presented a proposal that now has billionaire Ronald Burkle in talks to buy the Kings, or at least working to keep them in town. There are three scenarios that Johnson is hoping for.

1. Best Case: Kings and Maloofs remain in Sacramento. With support from Burkle, something could possible work out and come together to get things done in Sacramento. Also, it appears as if Johnson and Anderson are saying the corporate support, once thought to be non-existent, is in place for $8 million annually should the Kings stay and that has the NBA interested. Especially with an expected announcement that changes profit sharing for small market teams in the NBA.
   
2. Less Likely Case: If, and that's a huge if people, the Maloofs decide to sell the franchise (keep in mind they have said over and over that the team is not for sale) there is an ownership group, Burkle and associates, lined up and ready to buy the Kings and keep them in Sacramento.
3. Fan Disapproved Case: That if the worst does happen and the Maloofs relocate the Kings to Anaheim, that with Burkle and the ownership group in place, the NBA would consider moving another team to Sacramento. Burkle is worth an estimated $3.2 billion and money talks.
   

I say that scenario three is the "fan disapproved case" because I do not feel that Sacramento is fighting for just any NBA team. This town loves the Kings. This town wants the players they have watched here, they don't want new players and a new team. In time, would we all grow to love whatever team should take the place of the Kings? I am sure we all would, but for now, it's the one thing we do not want to see happen.

I have said it, people I know have said it, and those in sports news have said it, the NBA owns the Hornets. If the Maloofs are so dead set on owning an NBA franchise, many are calling for a franchise swap. The Hornets are in the playoffs this season and have top point guard Chris Paul. There is no doubt that owning the Hornets should make anyone happy. I say do something with that. Sacramento wants our team and our players, the Maloofs seem to want an NBA team, is it the Kings? Possibly because of the family history and their father's legacy is wrapped with the Kings.

To make things even more confusing. Since issuing the extension to further figure out the plans of both Anaheim and Sacramento, the head of the relocation committee in charge of the new fact-finding mission is none other than Seattle's own Clay Bennett. This has everyone going, "Huh?" I have seen many references to his appointment from a wolf in the hen house, to Kobe is in charge of the newly formed diversity committee for the NBA. Basically what it boils down to is who is Bennett fighting for? Kings fans and Sacramento or the Maloofs and Anaheim? He is the former owner of the Seattle SuperSonics who shipped them off to Oklahoma City in 2008. It's raising eyebrows all over. Is he trying to correct his mistake by some how trying to make a mends by helping Sacramento keep its sole professional sports team? Or is he pro-relocation, and does he understand what moving means to the Maloofs? He's in charge of figuring out if the facts presented by Mayor Johnson are indeed facts. This seems as if he is more enemy than not, but no one really knows. It is well documented that Bennett and Los Angeles Lakers owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, are pretty close friends. Why does this matter? Well, Buss is quite possibly the loudest adversary to the relocation efforts.

All I can say is stay tuned Kings fans, the fight is not yet over. Here We Stay, Here We Build, Here We Belong!

Here We Belong

It is with great angst that I write this article on the eve of what could be the end.

The irony of tomorrow night's game is not lost on me. First was the first "Here We Stay" game was against the Los Angeles Clippers; the second "Here We Stay" game was against the Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly the Seattle Super Sonics; and the final game of the season? The Los Angeles Lakers of course! For the second year in a row the Kings end their season against their potential neighbors. Last year, however, the final game of the season meant nothing when compared to the mass amount of emotion that fans will have at tomorrow's game. I expect to see signs galore from fans all over the arena, myself likely included.

In the eleventh hour, reports are popping up all over the internet implying the first signs of trouble in the Anaheim deal. From things such as legislative action, a potential community block of the $75 million in bonds, Here We Stay, Here We Build, Here We Sit, and now the new information that the roughly $77 million owed to Sacramento is not the only massive loan the Maloofs have. As reported by KFBK, the Maloofs took out a line of credit from the NBA to the tune of $75 million.

That's $152 million in two loans alone. While it is unclean when or if the NBA loan has to be paid before a relocation happens, but the $75 million doesn't cover both loans. That $152 million doesn't even begin to scratch the surface either. Back in 2008, when the Seattle Super Sonics moved to Oklahoma City, the relocation fee was $30 million. those circumstances are far different from what the Kings are facing in relocating to LA. The most obvious difference is the fact that the now Thunder were the only team moving into the state, let alone virtually the same city. Not only is there one major team to contend with in LA, but there are two teams losing out on the deal. Not only that, but the economy has changed so drastically it could pose a threat to obtaining the necessary funds to move.

At this point, I may be grasping at straws, but I refuse to go down without a fight. In a situation that has Kings fans tossing a coin that has five sides instead of two has everyone guessing. The only thing I know is that tomorrow is the last game of the season. It may or may not be the last game the Sacramento Kings ever play. I expect to see waves of emotions from fans throughout the arena tomorrow night. I cannot promise I will not be the among those who are upset.

Before I could even post this, Chris Webber and even long-time critic Charles Barkley have publicly stated their support for the Kings and the arena on NATIONAL TELEVISION!

The Missing Piece

It has been well known that in the past the Kings had a number of clutch shooters. In the past you could look to Mike Bibby to nail that last second, buzzer beater shot. As of late, the Kings have been missing that piece.

Many would say, myself included, that prior to the deadline the only person I had any decent amount of trust in was Tyreke Evans. When Tyreke went out and missed 20 games due to the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, there was no one. While we have good perimeter shooters like Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia, and Omri Casspi; none of them were consistent enough to get the job done. This had DeMarcus Cousins barking for the ball in those last second shot moments. We are all aware of the altercation that ensured after the loss to the Thunder between he and teammate Donte Greene, where Cousins wanted the ball for the opportunity to win the game. Greene in-bounded the ball to the then clutch Evans. Since Evans took his place behind the bench in his street clothes, the Kings went out in search of help. Prior to the February trade deadline, the Kings traded second year King Carl Landry to New Orleans for Marcus Thornton.

I will be the first to admit that I was none to happy about this trade by the numbers. Thornton's numbers were not all that impressive to me. Then he came to Sacramento and I had the opportunity to see him play. He filled the huge hole that Evans' absence left. In all but 2 games since his arrival, Thornton has scored at least 20 points. Thornton has been the saving grace even now that Evans is back. He hit a big three late in the game against Phoenix Suns to give the Kings the 116-113 win. That marked the third win against the Suns this season and both games at Power Balance Pavilion (formerly ARCO Arena) have been thrilling victories. Last night when it looked as if the Kings were doing everything they could to lose the game in the final 2 minutes in Houston, but Thornton had other plans. He hit the big shots and free throws down the stretch to allow the Kings to once again play the role of spoiler for playoff hopes.

It is safe to say that the Kings have found their clutch man. When the game is on the line I want to see the ball in one of two peoples' hands: Marcus Thornton or Tyreke Evans.