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!

Kings Topple Champs

Going into tonight's game at Staples Center the records stood as Kings (10-33) Lakers (33-13), nearly mirror images of each other. To make matters worse, the Kings had lost their last eight meetings with the Lakers. Things did not look positive, but as any true Kings fan will tell you, "We still believe!"

After a 21-point first quarter show from Kobe Bryant, it had many Kings fans wondering if they were about to see another record breaking night from Bryant, who is on a journey up the NBA's All Time Scorers ladder. Despite the strong start for Bryant, he slowed down, but still finished with 38 points to lead all scorers. But the real story here is the play of the Kings and their young rookie.

DeMarcus Cousins took control early. Less than two minutes into the game Cousins picked up his first foul. This was a bad sign to fans as Cousins has tacked on five and six fouls in the last two games for the Kings. A bad omen this was not. Cousins made shot after shot, play after play. He finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots, all while with only 1 foul for the whole game. Cousins was helped out by his teammates tonight with Casspi finishing with 20, Dalembert 18, Evans 13, and Landry 12.

Tonight the Kings played a full 48 minutes of basketball. There were no late fourth quarter collapses, no implosions, no selfish play. The Kings were a unit tonight in a statement win over the defending champions. While the Kings only have 11 wins starting the second half of the season, Kings fans are still standing strong behind them. As the story title for Sports Center read, "Lakers Crowned", and they weren't talking about their championship win either!

Final score- Kings 100 Lakers 95. Biggest win of the season! Go Kings!

Suspension for Criticism-Fair or Not? You Decide

In the last week, before a game 3 ball was jumped for, the NBA made a quick $105,000.00 off three NBA members( 2 coaches, 1 player) for comments about the officiating. David Stern is none to happy about the continued criticism being made of his referees, especially by coaches, namely Phil Jackson. Jackson seems to be fined more than anyone else in sports and it never seems to get any better. At some point one would think that the fines, for someone who is as rich as Jackson probably is, is like asking Donald Trump to pay a $1000.00 fine, it's chump change! Should suspensions be handed out to coaches who are critical of playoff calls? I for one don't know. It is clear that just a big fine isn't preventing the criticism from coming, but suspending coaches, especially during the playoffs, is more of a punishment to the team than the coach. For that reason alone, I'm inclined to lean to the no suspension side of this argument. A coach should know better! They are adults and they are supposed to be professionals and just take it like a man. As Kings fan, we all know all too well the heart ache that comes with bad calls, not just during the regular season. Dare to revisit that horrible set of games against the Lakers Conference Finals? I for one don't want to revisit it! Sterns argument is that if enough coaches start criticizing the officiating then fans will start to see a conspiracy afloat. Need we have another Tim Donaghy, the ref who was exposed for betting scandal, and who officiated those crucial Kings/Lakers playoff games. No Laker fan at the time would admit to there being any obvious blown calls...the first time it was mentioned to me was over 6 years later when the scandal broke. Laker fans got a dose of what that felt like in the 2007-2008 against the Boston Celtics when they cried foul [pun intended] about the officiating...or lack there of. Calls are bound to be missed in the live action that is sports! Some are blatantly and painfully obvious others are judgement calls. But there is nothing you can do to change it! It is what it is...sure it sucks, but as professional players and coaches you just have to take it. Sometimes there is a call that can decide a game, but more often than not, a game isn't decided by a few bad calls.

So back to Phil and his group of guys...Phil complains and whines about Kevin Durant getting "star treatment" all year long. Well, if you ask me, he's got one of those super star treated players on his team, you know Kobe Bryant right? Bryant complains about more shots and missed calls or calls than any other player I know! If Kobe misses a shot, he throws a fit because he MUST have been fouled because super stars don't miss right?! Superstars probably get more calls than the average guy, but that's not just because they are superstars. A superstar player has to take it to the rim, be aggressive, and create contact, it's why they are superstars. But what they do get is the ability to bicker a little more without getting the technical thrown at them. Although, the refs seem to be getting tired of their whiney attitudes as Superstars Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard have 13 and 16 technicals respectively as of 4/6/10. These numbers put them in the top 4 most t-ed up players in the league. I am happy to report that no Kings player appeared on the list of 24 for most t-ed up players with the 24 spot being tied with 7 players receiving 6.

Basically my point is shut up and play basketball. Sometimes there is cause for the complaint...see Stephen Jackson of the Bobcats already in the playoffs...Captain Jack was turned into a pirate with his head band being knocked down around his eyes when he took it to the rim and no call was made. He had a point when he was expressing his feelings of the no call to the refs being seen saying "How did this happen?!" empathically! He had a point, but at the same time, they aren't going to call a foul that late after it happens. There is no going back to the review booth to see none calls you can just move on and play through it. Use it as motivation if you must, get mad and take it to the rim and get the call!