Once upon a time in a beautiful land close to rivers, with mountains in one direction and the ocean in another, there were sports fans. They were sports fans - but they weren't happy. They did not have a team to call their own.
The sports fans adopted various teams in various sports. They journeyed to the towns on the ocean's shore to root for THEIR teams. It was good, but it wasn't enough.
Then, one day, a miracle happened. A group of sports fans gathered all their resources and did the impossible - they found a team they could buy and bring to their beloved city by the rivers.
Thus, the Sacramento Kings were born. They weren't the best team in the land, but it didn't matter. They were the team of the sports fans and there was cause for rejoicing.
As time went on, it wasn't about winning because the Kings didn't win very many games. It was something bigger than winning - it was about being part of the glorious adventure.
Things went on for a long time. The original sports fans sold the team. The new owner came in, but things didn't change that much. The team continued - and the fans continued to love them without any real expectations.
Then, a miracle. The team was sold again - and this time to owners whose family was very rich AND whose family had experience in owning a team in the NBA. The fans were ecstatic, yet cautious. They heard the hype and hyperbole, but didn't know if they should believe.
Soon, however, it became apparent to all that changes were afoot for the beloved home team.
One by one, Knights of the Realm began to be assembled from near and far. There were young, brash knights. There were knights of national reknown, if somewhat checkered pasts. There was even an international knight, a gentle giant who won the heart of the fans right from the beginning.
The pieces were falling into place. The beloved home team was growing in stature and gaining respect, partially because the owners were free spending and generous in allowing their money to be spent to make the home team the best in the land. Slowly but surely the pieces came together - expensive pieces, to be sure, but pieces that would surely lead to the victory finally within their view.
Then came the greatest time - the Western Conference Final. The team fought its best and - for one brief shining moment - the fans actually saw the ultimate prize within their grasp, It was over all too quickly, however, and the fans and the owners were inconsolable in their grief.
The next year, the beloved home team had anther real chance, but again disaster struck. The hero of the home team crumpled to the ground in a heap, and with him the hopes and dreams of the owners and the hope and faith of the fans took what might well have been a fatal blow.
The team continued to be fun to watch but things were changing. Subtle changes that, at first, didn't really seem to matter. The loyal fans, who had once been so united in their unquestioning support of their team, became less certain. They started to question each other's resolve and even started to fight angrily among themselves about who was the "best" King and even who was the best fan.
The owners, for whatever reason, tightened the purse strings. Their family had become involved in other hobbies, primarily one with bright lights and flashing objects, that took a lot of their time and money. They seemed to change how they looked upon the home team. They raised the ticket prices on the loyal fans time and time again. And, although they said the right things, they didn't seem to be speaking from the heart.
Over the next couple of years, dissent and uncertainty seemed to rule the land. The owners wanted a new palace to show off their team but the local citizens were mixed in their belief that they - and not the owners - should foot the bill for such a palace.
Players who had long been favorites of the sports fans were either dealt away or simply allowed to leave, in what were called "cost cutting" measures for the long-term good of the team.
The beloved gentle giant left amid cries of angst from his loyal followers. His departure came just months before the most loyal knight was traded away, for someone many felt was just flash and no substance.
The fans continued to be puzzled. They tried to find the old joy in watching their beloved team, but it was difficult to grasp. Then what some thought could never be done, was done. The Warrior King was shipped off to a place far, far away - and three knights of questionable value were brought back in his place. Some fans, disillusioned with the Warrior King, were happy. Others were distraught beyond belief. None could agree on the value of the players brought in to "replace" him and more dissent came to the loyal fans.
The fans tried, in vain, to find reasons for all the actions. One by one, the players were going away and, for the most part, nothing of equal value was being brought in to replace them. The owners were still talking about rebuilding, but were they still willing to build with brick? Or were they choosing to go with straw? Were these knights they were bringing to the team or were they, instead, merely knaves?
Finally, one little fan started to think about what had happened and it came to him in a flash...
The owners had grown weary of the beloved home team. It was no longer the favorite toy in the toy box. It didn't deserve the best pieces regardless of the cost. The owners were now captivated by the bright lights and whirling, shiny toys in the other place - and the fan could only stand by and watch, hoping it would be a temporary thing and that soon, very soon, all would once again be good in the land of the Sacramento Kings.
The fan puzzled and worried. Was it true? Had the home team lost the favor of the owners? It was a question only time could answer...
(to be continued)
The sports fans adopted various teams in various sports. They journeyed to the towns on the ocean's shore to root for THEIR teams. It was good, but it wasn't enough.
Then, one day, a miracle happened. A group of sports fans gathered all their resources and did the impossible - they found a team they could buy and bring to their beloved city by the rivers.
Thus, the Sacramento Kings were born. They weren't the best team in the land, but it didn't matter. They were the team of the sports fans and there was cause for rejoicing.
As time went on, it wasn't about winning because the Kings didn't win very many games. It was something bigger than winning - it was about being part of the glorious adventure.
Things went on for a long time. The original sports fans sold the team. The new owner came in, but things didn't change that much. The team continued - and the fans continued to love them without any real expectations.
Then, a miracle. The team was sold again - and this time to owners whose family was very rich AND whose family had experience in owning a team in the NBA. The fans were ecstatic, yet cautious. They heard the hype and hyperbole, but didn't know if they should believe.
Soon, however, it became apparent to all that changes were afoot for the beloved home team.
One by one, Knights of the Realm began to be assembled from near and far. There were young, brash knights. There were knights of national reknown, if somewhat checkered pasts. There was even an international knight, a gentle giant who won the heart of the fans right from the beginning.
The pieces were falling into place. The beloved home team was growing in stature and gaining respect, partially because the owners were free spending and generous in allowing their money to be spent to make the home team the best in the land. Slowly but surely the pieces came together - expensive pieces, to be sure, but pieces that would surely lead to the victory finally within their view.
Then came the greatest time - the Western Conference Final. The team fought its best and - for one brief shining moment - the fans actually saw the ultimate prize within their grasp, It was over all too quickly, however, and the fans and the owners were inconsolable in their grief.
The next year, the beloved home team had anther real chance, but again disaster struck. The hero of the home team crumpled to the ground in a heap, and with him the hopes and dreams of the owners and the hope and faith of the fans took what might well have been a fatal blow.
The team continued to be fun to watch but things were changing. Subtle changes that, at first, didn't really seem to matter. The loyal fans, who had once been so united in their unquestioning support of their team, became less certain. They started to question each other's resolve and even started to fight angrily among themselves about who was the "best" King and even who was the best fan.
The owners, for whatever reason, tightened the purse strings. Their family had become involved in other hobbies, primarily one with bright lights and flashing objects, that took a lot of their time and money. They seemed to change how they looked upon the home team. They raised the ticket prices on the loyal fans time and time again. And, although they said the right things, they didn't seem to be speaking from the heart.
Over the next couple of years, dissent and uncertainty seemed to rule the land. The owners wanted a new palace to show off their team but the local citizens were mixed in their belief that they - and not the owners - should foot the bill for such a palace.
Players who had long been favorites of the sports fans were either dealt away or simply allowed to leave, in what were called "cost cutting" measures for the long-term good of the team.
The beloved gentle giant left amid cries of angst from his loyal followers. His departure came just months before the most loyal knight was traded away, for someone many felt was just flash and no substance.
The fans continued to be puzzled. They tried to find the old joy in watching their beloved team, but it was difficult to grasp. Then what some thought could never be done, was done. The Warrior King was shipped off to a place far, far away - and three knights of questionable value were brought back in his place. Some fans, disillusioned with the Warrior King, were happy. Others were distraught beyond belief. None could agree on the value of the players brought in to "replace" him and more dissent came to the loyal fans.
The fans tried, in vain, to find reasons for all the actions. One by one, the players were going away and, for the most part, nothing of equal value was being brought in to replace them. The owners were still talking about rebuilding, but were they still willing to build with brick? Or were they choosing to go with straw? Were these knights they were bringing to the team or were they, instead, merely knaves?
Finally, one little fan started to think about what had happened and it came to him in a flash...
The owners had grown weary of the beloved home team. It was no longer the favorite toy in the toy box. It didn't deserve the best pieces regardless of the cost. The owners were now captivated by the bright lights and whirling, shiny toys in the other place - and the fan could only stand by and watch, hoping it would be a temporary thing and that soon, very soon, all would once again be good in the land of the Sacramento Kings.
The fan puzzled and worried. Was it true? Had the home team lost the favor of the owners? It was a question only time could answer...
(to be continued)
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