A disturbing trend (among fans)

I'm not saying we non Sacramento resident Kings fans deserves more credit, but damn we have it hard. On top of all the heartbreaks that goes for every fan, we don't get to watch most of the games unless we pay for league pass. We don't have the local support and association. Instead we live in laker town fill with bandwagon fans (its true) that just so happen to become a laker fan again when they started winning championships. We get ridiculed by these bandwagoners and talk smack to us at sports bars but we do not back down or change our allegiance. I stayed loyal to the team even after the good times are long gone.

It would've been easy for me/us to just say forget it and jump on the lakers' wagon. But it will never happen, at least not for me. So for anyone that gave up because of a bad start, leave and don't let the door hit you on your way out. Thats not what Kings fans are about.

amen
 
Peter_Gibbons
You need to hook up with us SoCal KingsFans.com crowd. Last saturday 14 of us went to the Kings@Clips game and back in February 30 of us got together and went to game. So we are more of the true "hardship" fans of which you speak. Most of us forked over Direct TV NBA package or on one of the cable deals. Personally, I've been Kings fan since late 80's thru all the really bad times until 98-99 when the miracle happened, at least for 4-5 years. Now see that happening again in next year or so.

The "fans" that claim to be done because of this bad stretch, they can leave and we won't miss them.

Let me say something here. I've been a Kings fan living in LA since 1999 when the Kings started to become an exciting contender. I liked basketball since I was a kid but it was during that time that I got really into the NBA and I took a liking to the Kings. I've been a fan since.

I'm not saying we non Sacramento resident Kings fans deserves more credit, but damn we have it hard. On top of all the heartbreaks that goes for every fan, we don't get to watch most of the games unless we pay for league pass. We don't have the local support and association. Instead we live in laker town fill with bandwagon fans (its true) that just so happen to become a laker fan again when they started winning championships. We get ridiculed by these bandwagoners and talk smack to us at sports bars but we do not back down or change our allegiance. I stayed loyal to the team even after the good times are long gone.

It would've been easy for me/us to just say forget it and jump on the lakers' wagon. But it will never happen, at least not for me. So for anyone that gave up because of a bad start, leave and don't let the door hit you on your way out. Thats not what Kings fans are about.
 
Why have fans bailed on the kings?
It bothers me that ive lost interest. From day one if there was a weekend game my mom would drop me off at the old arco early in the morning and I would wait in line ALL DAY for kings tix. I listened to every road game when they were on 1530 AM. I use to call into the old Dave Crosby Show. I lived and died kings. Then sometime around 2004 it was like a switch was flipped.
Its not like im a bandwaggoner. I love my A's and my 49ers, 2 horrible teams, especially the latter! I attend a lot of games to both teams. I just cant explain my loss of interest in the team I once loved. I live across the freeway from arco and I only attend 3 or 4 games a year. I can admit thats pathetic. Where has the love gone?
 
You really can't blame fans though.. After a while of the idiots that are running the Kings/NBA/Arena deal saying that the Kings have no hope of staying the fans are going to say "F**k off!". We can only take so much of this toying around before we just tell them to to get the hell out of here.

I still watch the Kings and follow them but I don't blame people that are through with getting their emotions toyed with.

It's like being in a relationship and one of them just get tired of the other and emotionally checks out of the relationship..
 
I've been a fan since day one, 1985(as most know), and will never love another team...but my heart is in limbo FOR this team right now due to the arena failures(up to now)and Westphal's shortcomings as a coach. I DO, however, think that a couple adjustments in personnel(i.e.: Elie becoming head coach)would bring back alot of fire and competitiveness to the team, henceforth bringing a few of the fans back to the arena. I'm not in the mood in watching Tyreke hog the ball and jack up 5-19 every game thinking he's the only reason this team exists. I think the energy that was displayed last night(even though it was just the Wiz, but it's not like we're beating ANYONE else right now...so it's a start)but I think the energy they had last night and the aggressiveness as a TEAM is exactly what this organization needs, moreso than a 'face of the franchise' sort of deal. Check back around the trading deadline and see what happens if we have no positive progress before them...a change will be a brewin'!
 
You really can't blame fans though.. After a while of the idiots that are running the Kings/NBA/Arena deal saying that the Kings have no hope of staying the fans are going to say "F**k off!". We can only take so much of this toying around before we just tell them to to get the hell out of here.

I still watch the Kings and follow them but I don't blame people that are through with getting their emotions toyed with.

It's like being in a relationship and one of them just get tired of the other and emotionally checks out of the relationship..

Unfortunately that's the crossroads this franchise is at in this city, and they have two choices...much like they did in 98'-99'...stick their neck out and spend some smart money on bigger name players to help our young guys(and also make a necessary change at coach too) , or continue to suck...and be a cautionary tale after all is said and done. I hope they choose the first...
 
Why have fans bailed on the kings?
It bothers me that ive lost interest. From day one if there was a weekend game my mom would drop me off at the old arco early in the morning and I would wait in line ALL DAY for kings tix. I listened to every road game when they were on 1530 AM. I use to call into the old Dave Crosby Show. I lived and died kings. Then sometime around 2004 it was like a switch was flipped.
Its not like im a bandwaggoner. I love my A's and my 49ers, 2 horrible teams, especially the latter! I attend a lot of games to both teams. I just cant explain my loss of interest in the team I once loved. I live across the freeway from arco and I only attend 3 or 4 games a year. I can admit thats pathetic. Where has the love gone?

Kudos for remembering a true Kings media icon in Dave GROSBY, btw...I used to call in a bunch as well...he's still doing radio in Seattle last I heard...true class act, and very knowledgeable.
 
I DO, however, think that a couple adjustments in personnel(i.e.: Elie becoming head coach)would bring back alot of fire and competitiveness to the team, henceforth bringing a few of the fans back to the arena.

Timing might have been better for this idea yesterday.
 
I love my Kings, even through this rough spot. I am struggling more with trying to keep up my very slim hope that an arena deal can miraculously come together. My nhead keeps mtelling me it isn't going to happen. My hope is gasping for air right now.

Obviously, that is only a concern for Kings fans that actually live in the region, but I will be heartbroken, nay, crushed, if the team leaves Sacramento. Even if they are crappy, I still want my beloved Kings here.
 
I love my Kings, even through this rough spot. I am struggling more with trying to keep up my very slim hope that an arena deal can miraculously come together.

The sheer amount of ineptitude Sacramento has displayed in the arena debacle makes me ashamed to be a Sacramento native. It's just inexcusably pathetic that the 38th largest city in the country can't manage to get an up to par arena built.
 
The sheer amount of ineptitude Sacramento has displayed in the arena debacle makes me ashamed to be a Sacramento native. It's just inexcusably pathetic that the 38th largest city in the country can't manage to get an up to par arena built.
With you 100% on this sentiment.
 
With you 100% on this sentiment.

The arena situation is really exacerbating things right now insofar as people's attitudes about the team go. If there was an arena deal in place I don't think this current losing streak would sting nearly as bad as it does. I think a lot of people have accepted that there's a good chance the team will leave and have kind of detached themselves from the situation and from caring about the team. It's sort of a defense mechanism so it hurts less when and if they do leave.
 
Looking at us Kingsfans we are actually very easy to please..give us a win again Washington-not having their 3 best players and we already see
a big imporvement. As you can see we dont ask for too much simply hard work and dedication and sometimes a W..we are all still here but this season has been so far
really terrible. As a fan you suffer and stay but you should be as well allowed to complain.
 
The arena situation is really exacerbating things right now insofar as people's attitudes about the team go. If there was an arena deal in place I don't think this current losing streak would sting nearly as bad as it does. I think a lot of people have accepted that there's a good chance the team will leave and have kind of detached themselves from the situation and from caring about the team. It's sort of a defense mechanism so it hurts less when and if they do leave.
I do think that's part of it. And it has to be keeping some potential new area fans away. Why fall in love with a team that's going to leave. I mean fans love the Kings, but we need to fall in love with this version of the Kings at some point. The arena situation simply makes that harder.
 
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See this I think is one of those "perception gaps" well. You really can't have a failed rebuild with an extremely young team in a 15 game span.

I think the Rebuild would have looked less like it failed if Petrie had brought in a piece or 2 to help keep the team exciting to watch if not competetive. No one wants the Kings to lose here. It is FAR too early for LINS. We can talk about LINS after the allstar break. I fully expect Petrie to make some kind of move between now and the Allstar break to bring in a veteran PG or SG to help shore up our guard line. Beno has some really bad games defensively depending on whom he is asked to guard. Beno is just not a very active defender. Pooh is a better defender and I like the way he has stepped in and made positive contributions to the team. But we need a shooter from the outside that can take the pressure off of the bigs down low that are getting doubled. If there is a shooter to be had who plays decent defense, the Kings need to look at a trade scenerio. Don't take on long term contracts, but bring someone in via trade to fire up our backcourt. There should be some pieces we can trade to improve our backcourt play. I think Petrie is just waiting for the right deal to come along. With more firepower from the outside, it will break loose the Kings offense and get them scoring like they did against the Bullets.
 
I think the Rebuild would have looked less like it failed if Petrie had brought in a piece or 2 to help keep the team exciting to watch if not competetive. No one wants the Kings to lose here. It is FAR too early for LINS. We can talk about LINS after the allstar break. I fully expect Petrie to make some kind of move between now and the Allstar break to bring in a veteran PG or SG to help shore up our guard line. Beno has some really bad games defensively depending on whom he is asked to guard. Beno is just not a very active defender. Pooh is a better defender and I like the way he has stepped in and made positive contributions to the team. But we need a shooter from the outside that can take the pressure off of the bigs down low that are getting doubled. If there is a shooter to be had who plays decent defense, the Kings need to look at a trade scenerio. Don't take on long term contracts, but bring someone in via trade to fire up our backcourt. There should be some pieces we can trade to improve our backcourt play. I think Petrie is just waiting for the right deal to come along. With more firepower from the outside, it will break loose the Kings offense and get them scoring like they did against the Bullets.

What is LINS?
 
The Kings bottomed in talent two years ago (pre Tyreke). But interest in the Kings seems to be bottoming right now. So there's a disconnect between the talent that has been accumulated and the mood of the fans toward the team. I believe this primarily has to do with expectations. The fans expect that increased talent should yield immediate benefits in performance and wins. But it doesn't work that way. Young teams go through great growing pains, and fans should expect to experience some of that pain in the early years.

I think next year is going to see a huge jump in wins for the Kings. The seeds that have been planted will begin show fruit. The Maloofs will open the piggy bank. Another high quality draft pick will enter the fold. And the light bulb will come on for several of the younger players. Hence, my new signature:
 
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The Kings bottomed in talent two years ago (pre Tyreke). But interest in the Kings seems to be bottoming right now. So there's a disconnect between the talent that has been accumulated and the mood of the fans toward the team. I believe this primarily has to do with expectations. The fans expect that increased talent should yield immediate benefits in performance and wins. But it doesn't work that way. Young teams go through great growing pains, and fans should expect to experience some of that pain in the early years.

I think next year is going to see a huge jump in wins for the Kings. The seeds that have been planted will begin show fruit. The Maloofs will open the piggy bank. Another high quality draft pick will enter the fold. And the light bulb will come on for several of the younger players. Hence, my new avatar:

I completely agree. Coming into the season I thought the max wins for the year would be 35. Unfortunately it looks like we won't be anywhere close to that but as long as there is some improvement than it's ok.

I think alot of ppl we're blindly hoping to challenge for the 8th seed this year but thats just not realisitic. Our core group of players (JT, Donte, Casspi, Tyreke, DCuz) are 3rd year or younger. They need time to develop and find themselves. If only Westphal would play them consistently.
 
I was thinking about the fan situation this morning. We all hear about how the Kings fans have been some of the best in the NBA for a long time but it seemed to drop off in recent years.

I compare the kings situation to my Iowa Hawkeyes. When Tom Davis was coach the hawks often had top 25 teams and a packed arena. The Hawks decided that Tom wasn't taking the team to that next level (Adelman) so they replaced him with a young guy only to see the team start to fall apart. Poor recruiting, poor play and an eventual coaching carousel led to poor attendence. The fans had been used to a quality product and were almost spoiled by it. However, the hawks new coach has set a nice plan in place. He has a style and system that will open the door for better recruiting and a renewed interest in the team.

The kings poor play, poor recruiting and an eventual coaching carousel led the kings down that same path of poor attendance and bad fan attitude. Paul needs to take charge of this situation. Set a lineup and stick to it. When the team starts gaining chemistry the fans will have a renewed sense of hope even if the team is still losing.
 
I completely agree. Coming into the season I thought the max wins for the year would be 35. Unfortunately it looks like we won't be anywhere close to that but as long as there is some improvement than it's ok.

I think alot of ppl we're blindly hoping to challenge for the 8th seed this year but thats just not realisitic. Our core group of players (JT, Donte, Casspi, Tyreke, DCuz) are 3rd year or younger. They need time to develop and find themselves. If only Westphal would play them consistently.

I don't know many people who honestly thought that we would challenge for the 8th seed (since that would mean 45+ wins), but MOST people thought we would improve on 25 wins...which doesn't look like it's going to happen now. I would have been happy if we would have won 28-30 wins, but after winning 17 and 25, people EXPECTED some kind of an improvement....but at times, we look worse than the 17 win team...
 
I liked the fans that were out last night. Rowdy and supportive of the team. And ready to let the boos rain down whenever Lebron touched the ball!
 
Fans who give up this early on this team just aren't that smart. Fans who give up on this team because the team does not look competitive enough at this point in time are unreasonably impatient. Fans judging that Westphal is incompetent because they see him struggling to find the right personnel to win games just don't know how hard it is to develop and coach a very young rebuilding team.

We are only on our 2nd year process of rebuilding. Evans and Cousins are the main guys and both guys weren't even projected as top picks and not projected as franchise-type players. Evans is a sophomore and Cousins a rookie. They are supported with mediocre team mates. I don't even think it will make any difference if they are being coached by Larry Brown or Phil Jackson. This team just isn't the team for bandwagon fans.

I know for a fact there was a very good plan on how this team would be developed. And seeing the way the start of the season had unfolded and until now, I can say Westphal and Petry remained committed to that very good plan. I wouldn't elaborate more since no one will believe me anyways.
 
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