In a way, we should have seen it coming. After a season like this, what could possibly make it worse?
We should never have challenged worse. Seeing Finley in the corner waiting for the pass was bad. Seeing the shot clock expire with the ball still in his hands, though, brought a smile to my face...but only until I realized Danny Crawford and the other two guys being paid to watch things like shot clocks and such didn't see what I - and pretty much everyone else on the planet not wearing black and white striped shirts - had seen. A clear shot clock violation was ignored. They could review the play to see if they should award two or three incorrect points to the Spurs but not whether or not the shot should count.
And yet, somehow, it all made perfect sense. It was Michael Finley, who is apparently going to stay in the league forever just to torture Kings fans, who made the shot that time forgot. It was the final home game of the season for the Kings, who have to finish their pathetic season on the road. And it was just another reminder that life - and NBA basketball - isn't fair.
There is, however, room for hope. By surviving the worst season in franchise history, the Kings and the loyal fans have set the stage for something special. A chance at a #1 pick in the 2009 draft.
Although the Kings have finished at home for the year, they'll be back in October. By then we'll know who our draftees are and we'll be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Sacramento Kings. We'll be able to talk about this latest affront and, with typical Kings fans gallows humor, we'll joke about finding fault with Finley.
Turn out the lights in Arco. The party is over ... for now. But hope springs eternal and I know a lot of us will stick around even after the final buzzer sounds in Minnesota on April 15. What else can we do?
Hello, my name is VF21. I'm a Kings fan...
