Are King's Fans Spoiled ???

[Folsom Al]

The other day on the Napear and Lamb show .... the first few calls that Grant and Mike took were all NFL Draft calls. After a commercial break, Grant came back and started ripping into the fan base and asked "Where are all the fans - it's the playoffs - you'd think there's nothing goin' on around here - does anybody care about basketball around here anymore ???"

I've thought about this for 2 days ...

I almost called and said, "Grant, it could be that we're all out here, we just don't like calling your show anymore".

I frequent a few boards and they are busy-busy-busy .... take these message boards for example ... it's an ANT COLONY ... there's so much traffic in here, I find it hard to believe that the interest and fan base have gone down.

I wasn't here last year or the year before that .... does anybody recall what it was like in here ???

I am so pumped and excited about the King's .... yes, it is different. We've got a different set of players ... different 1st round opponent ... and we lost game #1.

Could it be, the King's have made the playoffs and we're waiting for them to get to the next round ??? I don't feel that way .... I am living and dying with each win and loss. I can't stand it !!!

Do you think the excitement and energy is less compared to prior years ???

Or was Napear making those comments cause it's the King's Home Station and he's trying to stir-up the fan base to increase the calls ???

 

[KingCookie]

lol, I know I will never call Grant's show again...it's not a good barometer for the excitement factor of Sacramento, but I'd say it's definitely down...mostly because of the bandwagon jumpers that won't hop on board until things look bright in the playoffs.

 

[bibbinator]

I think the trades and all the new faces on the team threw people.

Finley didn't do us any good either.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

Although I for one am totally jacked about the playoffs and the Kings the average fan or average Sacramentan for that matter is not. Ratings in Sacramento for game 1 against Seattle were down 50% from game 1 against Dallas last year...that's a huge number of people. I have a few friends who admit to being Kings fans, but who are not all that interested or I should say passionate about the playoffs this year. I think that there are a few reasons for this, but reason #1 would have to be the unfamiliarity with the team. No more Chris, Vlade or Doug...all players and persons that most Kings fans grew very attached to. Those three were probably the most outspoken and noticeable of all the Kings. Although Bibby and Pedja are left, they did not generate a connection to the fans like the other three did. However, when the Kings get by Seattle the city will be back to normal and we will all have to make room on this bandwagon. Additionally, the best thing that can happen for the Kings to get a new arena is for them to get past Seattle...if they don't then this ambivalence towards the Kings from the majority of Sacramentans will linger through to next season.

 

[Elektrik]

I think alot has to do with the fact that the players on the team now are lacking a public personality. Vlade, was so charismatic and emotional and he was known for being amimated on the sidelines. He was charming and at the same time you could see the devil in him. His flopping which infuriated other teams was effective and he had a knack for getting in players heads.
Chris was a lightning rod for criticism. He would always say something controversial whether it was true or not. He created a buzz in town with the things he said. Add his skills, his smile, and his persona (not to mention a pretty hot girlfriend) and he was what made the Kings an intersesting team to watch.
And of course Doug. he was a great speaker and when interviewed he would never duck a question. his defense at his peak was as good as anything seen. Add his relationship with Jackie and he also added alot of things to talk about.
Now those powerful personalities are all gone leaving little to talk about as far as the "glamor" of the team. Other than Bobby the rest of the team create little interest other than of the game itself. Go right down the list and every single player that gets interviewed responds with the same old generic answers to reporters questions.
I still love the team but the changes that have come about leave something to be desired as far as personality goes. maybe in time this team as well as individuals will place their stamp of personality on the team but as of now I dont see it and to me, that is what is lacking and is the reason why fan interest has waned.

 

[Bricklayer]

You know, it is a little quieter around here than last year, and just judging from that and the various reports people post, I have to beleive the excitement is significantly down.

Now, are Kings fans spoiled? Yes and no. I've said in previous years that I thought we had become spoiled -- Arco was a shell of what it had once been, and being an annual contender had become something to be mocked rather than celebrated for some. But this year, its more than that. This team we have out there is a squad in transition, and many of the players out there are barely Kings and would have been considered enemies 3 months ago. Its tough to develop any sort of team spirit or deep rooting interest in that amount of time. And I suspect after losing most of the core of the team in less than a year, people are probably a bit wary of getting too attached to a random bunch of players who may or may not be here next year. Wasn't just the team that was thrown into turmoil by all the turnover, it was also the fanbase. So think its deeper than just being spoiled (although that aspect can not be denied either -- its notable that the people who are most enthusiastic are those who think we can still win it all).

In any case though, suspect that even if we were no better next year, if we have added some young/exciting talent + it had been around for a full year and looked like part of our long term plans the interest would be higher.

 

[moppeh]

Here's the deal:

There's no excitement because nobody really thinks the Kings can go all the way. It's pretty much become a routine to make the playoffs and bow out before the Conference Finals, except for the year against the Lakers of course.

It's not like it was before when we would be excited to just make the payoffs, now we want more, and perhaps we're spoiled. The departure of Webber actually gives me more to smile about, since we have people that can actually play defense and run the court now.

 

[Joker112]

It's hard to differentiate between being spoiled and having high expectations. To some degree we as Kings fans are spoiled because the playoffs have become a given after so many years at the bottom. At the same time this team has a high level of talent as well as a huge payroll, so expectations should be for nothing less than a contender. Due to injuries and changes to the team's core, noone really knows fully what this team is capable of, or whether they should still be considered a "contender".


As for calling in to Grant as a gauge for fan interest, I have to admit I no longer can stand listening to him. He has no ability to be objective when discussing sports or calling a game.

 

[love_them_kings]

I think alot has to do with the fact that the players on the team now are lacking a public personality. Vlade, was so charismatic and emotional and he was known for being amimated on the sidelines. He was charming and at the same time you could see the devil in him. His flopping which infuriated other teams was effective and he had a knack for getting in players heads.
Chris was a lightning rod for criticism. He would always say something controversial whether it was true or not. He created a buzz in town with the things he said. Add his skills, his smile, and his persona (not to mention a pretty hot girlfriend) and he was what made the Kings an intersesting team to watch.
And of course Doug. he was a great speaker and when interviewed he would never duck a question. his defense at his peak was as good as anything seen. Add his relationship with Jackie and he also added alot of things to talk about.
Now those powerful personalities are all gone leaving little to talk about as far as the "glamor" of the team. Other than Bobby the rest of the team create little interest other than of the game itself. Go right down the list and every single player that gets interviewed responds with the same old generic answers to reporters questions.
I still love the team but the changes that have come about leave something to be desired as far as personality goes. maybe in time this team as well as individuals will place their stamp of personality on the team but as of now I dont see it and to me, that is what is lacking and is the reason why fan interest has waned.

I think you hit on a great point. My dad & I were discussing this exact point this morning. He is a season ticket holder, as are some of his friends, and he said that while he still loves the Kings, the interest level is way down, especially since the Webber trade. And, he said that we need to pick up a player that people will love. Between Vlade's personality and Webb's smile, people bonded with them. Not just us hard core fans, who would love anyone in a Kings uni, but your average fan. With all the shift in key players this year, I think many people are missing the emotional attachment they had to this team, because the team they have survived thrills and heartbreaks with over the past years is no more.

I love the players we have now, but none of them have really the outstanding media personality that Vlade or Webb had. Everyone loved Vlade, and with Webb people seemed to love him, or loved to hate him. Either way, he inspired an emotional reaction and passion to many fans.

and, finally, I think many people see the team, as it stands, as a transition team, and isn't getting too attached because they don't know how long it's going to be together.

 

[Bad Boy Bo]

The Kings always prove my doubt wrong year after year. I learn to give them my full faith, even if they lose. Because they play basketball the right way. Spoiled? I don't think so, but this year we migh of had a lot of bandwagon fans jump off, or go into hiding, but I'm very optimistic about this team--and this year in particular (not just the post-season, but off season too). Personally, I'm as hype about his play-offs as the previous few years. Maybe not everyone is as they were, but I'm sure many feel me on this and are here for the Kings thick and thin.

The unfamilarity of the new Kings might give a little uneased feeling, but watching their hussle, their eagerness to want to win, I know they will only in due time win over the fans hearts.

 

[The Freak]

Last night Monty was going off how some fans are totally stupid w/ the arena issue. ex. saying ticket prices were too high, the maloofs have casinos in vegas.. etc lol it was pretty amusing to know that people hear this guy proclaim his own rantings until midnight.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Not sure if this is a good barometer or not but I had tickets for sale on ebay with bidding starting at facevalue pluse the ticketmaster charges I paid and no one bid on them. First time that has ever happend to me for any Kings game.

 

[mr. moustache]

Last night Monty was going off how some fans are totally stupid w/ the arena issue. ex. saying ticket prices were too high, the maloofs have casinos in vegas.. etc lol it was pretty amusing to know that people hear this guy proclaim his own rantings until midnight.

Joel Olsteen frightens me!!

 

[PixelPusher]

Joel Olsteen frightens me!!

I'm not sure who this "Joel Olsteen" is, but he reminds me of Cameron from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off".

 

[kennadog]

At the same time this team has a high level of talent as well as a huge payroll, so expectations should be for nothing less than a contender.

Actually, the Kings were near the top in payroll a few years ago (2001-02 was the peak). Kings payroll is now about middle of the pack. The Maloofs have been steadily trying to reduce payroll and the amount of luxury tax they have to pay. Payroll amount does not necessaritly equate with championship. The Spurs are the perfect example.

Yes, I do think interest is down. There was a time when the Kings we're THE team that was the most fun to watch in the league. Now its not. So bandwagon fans jump off. It makes me sad, but you can't make people be real, true fans.

And all the other reasons given here contribute. We were very attached to a likeable bunch of core guys that were as much friends as teammates. They were together for a long time and the fans had time to become very attached emotionally. I think that is rare in sports these days. And the Kings don't have that "marquee" player which generates fandom in some cities (like AI, McGrady, Garnett, etc.)

I just don't think the fans have had time to decide how they feel about the current group and this group is not likely to be the team we see in the fall. I also think some of the ill feelings over the arena have lowered interest by some people.

Having said all that, I'm a FAN. This is my team, and where they go, I go with them. Through the ups and downs, the changes, everything. It tore me up to see Vlade, Christie and Webber go and yet I knew the time had arrived for change. But I will cheer just as much for this current version of the Kings, even if I don't feel that same love.....yet. Geez, Bibby, Bobby, Brad, Peja are still there! I'm not going to drop them like old news!! This year has been harder on them, than me.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

According to the Rise guys this morning, local viewership (of game 1) was down 50% from a year ago.

The bandwagon/casual fan has jumped off.

 

[HndsmCelt]

According to the Rise guys this morning, local viewership (of game 1) was down 50% from a year ago.

The bandwagon/casual fan has jumped off.

Not all the Band Wagoneers are gone just check out the Game thread.

 

[Elektrik]

Not sure if this is a good barometer or not but I had tickets for sale on ebay with bidding starting at facevalue pluse the ticketmaster charges I paid and no one bid on them. First time that has ever happend to me for any Kings game.

Interesting. How about this as a barometer. You actually were willing to give up Kings playoff tickets.

 

[loopymitch]

Interesting. How about this as a barometer. You actually were willing to give up Kings playoff tickets.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love the opportunity to go to a game at Arco, let alone playoffs. They'd get my ticket over my dead body.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Interesting. How about this as a barometer. You actually were willing to give up Kings playoff tickets.

Oh no I'll be at both Friday and Sunday... these are extras..

 

[swisshh]

No, the fans are still into it. We are near being spoiled. Grant's show just sucks.

 

[ImaKingsFan]

I could see how viewership could have fallen off. Back in the day before the team was broken up there were many fans of the game of basketball not necessarily Kings fans who started watching the Kings because their style of play was so much fun. This is a different team now and their offense is not close to being as entertaining as it was.

 

[captain bill]

I'm less passionate about the playoffs this year, but not because I don't like the Kings' chances (which I don't, compared to years past). The problem is I can't really cheer for this team because they haven't been together long enough, they're not really the Sacramento Kings, it's more of a bunch of guys wearing Kings uniforms. I like watching Peja, Bobby, Mike, and Brad, but almost everyone else just seems like a group of players, none of whom may be back next year. If this team was together for longer, they'd have more of a chance to endear themselves to the fans. But as of now, there just isn't any real connection to the players there now.

 

[N.U.F.A.N.]

I'm less passionate about the playoffs this year, but not because I don't like the Kings' chances (which I don't, compared to years past). The problem is I can't really cheer for this team because they haven't been together long enough, they're not really the Sacramento Kings, it's more of a bunch of guys wearing Kings uniforms. I like watching Peja, Bobby, Mike, and Brad, but almost everyone else just seems like a group of players, none of whom may be back next year. If this team was together for longer, they'd have more of a chance to endear themselves to the fans. But as of now, there just isn't any real connection to the players there now.

Hey hey hey!! you forgot about Songaila!

 

[Venom]

I don't think Kings fans are really spoiled. They still show up on time right (Lakers)? And fill at least the lower level (Heat)? The NFL Draft is a pretty unique, exciting, one-time event in the most popular sport in the States. Moreover, the 49ers had the top pick. Also, Grant is a raving jerk.