Arena uncertainty affecting your enthusiasm?

[Revrag]

I realize the results of this poll may be a little skewed because those that are the most put off by the Kings Arena issues probably have checked out of visiting this site but here goes:

How much has the arena talk (lack of progress, possibility of the Kings relocating at some point) dampened your enthusiasm for the upcoming season or the Kings in general?

 

[kennadog]

Its likely to bother those fans in the Sacramento region more than fans tied to the team and not the city. I'm holding out some hope, but am very worried we are on the brink of losing our teram in Sacramento. However, I'm still going to be as excited and suipportive as usual as long as they are here.

If they leave, it may depend on where they end up.

 

[NoBonus]

I think, for me, there has been a transition; I feel guarded about my feelings for the Kings... I used to be all in, all Kings, all the time, but now I find myself less interested in the Kings and definitely less excited about watching the season... It's really sad and drepressing for me... BUT I have made this decision; I will still be a Kings fan if they move close by (San Jose) or to the pacificnorthwest where I have roots (Seattle), but I cannot get behind a far off team, so I will stop being a Kings fan if they move to LA or Las Vegas or someplace far away... in fact, I will stop being an NBA fan altogether at that point... I feel like being such a huge Kings fan and living close by has allowed me to overlook the obvious tampering and complete lack of parity in the NBA system, but as my Kings love is dying off, my criticism of the NBA is increasing.

The lyrics to the song "When a Man Loves a Woman" jump out at me as I can now see my love of the Kings from the outside; I change the words Man to Fan and Woman to Kings to show you what I mean, read it all, it might make you want to cry (or puke, who knows)

When a fan loves the Kings
Can't keep his mind on nothing else
He'll trade the world
For the good thing he's found
If the Kings are bad he can't see it
The Kings can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best friend
If he put the Kings down

When a fan loves the Kings
Spend his very last dime
Tryin' to hold on to what he needs
He'd give up all his comfort
Sleep out in the rain
If the Kings said that's the way it ought to be

Well, this fan loves the Kings
I gave you everything I had
Tryin' to hold on to your precious love
Baby, please don't treat me bad

When a fan loves the Kings
Down deep in his soul
The Kings can bring him such misery
If the Kings play him for a fool
He's the last one to know
Lovin' eyes can't ever see

When a fan loves the Kings
He can do no wrong
He can never own some other team
Yes when a fan loves the Kings
I know exactly how he feels
'Cause baby, baby, baby, you're my world

When a fan loves the Kings.....

 

[bibbinator]

It's beyond my control so I don't worry about it.

As for going to Seattle, I find it hard to believe they'd end up at Key Arena if Arco
isn't up to snuff.

I have to say I like Arco. It's great for watching games.

 

[NoBonus]

It's beyond my control so I don't worry about it.

As for going to Seattle, I find it hard to believe they'd end up at Key Arena if Arco
isn't up to snuff.

I have to say I like Arco. It's great for watching games.

Who really doesn't like Arco? A lot of magic and heartbreak has happened there.

 

[uolj]

I voted "A little" because it affects me but only a little. I don't agree with the "but I'm sure it will get done" part of the statement, though. I don't know if it will get done or not, I'm just not letting that question affect my enthusiasm more than a little bit.

 

[Fear the Putin]

I live in L.A. so I'm more tied to the team rather than the city.

But, even watching them on T.V. for nearly a decade and defending them against faker fans out here in la la land, it's always been the SACRAMENTO Kings. I felt the ARCO energy just by watching them and finally went to a Kings game at ARCO against the Lakers and had the ARCO experience when it was rockin'.

I will always be a Kings fan, but it won't be the same without Sacramento.

 

[JB_kings]

Who really doesn't like Arco? A lot of magic and heartbreak has happened there.

I love Arco, but it's done as far as a viable arena. Even the Boston Garden got torn down. No bigger historic arena than that.

 

[kennadog]

Arco is beloved for the memories. People have to understand we'll still have those, even in a new arena (which isn't looking too godd right now). Other than the memories, Arco sucks as a physical environment. It was cheap and now its old and cheap.

 

[REKE-DMC]

If they move, I hope it isn't too far from Sacramento

 

[bajaden]

I'll still follow the team if they move, but it won't be the same. I still hold out hope that somehow a deal will get done. I used to be a Warrior fan prior to the Kings arriving in Sacramento. So a move to say, San Jose, wouldn't be that big a jump for me. But my preference is Sacramento..

 

[kingsboi]

I don't live in that state, so I can't say it will affect me. Whatever happens, well happens. I'm going to be a fan regardless, wherever they decide to move.

 

[REKE-DMC]

I don't live in that state, so I can't say it will affect me. Whatever happens, well happens. I'm going to be a fan regardless, wherever they decide to move.

This.

 

[Bricklayer]

This is a good question + poll (although might have needed a few more options such as "a little, hard to be enthused when I know they are gone etc.).

I've been trying to feel the pulse of the board, and its been sluggish to say the least. And this with having more reasons to be excited about the team than there have been in years. Now some of that, as always, is the consistent ignorance about the rebuilding process I am always seeing. People leave because the team wins 17 and 25. They come back when they win 50. There is a lack of foresight and nuance among many casual fans about when to be excieted and when to be bored. But it could be something deeper. Seattle kind of went into a death spiral with the Sonics. Rumors of their departure led to fans losing enthusiasm, which only increased the rumors, which led to more fans leaving etc. until by the end it was a mercy killing.

There would be a rather tremendous irony to the Kings being forced to leave for some other city just as they blew up into a contender again.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

There would be a rather tremendous irony to the Kings being forced to leave for some other city just as they blew up into a contender again.

Why did you put that out there! Those are the type of statements you should never put out there for suggestion to fate!!!!!

On the poll I picked C, only because it best fit my thoughts but is not exactly how I feel. I'm still excited about the team, but I don't have a lot of faith something will be done. In a way I am savoring all that I can while we have a team in Sacramento

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Its likely to bother those fans in the Sacramento region more than fans tied to the team and not the city. I'm holding out some hope, but am very worried we are on the brink of losing our teram in Sacramento. However, I'm still going to be as excited and suipportive as usual as long as they are here.

If they leave, it may depend on where they end up.

Ditto THIS^^^

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

This is a good question + poll (although might have needed a few more options such as "a little, hard to be enthused when I know they are gone etc.).

I've been trying to feel the pulse of the board, and its been sluggish to say the least. And this with having more reasons to be excited about the team than there have been in years. Now some of that, as always, is the consistent ignorance about the rebuilding process I am always seeing. People leave because the team wins 17 and 25. They come back when they win 50. There is a lack of foresight and nuance among many casual fans about when to be excieted and when to be bored. But it could be something deeper. Seattle kind of went into a death spiral with the Sonics. Rumors of their departure led to fans losing enthusiasm, which only increased the rumors, which led to more fans leaving etc. until by the end it was a mercy killing.

There would be a rather tremendous irony to the Kings being forced to leave for some other city just as they blew up into a contender again.

Ah damn Brick...did you HAVE to play with our hearts and throw an ironic hypothetical out there??

 

[ArcoKings]

I don't live in Sacramento but I have always hoped the Kings would land a nice new arena in Sacramento. I'm hoping to visit the city this season and catch my first game at Arco. I would be very bummed if they moved to another city, especially another state, though I would still continue to follow the team and still be a big Kings fan.

 

[Rookie]

Not at all.

But I do feel differently about Sacramento with all this hoopla regarding the Arena issue.

 

[sc3252]

I'll still follow the team if they move, but it won't be the same. I still hold out hope that somehow a deal will get done. I used to be a Warrior fan prior to the Kings arriving in Sacramento. So a move to say, San Jose, wouldn't be that big a jump for me. But my preference is Sacramento..

While I do live in Sacramento, San Jose is an acceptable destination for me, its a place I could still root for them at least. LA on the other hand would be a big no no. Really the biggest problem I will have is if they move to a location that is out of my tv viewing area, which any place outside of California would be.

 

[Rockmeister]

The arena issue is very much a concern for me. Although I have bought a few games, I am not as enthusiastic about the season. Also, I really haven't visited the board as much either. I really do want them to get an arena here, but its definitely has put a damper on enjoying the upcoming season.

 

[Gary]

If they move I will probably stay a fan, but I can't really get exited about them, and I wouldn't follow them as close as I do now. After a couple years or so I probably wouldn't even care anymore (if they weren't in Sac). I don't plan on staying in Sacramento though if this city is too retarded to keep a team that provides the city with a miniture "boom" 42 days a year.

That last part has me thinking though..

Do the retards that don't want the Kings here because of the "cost" issues realize the cash that gets pumped into the economy 42 nights a year when there are games in Sac and people making a night of it? It would ruin a lot of businesses if they left.

 

[Prince_XY]

How much has the arena talk (lack of progress, possibility of the Kings relocating at some point) dampened your enthusiasm for the upcoming season or the Kings in general?

Not at all, because we have a very promising team and.....

Small market. Small budget. Small ideas.

that I think it would be better for my favorite team to move somewhere else that is better than Sacramento.

I wish the Kings have a different owner, one who's got lots of money. Otherwise, I wish the Maloofs move the Kings somewhere where they can rake-in so much money that they don't have to worry so much about paying for a better GM, coach, and getting the needed supporting players. At the back of my mind, I wish they move somewhere where superstars would want be okay to play. Of course I wouldn't like the Kings to move as far as Seattle. That is just going to be too far for most of the Sacramento fans to go. Maybe the bay area or Anaheim would be okay.

 

[Nap206]

Because of the arena deal I am more of a fan than ever. I have started folowing the team for the very first time. I hope that you all get an arena done but if not I will be the fist person to purchase a Seattle kings jersey.

 

[NME]

It's disheartening that the city is so collectively stupid, but then I realize that every other team I've rooted for hasn't been in Sacramento anyway, and it's easier now than ever to follow a team out of town.

 

[rainmaker]

Does the arena situation have an affect on my enthusiasm? No, because I love basketball, love the Kings, and love rooting for/following the players. It's not the players fault this arena deal might not get done, and connecting the actual team to the arena situation would be a mistake IMO. It would be similar to if we didn't like the ownership, such as what happened at Liverpool FC with fan protests. Would protesting the ownership by not going to watch the team be fair to the players? No way. If you like the team and the players, show up. It's that simple. It's not fair to the players not to rally behind the team because of something thats not in their control.

That being said, I live in the Bay Area, so the arena deal wouldn't affect me as much as season ticket holders in the Sac area. I go to 5-10 games per year, the 2 in Oakland and another handful of games at Arco. But I'm a Kings wether or not they play in Sac or in China, and I'm so used to following from a distance using internet/league pass/radio that it wouldn't have an impact on my loyalty to the team.

I would be sad to see the Kings relocate mostly because of the history the franchise shares with the city. But if the city as a whole doesn't realize how important that bond is, then the Maloofs will walk, and deservingly so. Sure the economy had had an effect on ticket sales, but the team leaving will have a larger negative impact on the region. Tickets seem to be more affordable this year, especially with the single season ticket package for $410. I really hope it's not a case thise year of fans having the money for tickets, but not going because they're afraid the team might move. If that's the case, those aren't true fans. Some times as a fan you have to take a more active role, and if the fans show up and the attendance numbers rise, I don't see the Maloofs moving. Yet, a 1/2 empty arena is another reason to move. The fans have some power here, and it's up to them to realize that power.

If I was a betting man, I would say the Kings will stay, no matter what to options look like right now. Personally, I see the Maloofs waiting it out for another 2-3 years, and as the team gets back to the playoffs, the sellouts will come and the excitement will return. Right now the relocation fee might be too much to make moving the team a smart decision, as well as the fact the Kings would have to try to connect with a new fanbase in a new city which doesn't share the same history. The Maloofs know how great Sac can be from a business perspective when the team is doing well, and it is somewhat of a risk to expect to build that kind of a relationship in another city. I do think when this team starts winning and the arena starts filling up, something will get done on the arena front. The excitement generated should help push something through. Although I don't agree that that's what it should take, and I feel the Kings should stay regardless, I see them staying in the end.