Which part of SE Asia will you be heading to?
Arena Vote
- Thread starter Mike0476
- Start date
Which part of SE Asia will you be heading to?
ParniValjak
All-Star
I am not from Sacramento, never been in Sacramento but I have been a Kings fan for most of my life and I cannot begging to express how proud I am of Sacramento, especially our fans and the mayor, the ever energetic Kevin Johnson!
After today's historic vote, I started thinking about this whole situation and just how much of a struggle thishas been for us fans! The years of Thomas and threats of relocation, followed by the loan and subsequent sale to the Maloofs. I used to like these clowns and believed their dribble but now looking back, they were never really in it! All the failed arena deals, all the sabotages along the way, all the glitz and the glamor that they flaunted. It never really was Sacramento. Sacramento was too much of a small town for them.
I now have no doubt that when they bought the team, they planned to move it to a place that is more them. They probably pictured themselves moving the team to Vegas! He glitz, the glamor, the partying, they would have been the Kings of Vagas. That's right up their alley! But NBA wouldn't hear about Vegas, still don't! So they thought they would ride the wave of a winning team, sellout streaks and popularity while it lasted but thought in time they are out of here. They like to be liked so they needed to come across as if they are trying so along came tmany failed arena negotiations.
Then the GFC struck and they lost their fortune practically overnight! They needed to sell but realised that to get the most out of the sale of the team they needed to relocate first. So along came Anaheim! Its practically LA! Its not Vegas but its LA! But NBA had other ideas. They believed in Sacramento, led by our mayor! And said no "boys"...back to the drawing board!
Then along came a group so desperate to buy the team and recreate their Sonics. They overpaid but did the honourable thing in stating their intentions up front...we want to buy the team and move them to Seattle and rename them to Sonics! This, while honourable, might be just the thing that gets then undone in this. They underestimated the power of fans and certainly underestimated the Mayor, our very own Kevin Johnson. A workaholic, that is part of the NBA family. They guy who was competitive as a player and is even more so today as a leader of this great community! The never say die attitude of this great man and his "open door" at the NBA headquarters just might get us over the line!
I ask myself why are we going through this but then it just hit me. This is a blessing in disguise for us. All it needed was Seattle group to be cunning in their ways. They could have easily said they want to buy the team and keep it in Sacramento. Work on the arena with the city of Sacramento and try and get it done! This is the lip service that we got from the Maloofs. They easily could have pulled a Clay Bennett here and pretend to care about the community and pretend to want to keep the team here while planning a relocation in the background! And this is me saying something that I never thought I would say but THANK YOU Hansen and Ballmer for being honest because if you were to "play the game" I don't think there would have been this big an effort from the community or the Mayor because they would have taken you on your word but because you weere honest in your intentions, you just might have helped us save OUR KINGS! The NBA will like approve OUR group and the new ownerhip of OUR KINGS! The group that is from the state of California, a group that is made of billionaires who believe in this market in this town! They are not into glitz and glamor or public grandstanding. They prefer to let their deeds do the talking. Something the Maloofs could never do! This ownership group might just be the group of man who take us from the ashes into a global phenomenon and a winning organization with culture and rspect in the league. Whatever adjectives you some up with when you think of the San Antonio Spurs in the last 15 odd years, those are just some of the things people will be talkingg about when they thing of OUR SACRAMENTO KINGS!
The finish line is close, intensify the effort and celebrate your hardest when we cross the line, but not before we cross that line! The fight is still very much on!
After today's historic vote, I started thinking about this whole situation and just how much of a struggle thishas been for us fans! The years of Thomas and threats of relocation, followed by the loan and subsequent sale to the Maloofs. I used to like these clowns and believed their dribble but now looking back, they were never really in it! All the failed arena deals, all the sabotages along the way, all the glitz and the glamor that they flaunted. It never really was Sacramento. Sacramento was too much of a small town for them.
I now have no doubt that when they bought the team, they planned to move it to a place that is more them. They probably pictured themselves moving the team to Vegas! He glitz, the glamor, the partying, they would have been the Kings of Vagas. That's right up their alley! But NBA wouldn't hear about Vegas, still don't! So they thought they would ride the wave of a winning team, sellout streaks and popularity while it lasted but thought in time they are out of here. They like to be liked so they needed to come across as if they are trying so along came tmany failed arena negotiations.
Then the GFC struck and they lost their fortune practically overnight! They needed to sell but realised that to get the most out of the sale of the team they needed to relocate first. So along came Anaheim! Its practically LA! Its not Vegas but its LA! But NBA had other ideas. They believed in Sacramento, led by our mayor! And said no "boys"...back to the drawing board!
Then along came a group so desperate to buy the team and recreate their Sonics. They overpaid but did the honourable thing in stating their intentions up front...we want to buy the team and move them to Seattle and rename them to Sonics! This, while honourable, might be just the thing that gets then undone in this. They underestimated the power of fans and certainly underestimated the Mayor, our very own Kevin Johnson. A workaholic, that is part of the NBA family. They guy who was competitive as a player and is even more so today as a leader of this great community! The never say die attitude of this great man and his "open door" at the NBA headquarters just might get us over the line!
I ask myself why are we going through this but then it just hit me. This is a blessing in disguise for us. All it needed was Seattle group to be cunning in their ways. They could have easily said they want to buy the team and keep it in Sacramento. Work on the arena with the city of Sacramento and try and get it done! This is the lip service that we got from the Maloofs. They easily could have pulled a Clay Bennett here and pretend to care about the community and pretend to want to keep the team here while planning a relocation in the background! And this is me saying something that I never thought I would say but THANK YOU Hansen and Ballmer for being honest because if you were to "play the game" I don't think there would have been this big an effort from the community or the Mayor because they would have taken you on your word but because you weere honest in your intentions, you just might have helped us save OUR KINGS! The NBA will like approve OUR group and the new ownerhip of OUR KINGS! The group that is from the state of California, a group that is made of billionaires who believe in this market in this town! They are not into glitz and glamor or public grandstanding. They prefer to let their deeds do the talking. Something the Maloofs could never do! This ownership group might just be the group of man who take us from the ashes into a global phenomenon and a winning organization with culture and rspect in the league. Whatever adjectives you some up with when you think of the San Antonio Spurs in the last 15 odd years, those are just some of the things people will be talkingg about when they thing of OUR SACRAMENTO KINGS!
The finish line is close, intensify the effort and celebrate your hardest when we cross the line, but not before we cross that line! The fight is still very much on!
Roaming Gnome
Prospect
Considering Herb Simon (owner) just spent $16M of his own loot for the new scoreboard in a facility that the city of Indianapolis owns... I'd say that is a pretty strong commitment!
...and a rather nice scoreboard
As a fan of another small market team, I watch with great interest in what is happening in Sacramento. A lot of us over on our forum feel that if Sacramento lost the Kings AFTER everything that the city has done to keep them.... ANY small market team could lose their team at the whim of bad ownership!
I honestly don't fear Herb Simon ever moving the Pacers, but Herb's age and the perfect storm with the emergence of Peyton Manning's Colts and the pure hatred for the franchise in the community due to "the brawl", Artest & other "Rogue" players getting in trouble had some of us die hard fans really worried. It's crazy to think that the brawl happened nearly 10 years ago, but it STILL has a direct effect on our attendance and standing in the community.
3 to 5 years ago, this could easily be us if it weren't for ownership that truly believed in Central Indiana!
Last edited:
Trueblood
Bench
Considering Herb Simon (owner) just spent $16M of his own loot for the new scoreboard in a facility that the city of Indianapolis owns... I'd say that is a pretty strong commitment!
...and a rather nice scoreboard
As a fan of another small market team, I watch with great interest in what is happening in Sacramento. A lot of us over on our forum feel that if Sacramento lost the Kings AFTER everything that the city has done to keep them.... ANY small market team could lose their team at the whim of bad ownership!
I honestly don't fear Herb Simon ever moving the Pacers, but Herb's age and the perfect storm with the emergence of Peyton Manning's Colts and the pure hatred for the franchise in the community due to "the brawl", Artest & other "Rogue" players getting in trouble had some of us die hard fans really worried. It's crazy to think that the brawl happened nearly 10 years ago, but it STILL has a direct effect on our attendance and standing in the community.
3 to 5 years ago, this could easily be us if it weren't for ownership that truly believed in Central Indiana!
Great post. I see attendance going up a bit with the emergence of the team so let's hope it keeps going.
I got in some trouble a few weeks ago for suggesting that Indiana could be one of the teams on the hot seat for relocation. Trust me, it's the last thing I want to see happen but it seems as though the BOG is in love with Hansen so any team with lease, ownership or attendance woes will be looked at under the microscope.
You mentioned Simon. I once read something saying that his kids would have no interest in the team if he were to pass away. Is that true? Is there anyone else who would take the team on? I know how tough it is for small market teams with NFL competition. Charlotte and New Orleans come to mind as well so buyer's are always shakey but having someone come out and say that they want a piece of the team with right of first refusal if Simon were to no longer be the owner would be a huge step in the right direction towards guaranteeing the Pacers never leave Indy. I have to think that there is at least one person out there that can save the day.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
Been to all three before so just visiting old stomping grounds and checking in with some friends retired in various places.
I'm 60 this year, looking at possible retirement location. Maybe Grant Napear will retire to S.E. Asia if a new Kings ownership dumps him as he vacations frequently in Thailand.
Roaming Gnome
Prospect
I was speaking specifically of Herb Simon, but the Pacers were once owned by brothers Herb & Mel Simon. Mel Simon had passed a few years ago, but before he died he sold his interest in the team to his brother Herb... I mention this because what you mentioned about the Simon kids not being interested is a quote from Mel's son David Simon (Heir & Head of Simon Property Group) speaking for Mel's kids. Herb's son who's name escapes me is the general manager of one of the D-League teams and has great interest in the Pacers.
The Pacers just finished negotiations with the City of Indianapolis regarding the responsibility ($$$) of operating Bankers Life Fieldhouse, due to a renegotiation clause however this was just an option clause for renegotiation of the lease with Indy... The penalties for the team leaving are still very steep.
I couldn't believe that. (I did love the pro-arena speaker who replaced the wind cover and lamented the "microphone abuse"!) I hope that somebody has captured that on video and takes the time to post it up to YouTube (the whole thing, really) while noting that Isaac Gonzales is the very person that the Maloofs hand-picked to be their media mouthpiece during the previous arena discussions. I think they found exactly the guy they wanted.
whozit
Starter
The system is what it is, but that doesn't mean one has to encourage it! How can anyone with a clear conscience root for some other fan to go through what they have been going through?
Old man, I agree with you.
Signed,
Someone who isn't young
Ha. I remember that. I was in S**tle a couple weeks ago for the Portland Timbers game and the Timbers scored in the 90th minute to tie the game. The taste of their tears as we left the stadium was delicious.
It was a missed opportunity to bring a two stick or large banner in support of the Kings (I like to stand in the back row at the top of the stadium), but I was there to support another team. However many in my group said it would have been ok, wish I had done it now.
Purple Reign
Starter
Honestly speaking, I would never ever ever want to see another small market team go through what us Kings Fans been going through for the past 6-7 years. This is some nonsense. So Indiana, Milwaukee, etc... you have my support and Seattle can go take a hike and wait for an expansion franchise.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
Considering Herb Simon (owner) just spent $16M of his own loot for the new scoreboard in a facility that the city of Indianapolis owns... I'd say that is a pretty strong commitment!
...and a rather nice scoreboard
As a fan of another small market team, I watch with great interest in what is happening in Sacramento. A lot of us over on our forum feel that if Sacramento lost the Kings AFTER everything that the city has done to keep them.... ANY small market team could lose their team at the whim of bad ownership!
I honestly don't fear Herb Simon ever moving the Pacers, but Herb's age and the perfect storm with the emergence of Peyton Manning's Colts and the pure hatred for the franchise in the community due to "the brawl", Artest & other "Rogue" players getting in trouble had some of us die hard fans really worried. It's crazy to think that the brawl happened nearly 10 years ago, but it STILL has a direct effect on our attendance and standing in the community.
3 to 5 years ago, this could easily be us if it weren't for ownership that truly believed in Central Indiana!
Dude that scoreboard is awesome. Can't wait until Sacramento gets one like that.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
In lieu of a hike, they could also devote themselves to the Mariners, who are like the red headed stepchild of that city's sports scene. Rather than trying to bogart another city's NBA team, why don't you focus on the teams you have now?
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
Wasn't there supposed to be an auction?
whozit
Starter
I thought so, but I suppose as long as the creditors are satisfied (paid off) it can be settled beforehand.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
Not really because, in the words of Seattle fans, "the ROFR isn't a big deal."
Which of course means those nimrod hypocrites are going to be shouting about having it if things go south for them.
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
This.
Well if the Mariners start winning the fans will come out.
Flounders are 0-2-1 and at the bottom of the MLS table. I'm sure they'll rebound, but if they are a mid-table team they can kiss a large chunk of their fan base good bye too.
And how long will the Seahawks last? I guess it doesn't matter since they pump in half the crowd noise there anyway.
Padrino
All-Star
i haven't chimed in much on the sale of the team since KJ's group started picking up steam. i've been content to let it play out before i weigh in, because so much has been unknown in nature at every stage of the process thus far. however, as the ruling dates approach, i do want to say that i'm rather disappointed by all of this seattle fans vs. sacramento fans nonsense. i don't understand why it's necessary to put down their fanbase, desperate as they are to get an nba team back after the city of seattle flubbed their chance at keeping the sonics...
i mean, ****, it wasn't so long ago that a majority of kings fans were at odds with the city of sacramento over how to approach public contribution to the building of an arena. it wasn't so long ago that a great many of us were frustrated by our city's inability to modernize, to invest in itself. just because kevin johnson put on his superman cape to save the day doesn't change a decade's worth of frustration over whether or not a new arena would be built that could house the kings long term, that could provide sacramento with the kind of ESC that helps to bring money into town. if KJ and co. succeed, if the team remains in sacramento, it will heal a lot of those old wounds, but the scars are meant to remain so that we can learn something from the experience...
imagine what it would be like for a seattle supersonics fan to learn of the sale and eventual relocation of the kings on the same day that kings fans do. it shouldn't be so surprising that they might... ya know... act sorta like we are now: thrilled about their chances. but when kings fans first heard of the team's sale, we were bemoaning the fact that the maloofs refused to approach a local investment group, while still hoping that the nba would allow kevin johnson an 11th hour heave from half court. so it shouldn't be so surprising that sonics fans might... ya know... bemoan kevin johnson's 11th hour heave from half court, while still clinging to every conceivable hope that seattle remains the nba's preferred destination for the team...
if i were a sonics fan, i would certainly be conflicted about snatching an nba franchise from another city, but i would still be ecstatic that i might see the return of a team dressed in green and yellow, even if it meant deluding myself in the process. to call them the kinds of names i'm seeing used in this thread and others is disheartening. what they are is what we are: emotional, and invested in their team, absent though it may be from their city. i've spent a lot of time in seattle. it's a great sports city. like any fanbase, though, it's flawed. if it is the intention of some among them to be nasty about the process, then let them. kings fans have a good shot of seeing their team stay right where it is, and don't need to engage in that behavior...
i mean, ****, it wasn't so long ago that a majority of kings fans were at odds with the city of sacramento over how to approach public contribution to the building of an arena. it wasn't so long ago that a great many of us were frustrated by our city's inability to modernize, to invest in itself. just because kevin johnson put on his superman cape to save the day doesn't change a decade's worth of frustration over whether or not a new arena would be built that could house the kings long term, that could provide sacramento with the kind of ESC that helps to bring money into town. if KJ and co. succeed, if the team remains in sacramento, it will heal a lot of those old wounds, but the scars are meant to remain so that we can learn something from the experience...
imagine what it would be like for a seattle supersonics fan to learn of the sale and eventual relocation of the kings on the same day that kings fans do. it shouldn't be so surprising that they might... ya know... act sorta like we are now: thrilled about their chances. but when kings fans first heard of the team's sale, we were bemoaning the fact that the maloofs refused to approach a local investment group, while still hoping that the nba would allow kevin johnson an 11th hour heave from half court. so it shouldn't be so surprising that sonics fans might... ya know... bemoan kevin johnson's 11th hour heave from half court, while still clinging to every conceivable hope that seattle remains the nba's preferred destination for the team...
if i were a sonics fan, i would certainly be conflicted about snatching an nba franchise from another city, but i would still be ecstatic that i might see the return of a team dressed in green and yellow, even if it meant deluding myself in the process. to call them the kinds of names i'm seeing used in this thread and others is disheartening. what they are is what we are: emotional, and invested in their team, absent though it may be from their city. i've spent a lot of time in seattle. it's a great sports city. like any fanbase, though, it's flawed. if it is the intention of some among them to be nasty about the process, then let them. kings fans have a good shot of seeing their team stay right where it is, and don't need to engage in that behavior...
The way they act on other forums is so over the top. Because I now live in a rival city of Seattle's I'm also exposed to it constantly.
Look, what happened with the Sonics sucks. I was pretty upset about it when it happened. But all this "our team was stolen" is a bit revisionist to what actually happened. Stern knows this and has said this. The city wasn't supporting the team even before Clay Bennett showed up and they certainly weren't going to build a new arena even after (or especially because) they had just built facilities for the other teams. The Sonics were treated poorly and so they left.
On the other hand, Kings fans have treated the team like... Kings. And we've been repaid in filth.
The two fanbases could not be any different as far as I'm concerned.
Look, what happened with the Sonics sucks. I was pretty upset about it when it happened. But all this "our team was stolen" is a bit revisionist to what actually happened. Stern knows this and has said this. The city wasn't supporting the team even before Clay Bennett showed up and they certainly weren't going to build a new arena even after (or especially because) they had just built facilities for the other teams. The Sonics were treated poorly and so they left.
On the other hand, Kings fans have treated the team like... Kings. And we've been repaid in filth.
The two fanbases could not be any different as far as I'm concerned.
Stern more or less said that all proposals will be considered on their merits. The ROFR would still have to pass NBA BOG and any relocation bid would be considered separately.
Padrino
All-Star
of course it's a bit revisionist. that's sports...
but the entire reason i was attempting to create an effective parallel between seattle and sacramento is because the city of sacramento wasn't exactly supporting the kings until kevin johnson arrived. he's been the kings' biggest advocate in sactown. apart from the occasional "here we buy" event, fan support has been sporadic, at best. attendance is still down, even though these could be the kings' last few weeks in sacramento. it's KJ's herculean effort that changed the game and improved sac's chances of retaining the team. such an effort is exceedingly uncommon, however, and i would be hard pressed to imagine a scenario in which any other mayor in any other city is able to present an 11th hour, 59th minute bid of this magnitude, complete with an arena deal that outlines considerable public funding. it certainly should not be an expectation, so it surprises me that many kings fans are revealing a limited perspective on the issue, given the franchise's recent trajectory...
mostly, i find it a bit unsettling that kings fans are so ready to sweep their own brand of revisionist history under the rug. i've certainly got no love for the maloofs, but the city of sacramento fought them for a decade on the arena issue. had an appropriate ESC already been built, we're not where we are today. the team is here, and it's here to stay. but because we're where we are today, if we were also without KJ, the kings would be seattle-bound. he is that rare savior figure in professional sports... the kind who doesn't wear a jersey. in my estimation, he's the only major difference between sacramento's current situation and seattle's previous situation...
bravo!
The city was always willing to play ball, the Maloofs always wanted just a little more than the city would give. When it came up for a vote, the Maloofs undercut the ballot measures (I'm not a fan of raising the general sales tax so I'm not one to talk on that matter). Without a doubt, without KJ, the city leadership lets the Maloofs take the Kings and go.
As for attendance, it's not just that the Kings are bad. That's tolerable. It's how bad and how mismanaged things have become. On top of that the facilities have fallen into disrepair. Our owners have turned us into a joke.
Hallama
Starter
I still love when George had the balls to bring up "fixing up STA" after they backed out of the deal last year.
Darth Divac
Bench
No, they pledged 22 mil of season tickets.
Similar threads
- Sacramento Kings On SI
- Kings News Links
- Yahoo! Sports - NBA - Sacramento Kings News
- Kings News Links
- Locked
- ClutchPoints | Sacramento Kings News
- Personnel moves
