Bee: Joe Maloof: We're still here

[Warhawk]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14061017p-14892058c.html

Joe Maloof: We're still here
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Columnist


In a lengthy telephone interview, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof responded to the fans' most pressing queries about his (and brother Gavin's) recent absences from home games and other topical matters, among them the following:
* On missing the home games: "What people have to understand is, we have had a lot of family illness. My mom (Colleen) had a really, really serious scare. Then Gavin was sick for a while, so there was a lot of personal stuff that hit us all at once. But we are not abandoning anybody. We are in touch with Geoff (Petrie) all the time, and we are going to be around a lot more now."

* On his feelings about ownership: "If you want owners that are passionate, get (ticked) off when we lose, that live and die with the team, that's us. We scream at the players. We scream at the coach. We do the same thing the fans do (laughs) and probably worse."
* On the team's uninspired performances: "Everybody is in a frenzy. We're all upset. We're very, very concerned. But what we want to do is map out a plan for the future. We've got a little problem (laughs) now. We hit a little bump in the road that we have to get past."
* On his reluctance to speak out more often: "We don't want to say the wrong thing. We've never been in this situation before. We've never lost. So this is all new to us."
* On the gloomy atmosphere at Arco Arena: "The good thing is, we have players who want to come to Sacramento now. We've had a winning environment. We've got one of the top general managers in the league. The worst thing we can do is make the wrong move."
* On prospects for a new arena: "That's a whole 'nother story. We have to look at that issue, too. (Laughs) We've got a lot of issues right now. But you have to look at the positives. We have a great fan base, the best in the NBA, and we know that, believe me. We also emphasize about ticket prices. But that's the game we're in, and while we want (salary) cap flexibility, look at what we spend on team payroll (ranking 11th of 30 teams). It's not like we're not trying."

 

[Warhawk]

And then there is AV's column today:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/columns/voisin/story/14061012p-14892062c.html

Ailene Voisin: Joe? Gavin? Where have you been?

They hear the boos and the jeers. They hear the complaints about ticket prices and the overall product. They hear that the current struggles are a calculated prelude for a move to Las Vegas or Anaheim because of the ongoing inertia in arena negotiations.

They hear ya.

They hear it all.

But do the Maloofs really understand what's going on here? That the fans are suffering from an ownership attention deficit? That during this time of crisis, they feel abandoned by the brothers, who are no longer fixtures in their courtside seats?

Having burst onto the Sacramento scene after purchasing majority interest in the franchise in 1999, with spending habits as extravagant and enthusiastic as their bachelor lifestyles, they immediately became major players. Soon they became celebrities, last name no longer necessary.

Joe and Gavin. Older brother. Younger brother.

Their engaged and emotional demeanor, coupled with their constant presence at Arco Arena and within the community, reassured and resonated with their uniquely insular, captive audience. The Maloofs weren't merely the face of the Kings; they were the body and soul of the organization. Kind of goofy, yes, but caring and intimately involved, and most notably, always attentive and reaffirming.

So where did they go? So why the disappearing acts?

Inquiring fans want to know.

Among all the concerns being uttered during this surprisingly disappointing season - the arena matter, the increasingly tenuous coaching situation, the lack of team chemistry, the injuries, etc. - this sense of desertion is the most persistent, troubling issue if a sampling of e-mails and conversations accurately reflects local sentiment.

Shery Barnard of Davis, who says she and her husband purchase Kings tickets in lieu of taking annual vacations, fears the Maloofs have lost interest "in their toy" and considers their frequent absences "a glaring slap" in the face. "It feels hopeless as a fan," she said. "The team is just a mess, and there is no talk from anyone in the organization about trades or anything. I keep coming back to the Maloofs. The feeling is that it (perceived inattention) is all tied up in the arena deal. They don't foresee being able to build a new arena, so why bother anymore with the Kings?"

Brandon Castillo of Sacramento is most disappointed "by the complete lack of visibility from the Maloofs," and feels this is the time for them "to stand up and be counted. At a minimum, they need to show that they are just as frustrated as we are and still interested in the team."

Stace Parsons of Sacramento mentions the Maloofs' failure to appear at Fandemonium, the preseason event during which fans mingle with players, coaches and team officials. "Much to my disappointment," said Parsons, "Joe and Gavin were not there. They could have showed up at least to show they still appreciate the fans - some of whom, by the way, scrape up what we can to even go to a game."

Compounding the visibility issue is the fact that few within the organization have a visceral connection with the community - a problematic marriage for all involved parties. Basketball president Geoff Petrie frequents downtown restaurants and other entertainment venues, often accompanied by assistant Pete Carril, but he is an introvert by nature. Coach Rick Adelman routinely snubs local and visiting journalists and favors a low-profile existence in the suburbs. Jerry Reynolds is the club's go-to guy when it comes to public appearances, but he can't be everywhere.

During the early years of their ownership, Joe and Gavin compensated with their charm and charisma, and were themselves assisted ably by the outsized personalities of Vlade Divac, Bobby Jackson and Chris Webber, among others. But as the family's financial empire expanded in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, N.M., and elsewhere - coupled with their bruised feelings from the arena dealings - the brothers more often have tended to business elsewhere, leaving the franchise with a personality as bland as a vanilla shake.

"We took a cash advance against a credit card to buy the $4,500 package," added Bernard, a retired Realtor whose husband is a handyman, "and we bought a 73-inch television just to watch the games. I care so much about the Kings that this is just breaking my heart. I felt an emotional attachment to Doug (Christie) and Bobby (Jackson) in particular. I just want to know that Joe and Gavin still care as much as I do."

Are they listening?

They should be. They really should be.

The stars come out at night.

 

[Ryle]

What a crock. We play Portland on Monday night at home and they are not there. The next night we play at the Clippers and the whole family is sitting courtside yucking it up. Gee, think they are spending alot of time working on their movies/record company instead of being involved with the team that put them on the map and gave them exposure???

 

[Peja]

* On prospects for a new arena: "That's a whole 'nother story. We have to look at that issue, too. (Laughs) We've got a lot of issues right now. But you have to look at the positives. We have a great fan base, the best in the NBA, and we know that, believe me. We also emphasize about ticket prices. But that's the game we're in, and while we want (salary) cap flexibility, look at what we spend on team payroll (ranking 11th of 30 teams). It's not like we're not trying."

I am not sure if you understood this,but he said almost nothing about new Arena!

 

[BigWaxer]

Also a note about Joe Maloof... He is supposed to be on tonights (wed) show with Carmichael Dave

 

[CaminoChaos]

* On missing the home games: "What people have to understand is, we have had a lot of family illness. My mom (Colleen) had a really, really serious scare. Then Gavin was sick for a while, so there was a lot of personal stuff that hit us all at once. But we are not abandoning anybody. We are in touch with Geoff (Petrie) all the time, and we are going to be around a lot more now."

There will be a trade near the deadline.

 

[loopymitch]

What players want to come to Sac? I find that very hard to believe right now but if it is true then let's get them. It doesn't look like our guys really want to be here.

 

[Folsom Al]

Southern California here we come ..... ????

 

[Fillmoe]

What players want to come to Sac? I find that very hard to believe right now but if it is true then let's get them. It doesn't look like our guys really want to be here.

lebron wants to come to sac....

 

[Bibby's Tattoo's]

coming to a town near you .........The Anahiem Kings

 

[Warhawk]

Come on - the owners have said over and over that if at all possible this team ain't leaving. I'd like to take them at their word until I see evidence of them contemplating leaving. They have been steadfast in their devotion to this city and keeping the team here.

Let's see what plays out before the trade deadline before we jump to conclusions.

 

[Sacto=Slappo]

Come on - the owners have said over and over that if at all possible this team ain't leaving. I'd like to take them at their word until I see evidence of them contemplating leaving. They have been steadfast in their devotion to this city and keeping the team here.

Let's see what plays out before the trade deadline before we jump to conclusions.

Totally agree. Everybody's busting their chops about not being around but knocking the brothers maloof while they've just been taking care of their mom for crapping out loud

 

[BMiller52]

This makes me feel a lot better to know that they still care about sac and the kings. Who knows, maybe we will get a new arena. AND, who knows, maybe there will be a trade soon. I sure hope so anyways.

 

[LPKingsFan]

coming to a town near you .........The Anahiem Kings

You mean Los Angeles Kings of Anahiem

 

[Twix]

I hope Joe's mom and Gavin is feeling better! Thanks for posting the article.

 

[Gtronic]

for crapping out loud

HAHAHAAH!!

 

[SacTownKid]

How many owners would even respond to the jeers. Pretty cool to me. Right on Joe and Gavin!

 

[kennadog]

I hope Mom Maloof is okay too. This is exactly what i wanted to hear from them. Thanks Joe and Gavin.

 

[tubiscus]

Ditto

I hope Mom Maloof is okay too. This is exactly what i wanted to hear from them. Thanks Joe and Gavin.

I found Joe Maloof's comments right on the money. They're unhappy about the performance of the team and are fighting the temptation of making a rash (and wrong) move. I also believe there will be a trade before the deadline. I thought it would be Peja, but after reading Brad's whining about wanting to be in Indiana, in my opinion, he may be the player moved. Maybe both.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

This makes me feel a lot better to know that they still care about sac and the kings. Who knows, maybe we will get a new arena. AND, who knows, maybe there will be a trade soon. I sure hope so anyways.

As long as Heather Fargo is mayor of our city...NOTHING will keep the Kings here. The writing has been on the wall since the horrible downtown mall proposal, and Cohn TELLING the Maloofs what they will pay in this whole thing. If and thats a BIG if, we get a new arena, it will most likely be too late to keep the Kings here, and they city will be trying to toot their own horns in getting another team...which I have no interest in supporting at any time in my lifetime. They cant just put any old team here and expect everyone to forget about our first love, the Kings. Mr. Tsakopolous is a good man, and something tells me he's our last hope. But who knows, stranger things have happened in recent years: i.e:Red Sox winning the world series, etc. We need a miracle. Oh, btw, I'm really not looking forward to the 'State of the Downtown' breakfast that I will be attending Thursday morning at Memorial Aud...the Maloofs have a table there, but I highly doubt that anyone in the family will be there. Once again its just going to be Fargo taking credit for everyone else's progressive work, i.e: highrise housing projects, etc. When in all actuality, that was all established privately...and the participants in these projects had to virtually steamroll over city council in quick fashion to get this stuff going. Anyone out there know someone with $400 million just lying around that they want to help save our team with??

 

[BMiller52]

As long as Heather Fargo is mayor of our city...NOTHING will keep the Kings here. The writing has been on the wall since the horrible downtown mall proposal, and Cohn TELLING the Maloofs what they will pay in this whole thing. If and thats a BIG if, we get a new arena, it will most likely be too late to keep the Kings here, and they city will be trying to toot their own horns in getting another team...which I have no interest in supporting at any time in my lifetime. They cant just put any old team here and expect everyone to forget about our first love, the Kings. Mr. Tsakopolous is a good man, and something tells me he's our last hope. But who knows, stranger things have happened in recent years: i.e:Red Sox winning the world series, etc. We need a miracle.

Can't people get heather fargo out of office?

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Can't people get heather fargo out of office?

she's not going anywhere anytime soon...as stated in a few other topics on here, Fargo just got re-elected in 04', and no one in the city limits would ever want her out of office just because of our outcries, unfortunately.

 

[kennadog]

Lets be a bit fair. Sacramento has what is called a "weak mayor" type of city government. She actually has no more power than anybody else on the city council. She is a member of the council and she gets one vote. Same as every other council member. Unfortunately, no one on our city council is a strong personality. Serna was a popular mayor, but he was also a very strong and forceful personality.

Still it just astounds me that Fresno and Stockton can build new arenas and West Sacramento built Raley Field, but the City of Sacramento has never spent one dime on an arena or stadium or??? It's be nice if the new city manager was interested in an arena.

 

[macadocious]

You mean Los Angeles Kings of Anahiem

Thats funny!

 

[VF21]

Lets be a bit fair. Sacramento has what is called a "weak mayor" type of city government. She actually has no more power than anybody else on the city council. She is a member of the council and she gets one vote. Same as every other council member. Unfortunately, no one on our city council is a strong personality. Serna was a popular mayor, but he was also a very strong and forceful personality.

Still it just astounds me that Fresno and Stockton can build new arenas and West Sacramento built Raley Field, but the City of Sacramento has never spent one dime on an arena or stadium or??? It's be nice if the new city manager was interested in an arena.

I agree with both your points.

Now, to get away from the political and back to the topic at hand, the Maloofs are emotional fans. We've seen it enough to know. They're also the big bosses. At this point in time, I may not be as upset at them not being at the games as I might be if, after a particularly heart-rending loss, they were corralled and quoted as saying something else the media might be able to turn into anti-Sacramento rhetoric.

The Sacramento Bee has caused a lot of angst for the Maloofs, the players, and the fans. They have gone after the Maloofs like they were the devils incarnate. They have continually lambasted them and treated them as enemies. And, because of that, a number of fans have bought into the vitriol that has been sprewed forth on the pages of the Bee.

I applaud Joe and Gavin for even speaking to the Bee. Between that paper and the City Council, both Maloofs have every reason to feel as though they've been stabbed in the back more than once.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still very grateful to them for everything they've done for our team and our city. I'm willing to stick with them through the bad times. And I'm pretty sick and tired of them being treated like the enemy. You treat someone like that long enough, and that's how they'll start to feel...