ESPN.com Chat with Joe and Gavin Maloof
hey everyone i was reading this and i found it kind of interesting, so i thought i would share it (sorry if its already been posted if it has then one of the admis can delete it). i expecially like the part where Gavin Maloof says "We've got tremendous fans not only in California but all over the world. Someday we'll take the Kings back to a championship contender. Just be patient. It will take a little time, we'll we'll get back to where we need be." it kind of made me laugh becuase even he knows were not championship contenders after the webber trade. so if he knows that then why didnt we wait to trade webber until we had a teams that could still be championship contenders without chris webber.
anyways hope you enjoy reading it!
The ShowGirl: Welcome to The Show! The Maloofs will be here at 4 p.m. ET today. Send your questions in now, join us a little later!
Gavin Maloof: Hello everybody, we're ready for you to fire away!
Michael (Atlanta, GA): No offense guys, but the last two people that I want to talk to at the end of a hard week at my job are two guys who own a bball team and a casino. Do you want to trade?
Gavin Maloof: I don't think I'd trade my job for anything! Sorry Michael!
Will Warminster Pa: The kings fans are worldwide. Have you considered offering a fan club or specials for fans not living in the sac area?
Gavin Maloof: Actually, that's a really good idea, Will. We should start a fanclub worldwide! We'll do that!
Joe Maloof: When ever a fan comes in to the Sacramento area, you get ahold of Joe and Gavin or somebody in the office to give you a little tour and go into the team store and pick something out!
Will Warminster Pa: After the ongoing rivalry with the Lakers, how do you feel about their recent suffering?
Gavin Maloof: We're not crying about it that's for sure! (laughing) I don't think anybody in the league is shedding any tears. But this league is so cyclical. It's always up and down, peaks and valleys. Maybe they've had their run.
Tina (Portland): Are you guys ready for LeBron tonight? What do you think of this kid?
Gavin Maloof: LeBron is FABULOUS! What a great athlete -- and better yet, he's a great person off the court. He comes from a great family and a great mom and he is a great representation of the league and he will certainly be one of the best who has ever played the game.
Brian (Cypress, CA): Hey Guys, Laker fan here (just wanted to say it) but I really respect the way you run your team. I'd like to know what your opinion is on the NBA implementing an age limit. Do you think it would improve the entertainment value of the game.
Gavin Maloof: We really can't talk to that b/c of the collective bargaining agreement. Publicly, we're not really allowed to comment on that.
Michael(Sacramento,CA): With all the controversy of trying to fund and find a place for a new arena here in the Sacramento area, what do we Kings fan have to do get a real vote on the ballot?(unlike the questionable one in todays Bee!)
Joe Maloof: I think the most important thing that concerned fans can do is to stay positive about the arena. Contact your local politicians and tell them how you feel about a new arena. Contact the city manager Bob Thomas and the mayor. All that stuff helps. The fans have to let the politicians know what the Sacramento Kings mean to them.
Tina (Roseville, California): Would you mind commenting on the C-Webb trade? As hard as it was to say good-bye, I truly believe it was the right decision in order to move forward with the team and win a title.
Joe Maloof: We truly appreciated everything that Chris did for our franchise, but we felt it was time to move on and go in a different direction. The trade gives us a lot more flexibility and versatility than we've had from the past year.
Brian (Cypress, CA): Are you sure you can't answer my question or is it because I'm a Laker fan. How about this idea, why doesn't the NBA have an outdoor game, the NHL did it last year.
Joe Maloof: We really can't b/c of collective bargaining agreement. The commissioner says. BUT, as for your outdoor idea -- Hmm! I don't know, we've never thought of that before, but if anybody could pull that off and promote it, it would be the Maloof brothers!
Gavin Maloof: The only thing I'd worry about is the weather. You're taking a big risk there. But we've been to a lot of games at Rutker Park in NYC. We love those!
Joe Maloof: The only thing I could see is that if it rained and then you'd have to play a double-header like in MLB. I don't think NBA players would want to paly two games in one evening!
Sean (Santa Rosa, CA): Joe and Gavin, I am a HUGE Kings fan! I just wanted to let you know what a great job you have done with the team. Resigning Geoff Petrie and pulling off the Webber trade were great moves. You've really created a player and fan friendly organization. Thanks again.
Gavin Maloof: Without the fans, we can't exist so thanks for supporting the Kings and being so loyal to the franchise!
Jay Sacramento CA: Joe and Gavin, Why do you think the Kings are so inconsistent this year? Some games they play pretty good defense, others they just stand and watch the other team come right down the lane and lay it up. It's like some players are frozen, no jumping, no reaction. It is a priveledge to play in the NBA, shouldn't they be putting out 110% EVERY GAME??? Can we clone a few more Brian Skinners and Kenny Thomas, they were great aquisitions!
Gavin Maloof: I think it's just the guys still trying to get to know each other. It takes time. Once we get Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson back, that will give us another lift that we are going to need for the playoffs!
Pasqual (Albuquerque NM): Joe and Gavin, Albuquerque just got awarded an NBDL Team, what are the chances the Albuquerque Team will be affiliated with the Kings, wink, wink
Gavin Maloof: I don't think there is any affiliations now between the NBA and the NBDL. It's kind of a feeder league but there really aren't any affiliations or links to teams. But that's to say it couldn't happen in the future.
Gavin Maloof: And remember Pasqual, we have a preseason game in Albuquerque against the Suns in October!
Joe (Philly): Next time I am in Vegas, I plan to visit The Palms for the 1st time. What can I expect?
Joe Maloof: Fun. A lot of fun! I think you'll expect great service, great food and lots of hospitality .... AND, a lot of pretty girls!
mike (san jose, ca): rumor has it that san jose is one of the cities that you could move the team if it doesn't get a new arena in sacramento. can you comment on where you could end up if not sacramento? do you think the bay area is big enough for both the kings and warriors?
Gavin Maloof: Well, we're really not focussed on any other cities. We love Sacramento and we plan on staying in Sacramento.
Michael(Sacramento,CA): One last arena question. What about one of the many Local Indian Casinos paying for sum of the cost of a new arena and then giving them naming rights or something of that nature. Any chance or conversations of that nature?
Joe Maloof: That's a pretty good idea, Michael. In fact, that's an idea that might make a lot of sense. We have some great friends in Sacramento and we have some very important customers that are affiliated with the tribes and they are big Kings fans! So that might be an option that Gavin and I look into b/c the tribes really do so much, they are very active in the community and really give back in a lot of ways. Most importantly, they are big, big Kings fans!
huot (folsom ca): i just want to say i'd love to buy you guys a beer one day because i've always been a die hard king fan since 85, but it was hard to say it out loud for years, till you guys came in the picture , now it feels like sacramento has a legitimate sports team and its just a blast now thank you
Gavin Maloof: Thank you for your support! We've got tremendous fans not only in California but all over the world. Someday we'll take the Kings back to a championship contender. Just be patient. It will take a little time, we'll we'll get back to where we need be.
Joe Maloof: We always like to look at the glass half-full. Right now, we might have a little bit of a down period since the Webber trade as our players get accustomed to playing with each other. BUT when we go into the playoffs with a healthy roster it's full-steam ahead and we have as good a chance as anybody this year if and when we are 100% healthy.
Garry (Rocklin): Hi Joe, Hi Gavin. My Brother and I had the pleasure of meeting you both a a kings playoff game several years back. In the hospitality tent. I was really impressed that you took time to talk to us and not just blow us off. My Brother has since passed away, he was 48, but he was very impressed also. Thank you for making two guys true fans of now just the Kings...we have been kings fans since they moved here in 1985, but of the ownership also. If anyone can get an arena built in Sacramento, I know you can. Thanks for the memories.
Joe Maloof: We really appreciate that. We're trying our hardest. We're not going to give up on Sacramento. We may look at this arena a different way, and we've run into a wall three or four different times, but we'll keep trying. We need to get this arena built.
you can see the whole thing on this web site:
http://www.nba.com/kings/news/ESPNcom_Chat_with_Joe_and_Gav-137406-58.html
