Discussing a quality product on the court (split)

[Warhawk]

I agree with you as far as the long term committment to winning goes. But what about those fans paying to see the last 15 or so games in Arco? Do they not deserve to see a quality product? It seems like sort of a conflict to me.

I think we had a quality (watchable) product with Beno and without Bibby. And that is what we will have again for the last 1/3 of the season, whether or not the new guys play. I think Sheldon should get serious PT to see what he can do, the rest can play reserve roles as necessary.

 

[kennadog]

I agree with you as far as the long term committment to winning goes. But what about those fans paying to see the last 15 or so games in Arco? Do they not deserve to see a quality product? It seems like sort of a conflict to me.

You'd have to define "quality" for me. A run past the first round of the playoffs? Making the playoffs? Getting to .500 or better? How about seeing some progress toward possibly getting back to contending?

I have attended some surprisingly competitive games at Arco this year and some highly unlikely wins. When the team was really good, I couldn't afford to go. Now that I can afford to go occasionally, I'm thrilled to watch my team live. There are fans of teams out there that would be happy to have their team's record closer to ours. It's all relative.

Not only that, but Kings fans filled the arena for years to watch real sucking. (I couldn't afford to go then either.)

I'm cautiously happy that we seem to be finally going for an earnest rebuild and have no problem going to games to cheer on a bunch of young, energetic players, who play with dedication, energy and enthusiasm.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but here looked best. Looks like a couple of the new guys will play tonight, especially S. Williams. Nagging injuries and inactive status of KT makes it likely according to Grant Napear on KHTK right now. Coach Theus to be interviewed at about 4:30 pm and can listen live at http://www.sports1140.com

 

[PurpleHaze]

For those who didn't listen Reggie said T. Lue has a nagging injury and probably won't play, but A.J. is quite likely to go backing up Beno. He said the two new big men as are the others need time to learn the team offense/defense and might see some action tonight.

 

[Glenn]

You'd have to define "quality" for me. A run past the first round of the playoffs? Making the playoffs? Getting to .500 or better? How about seeing some progress toward possibly getting back to contending?

I have attended some surprisingly competitive games at Arco this year and some highly unlikely wins. When the team was really good, I couldn't afford to go. Now that I can afford to go occasionally, I'm thrilled to watch my team live. There are fans of teams out there that would be happy to have their team's record closer to ours. It's all relative.

Not only that, but Kings fans filled the arena for years to watch real sucking. (I couldn't afford to go then either.)

I'm cautiously happy that we seem to be finally going for an earnest rebuild and have no problem going to games to cheer on a bunch of young, energetic players, who play with dedication, energy and enthusiasm.

I did a poll a few weeks ago and it turned out the fans on this forum except for a couple were happy with either just having a team or having a team that could win 50 games a year.

The people who say it is is all about the rings and Championships are in a small minority. The average Kings fan does not need a championship to be happy. I also think it is unrealistic to expect a Championship. Not impossible but just unrealistic.

 

[fnordius]

I did a poll a few weeks ago and it turned out the fans on this forum except for a couple were happy with either just having a team or having a team that could win 50 games a year.

The people who say it is is all about the rings and Championships are in a small minority.

Ummm, but the poll didn't ask about the postseason, it just asked how many wins made a season a success. You either picked a number, or you didn't participate. I think if you want to make statements about our values and priorities as a group, a more comprehensive poll might be a good idea.

 

[VF21]

NOTE: This topic seems to be taking on a life of its own, as often happens when a thread gets up there in post count. For that reason, I've split off the last few comments that pertain more to the future of the team in general than just whether or not the new guys will play...

 

[kennadog]

My desire first and foremost is to actually have the Kings in Sacramento. I hope an arena deal gets done to keep them here. If they leave, I won't even have the option to watch them live, "quality" or not.

Of course I want a championship, but that's a pretty difficult goal even when you have a contending team. So many things have to go your way. I just want to see guys who work and play hard, have character and want to win (even if they are going to lose quite a few).

 

[Glenn]

Ummm, but the poll didn't ask about the postseason, it just asked how many wins made a season a success. You either picked a number, or you didn't participate. I think if you want to make statements about our values and priorities as a group, a more comprehensive poll might be a good idea.

Go ahead and do it. There is only so much that can be asked in one poll.

Let us assume everyone here is a fan and enjoys the Kings. There have been very hot interchanges concerning what defines a fan. The safest definition for this forum is simply "those people who are on this forum."

The Kings have never won the Western Conference Championship. As far as they have gone is to win the Pacific Division. Therefore the poll is easy:

• Don't care if they make post season or not
• Must make post season
• Must win Pacific Division

No more options are necessary as quite obviously this forum's fans are happy with a team that has only gone as far as winning the Pacific Division.

If that is incorrect, construct a better poll. What I did was revealing and I'll say as a general conclusion that people were surprisingly less demanding of excellence than I expected after reading this forum for a very long time.

 

[kennadog]

No more options are necessary as quite obviously this forum's fans are happy with a team that has only gone as far as winning the Pacific Division.

If that is incorrect, construct a better poll. What I did was revealing and I'll say as a general conclusion that people were surprisingly less demanding of excellence than I expected after reading this forum for a very long time.

Do you mean excellence is defined as NBA champs or conference champs, at least? I don't think that that captures how I feel. I'm not "settling" forever. I'm only accepting what and where the Kings are now. I don't stop being a fan, just because this team isn't battling for a championship or even a division win.

I would not be very happy, if you told me this team would never win a championship, ever. I just don't expect that kind of excellence from the team as currently assembled and I can live with that for now, if I see some of the things I mentioned in my previous post. It does not mean that I don't want more than that.

If the poll consisted of those three choices I'd have to say none of the above.

 

[VF21]

None of the above is generally a perfectly acceptable answer in polls.

 

[Glenn]

I invite anyone that is unhappy with my poll or my suggestions to go ahead and construct a poll that tells them what they want to know. If Kings fans require a championship to be happy, I hope we don't have to wait another 55 years to get one.

 

[kennadog]

I wasn't unhappy with the suggested poll. I was just trying to explain that it woudn't explain how I feel. (I may not explain it very well myself. )

I want a championship, but I don't need one to love my team. All I need is the possibility of one someday. You know, dream the impossible dream and have it actually come true. Maybe we won't have to wait as long as Boston Red Sox fans.

 

[Bricklayer]

I invite anyone that is unhappy with my poll or my suggestions to go ahead and construct a poll that tells them what they want to know. If Kings fans require a championship to be happy, I hope we don't have to wait another 55 years to get one.

I think the distinction would be that Kings fans (and most fans) require the hope for, preparation for, and active striving for a championship to be happy.

Winning 45 games in a season or whatever can be a perfectly fine season if that's as good as your talent is, and if its jsut a step along the path to the promised land. If ,however, the franchise is too cowardly to even try to do better, and in effect the goal is to win 45, that's win it goes from acceptable thing to failure. Failure of vision, failure of guts, failure of effort even. Trying to win it all and falling short is one thing, aiming to fall short and being satisfied is quite another.

 

[kennadog]

I think the distinction would be that Kings fans (and most fans) require the hope for, preparation for, and active striving for a championship to be happy.

Thank you, Brick. You said it much better than I could.

 

[fnordius]

Okay, poll created, with the above discussion in mind.