Daniela said:
VF21-Question?!!!! Because I am realtively new to this whole fandom thing. Only being a real Sac. fan for about 5 years and never really following like I did this year, my question is......Do they really take the fans into consideration when making trades etc...?
I would usually say "no" because the Kings have been lucky enough to have a very enthusiastic rabid fan base right from the beginning. The Maloofs inherited it when they bought the team...
In the past couple of years, however, the Maloofs have not done all they could have IMHO to ensure the continuing support of some of the most rabid, loyal fans - the season ticket holders who have continued to spend more and more money for the privilege of watching a product that has declined in value (if you're looking at how they finish as indicative of how valuable they are).
Ticket prices have continued to rise and the Maloof organization has actually cut back on the "perks" season ticket holders get. That IMHO is a big mistake...
Matt Barnes won the heart of the local fans because he was from the home town. He spoke often of having one big dream, "to play for the Sacramento Kings." He is a home town favorite, well-liked, articulate, able to walk and chew gum at the same time, and he knows the value of being a role player on a good to elite team.
If the organization ISN'T considering that in their decision about Matt, they need to be. With everything else that is happening - or not happening as in the arena - the fans desperately need something/someone to rally around. I firmly believe Matt Barnes could be that something...
Don't get me wrong. I'm still a fan, and most of the people I'm referring to are still fans. It would just be nice to have something about the Kings to feel good about for a change, and a "home town boy does good" story certainly would fill the bill.