OC Register: NBA deal or no deal: Which will Maloofs choose?

[=LarryLegend=]

@Tony Bizjck
Anaheim sweetens pot in attempt to lure #NBAKings. Samueli spokesman says it includes increased loan from $50m to up to $70m


#Samueli offers to buy small stake in #NBAKings, if #Maloofs come to Anaheim #HereWeStay

 

[Livinthedream]

Well, he did read it on air before he "verified" it.

Who did he verify it with?

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

@Tony Bizjck
Anaheim sweetens pot in attempt to lure #NBAKings. Samueli spokesman says it includes increased loan from $50m to up to $70m


#Samueli offers to buy small stake in #NBAKings, if #Maloofs come to Anaheim #HereWeStay

So basically Samueli is trying to entice them into filing. Not surprising really, we should have seen that coming.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

Hearing it from Youngman sounded much less threatening than when Grant read it. Grant has to be so damn dramatic and hyperbolic all the time.

As much as he denies it Grant is the Maloof mouthpiece. Now, I do believe him when he says he wants the team to stay here in Sacramento, but for weeks leading up to the April 18 deadline he touted Anahiem has a potential NBA city, had Youngman on his show talking about how well it could work there (When the move seemed inevitable). Then, after the BOG meetings, he came out saying that the Maloofs are NOT done with the city and would happily come back if needed to.(When it looked like there was a potential for the team to stay). Now, that it looks inevitable that the team is going to stay, he laments the Maloofs being forced to stay. Even before the OC article came out, he talked on his show about where is the money for an arena going to come from? Clearly, he's been relayed either directly or through a third party what the Maloofs are feeling right now. Which is why, even through I rarely agree with him, I still listen to his show because he does have a line to the Kings brass.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Who did he verify it with?

He didn't say. Just said he called a source he trusted and they said it was true.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

If you didn't know better, you'd think Grant was Anaheim's pitchman the way he's reading these Anaheim numbers off in such an authoritative manner.

 

[Gary]

OK which one of you just text Grant with that? lol.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

If you didn't know better, you'd think Grant was Anaheim's pitchman the way he's reading these Anaheim numbers off in such an authoritative manner.

LMAO a text just said the same thing!

 

[slugking50]

It's become an act for him: Grant's Rant, if you don't like that you don't like basketball, etc. If he ever had a "self," he's become a caricature of it. I understand now why I've heard that players can't stand his 2-faced act.

His ratings are through the roof again since Lamb got canned. Most people like it when he goes off. He is a professional who's been at it for 20 years at least.

 

[The Hammer]

The NBA isnt going to waste money/time with anaheim unless they file for relocation. Then they will do their studies.

You think so? But they did say one of the reasons for second deadline was to find out more about the Anaheim deal. Stern did sound serious about that. "There were things that weren't understood." I believe was the phrase.

I think they didn't waste time/money on it because it took them about a day or so and some phone calls to realize they didn't need to know more and that they didn't like it. Too much Samueli.

It's just too funny that the sweet great deal is announced after all indications are given by the NBA that the move will be blocked.

Youngman even says as much in the article:

"Thanks to Samueli's deep pockets, Anaheim has put together a sweetheart deal that could immediately rescue the Kings from unprofitability."

Except the last word should be changed to insolvency.

 

[Section 101]

As much as he denies it Grant is the Maloof mouthpiece. Now, I do believe him when he says he wants the team to stay here in Sacramento, but for weeks leading up to the April 18 deadline he touted Anahiem has a potential NBA city, had Youngman on his show talking about how well it could work there (When the move seemed inevitable). Then, after the BOG meetings, he came out saying that the Maloofs are NOT done with the city and would happily come back if needed to.(When it looked like there was a potential for the team to stay). Now, that it looks inevitable that the team is going to stay, he laments the Maloofs being forced to stay. Even before the OC article came out, he talked on his show about where is the money for an arena going to come from? Clearly, he's been relayed either directly or through a third party what the Maloofs are feeling right now. Which is why, even through I rarely agree with him, I still listen to his show because he does have a line to the Kings brass.

Basically, it's like he's trying to keep people in sacramento as fans if they move because they "had to".

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

His ratings are through the roof again since Lamb got canned. Most people like it when he goes off. He is a professional who's been at it for 20 years at least.

Oh he's good at what he does, there's no denying that. Love him or hate him he's good at what he does.

 

[slugking50]

Oh he's good at what he does, there's no denying that. Love him or hate him he's good at what he does.

Indeed. I think we all have wanted to throw something at the radio at one time or another.... Ok many. But I have to say. I enjoy the show.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Indeed. I think we all have wanted to throw something at the radio at one time or another.... Ok many. But I have to say. I enjoy the show.

I've enjoyed it much less over the last few years. I don't if it's because he's become more negative and abrasive or that my tolerance for negativity and abrasiveness has just lessened, but either way, I rarely enjoy the show anymore. I'm generally just annoyed by it.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

His ratings are through the roof again since Lamb got canned.

I know I started listening again when Lam got fired. Could not stand him.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I know I started listening again when Lam got fired. Could not stand him.

I wasn't crazy about him either but now i kind of miss him. At least he was a counter to Grant's sourpuss act.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I wish the Maloofs would sell just so Grant would shut up about how the Maloofs will never sell.

 

[KingsFanatic]

Yea, I met Lamb once, one of the nicest guys I've ever met, but I didn't care for him on the radio...He spent too much going over the same thing and repeated himself over and over again....He just wasn't good at moving from topic to topic, even if there was tons of sports news...Incredibly nice guy, but bad on the radio(in my opinion)

 

[Section 101]

KJ_MayorJohnson Kevin Johnson
I'm in Los Angeles right now. Everybody is coming up to me saying, 'keep the Kings in Sac.' All Laker & Clipper fans out here!

 

[Glenn]

No no no.

The NBA didn't even bother verifying numbers or looking into the full extent of the AnaSamueliHeim deal. And I don't think they will. Reason: it's all coming from one man. And there could be aspects of that deal that would be kept hidden from the NBA anyway. Way too suspicious.

Well, I think so. All the money coming from Anaheim eventually comes from one man whether it is the arena, the bond issue, personal loans, etc. That's shakey. I'm ignoring corporate support from Anaheim as I don't know how to measure it and the NBA didn't seem interested enough to measure it. It's not a dueling cities scenario, it's whether the NBA wants to stick with Sacramento and appear stable. Sacramento did enough.

OK, OK, Hammer, you just said it all.

 

[Glenn]

Sounds possibly Burkle related.

OK, who could call KJ out of a press conference? I would think at this point it is Clay Bennett or David Stern and most likely Stern. I doubt if it was Burkle as I don't think that's the game he plays. I think Stern called KJ and told him Burkle wanted to meet with him. Who lives in that area? Stern is New york and Bennett is Oklahoma. Burkle is in Beverley Hills or some other neighborhood I couldn't afford.

What's the best face saving move for the Maloofs. If they honestly don't think they can make it Sacramento and the NBA is behind Sacramento at the moment, then sell. Burkle would get approved as an owner. I suppose that is wishful thinking but the Maloofs have always claimed to want Stern's advice and this might be it.

Well, I hope.

 

[The Hammer]

OK, who could call KJ out of a press conference? I would think at this point it is Clay Bennett or David Stern and most likely Stern. I doubt if it was Burkle as I don't think that's the game he plays. I think Stern called KJ and told him Burkle wanted to meet with him. Who lives in that area? Stern is New york and Bennett is Oklahoma. Burkle is in Beverley Hills or some other neighborhood I couldn't afford.

What's the best face saving move for the Maloofs. If they honestly don't think they can make it Sacramento and the NBA is behind Sacramento at the moment, then sell. Burkle would get approved as an owner. I suppose that is wishful thinking but the Maloofs have always claimed to want Stern's advice and this might be it.

Well, I hope.

IMO there are three people that could have commanded his attention that way: Stern, Bennett, or Burkle. Agreed don't think the Burkle plays that game... but he may not have been billionairily aware that KJ had that PTA meeting and just felt like calling him up and inviting him for a beer at guys night out. For which KJ boards a plane immediately...

Oh, or John Dukes of course.

 

[sk4ever]

In case you missed it regarding KJ being in LA today

Ryan_Lillis Ryan Lillis
@
@Aykis16 yes, he flew down to receive an award. Not Kings related.


It's anyones guess who the call was from. But he did call a meeting with some of the other community leaders tomorrow

 

[Arena Skeptic]

Michelle Rhee.

(This was meant to answer "Who would call KJ out of a press conference?" from The Hammer.)

 

[eflat]

In case you missed it regarding KJ being in LA today

Ryan_Lillis Ryan Lillis
@
@Aykis16 yes, he flew down to receive an award. Not Kings related.


It's anyones guess who the call was from. But he did call a meeting with some of the other community leaders tomorrow

So the trip to L.A. was scheduled, on his calendar and known about publicly?

 

[JB_kings]

Just my gut feeling, but Burkle won't come into play for a while yet if at all. I think this situation is between the NBA and the Maloofs. Maybe the best move for Stern is for the NBA to buy out the Maloofs since it appears the NBA has at least 75 million in loan equity in the team already. This allows them to gain some leverage in the CBA as they own two teams that they bargain with in contraction. Then after the new CBA, then Stern can sell both teams at a profit knowing that the new CBA is small market friendly. It might help explain why so many of the league officers were scrutinizing KJ's new business clients and seeking deposits. It also allows for Sacramento to perform under pressure to build a new arena to the NBA specifications. And then sell to somebody like Burkle. If they don't get their act together, then it's another team for sale that is moveable. And we know those are worth quite a bit to guys like Larry Ellison. It's a no-lose deal for the NBA and nice leverage over the players. So don't be shocked if our roller coaster ride isn't ending any time in the near future.

 

[The Hammer]

Michelle Rhee.

(This was meant to answer "Who would call KJ out of a press conference?" from The Hammer.)

That was Glenn who asked originally.

And Michelle Rhee. Didn't know that. Man if that isn't an up and coming power couple... look out. I see a big political future for them.

 

[sk4ever]

So the trip to L.A. was scheduled, on his calendar and known about publicly?

All I know is that someone new someone that was on the flight and noticed Kj and put it on facebook. Then it got to Twitter and Ryan Lillis posted about an award he was there for. That doesn't mean he didn't have anything else on his agenda

 

[The Hammer]

So the trip to L.A. was scheduled, on his calendar and known about publicly?

No, no. That's not what it was. Burkle called him up during the press conference to tell him he wanted to give him the Burkle Award for Franchise Saving and that the ceremony is tonight.

 

[The Hammer]

Just my gut feeling, but Burkle won't come into play for a while yet if at all. I think this situation is between the NBA and the Maloofs. Maybe the best move for Stern is for the NBA to buy out the Maloofs since it appears the NBA has at least 75 million in loan equity in the team already. This allows them to gain some leverage in the CBA as they own two teams that they bargain with in contraction. Then after the new CBA, then Stern can sell both teams at a profit knowing that the new CBA is small market friendly. It might help explain why so many of the league officers were scrutinizing KJ's new business clients and seeking deposits. It also allows for Sacramento to perform under pressure to build a new arena to the NBA specifications. And then sell to somebody like Burkle. If they don't get their act together, then it's another team for sale that is moveable. And we know those are worth quite a bit to guys like Larry Ellison. It's a no-lose deal for the NBA and nice leverage over the players. So don't be shocked if our roller coaster ride isn't ending any time in the near future.

I like this assessment both as being accurate and insightful, and as being favorable.

I do wonder what power the NBA would have to buy out the Kings should they so desire. And I wonder if that would be an easier pill to swallow for the Maloofs, rather than feeling like they're getting squeezed out or swallowed up by a big fish business man. Hopefully Stern still has a good relationship with "the boys" and can put his arm around them and say, "hey guys, you had a great run."