Question for the old-time fans

[VF21]

We've been through a lot together with this team we can't help but love. All the lean years, when we actually celebrated losses in the single digits. Those days at Arby's after a home win when they actually gave out free sandwiches in celebration. (Not that they had to do it very often...)

Then, after we didn't think it possible, it happened...although we wouldn't recognize it for a while.

June 1, 1994 - Hired Geoff Petrie as Vice President, Basketball Operations

June 14, 1996 - Princeton Head Coach Pete Carril was hired as assistant coach. Princeton? He looked like Yoda.

June 26, 1996 - We drafted some guy whose name we couldn't even pronounce. Who is this Predrag Stojakovic and why in the heck didn't we get Wallace?!?! We wouldn't know the answer to that for several years...

January 14, 1998 - The Maloof family of New Mexico purchase a minority ownership in the Kings and Arco Arena.

May 14, 1998 - We acquire Chris Webber in a trade from Washington for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe. The guy doesn't even want to play in Sacramento. What was Petrie thinking????

June 15, 1998 - We sign that Predrag kid to a three-year contract. He's got a gimpy leg when he first shows up and there has to be a mistake.

June 24, 1998 - W drafted that kid with the hair and the attitude and the tattoos. The one who'd been in trouble at Florida - Jason Williams. It's clear. Petrie has lost his mind.

Sept. 18, 1998 - Rick Adelman is hired as head coach, replacing Eddie Jordan. Hey, look! ANOTHER new coach. Whoop...

Jan. 22, 1999 - Signed free agent Vlade Divac and draft pick Jason Williams.

May 7, 1999 - NBA Board of Governors approved sale of the team to the Maloofs.

I'm skipping a lot of the stuff...

Sept. 1, 2000 - Acquired Doug Christie from Toronto for Corliss Williamson.

Okay, the pieces were in place. And we watched and we wondered and we marveled. It was fun to watch Kings games AND they won...

We went along for the ride, all the way to June 2, 2002. We had gone all the way to game 7 of the WCF against the Los Angeles Lakers. The SACRAMENTO KINGS had come within a couple of missed free throws of going to the big show.

My God. Did we ever really think that would happen? Really?

It was a dream. Looking back, it was a dream beyond my wildest imagination. Those were times that went by all too quickly.

---------------------------------

I know I'm rambling. I'll try to get back to the point.

First Jason left. Then Vlade. Now Doug.

I guess it's truly time to say there's been a changing of the guard. It's not our WCF team any longer. It's a new team with a couple of players left over from the "glorious team" of the 2002 WCF.

I don't think we will ever see their likes again. It was a magical time and now ... we and the team move on. Times and faces have changed.

So, finally, my question: Will that feeling ever come again?

 

[HndsmCelt]

Probaly not. You can only have one first love. but it does not make your 5th love a bad thing.

 

[Alacron]

So, finally, my question: Will that feeling ever come again?

Well I'll be honest, I wan't much of a Kings fan until we got Vlade. I was a Lakers fan by birth-- all my family's still in LA. Although, interestingly, they managed to become Bulls fans for about an eight-year stretch in the 90's...

So basically, by the time I started following the Kings, we were playoff contenders. It was awesome watching the team exceed expectations year after year, culminating in 2002. I don't think any Kings fan really has got over the WCF.

And the past two years we've been in a period of decline. I hate to admit it. We had a chance in 02-03, but even before Webber went down people seem to forget that the Spurs would have been favored against us in the WCF. Still, we've always been close enough to just taste ultimate victory.

Bottom line: I think the feeling of rising up from ignominy can never be quite equalled unless we go through an extended period of suckiness again. But that's not the feeling I want most.

One feeling we haven't yet experienced is what happens when we win it all. Failing that, we'll still have the playoff competition where we live and die with every shot attempt, and that's really what I enjoy more than anything.
~~

 

[ovrush]

Well, I had the same feelings for the teams with Mitch Richmond, Brian Grant, and Michael "the animal" Smith. When they made the playoffs and took one of the first couple games from the Sonics that year I didn't think there could be anything better. Being at Arco for their homecoming after that win brought a tear to my eye. I didn't think those types of emotions could be equaled.

Then came the lockout year with the run and gun style and flair and athletecism and a gut wrenching loss as Vlades hook rattled out in the first round against the Jazz. It was a big deal leading off Sports Center, it was a big deal when Webb and JWill were on the cover of ESPN the mag and I don't think think I've ever had so much fun watching a team night to night. Every single day was more exciting than the last as suddenly Sacramento was put on the sports map for the first time

Finally came Peja's rise to stardom, Bobby stepping in and being better than Vernon Maxwell, and Tony Delk. Doug suddenly brought an edge to our defense, and Bibby's clutch shots closed out tough games. The passing was beautiful, the defense was solid, and they brought me so close to a championship I could taste it, nothing quite like tasting something you never thought was possible.

I guess what I'm trying to say is yes, it stinks that those chapters are gone and we'll never have any of them again, but every time things changed I swore no team would ever mean as much to me as the last Kings team did, but every year, no matter how good or bad the team was, sometime in the season I'd find myself screaming at the TV, or jumping out of my seat at ARCO and realizing that the more things change....

All part of the torrid love affair we Sacramento fans have with our team. The feeling will come back, don't worry VF!

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Who knows, VF. I've been there since day one, I was 10 yrs old when I saw game one for the Kings against the LA Clippers way back in 1985. I cant tell you how many times over the years I've just envisioned that magical moment of the seconds ticking down in the clinching game of the NBA Finals and Arco erupting into the most ultimate of celebrations and being able to shed tears of joy. The closest thing I've had to that was game 5 back in the WCF in 2002...it just felt so real, but yet decieving, as we had yet to win anything...as the Lakers had already won the previous 2 years, and 13 before that, so they in the end had perverbial 'scoreboard', in the words of Jim Rome. But as far as if it will ever return, or if we've seen the last of it with this current team...well, ponder this, how many players did the great Bulls have to trade and draft and tool with until they finally go their prize? It took many heartbreaks. San Antonio was so good from 1989-97, they won 50-60 games every year, then it took David Robinson getting hurt and several key moves the next year, including the drafting of Duncan for them to win a title at long last. How many years did the Pistons have to lose to the Celtics back in the 80's before they finally got it right?? All I'm saying is that we're still in our infancy as far as being winners, and you never know what will happen around the corner in the NBA...who knows, we may only be 1 player away next year. We may only be one player away this year...even with Bobby out, who knows what our Geoff has planned. Who knows, we may become the new Utah Jazz, but we havent even begun to realize what our higher destiny is, and I think that our players have to realize this, too...its all a part of the whole 'living in the moment' thing. We're only 6 year winners...not long in NBA standards, and you have to consider what teams in other cities that are in similar situations are going through too, like in Dallas or Minnesota. They havent got it right either, in just about the same amount of time, and I dont think they realize where there destinies will take them, either. But we as Kings fans have visions...and only visions at the moment, of the sweet celebrations that come from winning the ultimate prize. One day...one day.

 

[WhyNotUs?]

will "it" (the passion I presume) ever come back???I duuno, kind of begs the question of whether "it" ever left. Sure, I (we) remeber that awful 43 game road losing streak. I can remember many a rainy January nite screaming at the TV that this team can not suck as much as they did!! (At the time, kinda reminded me of the NY Mets of the early sixties). The passion was borne. Respectability was nice. Then some modest playoff runs. (Utah as the prevailing rivalry). New fan base. Many now only have known the Kings as a lock for the playoffs and the only question is how deep they will make it. Having since relocated to the East, I can assure you that win or lose, the Kings are still the most entertaining show on the TV - and despite the time zone, never miss a game. Here's my final thought. Used to be that the only question wasn't whether the Kings might win, but whether they would put up a respectable loss (at least in my mind).

This year in particular, Kings are rather like a gift from your long lost aunt. You just do not know what to expect. Might be great, might be some dirty underwear. But it is nonetheless entertaining!

 

[jeffjcalweb]

as an old time fan, its an easy answer VF21 ... yes. i loved the kings long before they were any good. never mattered who the players were in the uniforms, they are always going to change over course of a few seasons.

without question this last core (5 years) group is special, its the first time in the sacto era that the kings were actually an elite team, and as a fan it was easy to see that there was something unique about the players & their chemistry.

still, as new players come in and the core changes, i don't have any worries that i'll continue to watch every game, read this board daily, etc.

not until there is no "sacramento kings" team will i lose my enthusiasm.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

"Will that feeling ever come again?" Sure it will. Actually, I'm not sure if that feeling has ever gone away for me. I remember being in Raley's back in 1985 and my mom buying me a Kings pennant before they had even played a game. I was a huge Celtics fan because of Larry Bird, but when when the Kings announced they were moving to Sacramento from Kansas City I immediately turned my allegiances to the team who wore those ugly powder blue uniforms with their names on the bottom of the jerseys. I was in 6th grade when this all transpired and I have the great distinction of being the Kings first ever honorary ballboy. I won a drawing at Leatherbee's Ice Cream Parlor and I was the ballboy for the game versus the New Jersey Nets. As excited as I was back in those days I still get the same excitement when the ball goes up at the 12:00 minute mark of the first quarter. For those of us who have seen this team go through everything, and I mean everything, I truly think that "that feeling" may never leave us. However, I know that the "feeling" over the last few years has been so special that it has been truly different than those seasons where we prayed that the Kings could get to 30 wins. I was at Game 7 in 2002 and I have never experienced anything like that in my life as a sports fan, but I am hopeful that I can experience that and something more with this team in the near future. I have always likened this group of Kings, or what's left of them, with the Utah Jazz. How many times were the Jazz written off before they made it to back-to-back Finals? The Jazz kept a small core group of players together for the entire run and it finally paid off and I am hopeful that the same thing will happen with the Kings.

I thought that this was a great question because I was thinking about this same thing last night when there was a lineup of Miller, Songaila, Martin, Evans and House on the floor and my wife and I commented as to how much this team has changed just over the last two seasons. Who would have ever thought two years ago that those five guys would be on the floor together playing for the Kings. Sure, the pieces will obviously change and they already have, but in the end the the sum of those pieces will always compromise a whole that gives us the same excitement and hope that we had back in 1985 when that first ball went up at the 12:00 minute mark against the Clippers or when the ball went up at the 5:00 minute mark of the first overtime against the Lakers back in June of 2002.

 

[AleksandarN]

June 26, 1996 - We drafted some guy whose name we couldn't even pronounce. Who is this Predrag Stojakovic and why in the heck didn't we get Edwards?!?! We wouldn't know the answer to that for several years...

I thought it was John Wallace we were to draft not edwards.

 

[FullAB]

No....IT will never be the same.....as it shouldn't. The team may have successes in the future....almost a certainty that it will. But the faces will be different, and we as fans get to fall in love all over again. The Kings that we have loved are gone. Such is the way of life. Forever etched into our memories and hearts, and the history of the NBA. But our Sacramento Kings will fill us with new passions.....new hopes....new loves....

GO KINGS

 

[DocHolliday]

It can't be exactly the same ....every set of players have different personalities. Can it be as good...but different. Sure. That team wasn't able to do it. Majorally for a lack of rebounding, lack of an inside game, and the refs having it our for them. *still to this day*.

While it's sad to see that team broken up, Im looking forward to a new more athletic Kings team. The last piece of that will be comleted after next season when Webbs contract is up. Hopefully we have a sufficient replacement by then. I don't think we'lll need someone who scores 25 a night....just someone who can gives us 15-16, some defense and rebounding. If you have 5 scorers 4 of which are very athletic. You don' tneed 30 from one person.

 

[piksi]

It can never be the same. It can still be good but different.

If Kings manage to resign Pedja - this team will have a potential to be good for much longer than expected.

Miller, Bibby, Pedja and the rookies showed last night that we can be good in a different way. It was fun to watch.

 

[uolj]

Will that feeling ever come again?

No, that feeling will never come again. But others will. That is why we watch, that is why we cheer, that is why we are fans.

 

[NBAGURU]

It's to bad with a great team, great chemistry, and great fans over the years....the basketball gods won't give us .....atleast....one freakin CHAMPIONSHIP! Don't we aleast deserve one?

 

[ReinadelosReys]

We all share that passion as Kings fans. That passion for the team because they are the Sacramento Kings, a passion that we have had since day one whether they won three in a row.... or lost 43 . What happened the last 6-7 years was something special. It was special because that team created it. This team has their opportunity to do the same thing, and how we choose to cherish it is up to us.

Will it ever be the same? Probably not. But that's not to say it can't and won't be better...or worse for that matter. But that possibility alone is enough for me and what keeps me going as a fan. After all...we have Petrie at the helms and the Maloofs with the pen ... is there anything more a fan can ask for.

I don't no, maybe its just the affect of being in seclusion for a while, but last night I really really enjoyed watching the Kings play. That bench is exciting, and the vets are still the vets. Mo Evans hustling and flying all around, Kevin Martin showcasing his offensive skills, the both putting on a display of youthful exuberance not seen in a Kings uni in a while. Peja stopping in Roseville and dropping in one of those Serbian lay-ups. Brad Miller living Pete Carrils offense, Mike Bibby being that sly warrior, Tag adding what exactly what we wanted from him, not to mention the absent and aching Chris Webber, the injured Bobby Jackson and the rest who round out the group.

"It" may never be the same, but the "we built this city on basketball" thrill has never left.

 

[VF21]

Thanks to all for your comments. (DocHolliday - I find it somewhat amusing that people with your types of views can find a way, even in a thread like this, to take a dig at Webber. You so missed the point.)

I admit it - I wrote that last night with tears in my eyes as I watched The Freak's tribute, listened to the news and read the transcript of how Doug broke down on the radio.

I AM KINGS FAN. I know the feeling will return; I feel as though I lost a very dear and special friend with the trade of Doug Christie. He was a special member of our team and one whose presence will be sorely missed.

It's a new day, I know. I KNOW in my heart the excitement is still there waiting to be expressed. The love of the team is still there.

This isn't easy because Doug was so much a part of so many good memories. But there will be more because they are still our Sacramento Kings.

I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!

 

[fakie]

It can never be the same. It can still be good but different.

If Kings manage to resign Pedja - this team will have a potential to be good for much longer than expected.

Miller, Bibby, Pedja and the rookies showed last night that we can be good in a different way. It was fun to watch.

i agree if they resign pedja and use the new blood they can build another era before pedja gets too old.
but with vlade and christie gone, and all the trade talk from earlier of the season, i wonder if pedja will stay.

i hope to God that he does.

 

[PFFFT!!]

VF, I loved the Kings since I moved here in '89. Wether it had a pathetic roster or an All Star roster, I love em the same. I think about the team first rather than the individuals on it. Maybe the "TEAM" mentality should translate to fans as well. I don't think you are a true Kings fan if you idolize a particular player. I felt really bad about DC, even though I said I "hated" him. I didn't mean "hate" in the true sense, but I referred to him fitting into the team. He was good, but he wasn't the BEST at the spot. Petrie's position is to create the best team he can in the shortest possible time. He won't stop until he reaches that goal, regardless of who or how long you've played with this team.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

"It" may never be the same, but the "we built this city on basketball" thrill has never left.

Damn, and I thought I was the only one who remembered there was a Kings version of this song way back in 85'...anyone remember 'The Kings Come Out at Night'?(a Kings twist on Whodini's 'The Freaks Come Out at Night'?) Man, wish I knew where I could get a copy of both of those.

 

[BigWaxer]

My God. Did we ever really think that would happen? Really?

It was a dream. Looking back, it was a dream beyond my wildest imagination. Those were times that went by all too quickly.

Man back in 2002 was in a sports bar in old sac. Waiting for it to happen so I could run out into the streets. Thinking of how great it would be to take my boys to the championship parade and party at the capital. I still think about it and get chills down my arms everytime. Back then I would tear up just thinking about how great it would feel.

I still remember my first Kings game vs the Pacers in Echo arena during the tighty shorts days and the GAWD awfull ugly Pacers jerseys.

I still have a lot of hope for now and the future. I am kind of concerned about the future after this year if we don't win it all.

 

[BigWaxer]

This isn't easy because Doug was so much a part of so many good memories. But there will be more because they are still our Sacramento Kings.

And let hope that Cat restores some of that flash the Kings used to have.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

"It" may never be the same, but the "we built this city on basketball" thrill has never left.

Damn, and I thought I was the only one who remembered there was a Kings version of this song way back in 85'...anyone remember 'The Kings Come Out at Night'?(a Kings twist on Whodini's 'The Freaks Come Out at Night'?) Man, wish I knew where I could get a copy of both of those.

I think it was 1-2 (or 3) years ago I heard both of them again on 1140 in the morning. I remember them playing those songs and this Serbian song about Sacramento. Try e-mailing the station or the Rise Guy's and see if they could help you out.

 

[Stojakovic]

I have been a fan of the Kings since 1999, not sure if that qualifies me as an "old-time" fan, but here's my .02 cents nevertheless.

I doubt that any squad in the near future will surpass the character and likeability (is that even a word ?) of the players the Kings had in 2001/2002. Practically ALL of my favorite players and characters in the NBA were on the Kings. Scot Pollard, Hedo Turkoglu, Jon Barry, Jason Williams and the crazy towelwavers and cheerleaders in Mateen and Jabari are irreplacable. That team was literally, THE SH*ZNIT and all of the players from that era hold a special place in my heart. I would have given anything to have seen that group of good guys beat the Lakers and win a championship...but, it wasn't to be ! Last year, when we were shown the door by the Wolves I had a gut feeling that this team would experience a complete overhaul, and I posted a thread called "Will we ever see this team again...as we know it ?".

Seems like Nostradamus lives in me afterall ... but to answer VF's question, NO ... I don't think it will EVER be the same, but it can still be good. I have trouble identifying to the current players we have as Kings, and I also have trouble identifying with our current playing style as Kings basketball (losing Vlade, and now Christie has and will definitely transform our game from the game we were known for). But time heals all wounds.

 

[The Freak]

No. It will never be the same.

 

[funkykingston]

It WAS John Wallace that the Kings fans wanted. Personally, I wanted the lightning quick PG out of Santa Clara. What ever happened to that Steve Nash kid?

Of course, I also said on draft night that, "as long as they don't take the Greek guy or the high school kid, I'm OK with whoever they pick." The high school kid went a pick earlier, to Charlotte. Another high school kid went a few picks later, which seemed like a reach to me at the time. I guess Kobe and J O'Neal turned out OK. I used to feel much better about my talent evaluating ability back when I could watch all these guys play college ball. Now I often feel clueless at draft time.

Another note about VF21's list: I like Adelman, but I have always thought that Eddie Jordan's dismissal was unfair. I thought he deserved a chance to work with a more talented roster.

But back to the topic of this thread - I don't know if I'll ever have the same feeling as watching a previously moribund franchise finally reach the upper echelon of teams in the NBA. But my overall love of this team my wax and wane slightly at times, but I will always have a passion for this team.

Watching our new franchise make the playoffs in their first year in Sacramento, the Billy Owens for Mitch Richmond deal, the gritty team that made the playoffs in 96 with Richmond, Brian Grant, Michael Smith and rookies Corliss and Tyus Edny are all memories that I would add to your list of things that increased my love of this franchise.

Hell, even the horrible events of the past such as drafting Joe Klein, the record FOUR first round picks that failed to net a single star (Lionel Simmons was the best of them), signing Ralph Sampson, asking Bill Russell to coach, drafting Pervis Ellison or Bobby Hurley's tragic crash are things that I'm glad I was there for. I think that is why the team's success in 99 meant so much to me. While I will always love the team, that was a special and fantastic feeling and I know it will return for me again some day. Because I'm a Kings fan for the long haul.

 

[Gary]

I thought Williams was from Florida, and not Florida State?



Anyhow, Kings fan since a year after they got here (Laker fan before that). Love them Kings!

 

[Entity]

I have gotten used to the team even this year, halfway through the season i am used to it. Now with this core change i am excited. I was excited to see us play last year and years before but now with young guys growing up and new exciting players coming in. Its just a whole new type of excitment. I used to look and see how many points Webb and Peja and Bibby would score. Now if find myself looking to see what Evans and Martin did. Now we got another guy coming in that averages 17 pts. I predict 5 guys in double digit scoring every game for the rest of the year.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I thought Williams was from Florida, and not Florida State?



Anyhow, Kings fan since a year after they got here (Laker fan before that). Love them Kings!

Florida Gators...he played with Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem

 

[bdouble013]

It might never be the same, but they again this new crop of kids could grow into the same kind of team.

Sure the team is going through some changes now, but a season down the road with no more changes and we could see a reinvention of the bench mob, with another team of great chemistry and fun basketball, which is what made those teams so special.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

It might never be the same, but they again this new crop of kids could grow into the same kind of team.

Sure the team is going through some changes now, but a season down the road with no more changes and we could see a reinvention of the bench mob, with another team of great chemistry and fun basketball, which is what made those teams so special.

I couldnt agree more. I think that its all about heart and desire, and I do believe that the group that we have even right now, posesses this. We have to lock up Evans for at least a few years, he only has a one year contract. Martin is going to be something special, as we've even seen glimpses of already this year. Hell, who knows, maybe a couple years down the road, maybe we can talk Vlade into coming back as an assistant coach, just to remind everyone how unselfish basketball can be rewarding.