The Inside Dish @ Dallas, 02/24/05

[Packt]

famous last words...

i don't want this to turn into a Grant bashing thread but ive said so many times how much i can't stand him and how he is very TWO FACED..

he's a follower...when the media is down on somebody he's down on that person...if the media is kissing so and so's butt he's kissing so and so's butt...he's wishy-washy...instead of sticking by what he truly believes and feels he follows who he believes to "know what they are talking about"...which just isn't right

Definitely, you guys hit the nail. The night Chris got traded Lamb was trashing him left and right with innuendos, and trying to direct things to more of a "this is a good trade" when so far most guest and fans were disappointed. He was bringing up things that he never mentioned before, and was painting and trying to influence opinions about Webb. It was very obvious what he was doing.

 

[VF21]

Oh, geez....

Hey, Devin? If you're reading this?

LET US GRIEVE! Let us voice our disappointment, our frustration, our fears, our disbelief, etc.

And, above everything else, let us have a little time to digest the events of the last couple of days.

It's real easy, I suppose, for someone who posts on the official Kings.com website to sound so sure, so confident, etc.

Excuse us mortals for taking a bit longer.

Yes, I raged. Yes, I doubted Petrie. So what?

If you are doubting my sincerity as a Sacramento Kings fan, I'll put my loyalty to this team as a fan - ALL 20 YEARS OF IT - up against yours any time.

Some of the most loyal Kings fans in the universe post on this site. I think you did most of a us a BIG DISSERVICE.

Thank you.

Vladefan21

 

[swisshh]

Agreed. I have been a longtime Kings fan, I have a laminated poster of the squad that had Causewell, Dwayne the Mullet man, Marty Conlon, and L-Train. Yes fans here are complaining and questioning management, because if it's one thing a longtime Kings fan knows... it's a bad trade. Oh we're quite familiar with them. Also bad draft picks. =/

 

[AriesMar27]

ive only been a kings fan since like '99-00, i live in los angeles and i'm still proud to be a kings fan.... i was hurt by the trade mostly because the only jersey that i own is a webber jersey and i wear it on game days for good luck.

but i like corliss and skinner.... if they are used correctly, we can beat both dallas and phoenix, or even seattle if we somehow fall to 6th seed... they arent the grittiest players, but they are way tougher than anyone else on our roster not named bobbyj.

if they are used correctly, i will like this trade it creates match up problems for dallas, phoenix and seattle... but if adelman pulls a adelman.... eh... i wouldnt be surprised.

Go Kings.... we can do this, surprise people and win a series.... san antonio would still kill us.

 

[VF21]

I'm not saying it's a good trade or a bad trade, swisshh.

I think Blankenship took an unfair swipe at us for being upset about something that totally floored us, Webber fans, Webber "haters," and people who didn't care one way or the other.

I think Blankenship totally misses the whole thing about this website. We come here and Kings fans and we talk out our hopes, our fears, our joys, our sorrows, etc. We go through all the stages...

Instead of lambasting us for our initial reactions, it would have been nice had he bothered to read more of the comments and tell the whole story. At first, shock and disbelief and rage against Petrie and Maloofs, sure. But as we talked about it and worked through it, most of us have come to the conclusion that Geoff Petrie has been the one constant in a sea of change over the years that has, almost without exception, made the right deal even if we didn't think so right away.

I'm pretty sure Petrie AND the Maloofs would understand the process we've gone through. It's a shame Blankenship doesn't get it.

 

[Since93]

Oh, geez....

Hey, Devin? If you're reading this?

LET US GRIEVE! Let us voice our disappointment, our frustration, our fears, our disbelief, etc.

And, above everything else, let us have a little time to digest the events of the last couple of days.

It's real easy, I suppose, for someone who posts on the official Kings.com website to sound so sure, so confident, etc.

Excuse us mortals for taking a bit longer.

Yes, I raged. Yes, I doubted Petrie. So what?

If you are doubting my sincerity as a Sacramento Kings fan, I'll put my loyalty to this team as a fan - ALL 20 YEARS OF IT - up against yours any time.

Some of the most loyal Kings fans in the universe post on this site. I think you did most of a us a BIG DISSERVICE.

Thank you.

Vladefan21

Great post.

If the trade is a slap in the face of all Kings fans. The comments and reaction within the Kings organization following the trade provide another another and another slaps. From Petrie's news conference to Napear's two-faces on the radio to Devin Blankenship's Inside Dish... it goes on and on.

Speaking of no-class, speaking of disrepect. I have seen it all on the last 2 days.

On the other end Webber is still trying his best to speak for Sacramento, the city he loves.

Someone please tell me does he deserve this? Does our fans deserve this?

I love our players, I love our coach, I even love our ball boy.

But Maloof brother and those people you hired, you let me down, big time.

And once the relationship is broken, I don't see it will be recovered.

 

[AriesMar27]

they were probably expecting it just like the rest of the country.... this isnt like the shaq situation... eventhough we lost, we actually liked webber.... hell, i was proud of him when he took that 3 against the wolves in the playoffs....

 

[iheartBrad]

yeah i really like that ballboy too^

 

[Since93]

And as I understand has the Maloofs come out to speak one word? Maybe I missed it...

The point I want to make is they could have been done a lot of things to 'comfort' our disappointment, our fear. But uptil now there is nothing less than poring salt on our wounds.

What a job.

 

[VF21]

LET ME REPEAT:

I am not saying it's a good trade or a bad trade. I am not dumping on the Maloofs or Petrie.

What I AM saying is that we have a special community here at Kingsfans.com and an awful lot of us came together when we heard the news to voice our initial reactions, fears, concerns, joys, sorrows, anxieties, etc.

Devin Blankenship made it sound as though we had given up on our team, our players, Geoff Petrie and the Maloofs.

I'm saying that is patently NOT TRUE!!!

Some may be upset, some may doubt, some may question but that is our right as fans. For Blankenship to dump on us because we didn't all immediately jump on the bandwagon he thought we should be riding and cheer about something so shocking and so unexpected is wrong.

As I said above, I don't think Geoff Petrie or Joe and Gavin would have a problem with us voicing our feelings. We're fans; we've more than earned the right to comment about what goes on with our beloved team. We've more than earned the right to question what we do not immediately understand if we're so inclined. That's what message boards are all about.

What Mr. Blankenship fails to realize is we discuss it all around here. His blanket condemnation of us is just as patently absurd as his accusation of our blanket condemnation of Geoff Petrie.

Blankenship would be well served to give us a little more credit. We have supported this team and we're not going to stop but we have EVERY right in the word to voice our feelings about things. And, in addition, we have EVERY right to change our minds or alter our impressions once we've discussed things, worked through the initial reactions, etc. It's called life.

 

[VF21]

And as I understand has the Maloofs come out to speak one word? Maybe I missed it...

The point I want to make is they could have been done a lot of things to 'comfort' our disappointment, our fear. But uptil now there is nothing less than poring salt on our wounds.

What a job.

Oh please. The Maloofs have not poured salt on any wounds. They have not done anything to us personally. They have run their business in the manner they feel is best. It is THEIR business, after all.

Sometimes owners have to make tough decisions. I'm sure this was one of those situations.

We need to either continue to whine and moan or get over it and move on and SUPPORT the team we have.

I choose the latter.

 

[HndsmCelt]

The day I need journalist to define who I am, or even what makes for a good fan some one please shoot me as I will have become senile. Yet one more layer for the bird cage.

Ooooops I am sory for mistaking Devin for a journalsit. I just realized that he writes for the Kings web site so he realy is just a PR man doing his job of covering up for the peopel who sign his check.

 

[Since93]

Oh please. The Maloofs have not poured salt on any wounds. They have not done anything to us personally. They have run their business in the manner they feel is best. It is THEIR business, after all.

Sometimes owners have to make tough decisions. I'm sure this was one of those situations.

We need to either continue to whine and moan or get over it and move on and SUPPORT the team we have.

I choose the latter.

I didn't say it's the Maloofs who actually pour salt on our wounds. It's Blankenship 's ridiculous comments on those fans, even those who dislike or question Petrie's decision.

This article appeared on the offical website of the Kings. That's why I wonder the reason the Maloofs even allow it happens.

Maybe I have over-reacted. But this article.... I just can't accept this.

 

[Just_Lurkin]

This is beyond my imagination. Now we are not allowed to question a dumb trade? Are you trying to tell me I am not a Kings fan because of that, AGAIN?

I hope the writer is reading this post. I am disappointed with the trade. But I am more disappointed that how the Kings organization responding to the trade, including this sorry article.

ITA, as much as i respect petrie's skills, he is not God(who is the only being i'd follow with total, unquestioning faith)....Geoff is human, which means he's is capable of mistakes; and right now, i think trading webber was one of them. Especially when you look at the what we got in return.

 

[VF21]

I didn't say it's the Maloofs who actually pour salt on our wounds. It's Blankenship 's ridiculous comments on those fans, even those who dislike or question Petrie's decision.

This article appeared on the offical website of the Kings. That's why I wonder the reason the Maloofs even allow it happens.

Maybe I have over-reacted. But this article.... I just can't accept this.

The Maloofs do not read every single word that's printed on the site. Blankenship is writing his opinion, which he's entitled to just as Grant, acting as spokesperson for the Kings when he's broadcasting, occasionally says things I'm sure the Maloofs wouldn't necessarily be real thrilled about.

Who is Devin Blankenship anyway? He apparently reads our site. If he needs to take cheap shots, cool. WE KNOW we're fans and that's what's important. We continue to buy the tickets, the jerseys, we go to the games and support the team. I don't think any of that is going to change, and if Mr. Blankenship thinks it is simply because we come here to voice our opinions and exchange views, then he really doesn't get it at all.

 

[swisshh]

I think people question the Maloofs or MSE about what certain people have said is because it's coming from people closer to the Maloofs. Grant is the team's play by play man, pretty much just a puppet really. Coach T is known for shmoozing with the Maloofs. Devin works for the official site. It just looks like coordinated propoganda. I wouldn't think the Maloofs would say one bad thing about Webber, but someone in MSE is setting this smoke screen up.

In contrast, guys who's job is closer to say the newspaper, the radio station or anything else have been honest and willing to criticize.

 

[SIR HENRY 8]

Sometimes owners have to make tough decisions. I'm sure this was one of those situations.

We need to either continue to whine and moan or get over it and move on and SUPPORT the team we have.

I choose the latter.

I agree

GO KINGS

 

[nebs]

We got a mention.

Not a positive one. But, still.
---------------------------------------
http://www.nba.com/kings/news/The_Inside_Dishat_Dallas-133437-58.html

by Devin Blankenship | February 23, 2005 | Kings @ Dallas

Disappointment...
I am disappointed as I write this.

I am disappointed that Chris Webber is no longer a member of the Sacramento Kings. I am disappointed that the player most responsible for the Kings revival on the court is now in a Philadelphia zip code, not able to finish what he started—bringing a championship to Sacramento.

Chris Webber is perhaps the most dynamic, enigmatic, exciting, and most treasured Kings player to have put on a Sacramento uniform. He was and always will be loved by the Sacramento community. And above all, Chris is a good person who did a lot great things while he was here, and I know that I will personally miss him.

But that’s not what I am most disappointed about.

What I am most disappointed in is some Kings’ fans reaction to Geoff Petrie after this trade. I have been hit with emails from fans who now question Petrie and his ability to lead this Sacramento franchise, despite the fact that Geoff is the one person who is most responsible for the Kings being where they are.

I am disappointed that websites claiming to be for Kings fans (and you know who you are) that once touted their motto of ‘In Petrie We Trust,’ have in one day done a 180-degree turn and are now questioning Geoff’s ability, without trusting Petrie’s track record and waiting to see the results and see how the team will respond.

To all the fans who have emailed me saying they are no longer Kings fans because of the trade, go ahead and go—go root for Philadelphia. You probably weren’t really a Kings fan in the first place, you were Chris Webber fans, which is fine and ok. But don’t claim to be true fans of the team—true fans of the Sacramento Kings love the team above all, not the individual.

Hey, it’s normal for anybody to feel a range of emotions after a beloved player is traded—trust me, the entire Kings front office is feeling them right now. But to immediately turn on the people most responsible for the success of the franchise—Petrie and the Maloofs—without giving them a chance to prove the value of the trade is inexcusable.

Mourn the loss of Chris Webber, but don’t turn it into anger for the Kings front office.

I am sad because of Chris Webber leaving, but even more sad thanks to the reactions of some Kings fans.

Random Thoughts...
*I don’t buy people (cough…Kenny Smith…cough…Charles Barkley) saying the Kings have given up, especially after Thursday’s game. If you watched any of it, you saw how hard those guys played. I particularly enjoyed Doug Collins saying during the game that Kings were still an explosive offensive team that just needed some rebounding and defensive help. Isn’t that how the team improved itself on Wednesday??
*Mark Cuban is a great owner and a great person who has done a lot for Dallas. I think a lot of people just wish he wouldn’t go running out on to the court to high-five his players after timeouts.
*God just smiled on those of you that have Brad Miller on your fantasy basketball team.
*Mike Bibby looks poised to become the leader of this team. He’s the point guard, he’s clutch, and he has a chip on his shoulder after being left off the All-Star team.

You can e-mail Devin Blankenship at fanmail@kingsbball.com

I agree with that whole thing.

 

[Bricklayer]

I agree

GO KINGS

Look -- this thing isn't just going to magically go away. It is going to hang over the franchise's head until/unless Petrie can work some magic and restore the team to elite status. You can't just squelch out an entire era and wake up the next morning and say, ok, fresh start, let's all just forget what happened ok?

Geoff took a huge risk here - he went out and made the team worse with the idea of making it better in the long run. But he's got to convert on the second part of that before the enormity of the first part of that can be forgotten. If he goes out and trades Bobby Jackson and Corliss for Ron Artest in the offseason, picks up Stromile Swift in a sign and trade for Skinner and Tag, and turns Mobley and Thomas into a star of some sort, then all of thsi will recede. But until then, every time you go to a game or turn on the TV you're seeing the trade in action and comparisons to what might have been are inevitable.

Basically Geoff has a lot to prove now.

 

[vj9999]

I think we are taking things too personaly. His displeasure with people saying that they will not support the Kings anymore just because Webber is gone is justified in my opinion. You either support the team or you don't.

I really like the concept that some European soccer teams have. You have fans and you have supporters. Fan is someone who cheers on the team, but supporter is someone who pays a membership to the club and reliegiosly follow their team. They get preferential treatments, club organized trips to support the team during road games and even participate in team/fan open discussions where they bring up their opinions/suggestions.

As such most of us are fans (I don't think buying an occasional shirt counts as a full pledged support). Only people who are season tickets holders have a right to address their issues with the team (and I believe that season ticket holders have ways to voice their opinions).

There is always going to be transactions/actions by the team that we disagree with, but we have to accept them as they are and continue to cheer for our team. Petrie (arguably) made one bad decision in all these years and n metter how attached we were to Webber we have to move on look ahead.

Go Kings!!!

 

[love_them_kings]

I think we are taking things too personaly. His displeasure with people saying that they will not support the Kings anymore just because Webber is gone is justified in my opinion. You either support the team or you don't.



As such most of us are fans (I don't think buying an occasional shirt counts as a full pledged support). Only people who are season tickets holders have a right to address their issues with the team (and I believe that season ticket holders have ways to voice their opinions).

There is always going to be transactions/actions by the team that we disagree with, but we have to accept them as they are and continue to cheer for our team. Petrie (arguably) made one bad decision in all these years and n metter how attached we were to Webber we have to move on look ahead.

Go Kings!!!

what about those of us on the waiting list??

 

[vj9999]

what about those of us on the waiting list??

I guess that counts for something too

 

[VF21]

Oh, very sore point there, vj9999. I am not a season ticket holder because I cannot afford to be. I have, however, loved this team for 20 years and done a lot of things to support them both publicly and privately that I think are just as important as those who have purchased those season tickets, for which there's a very long waiting list BTW.

 

[vj9999]

Oh, very sore point there, vj9999. I am not a season ticket holder because I cannot afford to be. I have, however, loved this team for 20 years and done a lot of things to support them both publicly and privately that I think are just as important as those who have purchased those season tickets, for which there's a very long waiting list BTW.

I'm messing up with my comments left and right tonight Maybe 24 hour ban should set me straight and allow me to think my posts through

 

[LMM]

Look -- this thing isn't just going to magically go away. It is going to hang over the franchise's head until/unless Petrie can work some magic and restore the team to elite status. You can't just squelch out an entire era and wake up the next morning and say, ok, fresh start, let's all just forget what happened ok?

Geoff took a huge risk here - he went out and made the team worse with the idea of making it better in the long run. But he's got to convert on the second part of that before the enormity of the first part of that can be forgotten. If he goes out and trades Bobby Jackson and Corliss for Ron Artest in the offseason, picks up Stromile Swift in a sign and trade for Skinner and Tag, and turns Mobley and Thomas into a star of some sort, then all of thsi will recede. But until then, every time you go to a game or turn on the TV you're seeing the trade in action and comparisons to what might have been are inevitable.

Basically Geoff has a lot to prove now.

^ i agree

 

[tienchi3x]

I have to say being an NBA fan in a city without a team(Richmond, Va) I basically choose what team to support based on different factors. Style of play, team personality, player personality, etc. I was a Suns fan when Barkley was there, an Indiana fan after that. Then I started seeing clips of Jwill and the Kings(who had been totally off my radar), started watching games, and fell in love. I like that they are the underdogs, the little team that could challenge the Lakers(Spurs, etc). But if you bring in a totally different group of players it's not really the same team. Theres still enough of the core players I'll continue to support them for now. I do think they should have waited until the offseason to trade Webb. This year was not lost. Also even though it's just a buisness, it would be nice to see a little loyalty by owners/management for a great player/person like Webber. A knife in the back in the middle of the season just makes me queasy.

 

[SIR HENRY 8]

Look -- this thing isn't just going to magically go away. It is going to hang over the franchise's head until/unless Petrie can work some magic and restore the team to elite status. You can't just squelch out an entire era and wake up the next morning and say, ok, fresh start, let's all just forget what happened ok?

Geoff took a huge risk here - he went out and made the team worse with the idea of making it better in the long run. But he's got to convert on the second part of that before the enormity of the first part of that can be forgotten. If he goes out and trades Bobby Jackson and Corliss for Ron Artest in the offseason, picks up Stromile Swift in a sign and trade for Skinner and Tag, and turns Mobley and Thomas into a star of some sort, then all of thsi will recede. But until then, every time you go to a game or turn on the TV you're seeing the trade in action and comparisons to what might have been are inevitable.

Basically Geoff has a lot to prove now.

I'm fully aware this isnt magically going away,and i'll never forget this happened,and may never get over.I pesonally hated this trade, but I CAN'T continue to drive myself nuts dwelling on it.I wish nothing but the best for WEBBER.We have a game tonight ,and I must support OUR team new and old,thats how I feel,did'nt mean to get under your skin.