The worst thing about this, I just wasn't ready for it

[RookieOfTheDay]

As I'm sure many of you weren't. Not that you could ever be 100% ready for it, we all knew this day may come, but I just didn’t think it’d be this soon. I honestly thought that with the effort the mayor and the ICON group were making and with the potential lockout coming up that we had at least one more year.

We finally had the right mayor, the right developers, and the city council all on the same page. Things seemed poised for a save in the bottom of the ninth. Then, we’re blind-sided at the last minute.

The Maloofs have always said they wanted to stay in Sacramento, so I just can’t fathom why they’d pull the rug out from under us without giving the mayor and ICON one last shot. Especially not on a gamble like Anaheim.

In hindsight, I can’t help but wonder if all the cost cutting moves were done with the relocation in mind and not for salary cap space as we were led to believe.

I have a lot of bitterness toward the Maloofs right now. Not because they’re looking for a solution to their financial troubles and think Anaheim will provide it. But because I do not think they’ve been honest with the fans, the mayor, or the city council over the last six months or so.

And their silence over the last two weeks is even worse. I’ve been a nervous wreck, as I’m sure most fans have been. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for the poor mayor and the folks who are doing everything in their power to get an arena built. How can The Maloofs walk away from that without even giving them a chance? Because they’re bad businessmen and got themselves in a position where they need a quick fix, that’s how. People who can’t survive a few bad years have no business owning an NBA team.

What the Maloofs are doing now is tantamount to telling your boss, well, I’ll still work here if I don’t get the job I really want. Only, instead of just leaving your boss hanging and in the dark, you’re leaving an entire region hanging and in the dark.

I realize I’m probably being too emotional about it. But after all, sports is all about emotion, not logic. There’s nothing logical about getting all worked up over a team of millionaires throwing a ball in a hoop more times than an opposing team of millionaires. So, why should we suddenly become Mr. Spock when it comes to losing our team of millionaires?

That’s the way I see it anyway. What do I know though, I’m tired, depressed, and probably bordering on incoherent and rambling, lol.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I feel the same way. Had Taylor-ICON not panned out I would be prepared for the inevitable but while it is still ongoing is just a total sucker punch.

And that it is to SoCal is just... well. I took a lot of crap as a Kings fan in SoCal during the glory days. And when we came up short it hurt more than anything else.

 

[VF21]

I feel sorry for our young team. They're just begun to experience how it feels to have loyal fans in your corner and now it's possible they'll be moving to an area already saturated with basketball. There's absolutely no way to know if a third team will actually be successful, big time corporate sponsors or no big time corporate sponsors. I hope the local fans will continue to turn out for the remaining games, if for no other reason than to show the players that we're thankful for what they've given us.

I just had a thought...I think we should make them leave the jerseys we retired here. Webber, Divac and Richmond (along with the sixthman) belong in Sacramento... and so do the Kings.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I feel sorry for our young team. They're just begun to experience how it feels to have loyal fans in your corner and now it's possible they'll be moving to an area already saturated with basketball. There's absolutely no way to know if a third team will actually be successful, big time corporate sponsors or no big time corporate sponsors. I hope the local fans will continue to turn out for the remaining games, if for no other reason than to show the players that we're thankful for what they've given us.

I just had a thought...I think we should make them leave the jerseys we retired here. Webber, Divac and Richmond (along with the sixthman) belong in Sacramento... and so do the Kings.

yeah it really sucks. By the way, sorry if i caused your other thread to get hijacked. It's a great piece of writing and that really was not my intent. I was just defending what i thought was a slight against certain fans made by another poster.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I hope the local fans will continue to turn out for the remaining games, if for no other reason than to show the players that we're thankful for what they've given us.

I will be in town in a few weeks to pick up some stuff from my late grandma's before we sell her place and looks like they have a game in town. Pretty sure I'll be going and taking my son. Hope it isn't his only Kings game.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I feel the same way. Had Taylor-ICON not panned out I would be prepared for the inevitable but while it is still ongoing is just a total sucker punch.

And that it is to SoCal is just... well. I took a lot of crap as a Kings fan in SoCal during the glory days. And when we came up short it hurt more than anything else.

The other thing that obviously makes it harder is that it's happening right when we finally have something to be excited about with Demarcus and Tyreke. It would have honestly been much easier for me to have stomached the move around 2004/2005 when the team was heading down, not up. As it is now though, there's a very good chance we're going to be Seattle Super Sonics 2.0 and have to watch our team winning 50 games and being in the playoffs in mother ******* Anaheim.

 

[kingsboi]

Not many of us were bro. That's the life of a fan I guess, the good will come and the very ugly will come too. It's just unfortunate that the ugly overtook the good.

 

[Kingfanpaul]

I know what you mean about not being ready. I still don't think the reality of it has totally sunk in yet. I know they are not officially gone now, but it sure seems inevitable.

I was born and raised in Sacramento, became a kings fan sometime around 8 years old. I have used the name Kingfanpaul as my screename or email address since we first got the internet, I was about 15 years old I think. Now in a couple weeks I will be 30 and my favorite team may move to the territory of our arch nemesis. It just does not seem real. I don't think I can find myself to root for a team in the LA area, yet I am so attached to the Kings players. I certainly don't want my online name related to an LA team, but changing this email after so many years is weird.

 

[NewKingsFan916]

The Maloofs have quite literally run this team into the ground.

I also blame Heather Fargo in the early 2000 for making the Arena issue such a low priority. KJ has put more effort into an Arena in 2 years than Fargo did in 8 years.

She should of been Mayjor a city that is 50k, not 500k.

 

[bajaden]

The Maloofs have quite literally run this team into the ground.

I also blame Heather Fargo in the early 2000 for making the Arena issue such a low priority. KJ has put more effort into an Arena in 2 years than Fargo did in 8 years.

She should of been Mayjor a city that is 50k, not 500k.

Fargo didn't want the Kings to move here in the first place and did everything she could to discourage it. Look, I hate the situation were in as much as anyone, but for me to say I'm surpirsed, after 10 years of handwringing and posturing by the city of sacramento, just wouldn't be the truth. If I'm surprised, its that they haven't already moved. This team almost moved under Thomas. Its been hanging in limbo for years. Blame whoever you want for that, but don't tell me your surprised.

Now I did have hope with this new deal. And maybe the Maloofs do as well. Maybe this is all about leverage. Make everyone think that the day has finally arrived and maybe they'll get serious about actually doing something. Maybe they think thats the only way to get the city council to approve anything, with a gun to their heads. To be honest, I wouldn't blame them. And if that is the case (I hope) then I hope it works. And if not, then thanks for the memories..

 

[NewKingsFan916]

Fargo didn't want the Kings to move here in the first place and did everything she could to discourage it. Look, I hate the situation were in as much as anyone, but for me to say I'm surpirsed, after 10 years of handwringing and posturing by the city of sacramento, just wouldn't be the truth. If I'm surprised, its that they haven't already moved. This team almost moved under Thomas. Its been hanging in limbo for years. Blame whoever you want for that, but don't tell me your surprised.

Now I did have hope with this new deal. And maybe the Maloofs do as well. Maybe this is all about leverage. Make everyone think that the day has finally arrived and maybe they'll get serious about actually doing something. Maybe they think thats the only way to get the city council to approve anything, with a gun to their heads. To be honest, I wouldn't blame them. And if that is the case (I hope) then I hope it works. And if not, then thanks for the memories..

Never said I was suprised, but at the same time with KJ at the helm I do blame them for skipping town when there are still possibilities on the table.

They should of, at a bare minimum, waited until the 90 day study person from Taylor/Icon.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

That's the thing bajaden, they could have left before KJ got elected and I'd have never really thought twice about the Maloofs role in it going down. But now we've actually had some hope it caught me by surprise. But what are those stages of grief, perhaps I was just in denial and now I've moved to anger.

Of course all the while hodling out a sliver of hope, which would mean I'm still in denial

 

[kennadog]

I'm crushed that its likely they move, but I'm not surprised. I've been more surprised by the very low response of the city to trying to keep the Kings and/or build an arena. I probably shouldn't be surprised by that either.

Actually, I was thinking that we have such a young team. One that really doesn't have much attachment to Sacramento. Most are young and single and are probably thinking how great it would be to be in Orange County, with Disneyland, celebrities, a lot more really rich people, beach babes, fun in the sun and a home or condo looking out over the Pacific. Better weather, too.

It took time for Sacramento to grow on players and they responded to the love they got here. That love hasn't been apparent for a few years now. And most of these guys haven't had time to fall in love with what Sacramento does have to offer. They haven't had much more than constant coaching changes, playing in a crappy arena compared to all the other teams and losing.

 

[Showtime]

These are the types of posts that baffle me. I was seeing this coming in 2005. I can't believe people actually are blindsided by this development. I guess it just goes to show how much people had blinders on.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

These are the types of posts that baffle me. I was seeing this coming in 2005. I can't believe people actually are blindsided by this development. I guess it just goes to show how much people had blinders on.

If it baffles you, I have to wonder if you bothered to read anything other than the title. I said "we all knew this day may come, but I just didn’t think it’d be this soon". It should have been clear that i'm not surprised they are moving, but surprised that they're moving this year.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I feel sorry for our young team. They're just begun to experience how it feels to have loyal fans in your corner and now it's possible they'll be moving to an area already saturated with basketball. There's absolutely no way to know if a third team will actually be successful, big time corporate sponsors or no big time corporate sponsors. I hope the local fans will continue to turn out for the remaining games, if for no other reason than to show the players that we're thankful for what they've given us.

I just had a thought...I think we should make them leave the jerseys we retired here. Webber, Divac and Richmond (along with the sixthman) belong in Sacramento... and so do the Kings.

Like I've been saying...if the Maloofs want to at least do Sacramento a little justice on their way out the door, they'd announce there will be a team name change once next season rolls around(if there is a next season)...and then IF...and that's a BIG IF...Sacramento ever gets a nice, shiny new arena and schmoozes David Stern into letting us have another team, that it be called the Kings...that would make things ALMOST okay if there was a scenario like that.

edit: and yes...they need to leave Webber, Divac, Richmond and #6 retired right here in Sacramento!

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

These are the types of posts that baffle me. I was seeing this coming in 2005. I can't believe people actually are blindsided by this development. I guess it just goes to show how much people had blinders on.

I think too much faith was put in both: time and our City Council...and luck just finally ran out on both those unfortunately...I knew this day would come too.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Like I've been saying...if the Maloofs want to at least do Sacramento a little justice on their way out the door, they'd announce there will be a team name change once next season rolls around(if there is a next season)...and then IF...and that's a BIG IF...Sacramento ever gets a nice, shiny new arena and schmoozes David Stern into letting us have another team, that it be called the Kings...that would make things ALMOST okay if there was a scenario like that.

edit: and yes...they need to leave Webber, Divac, Richmond and #6 retired right here in Sacramento!

Agreed. They can take the team to Anaheim and shove it, but those were Sacramento's memories. If they take those they can go EFF themselves. I'm sure they will though.

 

[cstorm]

All but the #6 will be hanging in the rafters is my guess.

 

[ParniValjak]

Never said I was suprised, but at the same time with KJ at the helm I do blame them for skipping town when there are still possibilities on the table.

They should of, at a bare minimum, waited until the 90 day study person from Taylor/Icon.

I don't get this line of argument "with KJ at the helm"?!

KJ is NOT a miracle worker. Sure he is pushing harder for this than any of those guys prior to him but he is still up against it in a big way! The funding of the arena has ALWAYS been a problem, even when the economy was booming let alone now when everyone is struggling. KJ might make a noise about it but no matter what, if the arena is to be built, it would require some sort of taxes and when ever that work "taxes" gets mentioned, the proposal fails miserably because no one wants to pay for it. This is NO different with KJ at the helm.

I also never understand this line of reasoning that now with Taylor/ICON things are different...this is the best chance to date...jada jada jada! Its the same lines all over again that we are hearing after every area proposal to date and yet 15 years down the track we are still at square 1, doing a whole lot of talking and a whole lot of hoping without actually getting anything done.

The fact is that the arena will NEVER get built without some sort od taxes getting introduced or someone just coming along as saying guys guess what, I got a spare $400 million that I don't really need so I am going to give it the city of Sacramento to build an arena.

I am as sad to see the team move from Sacramento as anyone even though I am not from Sacramento or from USA in fact. Purely from my perspective to me there is no difference between Sacramento, San Jose, Anaheim, Louisville or any other place it USA. However, the team that I have followed for majority of my life have ALWAYS been known as the Sacramento Kings and I would dearly love to see it remain that way. I even donated 3 tickets to "Here we stay" campaign from the other side of the world because to me it matters that the Kings stay in Sacramento.

But I am not going to sit here and take pot shots at the ownership who have battled this issue from the moment they bought the team. The owner that they bought the team from has been trying to get the arena built in Sacramento. I am wondering if I was in their shoes, when enough would be enough. I actually thank them for staying this long because it would not have been easy. Many other owners would have bolted many years ago.

I will be shattered if the Kings leave Sacramento...I will still follow them regardless of where they go but it will NOT be the same feeling to start off with, or potentially ever. There is one thing that NO ONE can despute and thats despite the fact that that the City of Sacramento has in large failed the Kings, there is no better fans in the USA and thats what made this team special. But like anything, there are always naysayers who are louder than anyone else. There are politicians with alterior motives and personal agendas but the fact remains that there are no better fans in the USA than in Sacramento. Thats been proven time and time again. Its just that bloody inferiority complex thats dug a hole out of which there appears to be no way out.

 

[ParniValjak]

Agreed. They can take the team to Anaheim and shove it, but those were Sacramento's memories. If they take those they can go EFF themselves. I'm sure they will though.

Of course they will take them. Its part of the franchise's history. Just like Big O's number hands from the rafters in Sacramento. Webber, Divac and Richmond are the shining lights of this franchise's time in Sacramento and hopefully there are many more years to come in Sacramento. No matter how unlikely that sounds, hope is the last thing that dies.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I don't get this line of argument "with KJ at the helm"?!

KJ is NOT a miracle worker. Sure he is pushing harder for this than any of those guys prior to him but he is still up against it in a big way! The funding of the arena has ALWAYS been a problem, even when the economy was booming let alone now when everyone is struggling. KJ might make a noise about it but no matter what, if the arena is to be built, it would require some sort of taxes and when ever that work "taxes" gets mentioned, the proposal fails miserably because no one wants to pay for it. This is NO different with KJ at the helm.

I also never understand this line of reasoning that now with Taylor/ICON things are different...this is the best chance to date...jada jada jada! Its the same lines all over again that we are hearing after every area proposal to date and yet 15 years down the track we are still at square 1, doing a whole lot of talking and a whole lot of hoping without actually getting anything done.

The fact is that the arena will NEVER get built without some sort od taxes getting introduced or someone just coming along as saying guys guess what, I got a spare $400 million that I don't really need so I am going to give it the city of Sacramento to build an arena.

I am as sad to see the team move from Sacramento as anyone even though I am not from Sacramento or from USA in fact. Purely from my perspective to me there is no difference between Sacramento, San Jose, Anaheim, Louisville or any other place it USA. However, the team that I have followed for majority of my life have ALWAYS been known as the Sacramento Kings and I would dearly love to see it remain that way. I even donated 3 tickets to "Here we stay" campaign from the other side of the world because to me it matters that the Kings stay in Sacramento.

But I am not going to sit here and take pot shots at the ownership who have battled this issue from the moment they bought the team. The owner that they bought the team from has been trying to get the arena built in Sacramento. I am wondering if I was in their shoes, when enough would be enough. I actually thank them for staying this long because it would not have been easy. Many other owners would have bolted many years ago.

I will be shattered if the Kings leave Sacramento...I will still follow them regardless of where they go but it will NOT be the same feeling to start off with, or potentially ever. There is one thing that NO ONE can despute and thats despite the fact that that the City of Sacramento has in large failed the Kings, there is no better fans in the USA and thats what made this team special. But like anything, there are always naysayers who are louder than anyone else. There are politicians with alterior motives and personal agendas but the fact remains that there are no better fans in the USA than in Sacramento. Thats been proven time and time again. Its just that bloody inferiority complex thats dug a hole out of which there appears to be no way out.

Interesting post. It's nice to see a perspective that's not influenced by regional ties to the Sacramento area. I think to a degree many fans, myself included, probably out of desperation, have touted the latest arena effort to be a bit more substantial than it probably is. It likely would have been plagued by the same problems as all the other plans were. That doesn't mean The Maloofs are without blame, though, and on an emotional level I still hate them for not giving us one more year to give the mayor and ICON a chance to finally get it right. I also think they're rotten human begins for lying to the fans in order to prevent no one going to the games. I understand why they did it, money. That doesn't mean it isn't still rotten, though.

 

[bajaden]

Never said I was suprised, but at the same time with KJ at the helm I do blame them for skipping town when there are still possibilities on the table.

They should of, at a bare minimum, waited until the 90 day study person from Taylor/Icon.

Point taken. There is a difference between surprised and being ready. And that probably depends on the individual. To that regard, I'll never be ready..

 

[bajaden]

Interesting post. It's nice to see a perspective that's not influenced by regional ties to the Sacramento area. I think to a degree many fans, myself included, probably out of desperation, have touted the latest arena effort to be a bit more substantial than it probably is. It likely would have been plagued by the same problems as all the other plans were. That doesn't mean The Maloofs are without blame, though, and on an emotional level I still hate them for not giving us one more year to give the mayor and ICON a chance to finally get it right. I also think they're rotten human begins for lying to the fans in order to prevent no one going to the games. I understand why they did it, money. That doesn't mean it isn't still rotten, though.

Look Rookie, they're not gone yet, and maybe your expectations about the Taylor group are dead on. The assumption your making I can't go along with. Your assuming that the Maloofs are lying. Prey tell, what lie did they tell. When they've denied wanting to move the team, everyone thought they were lying. Now, that they've essentially said nothing (hard to lie when you say nothing) they're still being accused of lying. What they've become is the convenient whipping boy for all things wrong related to the Kings.

I'm not absolving them of all the blame. They've made mistakes. They were probably a little too high and mighty when all things were going well. They probably felt like they were in the drivers seat at the time, and had all the leverage. It was the wrong attitude in a town like sacramento, who's city leaders were still preparing for the next indian attack. But despite everything that went wrong, they continued to say they didn't want to leave, and backed it up by not leaving. Their reward was to be called liers.

Personally I'm going to let this thing play out, and see how it ends. Maybe I'm a bit of a conspiracy theorist. Just how my mind works. I don't begrudge you your anger. I guess I'm just past it. I've been mentally prepared for their departure for some time. If you look at it just for a moment from the Maloofs point of view. There reaches a time when you have to draw a line in the sand. Everyone wants them to wait till next year. And if, at the end of that year, the Taylor deal falls through, like so many others have before. And Mayor Johnson forms yet another committee, and comes up with yet another proposal, would you expect them to wait another year again?

You see, they've been down this road before. To them, maybe any proposal put before them is nothing but pie in the sky. As my fisherman friend Omar says all the time. Look good, no work.. Omar is mexican by the way and does not come from the middle east. You see Spain was invaded by the Moors and then Spain invaded mexico and brought their cultural. Never mind, thats for another day. Anyway, I might not share your opinion, but I do feel your pain.

 

[est.1999]

I don't get the notion that some would have been ok had they left like 5-6 years ago. Really? 2-3 years removed from the golden era? Come on now, the fan base would be in shambles. And you think it's bad right now, when no one even shows up to the games anymore? Give me a break, the Maloofs wanna stay, but as business men who need to make sure their product can fulfill it's potential, theyre gonna do what's most neccessary. The city of Sacramento needs to step their game up.

 

[Showtime]

If it baffles you, I have to wonder if you bothered to read anything other than the title. I said "we all knew this day may come, but I just didn’t think it’d be this soon". It should have been clear that i'm not surprised they are moving, but surprised that they're moving this year.

Why though? There were reports months ago about the Maloofs looking at HP and Anaheim. We were told for years that a new arena was needed...soon. Did people think they were going to sit on their hands for another 5 years while being lured by other cities? Did people really expect the Maloofs to keep trying for another decade while city after city plans and finishes new arenas and renovations? This was the "boy who cried wolf", only the people of Sac didn't want to believe that the situation was this dire until it was too late.

 

[Showtime]

Interesting post. It's nice to see a perspective that's not influenced by regional ties to the Sacramento area. I think to a degree many fans, myself included, probably out of desperation, have touted the latest arena effort to be a bit more substantial than it probably is. It likely would have been plagued by the same problems as all the other plans were. That doesn't mean The Maloofs are without blame, though, and on an emotional level I still hate them for not giving us one more year to give the mayor and ICON a chance to finally get it right. I also think they're rotten human begins for lying to the fans in order to prevent no one going to the games. I understand why they did it, money. That doesn't mean it isn't still rotten, though.

The ICON group's job is to plan. I think people really don't grasp the idea of what their job is. Even after their 90 day study, which explores the viability of a project, they actually have to get somebody to fund it. So, from the perspective of the Maloofs, who have seen failure after failure for the major issues that have prevented a new area, this ICON group is nowhere closer to overcoming those same issues as they were. So why would they get behind it as if it was a good shot? It's a long shot at best. I don't see how or why they would be inclined to stay another year hoping they get the funding to give downtown a facelift. Also, when did they lie about anything?

 

[ArcoKings]

I always thought somehow/someway the new arena plan would be approved and that the Kings would be playing in a beautiful downtown Sac arena. I also envisioned with the new arena that a succesful run by the Kings would start. Boy , was I wrong. The move is not in the bag, yet, but the fat lady is getting ready.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

The ICON group's job is to plan. I think people really don't grasp the idea of what their job is. Even after their 90 day study, which explores the viability of a project, they actually have to get somebody to fund it.

Part of the entire financial feasibilty analysis is identifying what sources of funding are available: What the Kings would contribute, what the City Council could contribute without a vote, hotel taxes, car rental taxes, seat licences, redevelopment funds, bonds, private investors, the whole enchilada. In fact, from their presentation at the City Council meeting it seemed like that was the major goal of the 90 days. They're not expected to come back with detailed architectural plans, which can come later. They're expected to identify the sources of potential funding and the overall costs.

 

[ArcoKings]

Now I did have hope with this new deal. And maybe the Maloofs do as well. Maybe this is all about leverage. Make everyone think that the day has finally arrived and maybe they'll get serious about actually doing something. Maybe they think thats the only way to get the city council to approve anything, with a gun to their heads. To be honest, I wouldn't blame them. And if that is the case (I hope) then I hope it works. And if not, then thanks for the memories..

Actually, this is what a lot of my friends think is happening. IF the brothers Maloof can pull this off this would be one of the best poker bluffs in the history of mankind. The brothers would deserve a statue in front of the arena and a movie deal. The movie can be called The Bluff.