Sacramento Kings Thread

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Kings fans try to block Anaheim bonds to the Kings

The Committee to Save the Kings have been on an active signature drive to raise awareness and a call to the Anaheim public as awareness to be vigilant and review the financial details of the $75 bonds being issued by Anaheim to the Kings franchise.

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/48913/Group_halfway_to_halting_Anaheim_bonds_issuance

If successful, the movement could block the bond issuance until the June 2012 local elections.

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Sacramento Kings 104 Golden State Warriors

The Kings getting by the resilient Golden State Warriors with the late game heroics of guard Marcus Thornton, who scored a team high 21 points. Demarcus Cousins despite fouling out contributed with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Kings also got a boost from the bench lead byJason Thompson with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Donte Greene scored 10 points while Beno Udrih added 14 points.

The Kings and Warriors split the season series 2-2.

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Odyssey

With the probability that the Sacramento Kings are on their last week in Sacramento, let's look back at the Time Line of the franchise so far:



Rochester Royals 1948 -1957



Cincinnati Royals 1957 - 1972



Omaha Kings 1972 - 1975
Kansas City Kings 1975 - 1985



Sacramento Kings 1985 - 2011?



Anaheim Royals 2011?

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what up sacramento kings do you think they going to add new players. who is the best for the kings.

The would be best scenario is for the Sacramento Kings is to re-sign veteran center Samuel Dalembert and shooting guard Marcus Thornton; both players were instrumental for winning games on the latter part of the season. Dalembert provided rebounding and defense while Thornton filled in the void that was left by Kevin Martin, a streaky shooter and scorer.

The worst scenario is if the Kings would have lost both to free agency as no doubt, Dalembert and Thornton have raised their player value on the free agency market with good performance as of late. The Kings have the cap space to re-sign both players.

While there will also be the issue regarding on what to do with the unhappy Omri Casspi; since Casspi published on his website, his frustrations regarding seeing his role with the team and minutes on the court drastically reduced, Casspi has since been not playing. Most likely, a trade is coming; either on any time within the off-season or draft day on the 2011 NBA draft.

While the likes of Darnell Jackson, Eugene Jeter, Marquis Daniels and Jermaine Taylor would most likely no longer with the team after this season.

There will be factors that will influence the free agency signing of the Kings this off-season:

1. The supposedly NBA Lockout

2. Who the Sacramento Kings draft on the NBA 2011 Draft. Sacramento could land on the top five on the draft lottery for the first round and the Kings have two second round draft picks to work with.

3. The role of rookie center Hassan Whiteside to the team; who has not played an NBA game yet with the team since Whiteside played most of his season on the Kings' D-League affiliate, the Reno Big Horns.

Overall, I don't see a major shakeup on the roster or any drastic change within as the Kings now are looking to build on their established identity as well as on-court cohesion of players that it took them the entire 2010-2011 season to discover.

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D-Day

We are just one week away from the NBA Owners Meeting (April 18, 2011) where the Maloof Brothers will choose to apply for relocation or not. Most likely, "Territorial Fee" or relocation fee will be focal point of this meeting where how much is the cost of moving to Southern California, the turf of the two Los Angeles based franchises.

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Senate Bill 652

Senate Bill 652 was formally introduced by Senate President Darrell Steinberg, backed by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, Senator Ted Gaines and Assemblyman Richard Pan.

Bill 652 aims to block Professional Sports Franchises from relocation without paying the municipal debts and loans granted by the local government. The bill needs to two-thirds of majority vote.

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The last game of the Sacramento Kings will be against the Los Angeles Lakers and it is expected that the Lakers could rest their starters heading into this game as the injury to Andrew Bynum is a painful reminder of the risk of playing their starters.

A win against the Lakers will give the Kings win number 25; tied with last year's record.

Head coach Paul Westphal said that Tyreke Evans is likely to play.

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Webber wants to help the Kings stay in Sacramento

Former Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber, is willing to mediate on the financial burden that is compounding the franchise.

Webber getting involved, trying to save the Kings


A short while ago on TNT's post-game show, analyst Chris Webber and cohorts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley devoted an interesting (and potentially significant) segment to the Kings' possible relocation to Anaheim. I transcribed the tape and will include most of the conversation below, the significance of which includes this: Webber saying he is engaged in talks with individuals intent on keeping the Kings in Sacramento; Barkley (jokingly?) saying he will invest "$10-15 million" to assist; Smth, also a former King, saying that, on the Kings worst nights, the fans were as lusty as they were during the years they contended.

Though Webber refused to be specific on-air about the extent of his commitment, after making a few late-night phone calls, I reached original Sacramento Kings executive vice-president Greg Van Dusen, who offered a few specifics. According to Van Dusen, Webber is willing to facilitate a deal - headed by Roger Stewart of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to "restructure" the city's $77 million loan to the club. Van Dusen, who is working with Arco I and II architect Rann Haight.

"We've been working on this for about three months," said Van Dusen. "The idea is to relieve some of the financial pressure on the Maloofs and the ownership group. Roger had a very positive conversation today (Tuesday) with Chris, who isn't only interested in helping, he wants to lead the effort to keep the Kings here. He loves Sacramento and thinks this is where the Kings belong."

Although I was unable to reach Webber at his home in Atlanta late Tuesday night, I am aware that he has made overtures about buying into the Maloofs' majority ownership, but has been rebuffed. Anyway, until further clarification, here is the majority of the conversation on the TNT show. Smith starts off by declaring that Kings fans were the same when the team was 9-29 and when Webber led the team that contended during the 1999-2004 seasons:

Webber: "I didn't want to go there (Sacramento). I tried to run away from there. They still accepted me. I can't imagine what Sacramento would be like without basketball ... I hope we do not lose the team. I've been talking to people there. I know everyone thinks the team is gone, but I'm doing all I can to keep the team there. I may sound like a fool on national TV, but I'm working to do that. Other people are working to do that ... It's very selfish. I won't have a basketball home if Sacramento doesn't have a basketball team. I was talking to (former Sonics star) Gary Payton. He doesn't have his jersey hanging in any arena. There is no team in Seattle. Selfishly for myself, and for the fans in Sacramento ....

Ernie Johnson: "What are you doing (to further efforts)?"

Webber: "What am I doing? I'm trying to keep the team here. We don't want to talk a bout it, but ... what else am i supoed to do? I love this team. I still want to haved a home in Sacramento. Hopefully it's not a lost cause. I love Sacramento."

Barkley: "You know, it's very frustrating to me because I love the city of Sacramento, and I've said before, they had the best fans in the NBA for a long time. I really like the Maloof brothers. I want to make that clear. But I'm very disappointed ... because they should have found a way to keep that team in Sacramento ... I agree with Chris. Even when the team sucked, they (fans) were great. I mean, they were raising hell every night. I've always had great respect for the Maloof brothers. They've always been great to me. I'm just disappointed they didn't try harder to make it work ... It's like they (NBA, owners) screwed Seattle. That place was crazy. But Sacramento ... I agree with both of you guys. You all were great when you weren't very good. It was all the same.That place was loud. I hate the fact they're leaving Sacramento."

-Sacramento Bee

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Next season, the Sacramento Kings may become the Anaheim Royals altogether.

Yahoo!Sports' Top Five Moments in Sacramento Kings History

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Billionaire interested in Buying the Sacramento Kings

According to Sacramento City Mayor Kevin Johnson, Billionaire Ron Burkle and his group has expressed interest on the Sacramento Kings franchise.

Billionaire would be interested in buying Kings, mayor tweets


Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson tweeted Thursday from the National Basketball Association’s Board of Governors meeting that “billionaire Ron Burkle is very interested” in buying the Sacramento Kings and keeping them in Sacramento. The Burkle Group, led by Burkle, later confirmed the interest in a statement.

“The Maloofs have been strong owners and a positive part of the Sacramento community for years, but it is important that Kings fans and residents of the Sacramento region know that the Burkle Group is ready to commit the resources and expertise necessary to keep the NBA in Sacramento,” said Darius Anderson, Burkle Group partner. “Our group believes Sacramento is an important NBA market that can thrive with new ideas, new resources and an absolute commitment to delivering the best on and off-court experiences for fans.”

But Sacramentans shouldn’t get too excited about the possibility of keeping the NBA franchise in the capital region, despite the mayor’s Twitter message about Burkle, who is part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League team.

“They are not going to sell the team,” Sacramento Kings’ spokesman Mitch Germann said Thursday, referring to the Maloof family, which owns the Kings.

The Maloofs, Mayor Johnson and business and community leaders from Sacramento are in New York for the NBA board’s meeting being held today and Friday.

The Maloofs have until Monday to apply to move the Kings to Anaheim.

Read more: Billionaire would be interested in buying Kings, mayor tweets | Sacramento Business Journal

-BizJournals

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Mayor fights to keep Kings in Sacramento

Mayor fights to keep Kings in Sacramento

NEW YORK -- Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson watched part of the Kings' season finale, then flew overnight across the country to meet with NBA owners.

His goal: Make sure that wasn't the last NBA game in California's state capital.

"We felt very strongly that the Sacramento Kings were worth fighting for. And if anybody thinks that we're going to sit on our hands and roll over and just let somebody leave without putting up a good fight, they'd be gravely mistaken," Johnson, the former NBA All-Star, said Thursday after a presentation in front of NBA owners.

Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are considering a move to Anaheim and must file a relocation application with the league by Monday. The league's owners are meeting in New York the next two days, and Johnson followed the Maloof group in speaking to them Thursday.

Johnson said he hopes the Maloofs choose to stay, but if not, there was an ownership group headed by Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle that would be interested in purchasing the team from them or buying another team to move to Sacramento.

-Detroit Free Press

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Billionaire talks of buying Kings or another team for Sacramento

Basically, Billionaire Ronald Burkle and Prime Developer Darius Anderson have formed a pact to purchase the Sacramento Kings franchise from the Maloofs; in an effort to keep the franchise in Sacramento.

If the Maloofs does apply formally for relocation in three days time, (April 18, 2011) and the franchise becomes the Anaheim Royals, Burkle, Anderson and Co. are still bringing a NBA franchise into Sacramento. The franchise that comes to mind is the New Orleans Hornets, who is currently operated and owned by the League.

Imagine the Sacramento Hornets. But they might want to change that as the franchise may get confused with the Sacramento State Hornets.

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We won the tie breaker consensus against the Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets. If both teams does not land among the Top Three on the draft lottery, the Kings will pick ahead of them.

However if neither the Kings, Jazz and Nets land on the top three and a team with a better 2010-2011 standing does land higher from the three teams, the Kings will settle with the fifth selection and the Jazz on the sixth selection.

For the Kings, they can not place any lower than eighth overall on the lottery.

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Also, the League had announced a deadline extension for the Maloofs to apply formally for relocation of the franchise to Anaheim. The deadline is set to May 2, 2011 to allow a fact finding committee headed by Oklahoma City Thunder Clay Bennett to weight the decision based on the Pro-Relocation group and the Anti-Relocation group.

NBA slows down Kings' relocation process

NEW YORK – Commissioner David Stern announced Friday at the conclusion of the NBA Board of Governors meetings that the deadline for the Sacramento Kings to file for relocation to Anaheim has been extended from April 18 until May 2.

Stern said the extra two weeks is intended to give the league's relocation committee, chaired by Oklahoma City owner Clay Bennett, more time to examine proposals from the Anaheim and Sacramento groups that made presentations at the meetings Thursday.
Article Tab : NBA Commissioner David Stern, right, and deputy commissioner Adam Silver listen during a press conference after the NBA Board of Governors meeting on Friday in New York.
NBA Commissioner David Stern, right, and deputy commissioner Adam Silver listen during a press conference after the NBA Board of Governors meeting on Friday in New York.

"The relocation committee is going to lead some fact-finding efforts," Stern said, adding that certain revelations made by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson on Thursday need to be verified and that there were issues of "incomplete documentation" in the Anaheim proposal.

Stern backtracked slightly when asked to specify what was incomplete about Anaheim's proposal, which was presented to the relocation committee Thursday by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, Ducks owner Henry Samueli, Anaheim Arena Management chairman Michael Schulman, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and Anaheim City Manager Tom Wood.

"It was a very good presentation by the mayor, by the city manager, by Mr. Samueli and Mr. Schulman," Stern said, "but the committee wanted more time to understand certain financing issues, certain television issues, certain issues regarding enhancement to fan experience and raised revenue expectations at the building (Honda Center).

"And if the entire issue of relocation were approved, what would be an appropriate relocation fee? ... It just seemed to be a good idea to put it off for a couple weeks.

"But incomplete is not a way to describe the documentation; incomplete is a better way to describe the understanding that our committee had about the points of a very, very complex deal that involves investments, loans, construction and television arrangements, which were completed within the last few weeks and actually were being revised, literally, in the last few days. So, this is sort of a like a timeout.

"It's very important. It's important to the Maloof family, it's important to Mr. Samueli and people of Anaheim, it's important to Mayor Johnson and to the people of Sacramento."

Stern said the deadline extension was jointly proposed by the relocation committee and people in the Anaheim and Sacramento groups.

When asked about the viability of having a third team in the Southern California TV market, Stern said that he couldn't speak for the owners but it wasn't a problem for him.

"That's something that the committee ultimately would have to study, whether that market could support another team," he said. "But my own sense is that it can."

The issue that is hurting Sacramento, Stern made clear, is the outdated Power Balance Pavilion, formerly known as ARCO Arena.

"There's no denying that Power Balance Pavilion is an inadequate, on-its-last legs facility and has been declared inadequate to host NCAA events and other events," Stern said. "So this is really focused on the building and the fact that there have (been numerous arena proposals) that have been turned down by the city council, the mayor, California Expo, voters ... there's no shortage of people that have said no."

During his presentation Thursday, Johnson, the Sacramento mayor, said billionaire Ron Burkle is interested in purchasing the Kings from the Maloofs or leading the effort to bring another team to Sacramento if the Kings move. Johnson also revealed details of a proposed arena downtown that his investors would help support.

"The mayor's vision is for a downtown arena, as part of a development of 230 acres. We don't know if that's real or pie in the sky," Stern said. "We don't know if we can find that out in a couple of weeks, but we're going to knock ourselves out trying."

The Maloofs and Anaheim officials were not immediately available to comment on the extension.

-Orange County Register

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Sacramento Kings Relocation: Mitch Richmond Speaks

Former Sacramento Kings All-Star guard Mitch Richmond speaks about the potential relocation of the Kings franchise to Anaheim.

I know Anaheim can because Anaheim has been trying to get the Los Angeles Clippers for a while. They've been trying to parlay and get the Clippers down there. Every time the Clippers play or the Lakers play there, they sell out. And I think that city gets tired of driving to LA for a game because they do have rich city in that area. And I think it probably can support them and that's probably why they went that way.

That's outstanding. It shows you right there what's going to happen if the Maloofs clearly want the team to be in Sacramento (or) they could sell and get the profit back on what the bought for it, then why not?