While it's hardly a sacrament to move an NBA franchise (see what I did there?), I must say, today I'm feeling sorry for the people of Sacramento.
Sure, I felt bad when the city of Seattle voted against using tax dollars to replace the Key Arena, thus having the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City, the country's 48th largest television market. However, they also have the Seahawks and Mariners to support. The Mariners have Ichiro Suzuki, arguably the best hitter of our generation and the Seahawks play in the NFL's worst division, giving prosperity to the fans with the beckoning call of each NFL season.
Sacramento has nothing.
The Colts left Baltimore in the middle of the night to the anguish of its fervent supporters. Years later, they returned as the Ravens, and despite the loss, the city had a period of adequacy at the hands of the Orioles that helped fill the void. Baltimore recovered; sure the Orioles blow, but the Ravens won a Super Bowl and have proved to be an iconic representation of a gritty, blue-collar town. Plus, Baltimore has The Wire - the best television show ever created takes place on the streets of B-More. Shout outs to McNulty and Bunk. You too Omar and Snoop. Anyways, where were we?
Sacramento has nothing.
The Kings ownership group, led by the two aloof Maloof Brothers who also own the Palms casino in Vegas, want to move the team to Orange County/ Anaheim for the 2011-12 season in hopes of generating more revenue from the multinational companies in the area. Apparently Sacramento cannot support its own club, or so the Maloofs say.
The city of Sacramento stood behind their Kings, who were transplant themselves, last moving from Kansas City to the capital of California, helping launch the careers of Chris Webber, Hedo Turkoglu, Mike Bibby, Gerald Wallace, Peja Stojakovic and many others.
During the 1990's, ARCO Arena in Sacramento was the most challenging place for opposing teams to play. Especially the Lakers, who despite the best efforts of C-Web and the gang, were always a sobering reminder of sorts to the Kings and conspiracy theorists who believed the playoffs were rigged to benefit the larger market teams and television ratings for the Finals.
Don't believe me? Think I'm blowing smoke up ye asses?
Think again.
Recall a few years back, when ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy (no relation to Jack) was imprisoned for fixing games and betting on their results? That Irish bastard was a crook and a thief, his actions forever tarnishing the legacy of the NBA.
Do I have any evidence to support this?
You better believe it. Let's go back in time to the 2002 Western Conference Semifinals. Unfortunately, the video below does not have an embedding option, so you'll have to click on the link. Please watch it in its entirety, it is really well done.
2002 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS - KINGS GET SCREWED
Was my claim of trickery that blasphemous? How the fuck was that a foul on Mike Bibby? Shaq could have sexually assaulted Vlade Divac's first born court side without penalty.
Let's face it. Chris Webber ran the fucking series and Vlade got hacked more in the lane than those poor boys in Jeffrey Dahmer's basement. And all the while, Tim Donaghy and Dick (Knick) Bavetta stood-by, blowing their whistles like they had a quota to meet.
Seriously? That buzzer shot at the 4:37 mark was well after the clock. Talk about a miscarriage of justice.
* Why "Knick" Bavetta?... find the link on the right to the game when Bavetta pretty much sealed a win for the New York Knicks and an undeserving loss for the Raptors.
Understand one thing - for the announcers to find fault in the officiating and point it out on national television, there must be something wrong (8:25 mark). Dismiss whatever buffoonery escapes the mouth of Bill Walton, he's an ex-Laker and a moron to boot.
And with that, the Lakers were off to dismantle the Nets and win another championship. The Kings were never the same, and today, nearly 9 years later, they are likely without an NBA franchise.
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