Now that Sacramento has put in a bid to buy the Kings from the Maloofs, unless you haven’t had your mind, inbox or Google search feed/email alerts filled with it, here’s more perspective on the move.
(Disclaimer: I don’t for a minute pretend to understand the legalese of the matter.
If It’s Already Sold, Why are You Trying to Buy It?
I know that Sacramento wants to keep their team. As frustrating as it is to see Kevin Johnson putting up a fight in California’s capitol from us here in Seattle, you have to respect the man. I would think that Seattle would have loved to have had a mayor like that instead of Nickels. (Cough: That worked… I sound calm, but the thought of how wrong that all went with that situation… exhales slowly.)
While I respect the bid and the effort (see Nickels,) I do think it might be too little too late. The reports say that the Sacramento bid is slightly below the Seattle offer, and is supposedly “very close and competitive” according to Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. Which, I’m sad to say, is a death sentence for the NBA in Sacramento. The Kings may be Sac-town’s last chance at the Association, and this doesn’t look good. I say that because it seems like the Maloofs want money, and likely the most money available (wouldn’t you?) So the question becomes, do they take less money to stay in Sacramento and have a sign that says, “ I almost lost your team, but didn’t, put your fan base through hell and oh yeah, put your fan base through hell” sign super glued to their backs, or take more money to go to Seattle and be done with it? Everyone and the foul pole at Safeco Field would take the money.
The same story also mentions that Sacramento is hoping that the NBA vetoes the Seattle deal and makes the Maloofs reconsider. Which basically, from a taking-it-out-of-context point of view, means that the NBA would can the Seattle deal, leaving the Sacramento group as the only party with a legitimate offer on the table. Which, because the Maloofs want their money badly, would probably mean a “yes” for the Mastrov/Burkle “attempting to be a juggernaut” juggernaut. That would make it look like the NBA turned down the Hansen/Balmer “actual juggernaut” juggernaut for Sacramento, basically saying “no” to Seattle and “yes” to Sacramento. As if we haven’t had enough trouble with certain folks related to the NBA higher ups in Seattle.
Something Has to Change-
The Kings are coming to Seattle next year, let’s be clear. I’ll be there opening night. The whole thing will work out fine. But something has to change. The Kings have a “losing culture” in the locker room. It’s nothing against the players, Sacramento just hasn’t been able to win lately. I’ve outlined how Sacramento Seattle can get Chris Bosh, Eric Gordon and Marcus Smart. The team just needs new life, new blood. They need a veteran leader who also contributes on the court a good deal. They need winning culture. Who knows? Maybe a literal change of scenery for the group to Seattle as a whole will work. Something’s got to change.
Resolve It in Seattle’s Favor Soon-
I kind of feel like the NBA waiting to have the decision on the Seattle sale and relocation all in one fell swoop in April is leaving more room for Sacramento. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I think it should have been voted on much sooner. I know that if they approved the sale right off the bat, Sacramento would have screamed foul for not getting a decent chance, and I probably would too if I were in their shoes, but I’m not. My shoes currently are rooted in the Pacific Northwest, hence my view on that.
The other problem I have is that the NBA supposedly is willing to go into the summer with the Seattle/Kings decisions. The problems here are multi-fold. One is that the Seattle group has no say in what goes on. Their hands are tied. They don’t get a whole lot of input on the draft or offseason trades and signings because they aren’t assured the team. Seattle could walk away with Marcus Smart and the ability to bring in guys they want via trade and free agency, or a season dubbed, “Kings 2.0 this time… IN SEATTLE!!!” (read in Stewie Griffin voice.)
Think about it, Seattle doesn’t get to put together its own front office and coaching staff. They don’t get to bring in players they want. All of that gets stunted a year. Listen, we saw Pete Carroll and John Schneider make over 200 trades, signings, waiver wire claims and Top Pot donut orders in their first year in control of the team (ok, you got me, one of those isn’t true.) The point is that the new regime in Seattle deserves the chance to make their own choices on how a team should be run. Not to mention the fact that Seattle fans wouldn’t react too well if they got a team back that was worse than the old Sonics right before they left, just with less upside.
Did I miss anything… (scans imaginary list in hands) nope. Oh yeah, did I mention there are 11 months left till David Stern steps down? Eleven more months of Silver Watch. Plus, the NBA is back in Seattle in only eight months.
You can feel the excitement.