<p>Last night was probably the swan song of the Sacramento Kings. I hope all hoops fans were able to watch, because it was a terrific game and quintessential Kings basketball: falling hopelessly behind, or so it seemed. The 20-point comeback. Taking the lead in the final seconds, only to see Kobe (always Kobe) tie it up. Muffing the final possession to send it into OT. And the heartbreaking loss, after victory was so tantalizingly close. That’s how we do it in Sactown. </p>
<p>And believe it or not, that’s why we love them. They are not a machine like the Lakers. They screw it up at crucial times. And yet they show such flashes of brilliance. IMO the Kings of the epic 2002 Western Conference Finals were the best team the league has seen in decades. There were no superstars on that roster, but they played the Princeton offense like no one else – quick, strong, keeping the ball always in motion. It was a thing of beauty. I’ve heard Laker fans say that the Kings were the better team that year. But in the last few seconds of OT in that Game 7, they simply couldn’t get it done. </p>
<p>We forgave them and stilled loved them. Sac fans are known as the most passionate in the league, and Arco as the hardest arena to visit. That was true the year they won 61 games, and it was true the year they won 17. The noise level was once measured at 109 decibels. Opposing coaches had to wear ear plugs. And the Kings appreciated us in return; I was in the arena the day they thanked us by retiring Jersey #6. The name on the jersey: “Sixth Man.”</p>
<p>Last night, fans stayed in the arena for more than an hour after the final buzzer, crying, chanting, savoring what were probably their last few moments as Kings fans. The long-time TV announcers wept as they signed off. Paul Westphal wept at the post-game press conference. Coaches and players came out to the court to mingle, thanking the fans and saying goodbye. I can’t help but believe that if it were up to them, they’d stay. They know that Anaheim will never love them like we do.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess I should have said SuperSonics, or Seattle, or left it out altogether. The Sonic (no “s”) Burger connection never occurred to me. I didn’t expect much response anyway; professional sports isn’t a big topic on CC. Just needed to vent.</p>
<p>PNW’er here – I know exactly what you meant when I read the title. It’s sad when a part of your city’s identity becomes another city’s. I don’t even watch the NBA any more.</p>
<p>The Sonics leaving had nealy zero impact on Seattle. The sports radio guys tried to get people excited but hardly anyone cared. We still have a good D-1 team plus pro football, baseball sort-of and soccer. I got the distinct feeling that maybe 1000 people cared. I was not one of them–I strongly prefer college sports.</p>
<p>Very unfortunate but I’m not convinced the Kings are going to Anaheim. The Lakers and Clippers are lobbying hard against the move and I don’t think the LA metro area can sustain 3 NBA teams.</p>
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Hmm this is hard to believe. I’m not from Seattle but I’m a huge NBA fan and Seattle has a fairly rich NBA history. Seems like people would care a lot.</p>
<p>Caillebotte, I hope you’re right about the SoCal teams. And as an ex-Seattleite, I know you’re right about people caring when the Sonics left.</p>
<p>barrons, Sacramento’s situation is worlds apart from Seattle’s. You have the Hawks, the Ms, the Thunderbirds, the Storm, and the Huskies. Without the Kings, we have the Oakland A’s farm team and the Sac State Hornets. Not quite the same thing.</p>
<p>I said that. The sports radio guys caled for a boycott of Starbucks (same owner as Sonics) and just see how well that went. Since selling the Sonics Starbucks stock more than doubled.</p>
<p>I live in Orange County and I don’t want the Sac Kings (ne Royals) down here. I’m happy with our local sports landscape being the Angels and Ducks. Just not a basketball fan, and I’d rather that house remain exclusively Ducks.</p>
<p>ek, I saw that about Clay Bennett (AKA “666” in some Seattle circles); maybe it’s a good pick, since he’s certainly THE expert on ripping a beloved team away from its fanbase. The early rumor was that the committee would be headed by LAL’s Jerry Buss, the most outspoken opponent of the move, but he’s been kicked to the curb. Just as bad, the rest of the committee is packed with small-market owners, who will want to cement the precedent which Bennett set: teams can be moved at the owner’s whim, and the fans be damned. Stern has ensured the outcome he wants.</p>
<p>ETA – RSBuletz: We would be very happy to let your Ducks keep their house. But what’s the scuttlebutt down there in general? Is opinion split, or do most people seem to want the team?</p>
…</p>
But what’s the scuttlebutt down there in general? Is opinion split, or do most people seem to want the team?</p>