Its looking to be a cloudy and cold weekend on your side of the mountains. Over here in Wenatchee just subtract 20 degrees from your high and low and would experience we we’ve had for the few weeks.
Also as a group I think we should actually pay attention to a few games right about now that are not potentially related to the Kings as we go through this wonderful long weekend. Plus there is a slate of games that makes you want to starting partying at 9am! Okay, I’ll be up partying at 9AM. I LOVE MY TERPS!!!!
And you guys also need to start focusing on our potential/maybe/who knows when draft this/next/2015 June.
SATURDAY’s GAMES
Maryland @ North Carolina (-6) : 9AM PST on ESPN
Maryland is by far the best defensive team in the entire country. The block shots, force steals, make you take shots that you thought would be cool in freshman PE. The defensive hustle is there night in and night out… but as coach Mark Turgeon has said it, “We really suck on offense.” Actual quote from a head coach to his team after they just luckily beat NCST, 51-50 on Wednesday night. Watch for Alex Len from Maryland. Has the talent to be the #1 overall pick in this years draft. Just not sure if he’s there mentally yet. Despite that he’ll go top five for sure.
#17 Missouri @ #10 Florida : 11AM PST on ESPN - Following UMD and UNC
I haven’t had a chance to watch either teams a whole lot in this early season. This honestly has the makings of a Florida blowout. Yes, the teams are evenly matched and with Kentucky on the horizon for Florida, I think gators put down the Tigers.
***NOTE*** Brian’s boy, Ben McLemore and his #4 Kansas Jayhawks are playing Texas in Austin at this time too, on CBS.
#21 Oregon @ #24 UCLA : 1PM PST on CBS
When did these two teams become good again? I seriously need to know. I know UCLA paid Shabazz Muhammad and a few other guys to get the nations #1 recruiting class. But like Coach Cal is finding out, can’t always win with Freshman. Just ask Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins.
Well… At least there is some PAC12 games on in the afternoon.
#6 Syracuse @ #1 Louisville : 1PM PST on ESPN
Could potentially be a great game and we’ll get to see one of the best pure passing point guards in all of the Big East in Michael Carter-Williams. He doesn’t have the flash or leadership mentality yet, but he is silky smooth. Then for Louisville, got the hometown kid, Peyton Siva doing it big on yet another big stage. Both teams are 16-1 and despite what Dan Dierdorf says, this game cannot end in a tie.
#11 Ohio State @ #18 Michigan State : 3PM PST on ESPN
GO OHIO STATE!!!! It’s been almost three years and I’m still not over the Korie Lucious shot.
#8 Gonzaga @ #13 Butler : 6PM PST on ESPN
Mark Few probably has his best Bulldog squad ever right now. While Brad Stevens might also have his best team right now since he’s been at Butler. Both teams should make it to the Sweet 16 at least and I have a strong feeling this one is going to be decided by 5 points or less. The losing team will have multiple shots on goal to try to get the win, but will just fall short.
If you have NBA League Pass here some of the games you shouldn’t miss.
Sacramento @ Charlotte — could be the worst game ever, but it’s not bad to scout just in case.
Memphis @ Chicago — This should be a throw back to the late 80s/early 90s style of physical play. Probably going to sneak this one into the rotation.
Milwaukee @ Portland — Milwaukee is coming off a game where for the first time since 1987 they beat the Phoenix Suns in the desert. Damn near 30 years. Lillard and Jennings is going to be a fun battle to watch.
SUNDAY
Oklahoma City @ Denver — Might be the only NBA game worth watching on Sunday. Monday is going to be the day where the real action is. Besides you have….
San Francisco 49ers (-4.5) @ Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship: 11am PST on FOX
We don’t know if Crabtree is going to be playing in this game and he’s a big weapon. San Fran has a line that’s going to push the older Falcons line around a bit. The Falcons Oline is going to be really sad that Bruce Irvin isn’t on the field this week and instead real football players are there that can actually do something in the run. I still think the 49ers cruise right through this one.
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots (-8) in the AFC Championship: 3PM PST on CBS
I’m just excited for this one. Taking the points on the Ravens, but the Pats to win.
What’s your guys thoughts? Open thread time!
I apologize for grammar and spelling errors above. I popped an ambien before writing this and well… Things can get a bit weird.
stuff is very powerful… be careful with it man.
Sometimes I can’t shut my brain off at night without it.
know that feeling. I’ve gotten to the point that I’d rather suffer no sleep than take that shiz.
Exercise and keeping a strict sleep schedule helps a lot. I know, easier said than done.
Im not a fan of Calipari by any means…but you know Derrick Rose was a few seconds away from winning the championship and the other guys made good runs in the tournament right?
I don’t think any of the others got passed the Sweet 16. Maybe Tyreke got to the Elite 8, but I don’t think so. Until last year and the Rose year Calipari never really got much further than the second weekend.
I just don’t see why UCLA would ever have to pay anyone to come play for that program. The recruiting pitch should be fairly simple: “Come play for one of the top five schools in the country academically, with a program that has more than twice as many national basketball titles as the next best school, in Los Angeles where it’s perpetually sunny and where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. Sign here.”
If we can get NBA ball back here in time for next season, I very much want to draft Peyton Siva.
I’m too bitter to watch the NFC championship game. Simply because we should have been there.
agreed
I’m with ya…I can’t stand Kaepernick. He’s the complete opposite of Russell Wilson. Last week’s game left me feeling disgusted with the whole kissing the guns thing Kaepernick did when he scored a TD.
I do think the Falcons are in trouble though.
..And I haven’t really been watching any college bball. It would be nice to know about up and coming players in the draft, I just find that to be a bit preumptuous at this point. Nothing is a done deal with the Kings, and until it is I am going to go about my business, continuing to shun anything NBA game related.
didn’t see that kissing the guns thing. From what I did see, he was simply amazing, and scary as an opponent, in that last game. I think SF takes the Lombardi.
Weird you missed it…Kaepernicking is the new fad!
I thought it was Te’oing?
Oh, is that what Kaepernicking is … I saw references but didn’t know what the f*ck they meant LOL
Sorry about your Terps, Kev… That was a rough first half. I’m not sure there’s a team that in the country that could have recovered from such a slow start in a building that was that rowdy. Maryland is an awesome young team, though. Turgeon has done an amazing job with a team that has only three upperclassmen playing meaningful minutes.
Only one more hour until we get to watch our boy Peyton carve up that ‘Cuse zone, then hopefully my alma mater can handle their business and stay undefeated in the conference by smashing some Utes.
Definitely a good day for hoops.
Yeah, I think I was drinking the kool-aid way too much after the NCST game. Everyone looked scared, players, coaches, towel boys. No one really settled down until the second half and we were +12 there, played the defense Maryland is known for playing and shots actually began to fall.
Got a nice easy game with BC next week before we had to Cameron Indoor. Sheesh. I hope Dicky V isn’t calling that one. I can’t stand it when he calls Duke games.
The NBA urban shakedown is almost like love and war, as in “all is fair”. Or that’s how we’re supposed to see it. It’s just that I will never forget how hard it was (is) to have lost my team. And I cannot sit back and just ignore the same feelings that fans down in Sactown must be having.
I’ve been talking with some of those guys and they are really offended with how some are acting and trolling. Those guys love the Kings and they have been crapped on for years. They’ve had two different solid arena proposals (one fully funded) rejected by the owners because they had to put up their own money.
I read an article from one of the Denver blogs the other night that basically said a team is a lot more valuable to buy if they have a new building. When Kroenke bought the Nuggets he had to buy the team and the building and AEG I think was the company who owned the team at the time got a huge profit off it.
If the Maloofs were smart, they’d be taking that plan they had last year for the rail yards, get the building up and then sell to Burkle and company for almost a billion dollars. The lack of foresight with that family is amazing. I’m surprised they’re not all homeless. Common sense and reality just seem to completely escape them.
/rant
If you feel like you have to do something, you might sign this petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/nba-commissioner-david-stern-allow-a-sacramento-buyer-to-match-any-offer-on-the-sacramento-kings-and-give-seattle-an-expansion-team?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_before_sign
I doubt it will have much effect, but it might make you feel a bit better.
why would i sign something that isn’t gonna happen
Exactly. If the NBA were declaring that expansion will happen in three years and they only needed to choose where, then and ONLY THEN will I put my name on a document that is designed to stall our momentum.
Sorry…… if expansion isn’t guaranteed I ain’t signing it. I unfortunately feel like this is a way of trying to get us to back off of trying to get the Kings.
What would make me feel better us having cities say no, like Seattle did, and then insist that the new sports franchise owner provide a direct net positive economic impact, like Chris Hansen has.
Agreed
this, and what the petition says, are not mutually exclusive.
Nothing really new here, but it seems like a thoughtful article.
“Possible Reasons for the Radio Silence in Seattle”
http://www.northwestbasketball.net/2013/01/possible-reasons-for-radio-silence.html?m=1
Good stuff
agreed good stuff.
It’s nice to hear some encouraging thoughts behind the silence. I like Chris’ style even though we can’t stay updated.
#4 is the one I’ve thought all along.
The All-star balloting is far more important to the NBA than how somebody feels about stepping on the Seahawks toes.
The All-star weekend is supposed to be a giant “celebration” of the game. It’s also the big commercial that says, “football is over, time to watch basketball”, and it’s hard to do that while a franchise is actively failing in Sacramento, it’s a distraction.
And what would be the benefit to announcing a deal now?
It isn’t as if the BOG would magically appear then next day and approve it.
Agreed definitely see them approving the sale/reloc after the all star.
Geez, I especially liked the last few lines. . . . . so true !!
This Louisville and Syracuse game is turning out to be solid.
http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2013/1/19/3893868/sacramento-kings-arena-deal-city-council
Well, if it isn’t the Kings this or next June, who knows what team it’ll be in 2015. have a hard time believing BOG would let the Kings go if the SAC council passes an arena deal though.
Let’s not forget a city council vote doesn’t mean squat if the Maloof’s decide to accept Hansen’s/Ballmer $525 million dollar offer. The NBA, the Mayor of Sacramento, the city council have absolutely NO control over what the Maloofs ultimately decide to do. If you have faith in a done deal, there’s nothing going to stop it, and Sacramento becomes the new Seattle.
And it may be already too late for discussions on the proposed arena if they don’t get going on it right away.
The NBA can’t force the Maloofs to sell locally just cause there is an arena deal.
Yes, but they can deny the sale to the Hansen/Ballmer group if they believe there is a competitive offer on the table. They can’t force the Maloofs to sell local but they could box them into a corner. And that is pretty much what the Sac fans seem to be hoping for now.
And what exactly would denying the sale to Hansen/Ballmer really do. Saying that the only option they (NBA) accept is locally is still forcing them to sell locally but that’s just my opinion.
Omar, your “source” got anything to say these days??
I talked to him last week, but he’s in the dark too. He knows as much as we know.
I think it’s safe to say now that my source was a co-founder of T-Mobile. He used to work with Stanton and was a minority owner of the Supes during Schultz era.
He’s not associated with Hansen’s group, so he’s kinda out of the loop. Or he might know something, but isn’t willing to share…
Remember that while Stanton has been a good friend in the past he’s on the other team in this go-around.
John was really plugged into the last couple of attempts.
A ton of people in this general circle have been talking for over a month. The big question is whether the person they heard it from knows what a “done deal” is. Having a deal and having that deal be invulnerable to assault are two different things.
It appears some here think the Maloof/Hansen sale could already be a done deal. So is this kinda like the film Argo ? Sac/KJ & Co have a fake ownership group with a fake presentation to BOG/relocation committee ? Teo-ing ?
Could be already a done deal could be not. We don’t know. It could already been submitted to the NBA and the NBA is just not saying that it is.
If it is a done deal, just seems stupid and cruel to me. A waste of $$/time and energy for all involved. If it’s a done deal - - - let everyone move forward. Quit torturing the poor fans in Sac with false hopes. I know it’s business and all about the $$, but, frankly, I don’t think it would affect ticket sales that negatively. In fact, might actually improve ticket sales. You know - - - the “Good-Bye” Season. We certainly travelled that road.
There’s no such thing as “Goodbye” Seasons. Maybe a couple “goodbye” games, but no fan will want to put money in the pockets of an owner who’s not willing to keep the team there.
Goodbye Season = Lame duck season
Yes, we know - - - lived it.
It matters to the NBA. They want the media to focus on the all-star game not the return of the Seattle sonics.
I think all the speculation will be the “buzz” anyways.
Yes the league probably doesn’t want Durant winning MVP of the game and during the post game interview having the reporterETTE asking him about Seattle. Haha
Maybe the Kings fans can get in a time machine, go back 4 years, and convince the NBA to put the Hornets in OKC, and leave the Sonics in Seattle.
The league doesn’t give a ratsass about the fans, it’s whatever the owner wants. If the Maloofs want to sell to Hansen, then that’s what will happen, and no amount of fan wishing for a different outcome will matter, it’s up to the franchise owner.
Heck, I’d be in that same time machine with the Sac fans - - - leave my Sonics right where they should always be - in Seattle.
Yes, it is the Maloof’s controlling interest to sell to who ever they choose. However, and a big HOWEVER - - - - - I think the NBA BOG has much more control over relocation than we’re giving them credit for. Even if fans don’t agree with their decisions - - they still have a product to sell. They want to appear to be fair and good business partners to current city gov’s and prospective city gov’s.
They want to appear to be fair and good business partners to current city gov’s and prospective city gov’s.
They didn’t appear good partners to me when they approved the Sonics move with two years (and millions of $$ in debt) remaining on the Key Arena lease, all the while vilifying the city for not being enthusiastic about building them a new arena every decade.
Or when they let Hornets leave Charlotte because George Shinn wanted to escape from the toxic situation he’d created.
Or when they let the Grizzlies leave Vancouver for no real reason.
All about the $$. Seattle gov wasn’t going to budge on a new Arena. That’s part of their busines model - - - if you don’t play in their court - they will leave.
We’ll never know what would have happened had the team stayed the final two years of the lease. But I agree it is all about money-that and owners being able to do whatever they want. Not about fairness or honoring contracts with cities or being good partners (that’s what the “NBA Cares” commercials are for). The message sent by a Kings relocation would be no worse than those sent by previous relocations.
I’ve always thought the Hornets should have stayed in Charlotte (for the same reason I think the Sonics should have stayed in Seattle).
Sacramento plays the “we only have the Kings” card yet 49er articles abound in droves on the Bee..all season long. Same w Giants during baseball season. It’s an hr and a quarter to half drive to the Bay area for a Warrior game. They will survive. We drive much further from Eastern WA.
Totally agree - - - many NW fans drive much farther for games. Still hard to lose “your team”.
It’s the waiting that’s driving me nuts. At this point - - - I just want to know one way or another.
SacTown Kings fan here. I come in peace, haha. Very nice blog you have here. I just thought I’d come and give some perspective from the other side and have a (hopefully) civil discussion. I’ve read your discussions and thought I’d point out something you guys haven’t considered. Something that is potentially very complicated for the league.
Back in 2011, when KJ worked his magic, got the league to back Sacramento, and crushed the Maloofs dreams of Orange County. David Stern and the league told Sacramento and Kevin Johnson that if they did X (Site for new Arena), Y(Viable funding for new Arena), and Z(Get it NBA Approved) before March 1st, 2012, they would keep their team and it wouldn’t get relocated. Well, KJ once again worked his magic and did X, Y, and Z before March 1st, 2012. Only for it to be screwed up by incompetent owners.
Now I think KJ and Sacramento have a very valid point to make. They did everything the league asked of them and then some to keep their team. If the Sacramento Kings had any other ownership group, they’d be breaking ground on a new arena this coming summer and awaiting it’s completion for the 2015/16 NBA Season. If the Kings move, other cities could very well tell the league, “Why should we do what you say? Look at Sacramento, they did everything you said to a T, and they still lost their team.” I believe that’s an issue the league would very well like to avoid.
If Sacramento loses the Kings in this fashion, it will look very bad for the NBA. Even if they are righting a wrong in Seattle. Sacramento has an arena plan, a viable financing plan for said arena, and has it NBA approved from the Commissioner himself, David Stern, who was there when it was agreed upon with the Maloofs.
I have a hard time believing the league will just turn it’s back on Sacramento after all that. ESPECIALLY if KJ comes to the table with a competitive offer for the team.
The problem is if the Maloofs only want to sell to Seattle’s group. The NBA can’t force them to sell locally.
The only way Sac has a chance if they offer more than 525m and increase the total value of the team more than what Hansen’s offering.
We need a team before our arena gets built. no team no arena. I hope you understand that.
Well let’s say the BOG allows Sac to match the bid (I’d actually be fine with this, that’s fair IMO). I don’t think they can. That franchise is worth $525m in Seattle maybe, but not Sac. The bigger market and significant uptick in corporate sponsors simply make the franchise worth a significant amount more if it’s located in Seattle, so to match the Seattle offer, they have to get a bunch of guys who got rich making smart financial decisions to pay more than something is really worth, assuming they’ve already worked out which one of them will actually have actual controlling interest.
Thanks for coming here to discuss. I don’t want to go to SactownRoyalty because it probably would just be perceived wrongly. And I don’t want to re-live the pain we suffered here (and are continuing to suffer).
Look, I support you guys keeping your team. Of course as a fan I have nothing to do with whether the Kings come here, or not. I would root for any NBA team in this area, but that should be natural for any true fan. I just think it’s wrong that a great fanbase like you have has little or no say in when or where their team is sold. I know, “it’s just business,” and I’m living in a fairy tale world.
I guess I would argue that a team with such ardent support over many years is truly more than “just a business.” I think everyone recognizes that truth on some level, whether they cop to it, or not. The untold story is how to rightfully honor that truth within the very compromised NBA business model.
People can argue that fans are stupid for investing so much of their energy and emotions in something so fleeting. And maybe they’d be right. But that doesn’t make taking a team away from fans the right thing to do, at least if there are *any* other alternatives available.
Meanwhile I do not appreciate attempts by some to pit fans against one another. We are all basketball fans, and we are the ones who are getting screwed. A little solidarity right now would make a lot of sense, IMO.
Peace.
Thanks for your post — - I tend to agree with you. If KJ/Sac come up with a comparable offer and arena financing is in place, it would be a PR nightmare for the NBA to refuse. You are absolutely right — Why would any city/county/state participate taxpayer $$ for arena financing if an owner with league approval can just sell and leave. That being said, one would think “conditions of team relocation” would be part of the arena financing package.
I think we all agree that us fans have no say in this. I really don’t think anyone wants to see Sac lose the Kings. I think all would agree, getting the MaGoof’s out of the NBA is best for everyone.
If Sea fans could have their true wishes granted - - send the Hornets to OKC, bring our Sonics back home and Sac gets a new generous owner. That is what should have happened in the first place.
Fight the Fight - - - Best of Luck to all Sac Fans. Peace.
if it’s the only way Seattle gets a team before our 5 year deadline to get a team before the arena deal expires is up, then the league should give us the kings, and SAC should be “next in line” for the next available team. if we don’t get a team bought or an expansion team approved before Oct 2017, our arena deal expires and probably wont be revived. people in SAC need to understand that. if it’s the only way the league returns to Seattle before our arena deal expires, SAC should let the team go, keep the name/colors, and get the next available team. just like we did 5 years ago.
if there’s an alternative way without taking the kings for us to get a team back for Seattle before Oct 2017 that the league will actually agree to, I’d support it, and would like to hear it. don’t get me wrong, I can wait until 2017 for an new team as long as there’s a concrete plan that’s agreed to to get one here before our deal expires. of course that’s all up to Hansen. but if SAC staying comes at the expense of never getting our arena built, I want the kings. its out of all the fans hands now. it’s up to the league to decide that. if the league would actually agree to promise us an expansion team before OCT 2017, I’d be all ears and I’d assume Hansen would be too. but I’m not sure that’s possible.
Totally agree, solidarity is important now. It’s out of the fans hands in both cities now. it will be what it will be.