I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was April 13th, 2010; one of the darkest days of my life. It was suppose to be the last professional basketball game ever played in Sacramento by the Kings. The Mayflower trucks were seemingly ready to be filled. The Kings were heading to Anaheim. I had tickets to go to the game (an overtime lost to the Lakers), but I couldn’t bring myself to go. I couldn’t bear being at that game. I didn’t even watch it live, only dvr’ng the game so I could watch when I was ready mentally. And when I watched, I wept; head in hands, like a baby.
The Kings had always threaten to leave town if a new arena wasn’t built to replace the run-down Arco Arena, but Sacramento's city council always called their bluff; and they were usually right, never thinking it would really happen. But on April 13th, 2010, IT was really happening. At that point, only a miracle would save our team from leaving town. Luckily for us though, we had one in our Mayor, Kevin Johnson. I won’t go into great lengths discussing the course of events that occurred to bring our team back home. From the Mayor flying to NY and meeting with the NBA Commissioner and Board of Governors, and convincing them and the Maloofs to give Sacramento one last chance to put together a financing plan for a new arena, to the HEREWEBUILD, HEREWESTAY, and THINKBIGSACRAMENTO grassroots movement to rally community support; the more things started to fall in the right direction, the more Kings fans started to believe we could save our team, and get this done. Hollywood couldn’t have written a better script. There was just one last piece that needed to fall our way. We had gone from the full-court desperation shot to a free throw, and our Mayor was at the line. A career 84% free throw shooter, could he make it?
I know they say there is no crying at work, but on Monday, February 27th, 2011, I couldn’t help but shed a little tear in my cubical upon hearing the breaking news from my streaming radio on my computer. On his radio show, Carmichael Dave broke the news to Kings fans that the NBA, the Maloof Family (owners of the Sacramento Kings), and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson had come to a tentative agreement on a financial term sheet for a new Entertainment and Sports Complex. Mayor Johnson sank his free throw, emerging from the meeting saying, “Today is a new day for Sacramento” and also stating “It’s game over!” And for all those nay-sayers who always believed the Kings would move and that the Maloof family never wanted to be in Sacramento, I’ll leave you with this; Sacramento Kings owner Gavin Maloof, tearing up on camera, "I think it's great for our community," "I'm glad it's finally coming to an end after 13 years. It's been a long road." You think owners who didn’t want to be a part of our community have that reaction?
There are still hurdles to jump and we have to temper our excitement, as this is only a tentative deal with many moving parts that have to fall into place. But with projects like a new Entertainment and Sports Complex, the highest hurdle always seems to be reaching a deal amongst the parties. Once a deal is in place, tentative or concrete, they always find a way to get done.
So yes, while it isn’t final and we can’t allow ourselves to get too excited, I find great solace in knowing that I will never feel the way I felt on April 13th, 2010, ever again. I had so much to say about the night and no one listening that it inspired me to start this blog. My very first entry, which is featured below titled, “The Place That We Have Come To Fear the Most,” was a reflection on how I felt that night, what was suppose to be the last home game for the Sacramento Kings. But after February, 27th, 2012, the place that we have come to fear the most, we fear no more.
The Place That We Have Come to Fear the Most –
Today is a date which will live in infamy. No, Pearl Harbor wasn't bombed again and FDR is not declaring war on the Japanese, nor is it my intention to compare what I'm writing about to any act or declaration of war. But today, April 13th, 2011, is a date that will live in infamy for all Kings fans and possibly the city of Sacramento.
Tonight in all likelihood was the last professional NBA basketball game to be played in the city of Sacramento, a 116-108 overtime defeat at the hands of the Kings arch rival, the much hated Los Angeles Lakers. Baskets were made and points were scored, but that is not why the game was significant and sold out. Kings fans quickly sought out tickets to be a part of history, as the potential move to Anaheim becomes more and more of a reality with each passing day.
You may be wondering why as a die-hard Kings fan I was not at tonight’s home game, potentially the last Kings home game to be played in Sacramento. I will tell you this; it is because I am a die-hard Kings fan that I choose not to attend tonight’s game. I’ve had many great memories in Arco Arena (I refuse to call the building by its current name) watching and cheering on the Kings, that I will keep with me forever. Tonight, I didn’t want to be in that building. I consider myself a prideful man who can withstand all obstacles thrown his way, but tonight…tonight will be something that I know in my heart I just can’t bear. The hurt is too much, the pain too deep. It is a memory that I didn't want to live with me.
Born and raised in Sacramento, the Kings were always a part of my life. As a young child, the thrill of getting to go with my parents to a Kings game and cheering for then what was a mediocre team, would have definitely made my years list of great moments. As my sports appetite matured and the Kings progressively improved into a championship caliber team, the demand and need to satisfy that appetite grow more and more and the demand to attend as many home games as possible was a constant goal. If the Kings were playing, I had to be there. So did the rest of Sacramento, apparently. But on April 13th, 2011, the need to be at tonight's home game wouldn't have satisfied any need, but only add to agony.
It was always an underlining fear for most Kings fans that the Maloof family would eventually move the Kings out of Sacramento, with the destination most likely being Las Vegas. It was something that most Kings fan thought would never actually come to fruition. Well, it did. It's the place that we have come to fear the most.
Mr. Armchair Speaking
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