Forgive my cynicism, but when Chris Webber says that he’s put together a group to keep the Kings in Sacramento, I can’t help but add the #NotMeantAsAFactualStatement hashtag. Webber made that statement to colleagues Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on Tuesday night during the TNT postgame show, surprising the other three with the news that he is trying to stop a possible Kings’ relocation to Anaheim.
Webber’s intentions may be good, but it’s not nice to tease the good people of Sacramento with false hope. The Sacramento Bee, however, thinks Webber just may be on to something. From its Kings NBA Blog today:
Though Webber refused to be specific on-air about the extent of his commitment, after making a few late-night phone calls, I reached original Sacramento Kings executive vice-president Greg Van Dusen, who offered a few specifics. According to Van Dusen, Webber is willing to facilitate a deal — headed by Roger Stewart of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to “restructure” the city’s $77 million loan to the club. Van Dusen, who is working with Arco I and II architect Rann Haight.
“We’ve been working on this for about three months,” said Van Dusen. “The idea is to relieve some of the financial pressure on the Maloofs and the ownership group. Roger had a very positive conversation today (Tuesday) with Chris, who isn’t only interested in helping, he wants to lead the effort to keep the Kings here. He loves Sacramento and thinks this is where the Kings belong.”
Webber, on TNT:
“I hope we do not lose the team. I’ve been talking to people there. I know everyone thinks the team is gone, but I’m doing all I can to keep the team there. I may sound like a fool on national TV, but I’m working to do that. Other people are working to do that … What am I doing? I’m trying to keep the team here. We don’t want to talk about it, but, it’s something I want to do. I love this team.”
Webber also went into a strained analogy about the boat having “left the shore,” and about how he’s trying to “throw the anchor back on board and pull that boat back,” which prompts me to hope that he has more business sense than nautical expertise.
It was Charles Barkley, however, who actually made the most sense on Tuesday when he said that he was disappointed that the Maloof brothers didn’t do more to keep the team in Sacramento. As the Bee pointed out, Webber has already tried to buy in to the Kings ownership group, and has been rebuffed. I think tonight’s game at Arco is the final Kings game in Sacramento, and that’s a shame. I think that city deserves a pro sports franchise, but as far as the Kings are concerned, the ship’s further from the dock than Webber is aware.
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Webber getting involved, trying to dave the Kings [Sacramento Bee]
