Former King and current Laker Ron Artest looked at the scene following the game on Wednesday in Sacramento and asked, to no one in particular: “Are they really leaving? Is it true?” And when you’ve confused Ron Artest, that’s saying something. Yes, it be true: The Kings have played their last game in Sacramento. Barring a miracle (such as the Maloof brothers being visited by three spirits before Monday), what you’ve got here are the Anaheim Royals of Southern California, a fact that was just a little too much to take for Comcast SportsNet broadcasters Jerry Reynolds and Grant Napear on Wednesday night.
The Kings had just finished losing to the Lakers in overtime, when it suddenly hit Napear that this was probably the last game for that purple tie. A Kings broadcaster since 1988 and never one to hide his emotional side to begin with, he got choked up and almost burst into tears. Mock him if you will, but it’s kind of refreshing to see someone care so much. As their fans proved on Wednesday — selling out Power Balance Pavilion and lingering long after the game ended — Sacramento deserves an NBA team. But in the end, a failure to get a deal done for a new arena did them in. It’s too bad: as Tessio said, “Tell Mike it was only business, I always liked him.” And just as in The Godfather, this time there will be no reprieve for old-time’s sake.
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ABOUT LAST NIGHT
What you missed while testing the Greatest Invention of All Time …
- Toledo Mud Hens schedule doubleheader on opening day … a first in pro baseball history. Corp. Klinger approves.
- Dodgers cancel half-price beer promotion. Wonder why?
- Yankees get sued for shocking their fans the wrong way.
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TODAY IN MARK TRAIL …
Presenting: The Most Gullible Woman of All Time.
