Back to the Box Score

Its been a while since I've written, and more importantly, its been a while since I wrote about what this blog was supposed to be. A different sort of analysis of Kings games, because of my inability to watch them.

So let's take a good look at last night's box score. What always impresses me about K-Mart is his ability to get to the foul line. By looking at his physique, you wouldn't think he would be able to generate as many fouls as he does. What is even more impressive, is that he is known for his smooth stroke, meaning that he probably prefers to shoot than go to the basket, especially with a bum ankle. So 13 FTA, not bad.

Now, for my opinions on Nocioni. I gotta tell ya, I've read a lot of negative crap on him. Is he an all-star? Of course not. But you know what, if you can get 19 off the bench on 7-11 shooting, while providing much needed energy and actually caring about the outcome of the game? Sounds like a player I want on my team.

So we lost. But we have no points and we were playing Chris Paul. You only get that lucky once.

Will Solomon Gets a Free Pass

Yesterday, I said that Will Solomon will replace Sheldon Williams as the bench warmer I plan on ratting on.

Then, I remembered something.

I have two main allegiances: The Kings and Judaism. I gotta represent Jews or Jewish links any chance I got (for my real job, I work for a Jewish website/blog).

I knew I remembered Will Solomon's name from somewhere. Then it hit me. He used to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv (turns out he also played for Hapoel Jerusalem). That puts you in Anthony Parker, David Bluthenthal territory.

So, Will, I take it back. You now have immunity in my heart. So I hearby give you the "Mateen Cleeves Memorial Never Make Fun of the Guy No Matter How Bad At Basketball He Is." Congratulations.

The same can't be said for you Calvin Booth. I'm on to you already. You like like Greg Oden's grandfather.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore (For the Time Being)

I'm feeling really weird right now.

When your team is involved in 4 trades in 3 days, you can't help but feel weird. One day you have your team, the next day is in totally and utterly different.

6 people who were on the Kings 3 days ago, are no longer. Remember Brad Miller, John Salmons, Mikki Moore, Quincy Douby, Sheldon Williams and Bobby Brown? Hell, even Sam Cassell is already gone.

I'm excited to bring Gooden/Simmons/Nocioni/Diogu/Booth/McCants/Solomon to the team. But 7 new players on a tough to tough handle. It's not like I don't want to love these guys. In fact, the opposite!

It's that when half the Kings team wasn't there last week, it doesn't feel like the Kings anymore. As much as you love the Kings organization, you feel most connected to the players. But who is left that I currently love?

As much as I love to hate on Sheldon and Quincy, it was a family thing. I'm sure they understood. I hope Will Solomon will understand like they did.

Go "Kings".

Quick Thoughts on the Newest Trade

Brown/Williams for Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth.

I know what you're all thinking:

NO!!!!!!!! Candace Parker and Whitney Houston are no longer Kings fans! DAMMIT!

Everybody Take a Deep Breath

Before I start with the nitty-gritty, people, it's over. You can't turn back time. Whether you agree with the trade or not, it happened. You're gonna have to deal with it.

Too often we let our impulses get the best of us. As loyal Kings fans, we have two undisputed emotions: a) wanting the absolute best for the Kings b) caring for Kings players, especially if they have a long history with the team.

I think the negative reactions to today's trade were a result of these two emotions. I read in the comments thread of Sactown Royalty people basically calling for Geoff Petrie's head. That he totally screwed up this trade and all faith is lost in the man. The fact is, this trade really isn't that bad.

Honestly, what did you expect? The Kings traded away two starters on a team that is 11-43. How good can Miller and Salmons actually be? To expect Petrie to be able to pry off great talent is sadly just Kings fans putting Miller and Salmons on a fake pedestal.

If you think that Miller and Salmons are really going to help out that Bulls team, you have another thing coming. Brad, as much as I love him, is past his prime. Maybe he'll be rejuvenated but I'd bet against that. It's not like he has only been putting up okay numbers this year. He been chucking up poor 3-pointers and complaining about fouls ever since C-Webb left.

And Salmons? He is easily the streakiest player on the Kings. No doubting his talent. To be able to throw down 30 points in an NBA game is no easy task. But he also can throw out some pretty weak performances too.

It sucks that we lost out on Tyson Chandler. But no one else worth while is out there. People are wondering how we couldn't get a draft pick out of this. You know what though? At one point, enough with the draft picks! We need to pick up real players! Want to know what these "holy" draft picks become? Ike Diogu. Just read what Kelly Dwyer wrote about him today. And now he is a King.

I don't think Nocioni is as good as Salmons in terms of talent. But you know what? He is a hustler and a crowd pleaser. You will forget in two weeks how much you love Salmons. That's a guarantee.

More importantly, we got cap space. Its frustrating to hear that but sometimes its necessary. We did the same thing with Bibby and that really stung. But that's Mike Bibby! We're talking about John Salmons and Brad Miller here. Jeez.

By the way, Drew Gooden is averaging 13/8 this year. Brad Miller? 12/8. Sure he's a better passer. But his contract isn't expiring either.

Just breathe people. The Kings were bad yesterday. They will probably be bad tomorrow. Beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Sam Amick Reports...

It's Salmons and Miller for Nocioni, Gooden, Michael Ruffin (expiring worth $1.1 million) and Cedric Simmons ($1.7 million expiring). And there are indications that it's close to happening.

Sam Amick

We Need Some More Time

Today was a weird day. More than that, I think today there are more questions concerning the Kings future than yesterday.

This Cassell trade smells fishy to me. He doesn't save us that much cap space so unless Geoff Petrie owed Danny Ainge a favor, this deal is confusing. Sure he provides a veteran voice on the bench, but why now? What's the point?

That's what makes me think that this trade is part of something bigger. But what? Seeing Chandler go to the Thunder was tough. Not so much because Chandler is SO great, but he is a major upgrade in terms of anyone else that the Kings have on defense.

Now Ziller is talking about how the Kings should trade for Sam Dalembert. On the one hand, the Canadian in me wants to love that. But Sam Dalembert? Why is it that the Sixers don't like him so much? There has to be an intangeble that is not being said here. Tyson Chandler, when on his game, is a game changer. Dalembert is not.

But I see Ziller's frustration. As much as the Kings need to make a trade, what team would want any of these players? John Salmons can light up the scoreboard but he also can disappear like when he scored 2 points last week. Brad Miller? The man has been on the trading block for months and so far the best deal we've seen is for Malik Rose' expiring contract for god sakes.

Hopefully Petrie can make a deal but right now, I'm just sad.

The one thing I loved from Ziller's Dalembert post was the guy in the comment thread who said he liked the trade options only because Ziller proposed them. I hope someone out there listens to my every word like that.

Kevin Martin for Jerome James. I'm tellin' ya, its a good idea.

OKC Gets Tyson Chandler

Check out the details here.

Man, that would have been an amazing pickup. Petrie, get at it.

Cassell to the Kings

I'm not going to make any alien jokes because Cassell is family now.

According to ESPN.com, Sam Cassell has been traded to the Kings for a 2nd round pick.

It's WAY too early to do real analysis of this trade because we don't know what Petrie is going to do in the next couple of days.

But, for the sake of argument, lets say that Cassell isn't waived/traded again. Having Sam Cassell in your locker room is a good thing. They've been talking about this guy becoming a coach in the league for the past 5 years. Our crappy point guards can benefit from his knowledge.

And even more for the sake of argument, let's say Cassell actually plays for the Kings. He is way past his prime and loves to throw up bricks. But if you don't like that, then you don't like Kings basketball.

Still your move Petrie. What do you got next?

From Marc Stein at ESPN

Regarding Amare:

The Kings could move to the top of the list if they were willing to part with rookie forward Jason Thompson, their two biggest expiring contracts (Bobby Jackson and Shelden Williams) and what will almost certainly be a top-five pick in June.

But the Kings aren't willing. Not to part with all that. Not yet, anyway.

Although it has talked with the Suns, Sacramento appears more focused on trying to move center Brad Miller before contemplating anything else, while also continuing to field proposals for in-demand swingman John Salmons.

"We looked at it," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof told ESPN.com when asked about Stoudemire. "Never say never, but right now, no."

I'm starting to get worried that the Kings won't pull off any deals. Hopefully Brad will go and possibly Salmons. But that trade proposal for Amare just doesn't sit with me. As I said previously, I'm all for trading for Amare. But would I trade Thompson/possibly Blake Griffin for him? I just don't know. Then again, I'm not a GM. And thank God for that. My real question is how does Ziller get to this stuff before me? Where does he live? Don't I have a three hour headstart?

Brad Miller Won't Be Chillin' on South Beach

Cross the Heat off the list as a possible destination for Brad Miller. And cross off Shawn Marion as a possible new King.

It looks like the Heat have found their big man, and it is Jermaine O'Neal. Here are the details of the trade.

As I've mentioned before, I lived in Canada. Marion, all I can say is get ready for Toronto media. If they love you, you are like a God to them (which is why Jamario Moon must be freaked out that he is being traded away. Now people will realize that he is garbage). But if they hate you, you will be traded away for Aaron/Eric Williams and the soul of Alonzo Mourning.

I wonder why Pat Riley wanted O'Neil over Miller. O'Neil has been injured for the past 4 years. When he plays, he is better than Brad. But who says he will play?

Is Thompson Actually Untouchable?

I've been reading a lot of comments on Sactown Royalty about how people would never give up Jason Thompson in a trade, even for Amare.

Sadly, I think this is just a case of people being blinded by "fan favorites." I hear this a lot from Knicks fan (especially during the Isaiah era) that they wanted everyone to be traded away except David Lee. He is the only player they liked. But let me tell ya. David Lee aint no Patrick Ewing.

Think about it like this. The year is 2000. You have an N64 and its awesome. You are the coolest kid in your class because you rule at Zelda. Then one day, your parents say that they want to buy you a PS2. But there is a catch. They are going to throw away the N64.

Would you actually keep the N64? Sure the N64 is nice and fun. But it has its limitations. PS2 is a huge upgrade.

That's the deal with Thompson. I don't see Thompson as a top-5 power forward in the NBA. He is described as a "high energy guy." While that is an important piece in any NBA team, it isn't a crown jewel.

Now, I'm not saying we give up Thompson for anything. But if the Kings have a chance at an elite player (it won't happen, but it's all hypothetical), you really wouldn't give up Thompson to get him?

I know I wrote a couple weeks back that Thompson got screwed by not being invited to the Rookie game. But still, he isn't even in the Rookie game for god sakes (meaning he isn't even in the running for Rookie of the Year).

I'm as happy as anyone that JT turned out how he did, but lets not drink too much Kool-Aid.

Kings Can't Stop Anybody

I really don't know what to say anymore. How many more times do we have to watch/read about the Kings giving up more than 110 points in a game. It used to be that when you let off 118 points, you had a poor defensive game and you would come out strong the next time.

Well, the Kings have defied basketball's Wall of Shame. In the last 14 games, the Kings have let off 110 points or more. In that one game we didn't, the Bulls scored 109.

The last time the Kings let off less than 110 points, was when the Kings beat Dallas 102-95. That was on January 11th. Since then, the Kings have only won twice and those were against the Warriors and the Thunder, the only two teams in the league who compare to us in ineptitude (The Wizards also count but they beat us at home 110-107).

Here is an even worse stat. The Kings' point differential is a league worst -9.8. Curious about the last team that had a -9.8? The 2004-2005 Atlanta Hawks.

Take a look at that roster. Their leading scorer was Antoine Walker (wasn't he traded back to the Celtics that year?). And that's with him chucking up 5 3-pointers a game. There roster included Tom Gugliatta and Michael "Yogi" Stewart. Tyronne Lue and Tony Delk were their point guards! I'm not even gonna start on Kevin Willis.

Someone please tell me the Kings are better than that Hawks team! PLEASE!

Kings vs Rockets: Saying Hello to Ron-Ron

Kings-Rockets tonight. Kings lose almost basically every game so I'm not holding up much hope for this one.

Quick note: The Rockets currently sit 7th in the West but only have a two game cushion. We also own the Rockets draft pick in 2009. This might be me being ignorant, and I can't find it anywhere on the net, but is it lottery protected? If not, then Kings fans should root against the Rockets any chance we get.

I'm going try to write a longer post this afternoon. We'll see though...

Kings vs Mavs: When Gloating Rights Happens

Been really busy at work today so I really don't have time to write much about tonight's game. Which is a shame, because I have some good Mavs memories that I would have loved to share.

But, tonight the Kings play that Mavs. My roommate is from Dallas, so we have to win. There is no way around that. We must do it, for my sanity.

Al Jefferson Out Indefinitely

Al Jefferson has torn his ACL and is out indefinitely. Jefferson is the only good player on the T-Wolves.

Kings fans, the battle for the #1 overall draft pick just got interesting.

The Curious Case of Beno Udrih

I just don't get it. Who is this guy and where does he come from?

One night, the guy is getting minutes taken from him by Whitney Houston's abusive husband and Ol' Man Jackson and the next night he is the best King on the court!

While Salmons had an almost as good night, check out Beno Udrih's line. 29/6/3 with 0 turnovers. For a man who I thought was being paid to turn the ball over, this isn't half bad. Not only that, he was a +5 in point differential.

I have to commend Kenny Natt here. Not so much for his coaching skills but for his head not exploding. How are you supposed to figure out a legit rotation when the only two consistent members of your team night in, night out are Martin and Thompson? This is probably the root of the Kings problems. On any given night, 2-3 of the Kings starters put up sub par performances. How are you supposed to win like that?

Also, notice how I'm not writing about Durant's 39 point performance. The reason? If I had a dollar for every time someone had a killer offensive night against the Kings, I'd fund the Cal-Expo arena myself.

Kings vs Thunder: Where We Might Win One

Kings' last win was against the Thunder. Logic tells me this game will be close.

Watch out for Jeff Green. The guys is totally underrated, averaging 17/6. He was the key element going to Seattle in the deal that brought Ray Allen to Boston. At the time, it also seemed that he was drafted pretty high at #5. Remember, Candace Parker's Baby Daddy was also drafted 5th.

The real point of interest is whether or not this will be the last game with the current Kings roster. Come on Petrie. We're all waiting for you.

Go Kings.

From Rocks to Riches

This is the story of how Chris Webber changed my life.

When your team is terrible, it is still pretty easy to root for them if you live in the local market. That's how I felt when I was growing up in Sacramento. Even if the Kings lost, you could still watch every game and have all of your friends feel your pain.

But when I moved away when I was 9, all that changed. First, there were no Kings games on TV. Not only that, most of the time, because of the late starting times of the games, I wouldn't be able to read the box score in the paper the next morning (this is pre-reliable internet). The only time the Kings were EVER on TV, was when the Kings played the Sonics in the 1995-1996 season playoffs. I didn't see a Kings games for two straight seasons.

Plus, I had no support at school. Not just among my friends, but teachers too. My gym teacher actually used to make fun of me for being a Kings fan.

Then it all changed. I remember the day vividly. I was in the schoolyard during recess and this kid in my class came up to me asking how I felt about the Richmond-Webber trade. I flipped out. In a bad way. Mitch Richmond was the only thing the Kings had. Remember when he won the All-Star game MVP? That was like the Kings highlight of the mid-90s.

But of course, we were going nowhere. As troubled as Webber was, at least it was change. Now I can go on forever on how much the Richmond-Webber trade transformed the Kings and the attitude of the basketball world towards them.

But without that trade, I probably wouldn't have started this blog. The Kings wouldn't have ever been on television (when was the last time the Hawks were on ABC), and it would have been tougher and tougher to stick with the Kings living on the East Coast.

I can't think of anyone else who deserves to have their number retired more than C-Webb. It's sad that he never won us a championship, but really, who cares? As great as it would have been, Webber made us relevant. And that is all I can really ask for.

The Sacramento Temps

Before I say anything, this is totally off topic: How long until Bikini Girl from American Idol is on the cover of Playboy? I'm going with the May issue. You heard it here first.

One bright spot about following the worst team (yeah, I said it) in the league is that we constantly get to read articles about potential trade rumors for the Kings.

When it comes to trades, I'm assuming that everyone except for Kevin Martin is available. Obviously, some players are more likely to go than others. We aren't giving up JT for Joe Smith's expiring contract.

But lets explore two types of trades that the Kings could explore. The first is the more likely, the salary dump. Trading Brad Miller for Shawn Marion would essentially be done to free up more cap space at the end of this season. The same goes for any trade wtih John Salmons and Beno Udrih.

That's all fine and dandy. We all get the logic behind freeing up cap space, especially if your current team is a dud. The major problem with this theory is that it comes with a huge question mark. Just because the Kings have cap space, does than necessarily mean that top players will sign in Sacramento? Do you really think the Kings can compete with the Knicks for Chris Bosh?

Now there is a second, less likely trade option.

What if the Kings traded for a star? Ziller just wrote about the pros of trading for Amare Stoudemire. I don't need to go over all the points again. But there is one really important point that he didn't talk about.

If the Kings were to get Amare now, the question mark would be gone. He is on the team. End of story.

There are risks of course. We would probably have to include Hawes or Thompson in the deal. Also, he could walk in 2010.

But that's a risk I'm willing to take. Because if he is a King, in the summer of 2010, we would have the inside edge at resigning him, something that would never happen if he were coming from another team.

Remember, even if we also give up the Rockets 1st rounder, we would still have a Top 5 pick in this year's draft, plus a slew of other young players.

Once again, probably not gonna happen. But if it did, Petrie has my support.

Not Another 7'0 White Guy

That was my initial thought when the Kings drafted Spencer Hawes last summer. Recent history is unkind to men who look like Spencer Hawes.

We already had Brad Miller, who thankfully did not qualify as a "Big White Guy." First off, there was this. Then of course, he could pass. Thirdly, his number wasn't OO.

But Miller doesn't even look like the stereotypical Big White Guy. He isn't as hulky. He doesn't have a crew cut. He doesn't look like he's from Utah. The list goes on.

But Hawes is tricky. While scouts were saying he would be known for his offense, I was worried. The man, at least in my opinion, looks much more like Greg Ostertag than Shaquille O'Neil.

But Hawes doesn't play like that. Sure, he might qualify for the blog, White NBA Players Who Look Like Abusive Husbands, but he sure doesn't act like one.

I've been thinking a lot today about racism, namely against Blacks. What has come out of my thinking is that we tend to box people too much into groups. In terms of basketball then, why do I expect people to play a certain way?

Why do I think of Spencer Hawes as a (much) more talented Robert Swift when in actually, they're games are worlds apart?

We (I) have to stop having certain expectations for players who look a certain way. This doesn't mean you can't love a player because you relate to him. If you grew up in the same neighborhood as Matt Barnes, feel free to root for him. But don't expect Matt Barnes to play how you play just because you drank the same water.

I honestly don't know where my thoughts are right now. I've just been wondering why my expectations for Hawes were so low.

No, Really, Does Kevin Martin Suck?

I felt a need to respond to the post on Sactown Royalty concerning the talents of Kevin Martin. While SR has been pretty sarcastic these days (I guess it's a way of coping), this post got me thinking. Does Kevin Martin actually suck?

Obviously, the short answer is no. But is he an elite player, or even a great player? Umm...I dunno.

Kevin Martin is a fantastic scorer. Faced up to the basket, his shot is very difficult to defend. But the question isn't whether or not Kevin Martin is an elite scorer (though that does factor into the equation).

The Sactown argument is that it isn't that Kevin Martin is bad, its that everyone around him is terrible. I mean, I get that. But if Kevin Martin was soooooooooooo good, why isn't he making the players around him better?

This is what makes an elite player. If Daniel "Boobie" Gibson (haha, boobie) were on any other team, he would be afterthought, a participant in the NBDL All-Star game. But Lebron attracts so much attention that Boobie (haha, I said it again), is left open all game long. Kevin Martin doesn't do that for players.

I also keep noticing a trend about Martin. He always starts out strong and then fades when the game is ending. I don't think that it is because he isn't clutch. I think that its that teams adjust their defenses and are able to contain him. I noticed it when I saw the Kings play the Nets a couple weeks ago. He starts off incredibly hot. Then the other team just pays more attention to him and he fades.

If Martin was a better ball handler this wouldn't an issue. Then he would be able to break defenses easier. But when he forced to make his own play, he just isn't good enough.

And that is the Kings problem. They don't have anyone else on the team to alleviate the pressure off of Martin. And Martin doesn't do enough to create space for Daniel Gibson types to hit open shots.

Martin is a fantastic player. But the Kings need someone else to get us out of the cellar. I nominate Quincy Douby (Don't worry, I slapped myself for saying that).

What Just Happened?

Hey, sorry. Last night, I was checking up on the Kings game and all of a sudden I got punched in the face and passed out. Who won?

Seriously, last night might have been the roughest game of the season for the Kings, and that's saying a lot, especially after that drubbing by the Celtics. The craziest part of the game is that, as embarrassing as a 129-81 score is, it doesn't even tell half the story.

After being absolutely manhandled by the Suns in the 1st half, the point differential in the 3rd quarter was 30-12! How do you only score 12 points in a quarter?!?!?!

There are other really embarrassing stats about this game. John Salmons, for example, had 19 and 7. Pretty decent game. Until you realize that his point differential for the night was a team worst -43! Compare that to Amare, who only played in 27 minutes and was a +49. I honestly think that John Salmons is Robert Horry's brother or something.

Then we have the bench. Oh God is our bench terrible. Possibly the funniest stat of the night is Sheldon Williams scoring 1 point. I don't even have to say more.

And a message to Kenny Thomas: You know you suck when your team loses by 50 points and your coach decides that it isn't worth it to put you in the game. If the Kings were the continent of Africa, you would be ebola. That's why you are contained as far away on the bench as possible.

Remember when we traded C-Webb for Thomas? HILARIOUS! (I just died a little).

This is when you know that a Kings game is going terribly. I had a much better time watching Kobe throw down 61 (Watching that game was ridiculous. He was actually on fire. I saw him get hosed down before a tv timeout) last night than hear about the Kings game.

Total sidebar: I have a theory that Kobe Bryant is Borat's dad. Boltok the Rapist? Sounds a little too familiar for my liking...

Now if only I can find my Jason Williams jersey so I can blow my nose in it...

Kings vs. Suns: I Can't Stop Hating Shaq

Tonight, the Kings face a struggling Suns team after beating the Thunder yesterday in OT (YES! We're barely better than the Thunder!).

Shaquille O'Neil (are you even Irish?) is probably my least favorite player. Sure, he may have won a couple points but asking Kobe to eat his bum, but that doesn't make up for all the crap he has pulled on the Kings.

Don't get me wrong. Sure, I'm bitter about all the Kings-Lakers series but that doesn't automatically make you my least favorite player. You don't see me hating on Derek Fisher in this post.

My beef is three-fold. Two of them are posted in the videos below. Shaq: If you got beef with Vlade Divac, you got beef with me. He needs to go where people know his name? Check out your mom's bed then.

Also, don't you dare call us the Sacramento Queens. You want me to get started on all of the lakes in the Los Angeles region? Yeah, that's what I thought.

But here is the biggest issue I got. You may have read this a couple months back but it is worth reading a second time:

Question [Scott Howard-Cooper]: Would you go to Sacramento as a backup and be a tutor to Spencer Hawes?

Answer [Shaquille O'Neal]: Who's that?

Q: Their first-round pick last year.

A: Oh, I didn't know that. That's his name? Can he play?

Q: Apparently in time.

A: In time. Spencer Hawes? No.

Well Shaq, with Brad Miller out tonight, you will get to know our boy Spencer Hawes pretty well. Hopefully he won't land on your precious toe after he dunks over you.

Someone Wants to Do Spencer Hawes...

Or she LOVES hot dogs.

Ailene Voisin, Sacramento Bee: "There is nothing bland about Spencer Hawes. If he were an entrée, he would be a 7-foot-long hot dog smothered in mustard and onions. He always has an answer — or at least something to say — and has long possessed the skills to become a quality NBA center. But he is only 20 years old. Sometimes we forget. Sometimes, he forgets. He doesn't know more than his coaches. He hasn't outplayed Brad Miller. He hasn't earned the right to whine to the referees with the perfected high pitch of a seasoned veteran. And he hasn't provided enough details for Kings officials (or anyone else) to complete his professional portfolio."

Blackout in Seattle

I've never understood how people can root for a team that they have no emotional connection to. For example, when living in Montreal, I met tons of people who were "die hard" fans of random teams. These "fans" try to come off as hardcore when really they are just loyal bandwagoners. How can you legitimately be an Indianapolis Colts fan if you have never been to the Midwest, let alone Indiana?

Now, I don't watch baseball (except in the playoffs. I'm only human). I'm not one of those "baseball is boring" guys. In fact, it used to be that, after basketball, baseball was my sport. Then Major League Baseball broke my heart.

I was a Montreal Expos fan. People outside of Montreal like to blame the fans for their move to Washington. I don't really want to get into why that is totally offensive and makes me want to cry, but it is what it is.

Bill Simmons has a great column about rules for being a sports fan in which he says that if your team moves away, you are known as a sports widow. But while I am bitter about the Expos leaving, that isn't the reason I don't follow them. It's just tough to watch for me to watch a sport without being invested in a team.

So today, in the battle for Blake Griffin, don't expect to see any high ratings in the Seattle region. And that is what the NBA and other leagues don't understand. Not only are the Sonics fans not going to root for the "Thunder," they aren't going to watch any basketball. Basketball, until another team goes there, is dead in the Northeast. With the Grizzlies and the Sonics gone, why would anyone want to watch the sport?