By MATT "MONEY" SMITH
FOXSportsWest.com | PRIME TICKET
March 2, 2011
The amount of negative energy and quiet by vitriolic rage directed at the idea of the Sacramento Kings moving to Orange County is likely baffling to most, but I get it. If there's one thing Lakers fans don't like its competition. Never in my life have I been around a fan base that's so enamored with the blowout win, or crowing of a player as the greatest of all time with little debate, and actively hoping their race to a championship is filled with as few obstacles as possible.
Lakers fans would run a marathon only if it was entirely downhill, and they got to do it on Segway's. Lakers fans would do a triathlon, but would require a jet ski, motorcycle and electric scooter. They read Cliff's Notes not books, they read movie plot synopsis on wikipedia.com instead of watching the film.
For whatever reason they want things to come easy.
Maybe it's because life in LA is so hard already. People don't want or need adversity in what most consider their escape from the daily drudgery at work and home. We have this awful 70 degrees and sunny weather day in and day out. We have the Pacific Ocean to contend with, every entertainment outlet one could ask for, countless fine dining establishments, and endless mom and pop eateries to keep us full. Who needs competition added to all those challenges?
I always hear about the traffic, road rage, and the inability to get around town in a timely fashion. If you've never left Southern California, guess what, it's like that everywhere. Hit up Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, DC, Miami, or Denver. Traffic is just as bad, or even worse, and those cities love their rivalries.
The only reason you don't want the Kings to come to Orange County is it might take something away from your beloved Lakers. Relax, it won't. If anything, adding a third NBA team to the greater Los Angeles area would enhance the basketball experience. You'll have two more Lakers games you can attend. You have the chance to watch 41 more regular season NBA games including another visit from the Heat, Knicks, Celtics and Bulls. If you live in south Orange County and never make the hour-long trip to STAPLES Center, you'll have a chance to watch your favorite sport in person a few times a year, likely for a very reasonable price.
And if they happen to be good, oh darn. God forbid a rivalry is created. Is the sporting landscape worse because the Angels can challenge the Dodgers for baseball supremacy after a decade of irrelevance? Not a chance. It forces the Dodgers to be more competitive in challenging for the local dollar.
Some say "they have to win." Really? Wow, news flash, call Colleen Williams and get it on the 11:00 news. "If they don't win people won't care," screams the headline. In what city in the country (save Cubs fans) do fans care if their team isn't winning?
The Kings to Anaheim would be fantastic for no other reason than the Honda Center is a great basketball venue. I live in what I consider to be a great community with the means to support a team. From a basketball standpoint, when you consider the Kings financial situation and collection of young talent, imagine what they could put together in the summer of 2012. They already scored big time talent in the draft with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins as young building blocks, and now have enough cash under the cap to add either Chris Paul or Deron Williams at point, not to mention if the Lakers declined his $16.5 million option, Andrew Bynum at center. They could get started this summer by adding Caron Butler at the 3, and by the time the 2012-2013 season rolls around you could be talking about a potential power.
Only Lakers fans wouldn't want four games a season between a competitive Kings team and their favorite squad. Shouldn't an Orange Country vs. Los Angeles showdown be something we pine for? Considering the Clippers haven't been able to muster up much of a challenge to the Lakers dominance, why not get another team in here to get a crack at it? Instead of feeding your sports agoraphobia, embrace competition and welcome the Kings with open arms.
