Sacramento Kings small forward Travis Outlaw (25) Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings fans were treated to a rarefied three-game win streak ending with the first road win of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers. There was a  clashing of alternate universes in which the gods looked favorably upon Travis Outlaw who became an unexpected hero for a night in the play against his former team, while Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette joined forces to bring home a win against Orlando.

Games Played This Week:

* Game 17 Wednesday, December 5, Toronto Raptors versus Kings, Win 107-100

* Game 18 Friday, December 7, Orlando Magic versus Kings, Win 91 – 82

* Game 19 Saturday, December 8, Kings versus Portland Trail Blazers, Win 99-80

Players of Week:

Just about everyone was a player of the week this week, but I will begin this story with Tyreke Evans. Evans had his moment in the spotlight, his chance to do the happy-dance, but it was his 2-game absence which allowed fellow teammates to receive minutes they otherwise probably would not have received, allowing the clouds to part and the blessing of opportunity to shine through upon them.

Tyreke Evans got back to back 3’s at the end of the Raptors game, a first for him this season. He now can be a force to be reckoned with on the perimeter. Additionally, he scored 23 points, 10 in the fourth quarter.

John Salmons had 19 points and 11 assists, against Portland. This is the most assists for any Kings player this season. He also had 3 rebounds, 2 steals, zero turnovers, with a +17, to boot. This had to be his best game since returning to the Kings last season.

DeMarcus Cousin had a fantastic week. He received double-doubles in all the games, in addition to being the Kings high-point player. This is the DeMarcus we were looking to see this season. With some missteps behind him, perhaps we will see more of this high-caliber play from him moving forward.

Thomas Robinson arguably had his breakout game this season. Although he only scored one point against Orlando, his defensive presence, aggressive play, and hustle were necessary to bring about the win.

Dec 7, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Jimmer Fredette (7) Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas proved quite the duo against Orlando. With Tyreke Evans out, these two were provided the opportunity to play together in the fourth quarter to dazzle fans. They fed off from each other, pushing the pace of the game and knocking down shots.

Travis Outlaw surprised everyone last night, playing 17 minutes off the bench. He made 11 points, making 5 out 7 field goal attempts (.714), a 3-point shot, grabbed four rebounds, a steal, with a +15. Lions, and tigers, and bears. Oh my!

Francisco Garcia received his opportunity in two games, starting in both of them to replace Evans. Against Orlando, he played a total of 30 minutes, making 12 points, a couple of 3-point shots, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, only one turnover, with a +17 for his time on the court! Wow, looks as though Garcia still has something left in the tank.

Miscellaneous Observations:

Bill Walton was far more entertaining this week, sitting in for Jerry Reynolds, as color commentator, in the game against Orlando. He kept everyone entertained, the twitter timeline was abuzz with his Walton-isms, and I didn’t feel the need to mute the volume. Far from the usual, want-to-pull-your-hair-out Walton. Even his back and forth bantering with Grant Napear was hilarious, especially when the two of them didn’t agree with a call by the officials. Get out those Kings swords.

It was another defeat for George Maloof and family, by the hands of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. While George’s wheels may be turning, he just can’t seem to grab any traction, as he and his family appear stuck in the mud, again. It is unlikely Virginia Beach is going to be an option for the team next season, so any dreams the Maloofs had to apply for relocation next spring are probably dead on arrival. It seems Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell wasn’t taken in by the glib charm of George Maloof. Bravo, Governor!

Wrap-Up:

7 Wins – 12 Loses (22nd – 30)

The win-loss column sure looks a lot better this week. This was a week to remember. The State of Virginia putting the owners on hold was a win for Sacramento. It will undoubtedly ensure the team will be here for at least another season, thereby buying more time for Sacramento.

If anything, Sacramento gained some leverage, when McDonnell put the brakes on the Maloofs. Still everyone needs to temper excitement with caution. These are still the same owners who tried, unsuccessfully, to leave town, not once, but twice. Whatever reasons drove them to seek other locations are still there.

A leopard doesn’t change his spots.

– George Lincoln Rockwell

I made a last-minute change to my headline. It was going to be Maloofs Stuck in the Mud Again. Yet, the alternative, bizarre, wacky game last night changed everything. It brought a sense of fun and the thrill of the unexpected. It reminded me that even though the team remains in a precarious situation due to its owners, there are still moments to treasure. It changed the entire tone of my weekly review. Even in the worst of situations, humans are able to find the best in themselves and each other. That happened this week with our team and its players.

Nov 5, 2012; NBA commissioner David Stern Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Bruski, writer for ProBasketballTalk, at NBC Sports, has the pulse of the Sacramento community and the keen objective perspective of someone on the outside looking in. In his most recent piece involving the situation between the NBA owners and the Maloofs and Sacramento, Bruski outlines the problems facing the NBA, if the current situation with the owners of the Sacramento Kings continues on the national stage.

The Maloofs as you recall are the owners of the Sacramento Kings, who balked at the Entertainment and Sports Complex (ESC) deal in Sacramento, claiming the deal wasn’t fair to them or Sacramento, earlier this year. The NBA was involved during the negotiating period, even offering to gift money on behalf of the owners so they would not have to offer any upfront money of their own.

Since then, the Maloofs have been in Virgina Beach, Virginia to be party to a sweetheart deal to build an arena, to relocate the franchise to a smaller market area. Again, no upfront money from them.

On the Maloof’s, Bruski has this to say:

They need Sacramento or another city to give them a lopsided deal or they’re out, sooner rather than later. If they do nothing, they will run out of money in a Sacramento market they torched themselves, and if that doesn’t happen first then Sleep Train Arena eventually won’t meet NBA code and the game will be over.

Of course the good folks in Sacramento are understandably disappointed about the current state of affairs, given the hundreds of hours of time and resources they to put into the ESC deal, which was expected to revitalize downtown Sacramento, bringing jobs, world class entertainment venues, and much needed revenue to an area hit hard by the economy.

Only Lucy pulled the ball out from underneath Charlie Brown. 

Mayor Kevin Johnson and the City of Sacramento did everything they could do, the loyal fans of the Sacramento Kings did everything they could. In the meantime, the Kings have been off to a horrid season. Only sixteen games in and already any hope of making the NBA Playoffs has been dashed.

Fans who renewed their season tickets are having regrets, as attendance has been low, and the quality of play on the court less than advertised. The cost-saving measures taken in personnel are beginning to catch up. Fans are feeling helpless, with apathy setting in. The exhaustion from the emotional roller-coaster over the past year is taking its toll. People are feeling powerless.

Here is what Bruski has to say about Sacramento:

For Sacramento, if the Kings are allowed to leave 30 years of public investments into the team will have all been for naught. Sure, there were great times and intangible benefits galore. The Kings will have spurred economic activity during that time, and contributions by the Maloofs and prior owners to local charities should not go unnoticed.

It is an untenable situation to be sure, but Bruski says what others either fear to say or simply don’t consider. He is putting the situation back at the feet of the NBA.

It’s a compelling reason for David Stern to use the best interests of the league clause to get what he wants in this dilemma. Commissioners in other sports have pulled the trigger, and if explained correctly to the Maloofs’ fellow owners they’ll realize that indeed, it’s in their best interests.

Indeed, the objectives of the NBA is not separate from the owners. The actions of each owner reflects back on the NBA. What one owner does can adversely affect upon the league as a whole. Stern reminded Coach Gregg Popovich with sanctions, that the actions of one coach to send his players home for rest was not separate from having his star players make an appearance in a nationally televised game.

So, this reminds teams and fans the NBA still wields control. The actions of a coach can affect the league as a whole. It is an interconnected entity. So, what of the actions of the owners?

Bruski speaks to the revenue sharing the Maloof owners now enjoy:

As for that revenue sharing, Stern alluded to the fact that the owners could always vote to change their mind about the Maloofs’ continued receipt of their share.

The Board of Governors could decide to strip the Maloof’s of their life preserver, without which they could drown in debt.

Bruski’s piece could have far-reaching implications for Sacramento. He reminds parties, the weight of this issue could fall upon the NBA’s shoulders. The ball is in their court, if they are not afraid to face the indirect threat of an antitrust suit should they begin to intercede. This could be a true test of the NBA’s mettle. Just how far are they willing to allow this situation to continue before it intercedes?

It is an important issue for Sacramento Kings fans and the City of Sacramento. Our hands are tied. But, if our voice can be heard, to implore the NBA to take some action, in the best interests of the league, perhaps there will be a favorable outcome for Sacramento.

Much respect to Aaron Bruski for writing this piece.