VLADE INTERVIEW - REFERS TO LAKERS AS "WE"

by Dom Perignon on Jan 13, 2009 4:48 PM PST

As a concerned Kings fan and former pro baller I wanted to write you guys with one question that just may sum up the Kings year and possibly the entire franchise -

Did you see the Vlade interview the other night during the Lakers Game???

I did, and what I saw made me pretty upset. While browsing games on my NBA League Pass, I came across the Laker game and tuned on while the Lakers commentators where interviewing Vlade Divac who was at the game. While they discussed his career for some time, they also asked him his opinion on the current game and the Laker chances this year through a series of questions. What I heard made my ears sting and stomach rumble...

Over and over again, Vlade referred to the Lakers as "we". He was saying things like: "If we stay healthy, I like our chances this year..." and "we'll be fine if we keep moving in the right direction". Don't quote me but you get the idea.

Now this wouldn't normally be an issue, until you throw into play our decision (by our I mean the Sacramento Kings) choice to retire his jersey. Can you think of a bigger slap in the face to the entire organization than to retire a jersey of a guy who refers to the Lakers as "we"? I mean CMON, it's the Lakers!!!

Ultimately, it may come down to the fact that the Lakers wont retire his jersey so he'll have to accept the Kings honor. And in Vlade's defense, it could be that he talks about every team he played for as "we" (Lakers, Hornets, Kings,).

But what kind of message does this send to the fans? How can we justify paying ticket prices and buying jerseys when we see this? Why should we vote to approve a new arena? And Cmon, the Lakers???

As an educated player and fan, the message from the organization is clear: The Sacramento Kings celebrate mediocrity like no other team in the league. Deal with it!!!

And dealing with it is what we all have become increasingly good at as Kings fans!

And if anybody would like to hear more examples of the Kings celebrating mediocrity ( had to get the BENO long term deal in the post), I'e got plenty more where that came from. Dom P Concerned Kings Fan Leader of the "Let J.Thompson Start and play 40 Minutes" club

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

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Wow

But what kind of message does this send to the fans? How can we justify paying ticket prices and buying jerseys when we see this? Why should we vote to approve a new arena?

With all the issues this franchise has – rotating coaches, depleted talent base, 30 point home losses – Vlade’s jersey being retired is your big issue?

Listen ChaChi, Vlade started his career with the Lakers, he ended his career with the Lakers. I don’t think any of us are under any illusions that he’s not enamored with the Los Angeles Lakers. But while he was here, he kicked major ass, including Laker ass, and was instrumental in taking this team from a 25-win-per-year loser to a contender for the NBA championship. He’s earned the right to have his jersey retired here, FOR THE WORK HE DID HERE.

And if anybody would like to hear more examples of the Kings celebrating mediocrity ( had to get the BENO long term deal in the post), I’e got plenty more where that came from.

I, for one, can’t wait.

Please fix your “enter” key before posting next time, plzkthxbye. Because continued usage of bad grammar and punctuation is also considered a celebration of mediocrity in more advanced societies.

Are we gonna live together? Together are we gonna live?

by otis29 on Jan 13, 2009 5:01 PM PST reply actions

I'm not worthy?

I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy!

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 13, 2009 5:15 PM PST up reply actions

Spelling Bee Champ

I chose the Vlade issue because I RECENTLY saw the interview, and yes we can all agree that there are more pressing issues.

One point I would like to make about your comment:

But while he was here, he kicked major ass, including Laker ass, and was instrumental in taking this team from a 25-win-per-year loser to a contender for the NBA championship. He’s earned the right to have his jersey retired

The truth is, we (THE KINGS) NEVER kicked any Laker ass – instead we were owned by the Lakers in the Western Conference. And Vlade didn’t kick anybodies ass, instead he is the guy known for purposely falling on his own ass to draw fouls!

It sounds to me like you are one of those “why can’t we give everybody a gold metal for competing mommy?” kind of guys. It also sounds to me like grammar is a big issue for you.

Well we’re talking basketball here pal, so here’s a little advice for you before posting your next flattering comment:

Take down your 8th place junior high school basketball trophies and your first place spelling bee plaques from the walls in your room.

You should also probably remove the signed Lakers Vlade Divac jersey from your kitchen next to all your exquisite baking utensils. </strong

Thanks for your time Spelling Bee Champ

by Dom Perignon on Jan 15, 2009 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for coming back Sparky

I figured you were a standard hit and run poster. But instead you appear to be just another Laker troll posing as a concerned Kings fan.

And normally I’m not a grammar nazi – but your worry that we are celebrating mediocrity, while typing your missives in a 6th grade manner smacks of…well, some around here would say “irony”.

Somewhere down deep inside, you must agree with me, seeing as you have added quite a few paragraphs that used to be one inane wall of text.

I’m going to try to find something positive though, because that’s the kind of guy I am. So here goes:

You have set the bar pretty damn low on your first effort – so whatever verbal diarrhea spews forth from your cakehole next should be infinitely improved over this overbolded piece of crap.

Thanks for stopping in again, I’ll set my alarm to wake me up in two days for your reply.

Are we gonna live together? Together are we gonna live?

by otis29 on Jan 15, 2009 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Spelling Bee Champ

Not sure why you are seeing my first post as one giant paragraph – I used the same formatting as my reply to your comment. Now, I’m not a SPELLING BEE CHAMP, but I can count 10 paragraphs in the fanpost. Yeah I got a little lazy towards the end, could have spaced better, but c’mon son give your father the benefit of the doubt.

IRONY

The only way there would be a celebration of mediocrity is if I won some award for my rambling 10 paragraph fanpost ( award would be similar in ebay value to your 8th place junior varsity basketball participation award).

Speaking of diarrhea, isn’t there some rule that prohibits ever using “plskthxbye” in a damn blog about basketball. Well there damn well should be!

Hey OTIS29, be sure to set your signed Vlade Divac alarm to check my posts!

Geez this fanposting thing is fun!

by Dom Perignon on Jan 15, 2009 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

Call it an inkling, but...

Have you put that little Laker flag up on your car yet, or are you waiting for the soccer mom down the street to do it first?

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 15, 2009 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

by Dom Perignon on Jan 16, 2009 8:57 AM PST up reply actions

Laker Alarm Clock

When you bend over to turn it off, Kobe mounts you.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 16, 2009 10:13 AM PST up reply actions

i think the inkling

stems from shis inability to recognize the mock sarcasm in plsthnxbai.

Donte? Donte'! Donté?!?!
'spect da 'xtra E'

by iashwash on Jan 18, 2009 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

Or -

the confusion that stems from thinking that getting teabagged makes him a pro baller.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 18, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm considering new signatures

That one is now in contention.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 18, 2009 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed...

That rip is poetic.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 18, 2009 3:30 PM PST up reply actions

Whenever I think of Vlade...

All I can think of is the line from “405 Fridays” by Defair, “Feeling real good, like when the Lakers traded Vlade…”

That being said, I think retiring his number is odd, but when you’re a sub-par NBA franchise you’ve got to make a 3-4 years run of above-averageness into “glory years”.

by chri5 on Jan 13, 2009 5:10 PM PST reply actions

Defari - I suck at typos

by chri5 on Jan 13, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions

Not cool

You brought me out of hibernation, but this :

but when you’re a sub-par NBA franchise…

Not cool man, not cool. We (yes, we. Who wants to pick a fight?). May not have championship banners hanging from the rafters, but we are in no way sub-par. Good owners, great fans and a bright future, nothing sub-par here.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 13, 2009 10:03 PM PST up reply actions

i measure in wins and losses. And judging by that, the Sacramento era is well below average.

Hell, I like the King’s, and I admit I like a team that has been crappy for most of their time in Sacramento. Don’t fight the truth.

by chri5 on Jan 13, 2009 11:03 PM PST up reply actions

While not great, definitely not crappy most of the time.

The Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985, and THEY WERE HORRIBLE. They only made the playoffs one time in their first 10 years. Ouch. However, over their 32 (2008 isn’t complete, so I can’t use the stats) seasons in Sacramento, they don’t look as bad as one would think.

1985 37-45
1986 29-53
1987 24-58
1988 27-55
1989 23-59
1990 25-57
1991 29-53
1992 25-57
1993 28-54
1994 39-43
1995 39-43
1996 34-48

DING DING DING, OWNERSHIP CHANGE

1997 27-55
1998 27-23 (Strike shortened, adjusts to 44-380
1999 44-38
2000 55-27
2001 61-21
2002 59-23
2003 55-27
2004 50-32
2005 44-38
2006 33-49
2007 38-44

Overall Average Record = ~38-44 (pretty middle of the road, definitely not “well below average”)

So since moving to Sacramento the Kings have a slightly below .500. When you look at the Kings record since the Maloof’s have owned the team, they have one of the best records in the entire NBA (during that span).

Now, if you think making the playoffs 8 years in a row, and winning multiple division titles is a

3-4 years run of above-averageness

I guess I cant argue. I can disagree loudly, but I cant change your opinion.

Most of all, using win-loss records as the way to measure a franchise’s worth is where we will disagree the most. I guess its just a matter of opinion. It’s sort of like using financial wealth as the only way to decide is a person is “successful”. I chose to look at the bigger picture I guess. To each their own.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 13, 2009 11:57 PM PST up reply actions

Overall record is a bit better than I thought, however I still see there needing to be more than making the playoffs to be considered above average. Half the league makes the playoffs.

2000-2003 were good teams, with 2001 being a championship caliber team. Outside of those years it is mediocrity.

I guess my point is that I think retiring the jerseys of Vlade and Webber seems forced to me. Yeah they were good, and yeah those teams were fun, but jersey retirement should be reserved for great players IMO.

by chri5 on Jan 14, 2009 11:59 PM PST up reply actions

I could be wrong, but isn’t Vlade currently employed by the Lakers?

Disclaimer: comments may have been made under the influence of alcohol. If the Kings start winning, this will probably change.

by Ball in Cup on Jan 13, 2009 5:46 PM PST reply actions

1 year

Wikipedia gives his L*kers employment as 2005 – 2006

by batso on Jan 13, 2009 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

I

thought he was a scout in Europe for them.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by Dub_TC on Jan 14, 2009 8:34 AM PST up reply actions

Dom P, where did you play your pro ball?

"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley

by Bluejohn on Jan 13, 2009 6:53 PM PST reply actions

And Stinky

When did you add the new screen name?

Oh, today, I see.

"You keep on using that word
I do not think it mean what you think it means"

by lietothegirls on Jan 13, 2009 6:57 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe i'm not paying close enough attention

Somebody needs to explain this ‘Stinky’ thing to me

by batso on Jan 14, 2009 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

An anti Kings commenter

Who is famous for another name “No New Arena”, and the way he hates the Kings incessentally on the sacbee webpage.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 14, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions

Aah

Stinky = No New Arena = Dom P = FaStErMaN? oR hOwEvEr hE sPeLlS iT

by batso on Jan 14, 2009 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

correct sir

"You keep on using that word
I do not think it mean what you think it means"

by lietothegirls on Jan 14, 2009 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

Dammit...

I came to this site because I thought STinky & the Neative Nancy Alliance did not troll around here :(

by PhutureKings on Jan 14, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

That's not necessarily true

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 14, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions

And that is why...

And this why Vlade & Chris’ jerseys should not be retired. They were not good enough. They’re not in the HoF. They did not win a ’Ship. They did not spend their whole career here.

But we’ve already had a lengthy discussion on this matter, haven’t “we”?

by PhutureKings on Jan 14, 2009 9:42 AM PST reply actions

Our rafters do not = HOF

Nor should they. These guys were great. They supplied us with what will still be know as the golden age of Kings basketball 20 years from now.

I will be in attendance for both ceremonies, and I anticipate the loudest cheering that ARCO Arena has heard this year.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 14, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

I wouldn’t go as far as to call them great. And that will be a pretty sad if that is the golden age. :(

by chri5 on Jan 15, 2009 12:01 AM PST up reply actions

Did you not have the opportunity to witness that team?

They were the best product in the NBA. Prhaps not the best team, but the most entertaining, magic, breathtaking show that the NBA had seen since Earvin Johnson retired.

We may win a championship one day, but that team will probably not be as much fun to watch as C-Webb and Vlade’s team.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 15, 2009 12:11 AM PST up reply actions

I was refusing to comment in Stinky's post

and I won’t, except to say that Chri5 is about 16, so he gets a pass.

So imitate the action of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
- lend the eye a terrible aspect,

Now set the teeth....and teach them how to war.
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Jan 15, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions

Hey!

(Begin Sarcasm) Mitch Richmond is working for the Dubs – take his jersey down! (End Sarcasm)

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 14, 2009 8:43 PM PST reply actions

Burn the Ole Oil Pump down!

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jan 16, 2009 10:32 PM PST up reply actions