Once upon a time there was a family called the Maloofs that had nothing but a dream A dream to expand their small family business called Zing Vodka into a whole entertainment empire. Though they were broke as can be they would not let that stop them, and as it prospered, so did their bank accounts. When an evil billionaire named Chris Hansen announced he was selling the Seattle Supersonics but not to any local owners, they jumped and decided to buy the team and move it to the city of Sacramento. (the Sonics would later be saved by a classy OKC businessman named Clay Bennet). The Sacramento Kings is what they would call the team. With their sister getting married, and their brother George leading the way this happened. Things could not be better.

At this same time they also set their eyes upon a struggling casino called the Palms. They started with a 1% stake in the casino but as it prospered, their stake grew until they were the majority owners. With commercials, TV specials, and movies shooting there, this Casino grew into a very prosperous business with things looking up for these humble Vodka salesmen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZow0Enq1vU

Being the customer service oriented family that they were, the Maloofs always fought for the people of Sacramento. The evil tyrant Kevin Johnson never accepted the Maloofs, even nixing a deal that would for sure keep the Kings in the city after accepting it earlier.. There was a rough patch of a few years where the Kings were getting some young talent, but were not winning. The Maloofs prospered on, having faith in their GM Geoff Petrie when all of the fans wanted his head on a platter. Finally, in 2006, they finally made the first step in the right direction when they hired Rick Adelman and made the playoffs, led by Ron Artest (formerly Metta World Peace). Though they didn't win, they surprised the league with their newfound success, and many believed they would be a great team in just a few years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdlsL9aytds

The next year the Kings would get even more help when they traded Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson, and Brian Skinner for hobbled big man, Chris Webber. He brought them the the energy they needed to make a run. He, along with Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, and Peja Stojakovic would lead the Kings to what many fans would call the glory years. The Maloofs were at the top of the world with a top notch casino, a winning basketball team, and a city that loved them. Unfortunately, fast forward a few years, and they were forced to close their casino and sell the team, but this did not stop them, and they opened a new casino and bought their own beer distribution. While the new Fiesta Casino did not go to well. Coors Brewing company thrived and they were able to make back their money. The Kings were never the same after the Maloofs sold them, only making the playoffs a couple of times. They always regretted selling the team, and by 1982, they decided to try for a team again, and purchased the Houston Rockets. Though they only owned them for three years, the Rockets saw some success with the Maloofs at the top. This along with their thriving beer distributor showed that they truly were savvy, forever enshrining them in peoiples minds as some of the greatest business minds in American history, and a true inspiring rags to riches story.

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