These results fit in with a longer literature on what has come to be known as "motivated reasoning." Other things being equal, people tend to believe what they want to believe, and to disbelieve new information that might challenge them. The classic study for this came in the nineteen-sixties, shortly after the first Surgeon General’s report on smoking and lung cancer, which suggested that smoking appeared to cause lung cancer. A careful survey revealed that (surprise!) smokers were less persuaded than nonsmokers were. Nonsmokers believed what the Surgeon General had to say. Smokers heaped on the counterarguments: "many smokers live a long time" (true, but ignores the statistical evidence), "lots of things are hazardous" (a red herring), "smoking is better than being a nervous wreck," and so forth, piling red herrings on top of unsupported assumptions. Other research has shown a polarization effect: bring a bunch of climate change doubters into a room together, and they will leave the room even more skeptical than before, more confident and more extreme in the their views

CWebb not quite ready to celebrate Sac win."It's not over. I'm cautiously optimistic. I remember Horry hit a last second shot against us."— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 30, 2013

Crown Downtown is requesting attendance at Sac International at 11 a.m. today to greet KJ in his return to Sacramento.

"Actually, I was cool about it because I really didn't know if he did it on purpose," Cousins said, describing the incident after practice today. "And that's what I asked him, I was like 'Was that on purpose?' and his response was 'What if it was? What you gon' do about it?'. And that's what, you know, kind of got me."

Was the elbow he threw at Dunleavy on the ensuing Bucks' possession intentional?

"It really wasn't," said Cousins. "I mean, if you see the replay, it's really not that hard as he acted out. But, it really wasn't."

Cousins saw the replay of the shot he took the leg. After watching it, Cousins concluded Dunleavy intentionally tried to undercut him.

"Donte Greene has signed to play in Puerto Rico."
--Although Greene worked out for a 'number' of NBA teams, he'll have to use the offseason to prove he's healthy and fight for a roster spot in someone's training camp.

A source told the Boston Globe that Terrence Williams' 10-day contract with the Celtics is a "done deal."
Interesting. Williams is reportedly just waiting for clearance and is already en route to join the Celtics. Talent has never been the issue for Williams, but before being cut in training camp by the Pistons, he had to accept a non-guaranteed contract and had played for three teams in just three years. The 2009 No. 11 overall pick will be an intriguing addition because he can play multiple positions for a banged-up Boston team.
Source: Gary Washburn on Twitter
Feb 18 - 11:12 AM E.T.
--------------------
Just an update on Ex-King Terrence Williams, hope he does well in Boston.

And on the 9th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need an immovable force."

So God made a Kings Fan.

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up each day, wear purple, talk basketball all day, ring cowbells, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at the local bar talking basketball some more."

So God made a Kings Fan.

"I need somebody with hands strong enough to clap for four quarters, and yet gentle enough to tuck a tired child into bed that night, clutching a Slamson doll, with licorice stains on her cheeks. Somebody to cheer players, boo the opposing team, come home spent, have to wait until the night’s highlights are shown on TV before bedtime…and enjoy it."

So God made a Kings Fan.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night crying over the season that could’ve been. Then wipe his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year.' I need somebody who can find a way to get excited in July, call his friends about the newest draft pick, who can find the bright side in a loss, make signs and wave pom-poms. And who, despite the pressures of the real world, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, hit up the message boards and team forums, and put in another seventy-two hours typing hope and prayers."

So God made a Kings Fan.

"I need someone who has tasted just enough success in the past, that they spend their lives chasing that same dream. Someone who can go through the highest of highs, and stand strong when the world doubts them, their city, or tries to rip away that which they hold most dear, all the while smiling and baring their teeth for the fight."

So God made a Kings Fan.

God had to have somebody willing to ride a 10 game losing streak while the NBA world laughed at them, yet stop other fans in their tracks with their pure, unbridled love affair with their team.

So God made a Kings Fan.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to not always make the playoffs, yet gentle enough to give a standing ovation when a traded player returns home wearing different colors, who will leave the dinner table in the middle of family time to talk to a friend, phoning in the latest team gossip. It had to be somebody who never wavered in his belief. Somebody to cheer, sneer, drink a beer and shed a tear, all in the name of supporting that in which he holds most dear. One who believes in never giving up until the clock reads all zeroes, and even then reminding anyone who will listen how tomorrow will be better and brighter and filled with promise. Always tomorrow, knowing that someday tomorrow will become today.

So God made a Kings Fan.

"Somebody who'd gather his family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'banging cowbells like Mom and Dad do."

So God made a Kings Fan.

Sources confirm 2 p.m. presser for KJ in SAC. At least three ownership groups with "heavy hitters" in the mix.

@ESPNSteinLine: Just going online now: Maloofs have struck deal to sell 65 percent of Kings to Chris Hansen group in Seattle for $525 million, sources say

BREAKING: Deal between Maloof family, Seattle's Chris Hansen for Sacramento Kings imminent. Story coming soon.