On and off the Kings court, questions abound

One by one, opposing teams come into Power Balance Arena (it is still Arco to me) with personnel believing Sacramento's new arena is a done deal.

That's what reports would lead many folks to believe.

I'm not one of those folks - yet.

First, there is no construction underway on this new facility. That dirt turning would go a long way towards passing the eye test.

Now, during this economic state, we've seen many a project start and then stop. So even the dirt flip wouldn't be the final step.

Granted, the planned constuction has come a long way from one year ago when most signs pointed to the Kings moving to Southern California or somewhere else.

So, things remain in a positive condition for a person like myself who believes a new facility will do wonders for downtown economic growth.

There are no guarantees, of course, but virtually all recently built sports facilities have inspired financial growth in the surrounding neighborhood.

Admittedly, I'm a cynic. Thst's fueled by 34 years in the journalism world with people telling untruths as part of their jobs.

Yet, the major reason for my cynicism on this project are the numbers of entities/people with their hands in the facility stew.

Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento City Council, the Maloof family, the AEG corporation that will operate the arena, NBA commissioner David Stern and perhaps, most importantly, their respective legal representatives.

If it was just one entity putting up the cash and another responsible for construction and arena operation, there would be fewer potential obstacles.

It's not like that here, though, and I still believe there are many egos to subjugate before this facility becomes reality.

It'a clear trust is not running amuck between all parties concerned. It'll be interesting to see if these folk can get their collective heads together.

And it wont be too long before Stern takes a more public, prominent role. Stern usually attempts to avoid embarrassment at all costs, particularly when it is pointed in his direction.

Currently, embarrassment is circling Sacramento, the Maloofs and the NBA like a group of hungry buzzards.

NBA Comissioner Stern goes too far: Time to go

Dec. 9, 2011

NBA Commissioner David Stern’s ludicrous decision to veto Thursday’s three-team trade between New Orleans, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets is the most bodacious, outrageous, egotistical and ridiculous move in league’s history.

It’s time for Stern to say goodbye. Retire. He’s always ruled with a heavy hand. He’s always been as close to a bully as a brilliant strategist. He’ll probably go down as the best league leader in professional sports.

But for a New York City native, this smacks of stuff we’d hear about the Mafia. It’s like this the National Basketball Association of David Stern.

It’s time to see and hear Stern say, “I was wrong.”

This decision was so unfair in many different ways.All-Star point guard Chris Paul was slated to join the Lakers. L.A. would have sent all-star power forward Pau Gasol to Houston and valuable sixth man Lamar Odom was headed to New Orleans.

The Hornets also would have received guard Kevin Martin, forward Luis Scola, guard Goran Dragic and a 2012 first-round draft choice Houston had acquired from the New York Knicks.

The league said the trade was knocked down because of ‘basketball reasons.”

Presumably, that’s opposed to volleyball or curling reasons. That’s it? Basketball reasons?

No one knows what that means, but there have been perhaps 100(conservative estimate) worse trades consummated in the league’s history. Shoot, maybe since the turn of the century.

Certainly, when the NBA last season took control of New Orleans franchise ownership, the potential for all types of trouble became possible.

The Hornets then were placed into a different category than every other franchise.

The details of that arrangement between the league and Hornets are unknown to the general public.

Moreover, who knows who knows, if anyone knows.

Hornets general manager Dell Demps seemed to have made a pro-emptive strike to prevent Paul, who can become a free-agent following this season, from opting out of his deal and leaving the team with no compensation.

It would seem the league told Demps he couldn’t do his job and did so, after he did his job well.

Looking forward, one wonders where David Stern’s iron fist stops. There were rumors that small-market owners applied pressure on Stern to crush the deal.

So is Demps now incapable of making a trade with any team or just a team Stern and/or the other owners OK.

Stern said Paul was more valuable in New Orleans. Stern omitted to mention to whom this increased value belongs.Stern has made enough money over the years to shut it down, say goodbye and look back at how the league has grown under his management.

Yo, my man, let it go. It’s time.

From this view, it appears he’s lost it. At least, back in the day, he’d have couched his decision with a real explanation.

Basketball reasons?

Really, Dave?

Webber still hoping to help Kings stay in Sacramento

Sources indicate former Kings all-star forward Chris Webber was seen in Las Vegas talking with members of the Maloof family Saturday afternoon.

Webber did not return a phone call this weekend.

Amidst the madness and uncertainty of the Maloofs attempted Kings’ relocation to Anaheim, a meeting between Webber and family members could mean nothing, something or everything.

Webber, now a TNT NBA commentator, last week surprised many with statements regarding his desire and attempts to assist the efforts to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

Sources within the past month told Marty Mac’s World Webber had been working with a group that wanted to buy the Kings from the Maloofs.

However, the Maloofs steadfastly have insisted the franchise is not for sale. Webber’s group was unable to get a meeting with the Maloofs.

Clearly, there are more questions than answers regarding the attempted relocation. Following last week’s two-day NBA Board of Governors meeting Commissioner David Stern said the Kings deal had changed during the past few days.

That’s why the league granted the Maloofs another extension – this time May 2 – to apply for the move to Anaheim.

The NBA wants more information from the Anaheim group pursuing the Kings franchise as well from the Maloofs.

Commissioner David Stern said NBA owners have an incomplete understanding of the deal. That means the owners, who ultimately must give their majority blessing to the move, have the same understanding as you and I.

Stern indicated the league’s relocation group needed more information about potential TV revenue, any necessary upgrades to the Honda Center arena and relocation costs.

We all know the Maloofs want to move the franchise to Anaheim. We assume they believe this move will reap increased financial benefits. The common belief is the Maloofs expect a great increase from a new TV contract in a larger market.

The Maloofs have not spoken publicly about their business financial condition. If they indeed are struggling, any information of desperation only lessens any leverage they believe they possess.

Reports during the past year have suggested they are in danger of losing control of the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

They have denied the accuracy of those reports.

More indicative of their financial peril was the sale of their family-owned beer distributorship last year. Not only was it the foundation of their business portfolio, it was a prized possession because of ties to their father and grandfather.

Moreover, if anyone owns a beer distributorship in America, why the heck would you sell it unless somehow pressured to make that move. Even in times of depression, beer consumers find a way to get their suds.

I’ve been telling folks for months that no one truly knows the specifics of this deal. That’s because as big-time deals are concerned, this one is being thrown together.

There have been people talking two months ago about how it was a done deal the Kings were leaving. Here we are in the middle of April and that remains an uncertainty.

Maloofs determined to find a solution to arena snafu

Sacramento Kings owner Joe Maloof admitted Thursday morning to extreme frustration after another failed attempt to get a new arena built.

Arco Arena has outlived its usefulness, but finding a way to pay for a new arena has proved impossible heretofore.

"I'm very, very frustrated," Maloof said. "But we're not ready to quit. The frustration is in trying to find a solution."

Maloof said the organization - even when former owner Jim Thomas was running the show - has been trying to work towards building a new arena for more than a decade.

"We've tried a number of approaches during the past 11 years," Maloof said, "and even before our ownership took over, Jim Thomas tried for two years before that."

Maloof said ultimately, "We have to figure out how to get it done on our own."

There's always been a respect for what is best for the community, Maloof said.

"It's not just about the Kings," Maloof said. "There are 135 events a year in Arco. It's a community arena and always will be. It's an entertainment center."

Maloof said he reads the comments that follow stories written about the Arena situation.

Personally, I've never consistently read comments after stories because of the power and freedom I believe anonymity provides idiots and cowards.

Yet, I have consistently read comments regarding stories on the Arena situation.

"We like to try to see what the public is feeling and saying," Maloof said.

If the Maloofs continue to read those comments, it tells me they are extremely thick-skinned and somewhat masochistic.

It's rare to read comments sympathetic to their plight. Rare to see recognition of their attempts over the years to have an arena funded and constructed.

Nor do I ever read about any apologies from those who swore up and down the Maloofs had one foot out of the door and another on a banana peel.

They were sure to go Anaheim, San Jose, Kansas City, Las Vegas or Albuquerque said these know-it-all know-nothings.

After covering the Kings for more than a decade, I know how many e-mails I received stating the opinion that the Maloofs were just waiting for opportunities to move.

I was, at times, chastised for not agreeing the Maloofs would move the Kings.

If I thought were the case, I'd have said so. But I never did. My conversations with Joe and his brother, Gavin, always led me to believe they viewed Sacramento as fertile ground and a place in which they felt extremely comfortable.

And unless I'm a complete idiot and have lost my ability to read people accurately, I've always seen the family as very down-to-earth millionaires who usually wear their feelings on their sleeves.

Maloof pointed out his group has paid likely around $3 million to consultants and attorneys, not to mention putting their heart, blood, sweat and tears into the efforts.

Maloof quipped, "Remember, the Good Lord Jesus Christ could come down and he's not going to get it done with a public-private enterprise."

The owner said he had only love for the convergence group that put together the most recent proposal involving the Cal Expo land, the land around Arco and downtown.

"I know everybody worked very hard on their respective ends," he said. "I think ultimately there were too many moving parts, too many agencies that had to come together."

Maloof said his family remains committed to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

"As a family, we're going to take our direction from commissioner Stern," Maloof said. "We have a lot of respect for him and he's tried to help us as much as he can. We'll talk to him, but we haven't had a chance to do yet."

Maloof said his family has a game plan.

"Our game plan is don't give up, yet."

Easier to stop Chris Paul than get an interview with World Wide Wes

For a hot minute Wednesday, I had thoughts of snatching an interview with NBA juice-meister William Wesley.

Then reality smacked me like an old girlfriend's right hand.

Wes, as I was introduced to him by former Kings forward Lionel Simmons about 17-18 years ago, might as well be the NBA's deputy commissioner. That's if you believe he's responsible for half of the occurrences with which he's been linked.

I'll keep referring to him as Wes. This whole World Wide Wes thing is relatively new to me. Reportedly, my man Jalen Rose, now an ESPN analyst, claims to have given him that moniker. And it does fit since when you are on the NBA beat, there's no city in which the brother might not be found.

I've heard him referred to as Uncle Wes. Call him what you want, but Wes is known in Commissioner David Stern's office, Michael Jordan's inner circles and as being the right-hand man of such NBA stars as LeBron James, Chris Paul and most recently, Carmelo Anthony.

In fact, one of the goals for contacting Wes Wednesday was to find out what role, if any, he was playing in Anthony's current travails with the Denver Nuggets.

Anthony is represented by agent Leon Rose and the powerful Creative Artists Agency. Rose and Wes have been linked since they both grew up in South Jersey.

There were reports earlier this year Wes had filed to become certified as an agent. If he did, he says that has not yet happened.

"I'm not an agent," Wes said Wednesday.

Wes is a cat whom has more hookups than Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile put together.

He's also a dude who consistently keeps his cards close to the vest.

"Man, I don't want to do any interviews," he said Wednesday as he's told me before. "I see so much crazy stuff out there that ain't hardly correct."

Wes is a mystery to 99 percent of the world. Clearly, he wants it like that and it's likely why so many athletes are comfortable with him. They know their business won't be in the street.

It's also why many of those who don't know him question his motives and duties. Then again, I don't know him in any depth, but I've seen no reason or proof to think he's done any dirt.

This is a dude who once had to move out of the way on the Dallas Cowboys sidelines while players gave then coach Jimmy Johnson a Super Bowl dousing.

That's juice and we ain't talking Gatorade.

Quick story: I'm in the visitor's locker room at Arco Arena a couple of years ago talking to then New Orleans head coach Byron Scott, assistant Paul Pressey and I think Kenny Gattison also was there. Somehow the conversation turned to Wes, and in walks Paul.

I think we'd been talking about how Wes seemed to be everywhere and how everybody knew him.

Said Paul, "Y'all talking bout Uncle Wes?"

We just started laughing as the point was made. Paul, now entering his sixth NBA season, still was a serious young boy at the time.

However, Paul, 25, said he'd known Wes for years. Paul also is represented by Rose and CAA, which also reportedly represents big ballers like Oprah and Will Smith. Rose also represents Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi.

Wes said he had to do a quick dash off the phone, so I never got to ask him anything about 'Melo's situation.

I think it's safe to say I probably ended up with the same information I would have gotten had the questions been asked.

However, I'll trade any and all stories I can do on Wes, for the book deal. My man is a success story of the highest and most unique order.

Once again, I may have better odds at hitting a lottery than getting Wes for a tell-all.

However, right now I'll settle for a tell-some. Dos Equis might want to re-check their most interesting man in the world commercial.


Since I went to the 'Melo concept, imagine how nice life is when you are 26, have a standing offer of three years for $64 million from the Nuggets, and things are so sugary, you can just leave it there for some reason.

Now that's 'Melo.

I also talked Wednesday with former Kings draft choice Anthony Johnson, who played the past two seasons with the Orlando Magic.

Johnson, the 39th pick of the 1997 draft out of the College of Charleston has played with eight teams. Johnson, who will turn 36 Oct. 2, was not re-signed by the Magic but still wants to play.

"I'm working out, staying in shape and waiting to see what happens," Johnson said. "I want to try and go out on my own terms. I know that doesn't happen for everybody, but I still want to play before I shut it down. I'd like to go into coaching as an assistant if nothing comes up."

The NBA currently is going around the league and airing what it calls "NBA Real Training Camp" where practices are televised.

One of the teams featured is the New York Knicks so obviously success is not a prerequisite.

Vice President of Media Relations/Basketball Operations Troy Hanson said NBA Entertainment has plans to feature Evans, Casspi and first-round pick DeMarcus Cousins.

James polarizes himself

No one need ever, ever, ever again compare LeBron James to Michael Jordan.

With James' decision to leave Cleveland to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, basically that was his request.

James may have made the move to put himself in the best position to win, but in the deepest regions of your imagination can you envision Jordan making a move like this?

Hail no!

Forget that King stuff as well. Kings don't follow, they lead.

Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert's comments about James quitting in Games 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston truly don't sum up the abandonment of the 25-year-old.

James quit on Cleveland - on Akron- and on Ohio.

It's not like the Cavaliers were a terrible team and an organization that didn't make moves to try and provide a supporting cast for James.

No doubt Gilbert's open checkbook the past few years was at least part of the genesis of his post-James departure rant.

What we don't know now are the conversations James and Gilbert have had.

We do know if there have been covers for James' actions and behavior over the years, Gilbert has been the man with the huge umbrella.

So for him to go off like a spurned lover is a bit ridiculous.

Gilbert verbally busted out the windows on James' Bentley and his Range Rover. The owner tried to spit in James' face.

And there is more. I say there is no way we've heard the last from Gilbert, either directly out of his mouth or dropped Watergate style.

It also has to be a must that Commissioner David Stern comes down historically hard upon Gilbert.

No owner ever has been more disrespectful and venomous as was Gilbert with comments regarding a player.

Now, Gilbert has heard stances and requests from James of which neither the public nor the media are privy.

However, it's difficult to imagine it won't be long before the curtain is pulled back.

It still seems imaginable Gilbert burned a No. 23 jersey or two himself last night. Gilbert might retire the jersey when the Heat comes to Cleveland for the first time.

Gilbert made a larger fool of himself than any fan could achieve by 'personally guaranteeing the Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former 'King' wins one.'

What, is Gilbert have James assassinated on the NBA Finals court during a game? Is Gilbert going to go Tonya Harding on the 'former King?'

I sure wish I hadn't misplaced former Cleveland coach Mike Brown's number because it would have been great to hear his reaction shortly following the announcement.

Moreover, for James to say, winning a championship in Cleveland wouldn't be sweeter than winning one in Miami, may have been the biggest snub possible.

The kid's ego was so evident when he spoke about how 'He' had brought so much to the franchise and 'He' had taken the organization places it had never before been.

Last I checked, James had a myriad of teammates supporting the efforts. Yet, only once do I recall him referring to teammates while mentioning achievements.

No matter what moves the Heat makes before the 2010-11 season begins, they will have to deal with Boston, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago just to get out of the Eastern Conference.

And James certified, he'll either be hated or loved. Middle ground has been eradicated.