What Do You Think About the Kings Potential Move to Anaheim?

Carmichael Patch asked basketball fans at Tuesday's about the Sacramento Kings potentially moving to Anaheim.

On Tuesday, the NBA's board of governors granted an extension to April 18 for the team's owners, the Maloofs, to apply for moving the franchise. That gives the Maloofs an opportunity to present their options to a full league meeting April 14-15, after the Kings season ends.

It is well known that Power Balance Pavilion (formerly known as Arco Arena) is outdated and a new arena is needed but the Kings were once a model franchise for the NBA, arriving from Kansas City in 1985 and selling out games even when the team was losing. The most successful season in Sacramento history was 2001-02, when they made the Western Conference Finals with Chris Webber and Vlade Divac leading the way.

Now the Maloofs are considering moving the team to the Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks pro hockey team and the annual John R. Wooden Classic college basketball tournament that has hosted teams including UCLA and Georgetown. This comes after Las Vegas, Seattle and Louisville were mentioned as possible destinations for the Kings. The Maloofs own the Palms Casino Resort in Vegas and Seattle has been without a team since the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former Phoenix Suns guard, has said the city has done all that it can to reach out to the Maloofs but that the decision is up to the them, although he did say they have made clear that Anaheim is not a done deal.

Here is what Jesuit fans had to say:

"Growing up, I was a Kings fan. I think they're gone but I'm hoping there's a slight chance they stay." -Kirk Langley, Jesuit student and freshman guard

"If there's no arena, they're going to bounce. If there's no progress, I think they're out of here. (Monday's) game was sold out but where were a lot of the fans before?" -Winston Butler, Jesuit alum and tax program technician for the State of California

"I think it's horrible. It would damage the city. People love the Kings here. I feel like something good will happen and they will stay." -Brady Anderson, Jesuit student

"We've supported the Kings for so long that it would be sad (to see them leave). I understand the Maloofs' situation but moving to Anaheim doesn't mean they'll do better." -Zana Melvin, accountant and mother of Marauders senior forward Gary Melvin

"I pretty much think it's a done deal. I hope they don't go, seeing how the Maloofs are in financial trouble. I used to come to games more often. I'm more of a baseball fan."-Dan Naman, retired attorney

"I played in the first game in Arco (in 1988). (My son Bryce, a junior point guard for Jesuit) is first to play in Power Balance Pavilion. It's a sad time to even think about the Kings leaving Sacramento. It's been a rocky road lately with less wins than losses. But it's not over. It's a matter of having an arena. Something has to be done. (The situation) is not acceptable. I'm hoping something miraculous happens in the final hour." - Harold Pressley, Sacramento Kings player from 1986-1990 and former Kings director of player development

Editor's Note: I am a long-suffering Kings fan. I bleed purple and black and before that royal blue and red. They are the first professional sports team I rooted for, even when Mitch Richmond was the best player and my dad called them "the Almosts" because they would almost win many games.

Nobody wants to raise taxes to pay for a new arena, whether it is built in downtown Sacramento, Natomas or the Cal Expo area, but it is about more than basketball. A new arena would both create jobs, both in construction and the service industry, and also allow those already working for the Kings to keep their jobs, something important in the current economic situation.

A new arena would be an upgrade for the high school basketball teams that play in the section and state playoffs and would prove a more attractive draw for musical acts even though the old arena will host Lady Gaga, the cast of "Glee" and Usher in the coming months.

I was at the Kings game on Monday, which was officially listed as a sell-out, and the grassroots "Here We Stay" campaign made themselves heard with chants that included "SAC-RA-MEN-TO!" and "BEAT LA! DON'T JOIN THEM!" (the Kings were playing the Clippers).

So there will be another month-and-a-half of will they or won't they? I invite you to go to as many games as you can, buy some Sacramento Kings gear and yell so loud you lose your voice and hopefully that can convince the Maloofs that Sacramento is still a basketball town.

I have a four-month-old niece. I want to be able to take her to Sacramento Kings games as she grows up. I hope that happens.

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Check out what Carmichael Patch writer Margaret Andrews thinks about the Kings possible move on her personal blog.