Then there's the Sacramento we know: a wonderful art (performance and otherwise) scene, some superlative eateries, a culture of creativity, some awesome neighborhoods and a place where dreams are born daily. Many Kings players come to find out about this Sacramento. Few others associated with pro sports do. Compounding the problem, many of us out in suburbia and exurbia don't experience enough of it, and downplay or discredit it when it comes up. (I was guilty of that in my youth, far preferably the Bay cities to closer Sactown. My attitude has changed as I've aged and experienced more of each.)

For a long time, belief in Sacramento within Sacramento has been far stronger than belief in Sacramento from outside Sacramento. That's changing, and this week's developments highlight the shift. Mark Mastrov is a perfect example of someone from outside Sacramento who believes in Sacramento. One of his first 24-Hour Fitness locations in the '80s was opened in Sacramento. And now he wants to buy the Kings, keep them right here and bring a championship to the city. And … he wants to bring the WNBA back to town, because he believes that Sacramento will again support the Monarchs.

And that says something about Sacramento, and it says something about Mastrov. Something good. Something empowering. Something to make us smile.

We believe in Sacramento, and it's time the world joins us.