The 2019-20 NBA season is finally over. From the time of the first media day sessions to the crowning of the NBA Champion took a whopping 380 days, according to the diligent Marc Stein.
On Day 380 of the season ...
On Day 96 of the NBA Bubble ...
The Lakers are holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 12, 2020
The season saw delays as the league shut down in March before eventually returning in the bubble. The bubble saw additional delays as players went on strike in protest for racial justice. But now, at long last, it's over. (Some team won the title but that hardly seems important at this time.)
We now look forward in earnest to the offseason, the draft, free agency, and to finding out how the NBA plans to conduct the upcoming year. We know the new season will be delayed (seasons usually tip off in late October), and current speculation is that the league will begin the regular season sometime in January.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for November 18th.
We're still waiting for the NBA to allow trades to begin. Per Keith Smith, that should happen in the next couple of weeks.
In a normal year, NBA teams can begin making trades as soon as their season ends. Because of the uniqueness of this year, there is still a transaction moratorium in place. Most teams expect that to be lifted within a week or two. That will give them 3-4 weeks prior to NBA Draft.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 12, 2020
In the coming weeks we'll also get clarity on the league's salary cap for next season, clarification on dates for contract options, and much more.
The season is finally over and the league now gets to figure out how to do it all over again.
In the meantime we can reflect on all that has changed. Aside from the obvious things, like the entire world changing in the wake of a pandemic, there are smaller changes also worth mentioning. When the season started De'Aaron Fox had all his hair. When the season started the Kings had Dewayne Dedmon as starting center. When the season started we were all employed at a different website.
It's been, by far, the craziest year of NBA action that I have ever experienced. Thank you for being here to enjoy the ride with us.
I just want to leave this gem of a tweet from Richard here:
Have a feeling those writers over there are ecstatic about the L*kers winning.
Anyone else still occasionally find their finger typing “s…a…c…t”?
Just went and checked the Napear thread there, it’s about as much activity as they’ve seen in a while. You can tell we left most of the troglodytes behind.
Now it’s “k…i…”
On that note, I’m always very careful about making sure I type in the full name of “Pottery Barn” before hitting enter. That “p…o…” is dangerous.
Grant should probably be careful about inputting “Nuggets”
I often type s…a… and immediately have to close the window after opening the old site. I won’t read anything there on principle.
(i dont get it)
help plz
The “writers” that are running that site now (into the ground) are Lakers writers / fans that on-boarded other CA sites as part of their responsibilities.
I get the frustration at Vox for the situation, especially by the writers who had to vacate their STR jobs. But the mean spiritedness I’ve seen about the current STR staff, especially from TKH writers, is off putting and childish. Regardless of how you feel about the situation, undermining other writers who are just trying to survive in their profession is a bad look. Do better, Rob.
With all due respect, probably not going to give a lot of consideration to a comment left by someone that has hijacked Tom Ziller’s name. I know you’re not Tom, as TZ would have contacted me directly.
And for what it’s worth, my comment is 100% factually correct. They are Lakers fans, and readership at StR is down exponentially. /Shrugs.
I chose this name because I thought it wouldn’t be available. Since it was, I thought it would be funny to keep. My name at STR was PretendGhost (formerly BloodyNate), and I was a regular reader/commenter from 2012 until now.
I like you folks at TKH, which is why I come here. I like your jokes, enjoy the mix of hope and pessimism, and think the analysis and discourse are the best quality in Sac media.
What I don’t like is seeing artists shit on other artists. Who cares if readserhip is down? You’re not there, it’s not your business anymore. Furthering that with comments questioning their creds as writers and undermining their efforts to adapt to a changing work environment is really frustrating, and makes you look bitter.
Be angry at Vox, they fucked up big time and screwed over all of you talented folks. Don’t be angry at the writers, they’re doing their best, and encouraging a tribalistic othering of their site and work could put their jobs in jeapordy, which is a shitty thing to do since you should know how hard it is to get a job in this industry.
Or do what you want. But I’m gonna call out shitty attitudes where I see it.
When you have a position of leadership, it’s really not a good look to face valid criticism with apathy,
0-2. I see no valid criticism, and I certainly have no authority.
1) I never said authority, I said leadership. You’re undeniably in a position of leadership. You have influence as a long-time staff member and one-time contributor, and you have the ability to set tone. Like it or not, what you say matters, and that means you have a responsibility with what you say.
2) Please explain to me which of my criticisms are invalid. You’re being avoidant to the point of trolling
I’m a member here, you’re a member here. Equal ground. One membership per person. I have no influence other than my opinion and whether or not one agrees with it.
I cannot fathom how these comments come within 1,000,000 miles of harming the writers at StR, which you have posited in this thread.
This is such an interesting place for you to dig in your heels and double down, even attempting to add issues that do not exist (the threat to their jobs, for example). I don’t buy it. Not one bit. And I say that with my real name on my comments. You should try it.
Last word to you.
From the little I’ve read, I think they are a mixed bag from a writing perspective. So I don’t really have a problem with that – but let’s not pretend there’s some honor in what they did.
And expecting a group of people at this site to not talk about that site is pretty naive. That was most everyone’s home for what, a decade?
Having said all that, I always enjoyed your contributions at that site. Big fan (no sarcasm).
I’m not trying to say those folks are any better or worse than anybody else. Nor am I saying what they did is noble. I’m saying that they’re people doing their best to survive in a difficult profession, and undermining that primarily due to bitterness is pretty low brow
I also don’t expect people to stop talking about STR anymore than I expect people to stop talking about Luka. But blaming the new STR writers for Vox’s mistake is like blaming McNair for Vlade’s.
side thing, I do appreciate that last comment. I never expected that anyone would recognize me here, so that actually does mean a lot. You’re one of the good ones.
I had no idea this wasn’t the real TZ till now. I feel completely bamboozled.
I *hate* that you took that user name, and your use of it makes everything you say on this site meaningless.
You’re better than that. Be better. Jeezus.
You’ve got no right whatsoever to lecture others on what’s ok to do online when you pull that ish. Complete garbage.
Honestly if someone taking a username is more frustrating to you than people making a passive effort to sabotage someone’s job, I don’t really care what you think ¯\_(ã)_/¯
Can’t edit anymore, so a follow up note:
You raise a valid criticism, Mookie, that I am impersonating the voice of someone that has a relationship to and influence on the folks here, and that’s dishonest and potentially a little damaging. If there’s a way to change my username, I’ll do that; if not, I may make a new account and use one of my old usernames, or go with something entirely different.
I’d say we could all do with normalizing changing our opinions in the face of valid criticism
Hey all, per his request we updated this username. Didn’t want there to be any confusion, and wanted to be clear this was his choice.
Thanks, Tom Ziller!
(we’re on to you, Tom. And your cat.)
You can trust the cat. I am not Kosta!
Something constructive happened here today.
To be fair and honest, I’m not Kosta Koufos.
No high five for you.
“Live by the sword, die by the sword!”
The key difference is DeMarcus took the 2nd one personally.
I’m actually Kosta Koufos FYI. I’m the greek god of ohio.
Nice try, Matina!
We know where you buried the bodies.
What? noooooo!
How was that comment mean spirited?
In this instance, putting the word writers in quotes implies that they are not writers, or not worthy to write about the Kings. That combined with the bitterness and hate I’ve seen aimed at those writers (who are just tryna make a buck and build their portfolios) from various members of the staff and commenters really leaves an unnecessary air of negativity that actively effects people’s livelihoods.
Those writers made a choice to “just try to make a buck and build their portfolios” over the corpses of the people who actually made that site great. In my humble opinion.
And I don’t have some great anger towards them, but they did what they did – and if you ride the ride, you gotta pay the fee.
I guess i don’t find it mean spirited to point out what is objectively true in that particular situation.
I don’t really see making jokes and poking fun at that one other site to be particular “mean.”
If you were empathic you would know.
Did you read the new writers’ first posts when they took over STR? All (or almost all) mentioned they were Lakers fans and/or from LA. They admitted, directly or indirectly, that their knowledge of the Kings and Kings fandom was limited. Their actual writing was, IMHO, sophomoric–it lacked anything that could be considered “insight” or “analysis” to anybody with even a casual awareness of the Kings. In short, they walked into the house and immediately shat the bed. It was obvious to (almost) everyone that they lacked the loyalty and knowledge that being a good fan site writer requires. That’s why we’re all here now.
I’m not questioning the quality of the work. You will make your own decision about that. I am questioning the choice to remain angry at people who had nothing to do with why TKH staff lost their jobs at STR. It costs nothing to be kind.
They had nothing to do with it, they just benefited from it.
When you have mouths to feed and passion to pursue, you take the job you can get. They didn’t run the STR folks out, and directing your ire at them is nonsense
Nonsense is purporting that commenting in this thread somehow threatens the jobs of the current StR staff. But by all means, carry on. And on. And on.
Do better.
This thread alone, no. But you guys have influence that the people here listen to, and the broader narrative purported by some in TKH staff has been one of unkindness towards these writers. The bitterness that has been and continues to be aimed at the new staff not the site, which is completely valid, but the staff by commenters and TKH staff alike, even before they were hired, has continued to lack tact.
Did you see the vitriol that was aimed at the new writers in their comments sections when they took over? It was scarcely about their work, and often about their role. Do you think that they deserve to be attacked like that for doing their jobs? Do you think that maybe they could’ve gotten off to a better start and had an opportunity to foster a new culture if TKH staff hadn’t tanked the site and encouraged (whether overtly or covertly) people to have a distaste for them before they even started?
Hell, there even could have been some sort of relationship formed between that staff and this staff that may have made for some enjoyable and insightful content. I’d be curious to see conversations between the two staffs in the form of an article series or podcasts or whatever else (hosted here, obviously, cuz fuck Vox). But I wouldn’t blame the STR staff if they decided against it because of how the choices and statements by some at TKH have affected their work at STR.
I have absolutely no influence but I will go ahead and say that the current STR writers suck ass, and that was without knowing they were actually Laker fans.
Since when is criticism not ok? Do you also believe in trophies for last place?
I am not saying don’t question the quality of their writing. That is entirely one’s own choice. I am saying that there is a level of respect that people deserve, especially when they’re in their place of work, that is not being provided. Folks at TKH have chosen to belittle and ridicule writers because of a decision that Vox made and because they choose to be a fan of another team.
I didn’t say anything about them running the StR folks out, as the comment you responded to noted.
And I agree with your first half of your first sentence, but if you walk over bodies to do the second, you’re eligible for criticism, IMO.
I see what you’re saying, but it also ignores how hard and terrifying this fucking country and industry are to survive in. I know far too many people for whom making even a few extra bucks doing something they love would benefit their own mental and financially wellbeing exponentially.
Is it wrong that that came at the expense of TKH writers? Absolutely. Is it right that the STR staff should be viewed as less than for hustling as hard as they can? In this economy, you take what you can get.
First, you’re assuming facts not in evidence. If you know these people personally and can speak to their individual financial and employment situations, I’ll stand corrected.
Second, we’ve had this conversation in the past about James Ham – what does it take to get you to sacrifice a bit of your morality for a career gain? Maybe it’s simply a difficult financial situation. Maybe it’s just being able to do the job you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe I’d have done the same thing in his/their situation.
But none of that absolves them (or wouldn’t absolve me) of criticism for making that choice.
Fuck them. They are a bunch of errand boys, sent by the grocer to collect a debt.
if you don’t have an irrational hatred for all things Lakers then I have to question your fandom.
I was willing to give them a chance till I read their introductory post. They are a bunch of hacks aggregating news and puking it out in mindless articles to fill quotas.
They will find no quarter here.
Fine, question my fandom, as if that means anything at all. Tribalism is cancer, and thinking less of people simply for preferring a different jersey does nothing to make the world a better place.
If they’re hacks, let them be hacks. Perhaps they would be more inspired to write deeper analysis if they saw any reward for doing so from the community.
When it comes to the kings then yes tribalism is important. In real life it is cancer that’s why we keep it to sports.
I’m sure you’re a great fan. I’m just talking shit. But I mean everything I say about those hacks. Aggregating does not make you an artist.
I don’t care what they do with their site. It’s insulting to have it run by a bunch of Lakers so I just ignore it.
Yup – They were people doing a job as best they could. There was no way they could match the quality and connectedness to the Kings that the writers who were dumped by Vox did. I don’t hate them, and were I in there situation, may have even made the choices they made, I can’t tell from here – but I have to say that giggling like a teenager over their fan allegiance at a moment that went well for them as fans was a lot of fun.
I didn’t see any of the posts from the new writers. Are there links to those posts, or a date range so I can look at them. I’m genuinely interested in reading them.
Sactown Royalty is now staffed by people from LA
I still remember the night of March 11, when it was reported Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and then just shortly after that Woj and Shams tweeted out that the NBA season was being suspended.
I think for many of us, prior to the suspension, people were still kind of going about their normal, everyday lives. Sure, I did notice for the past month that stores were always sold out of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, but generally speaking I don’t think the seriousness of the virus was there until that night. I remember being in a state of shock when the news of the suspension came out, and I think it was a wake up call to many people about the virus. I will admit that until that moment I didn’t realize the seriousness of it either. The very next day at work my boss had a company meeting talking about COVID and I remember him saying “I don’t think a lockdown is likely, but if it happens I can afford to pay you guys for around a couple months.” And then a few days later, the Bay Area ordered everyone to shelter-in-place, followed by the whole state of California and then many other states. It definitely was a surreal feeling, and a timeline I never thought I would ever be living in.
Here we are, seven months after that happened. I’ve been furloughed from my job for the last 3.5 months, but I’m very lucky to be in a position that I am not doing too bad financially (although I do have to watch way more on my spending). Through it all, I am very glad to have all you guys here to talk to. TKH has definitely helped me get through the days. 🙂
My career got put on pause that day. I remember taking to the restaurant owner and realizing we didn’t have a business anymore. The NBA going on hiatus was the canary in the coal mine for luxury dining. The Kings felt pretty remote at that point.
*pushes folding chair back from circle and stands up with hand raised* “Recovering STR reader over here now scratching at the fresh Kings Herald sores. Hey Joe Rogan, you got any of that sweet Kangz commentary?”
Because of course the season where Lose Walton became head coach turned into the longest, most-drawn out one in history.
And it definitely felt that way.
The horror…
L*kers jettison Luke Walton from their team. Win championship.
Vivek, follow the winning model.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
I was pretty sure the NBA bubble would burst. Kudo’s to the league.
I was also pretty sure that this team’s outrage at being disrespected by the league would leave them with egg on their face; it did.
I wished that firing Vlade would have a cathartic influence on my view of this franchise; it didn’t.
I had fun watching the play-off runs of Denver and Miami. I despise the Fakers.
I hope Monte will know what to do, and get the backing he needs from Vivek, Dumars and Matina. I am not holding my breath.
I want to thank the mods and commenters of The Kings Herald to share those great experiences.
Winter is coming.
I thought Otis/Section were me but now I am thinking that RikSmits is part of my brain too!
Translation: I approve your message in its entirety.
I am RikSmits, and I approve this message.
Quick check: what are your first 3 thoughts when you see the below gif?
Rik, what do you think of this? (I had no idea about this until now, trying to find a gif for you):
https://iamnumberfour.fandom.com/wiki/Bernie_Kosar#:~:text=Bernie%20Kosar%20(also%20known%20as,the%20form%20of%20a%20beagle.
I am confused What in the name of Ted Washington’s belly is this?
I have no idea. I tried to find a good Cleveland Browns gif, but apparently younger generations will now know Bernie Kosar as a beagle.
Adam Silver = GOAT
In related news, I was just hired as VP of Culinary Arts for the Sacramento Kings. I will report directly to Vivek, but also advise McNair on basketball/dietary related matters.
“We’re gonna need bigger toilets”
It really is remarkable what the NBA accomplished with this bubble, especially considering that bubble was in Florida, who has handled their COVID responses terribly.
Adam Silver seemed to be ultra cautious in finishing this season when setting up this bubble, but I don’t know if he’s willing to do so next season. He seems hell bent on having fans in the stands, likely getting significant pressure from the managing partners of the teams to make it happen (if possible). But he can’t put the players (and fans) at risk just to do it. Don’t be like other sports (looking at you NFL!).
I’m sure the NBA is closely watching what happens to the NFL right now.
Also a very different fan situation since all the arenas are indoors vs the in-person options at open air NFL stadiums.
The biggest correlation I’ve seen is how much better the NBA/NBPA’s relationship is compared to the NFL/NFLPA. One group worked together to highlight player safety while also investing in better/faster COVID testing methods, and the other group is the NFL/NFLPA.
The NFL is doing it wrong in two ways: they don’t seem to care about player safety (which isn’t surprising in the slightest), and they didn’t alter the schedule to make room for makeup games.
The NBA can not survive if they can not get fans back in the seats ! Most teams bleeding money and the 150 million cost of the bubble can not be continued ! TV ratings in the tank and many so called Billionaire owners are not due to virus and other holdings down the tube ! Check Houston – owner borrowed 350 million to stay afloat ! Golden One needs 200 events per year and has had zero since March ! Season needs to start in January or February with butts in the seats !
If this post had more words in ALL CAPS, I would swear someone more famous wrote it.
If you can convince your death cult to wear masks you might get to see a game in person next year.
I have little sympathy for billionaires that complain about money loss. Especially for Fertitta in Houston (top 5 market in the NBA) who just bought that team a couple years ago. He borrowed $350 million because someone was willing to loan it to him, not because he needed it.
Welcome to the party!
There’s no real good solution here, NBA owners need to deal with the situation just like every business owner. Only difference, is every one of these guys will likely still be a billionaire when we’re on the other side of this.
Question:
Would you attend a Kings game next season with say, 10,000 fans in attendance and mandatory spacing? If not, is there another number you’d be comfortable with?
Not yet. Still taking a “wait and see” approach.
I’d have to think about it. I’m a serious germaphobe and can already move through G1C without touching anything. I think the entrance would be the most stressful part.
I’d go with the full 17 grand if allowed.
17, 317?