The Bee has a big story on the importance of the Feb. 27 Cal Expo presentation, in which the NBA and Cal Expo personnel will present to the Maloofs a detailed plan of how the plan would be funded, developed, and what sort of public assets (if any) will be needed.

That's encouraging — something we have waited for a long time now. These passages are less encouraging.

Given that the Cal Expo presentation comes two days before the relocation application deadline, I think we'll be safe for next year. Even if the plan is bad, these things always come with a few weeks of euphoria.

But given that the dates are so close together, the Maloofs could submit their application early. Before the presentation. Call it protecting themselves in case the plan is unworkable. That's the scary part — because from there the line between self-defense and screwing your fanbase is blurred and easily crossed.