The highly publicized situation in Sacramento between the city and the Kings has been one of the most talked about issues in the NBA this season. Many have speculated on whether or not Joe and Gavin Maloof will move their franchise from the state capital down to Anaheim.
The Kings are in dire financial straits, and owe the city of Sacramento millions of dollars. Prior to Game 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round series with the New Orleans Hornets head coach Phil Jackson was asked about the situation surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier that week Major League Baseball had seized control of the Dodgers from owner Frank McCourt, citing his financial problems and repeated tendencies to go against commissioner Bud Selig.
Jackson’s response was brief, yet he compared the Dodgers’ issues to those of the Kings and the Maloofs. Now it appears that the Maloofs are looking to silence Jackson with a court order that would prevent him from being able to speak more on the situation. Lakers owner Jerry Buss has also voiced his opinions of the possible relocation, and is on record as stating he feels the Kings should not move to Southern California.
Whether the Kings are able to silence Jackson is yet to be seen, but the steps they are taking to do so are certainly intriguing. The story was first broken by Janis Carr of the Orange County Register, who claimed that the Maloof’s lawyers came to her house looking for audio evidence of Jackson’s comments. For the complete story and Carr’s first hand account of the situation, check out the Register.
