Right now fans in Sacramento are in an admirable position. After dipping into a valley of disappointment for the past decade, the city's only professional sports franchise is currently undergoing a rebirth. They're young, exciting, financially in the green and have potential bursting at the seams.
Through thick and thin there have been six head coaches, a string of franchise players connecting one group to the next, heavy contention and disappointing failure; through it all one man has been the organization's majestic puppet master.
When Geoff Petrie took over as president of basketball operations for the Sacramento Kings in the mid-90s, they were a who's who of nobodies. Fresh off a move from Kansas City to California, the Kings were in the midst of what would eventually become nine straight seasons with zero playoff berths.
He's in the same seat 16 years later, bridging one successful period 10 years ago with a hopeful one today. What separates this man from the rest? How is it he's able to find water in a drought? The answer somewhat lies in a simple answer he gave on the night before the 2009 draft.
"Whatever happens in this draft tomorrow, there is not going to be any absolute truth - only some people will say there is. The absolute truth will come down the road, when the truth becomes more self-evident."
You wouldn't find fear in that statement with the world's most powerful black light; it reeks of boldness and honesty at the same time. It also reveals a man who isn't on the same level as most of his colleagues.
Geoff Petrie is a risk taker in a line of work that chews up uncertainty and mercilessly spits it out. His doings in the draft would give most of his peers I.B.S. There's Jason Williams aka White Chocolate, who was taken over future hall of fame talents Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitski, top 10 scorer Kevin Martin out of Western Carolina University and Rider University's Jason Thompson who went 12th overall.
The list goes on and on and on, but nothing was more impressive than his gut instinct call in this past year's draft. By moving Ron Artest along with Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr., Petrie managed to acquire fan favorite Bobby Jackson, the gifted Donte Green and a first round selection.
First round picks for Geoff Petrie are like struggling air line companies to Gordon Gecko; he takes advantage and makes a profit no matter what. With that 23rd overall pick, Israeli born Omri Casspi packed his bags and moved half way across the world. Just 21 years old, he's currently one of the most impressive rookies in the league and the first Israeili born player in NBA history.
We all know about Tyreke Evans, the draft's fourth overall selection, whose name has echoed in our ears since Calipari christened him more athletic than Derrick Rose. By picking him over the internationally trendy Ricky Rubio, Petrie was once again making a decision that could cost him his job. Instead he received a three year extension.
Right now the Kings are not just spectacularly entertaining but involved in the art of winning. Similar to the movements in Oklahoma City and Memphis, their young chips are gaining valuable experience playing alongside one another in an exciting pressure free environment. Donte Green, Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, Jon Brockman, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are all improving on a nightly basis, carving their own niche's as they fit into Petrie's foreseen roles.
The longest tenured general manager in the league has dozens of options in front of him. As they stand today this roster is economically compact and ready to brave the cold salary cap/luxury taxing days ahead. Over $22 million dollars is expected to come off the books next season and with all those previously mentioned assets in his possession, Petrie has put the Kings organization in a position to succeed in the here and now as well as the future.
Basketball fans who currently reside in northern California take off your seatbelts. The bumpy road is behind you and what lies ahead is smoothly paved and headed towards a consistently sold out Arco Arena. As was said in the opening line of this piece, you guys are in a fine position. However, the jealousy which fills the collective hearts of other fan bases is miniscule compared to that which opposing executives have for Geoff Petrie. Nobodies future looks better than his.