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2B Daily News – Thursday, March 28, 2013 SACRAMENTO KINGS NBA Sacramento council approves arena deal SACRAMENTO (AP) — With the clock clicking down, the Sacramento City Council took its last shot at keeping the NBA Kings in California's capital by approving a public-private deal Tuesday to build a new 18,500-seat arena and retail center downtown. Approval of the arena was the last step in what has been a full court press by Mayor Kevin Johnson to keep the city's only major league sports team from bolting to Seattle, where a new ownership group and arena deal awaits. He now must convince NBA owners to block the Maloof family from initiating the move, a deal made public in January. Since then, the mayor, himself a former NBA All-Star, has scrambled to assemble a group to buy the team, convince Commissioner David Stern to consider a counter offer, and get approval for the financial deal that would build a $448 million arena on the site of a shopping mall — a development many say will revitalize a problem area in its bustling city core. Next week, Johnson will present the arena plan and purchase offer to an NBA committee. The following week, the NBA Board of Governors will vote on whether the team can be sold, and whether it will stay or move. ''We want the folks of Seattle to get a team, we wish them well, but we want to keep what's ours,'' Johnson said after the 7-2 vote to approve the arena. ''We're going to New York to talk about the viability of this market and the love affair we've had with our team.'' The Sacramento investment group includes Silicon Valley software tycoon Vivek Ranadive, 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov and billionaire Ron Burkle, coowner of the NHL's Pittsburg Penguins. Johnson announced late Monday that Paul Jacobs, CEO of the international technology company Qualcomm, also agreed to become part of the Sacramento bid. ''We have four billionaires who have said that Sacramento is worthy. It's been a long time since people have validated us in this way,'' said city councilmember Steve Hansen, who voted in favor of the deal. The NBA has said the aging Sleep Train Arena in the suburbs four miles north of downtown no longer is adequate. ''We're in competition to keep the Sacramento Kings from being taken away from us,'' said City Manager John Shirley as he began outlining the arena plan for council members. ''We've known all along that we need to present the NBA a first-rate, quality place for them to play.'' The Seattle group, led by hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, has had a deal to acquire a 65 percent stake in the team for $341 million. The Chamber of Commerce, labor groups and fans lined up to speak in favor of the arena deal, stretching the meeting late into the night. They said keeping the Kings saves 800 jobs and creates 6,500 more during the construction and downtown revitalization process. The plan was opposed by several groups and speakers, some of whom asked the council to take more time to study whether the deal is good for the city. City officials reached a preliminary arena agreement Saturday with the investment group, but the late negotiations left little time for community members to study the proposal before the vote. ''Mr. Mayor, your attempts to pull off an upset win could adversely affect this community for decades,'' said attorney and professed Kings fan Jeffrey Anderson, who asked the council to put the plan before voters or he would file a lawsuit to stop it. Other speakers said the timing of the deal is ironic given that nearby Stockton is in bankruptcy court after overextending itself with debt, including a minor-league hockey arena. Development partners compared their vision of a downtown arena to other projects that have revitalized urban areas such as the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the new Barclays Center where the Nets began play in Brooklyn this season. Architect AECOM, tapped to build a new Kings arena, recently completed the Barclays venue. ''I have a lot of faith in this site. It's nothing short of world class,'' said AECOM's Bill Crockett. The arena will be built on the west end of city center on the site of the Downtown Plaza, an aging mall that has lost more than half of its sales revenue in the last 10 years as stores have moved to the suburbs. It's just blocks from Interstate 5, a short walk from Amtrak and sits at a gateway to downtown and the city of 475,000. The city's share is $258 million, the bulk of which would come from event parking collections and ticket surcharges. Nearly all of the city's parking lots are used by government workers who vacate downtown after 5 p.m. The city would own the arena. The investment group will contribute $189 million to the arena construction and would be responsible for all capital improvements. The 18,500-seat downtown arena also could host hockey, concerts and family entertainment. The development would include 475,000 in office space, 300,000 in retail space, 250 hotel rooms and 600 housing units. The arena term sheet includes a 35-year non-relocation agreement with two five-year extensions that would keep the Kings in the city until the last quarter of the century. STREAK this one. For the better part of two months, they were the NBA's comeback kings. They erased seven double-digit deficits during the streak. They found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter 11 times, and won them all. Not Wednesday. And when they walked off the floor in Chicago, they were not happy. Faces were stoic as the Heat trudged toward the locker room. James turned and glared at one fan who grabbed at his head. Meanwhile, the Bulls whooped and slapped hands with anyone they could reach, with some acknowledging that being the team that snapped the streak meant plenty. Spartans' Cory Twitchell took care of Kao Saeteurn 6-0, 6-0. And Red Bluff's Garrett Ward beat Eric James 6-2, 6-2. The only match to go three sets on the day was also the only match Red Bluff would drop. The Spartans' Arif Selvitopu, after winning his first set 6-3 against Steven Stampfli, would drop the next two 4-6, 2- 6. (Continued from page 1B) that saw the MVP even collect a flagrant foul. The Heat hadn't lost since the Pacers beat them in Indianapolis on Feb. 1. But after grinding out some close wins lately, including a rally from 27 down in Cleveland, they simply came up short down the stretch in WIN (Continued from page 1B) Red Bluff senior CJ Varner, on court two, cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win against Uriel NievesCruz. And on court four, Curtis Twitchell gave up just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 win over David Nieves-Cruz. At No. 5 singles, the streak in the history of American major pro sports, behind only the Lakers. And some of those who helped that 33-game run become reality were openly cheering for the Heat as Miami's streak rolled along, with Jerry West among those saying that he believed the reigning champions had a real It will go down as the shot at pulling the feat second-longest winning off. "Thunder and CJ continue to play good tennis," Red Bluff coach Stan Twitchell said, "and our lower ladder is improving." Shaffer and Varner teamed up to beat Wilcox and Saeteurn 10-2 in doubles play. The Twitchell brothers downed Uriel Nieves-Cruz and Stampli, 10-2, and Ward and Jay Boone teamed up to beat James and Zach Stinger 8-0. The Spartans are back in action at 3 p.m. today against Enterprise at Red Bluff High School. ——— Sports Editor Andre Byik can be reached at 5272151, ext. 111 or at spor ts@redbluffdailynews.com. Connect with him on Twitter: @TehamaSports World Peace out 6 weeks MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers' push for the playoffs just got a whole lot tougher. Lakers forward Metta World Peace, the team's best perimeter defender, is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He'll miss a minimum of six weeks, the team announced Wednesday. That means that even if the Lakers get into the playoffs — they're in eighth place in the West, just a game ahead of Utah and Dallas for the final spot — he'd be sidelined for at least the first round and probably more. Losing World Peace, who had been their most durable player, was the latest in a long line of injuries for a team that started the season with championship aspirations but just hasn't been able to sustain any stretch of health or success. Dwight Howard (back and shoulder), Pau Gasol (foot), Kobe Bryant (ankle, wrist), Steve Nash (knee) and Jordan Hill (hip) have all missed significant time or had to play through injuries this season. Now add World Peace, who is averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds and, more importantly, was the one player on the roster who could be counted on to play some tough defense on the opposing swingmen. His physical nature and never-back-down mentality was essential for a team that has often struggled on that end of the floor. Only six teams have allowed more points this season than the Lakers, who were also 15th in opponent's field goal percentage. ''I was hurt because Metta, he's been strong all year,'' Howard said at the team's shootaround on Wednesday morning. ''He hasn't really had that many problems and then he gets hit with a serious injury. It just seems like all year when somebody comes out (off the injured list), somebody does down. So, it's kind of tough and to see Metta go down, it kind of hurt.'' Coach Mike D'Antoni said Jodie Meeks would get the start in World Peace's place on Wednesday night against the Timberwolves, who have lost 21 straight to the Lakers. That means that Bryant will have to play small forward on defense, which will likely mean more wear and tear on a 34-year-old body that already has plenty of bumps and bruises. World Peace's injury may cause Bryant to reinvent himself yet again this season. Earlier in the year when Nash was out and the Lakers were struggling to move the ball, Bryant made an effort to get his teammates more involved at the expense of his own scoring. Now Bryant, whose days as an elite on-the-ball defender appear to be waning, may have to focus more on that end of the floor to compensate for the loss of World Peace, all while playing on a badly sprained left ankle. ''Don't tell me how rough the water is. Just bring the boat in,'' Bryant tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. ''Mambaism(equals)No excuses.'' World Peace was injured in the second quarter of a game against Golden State on Monday, staying in the locker room in the second half of what turned out to be the Lakers' third straight loss. They have 11 games remaining, including tough ones against Dallas, Memphis, the Clippers, Golden State and San Antonio. ''We just can't seem to get any traction,'' D'Antoni said at shootaround. ''But, besides that, nobody is feeling sorry for us, and we got plenty (of talent) to win anyway. So let's just do what we're supposed to do and go out and play as hard as we can and see what happens.'' NHL NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE GP W Anaheim L OT Pts GF GA 32 22 6 4 48 104 83 Los Angeles32 18 12 2 38 93 80 San Jose 6 34 76 82 31 14 11 Dallas 32 15 14 3 33 87 97 Phoenix 33 13 15 5 31 (Continued from page 1B) spring. ''I hope he hits another one before the All-Star break,'' Bumgarner deadpanned. That's the kind of loose, confident attitude the Giants take into their season opening series next week against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. ''It was a different spring with the WBC (World Baseball Classic),'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, ''but the boys are ready to get back home and get the season started. ... You get to the last 10 days guys are getting a little eager to get going. That's where they've been lately.'' Alfredo Marte, also in a competition to make the opening day squad, and Nick Ahmed homered for Arizona, playing its final spring training home game at Salt River Fields. Arizona reliever Heath Bell gave up a two-run homer to Francisco Peguero and Belt's solo shot in the fifth. Ahmed hit a solo homer off Bumgarner in the second. Bumgarner makes his first start of the regular season Tuesday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Matt Cain is San Fran- cisco's opening day starter at Dodger Stadium on Monday. Bumgarner, who finished the spring 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA, seemed less than thrilled with his outing, saying it was all right ''except for leaving some balls over the middle.'' ''I just kind got lazy and lost a little bit of focus and they did what they're supposed to do with it,'' he said. Bochy said his left-hander was too harsh in his self-assessment. ''He's demanding of himself but that was a pretty good game,'' Bochy said. ''Here in the Cactus League in this park, the ball was flying, that was a pretty good game.'' Arizona's Nelson Figueroa, the winning pitcher when Puerto Rico eliminated the United States in the World Baseball Classic, allowed four runs on six hits in four innings. Probably headed for a minor league assignment at Triple-A Reno, Figueroa struck out four without a walk but had a wild pitch. Pence hit his third home run of the spring with a two-out solo shot to left in the third. Guillermo Quiroz drove in two runs with a double and sacrifice fly for the Giants. Northwest GP W L OT Pts GF GA Minnesota 32 20 10 2 42 Vancouver 33 18 9 6 42 90 78 88 85 7 31 77 91 Calgary 31 12 15 4 28 85 105 Colorado 31 11 16 4 26 79 100 Central GP W L OT Pts GF GA A'S (Continued from page 1B) waivers from Houston on Saturday, hit a two-run double off Chacin to put the A's ahead 6-5 with two outs in the fifth. The ball went off the glove of Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler. Fowler hit two home runs to lead off the first with a little more intensity (against the Giants), and then the season starts.'' It was the final spring game in Arizona for the A's, who meet the rival San Francisco Giants for three exhibition games in the Bay Area starting Thursday. The Rockies wrap things up Thursday at home in Scottsdale against the Milwaukee Brewers. x-Thunder x-Denver Utah Portland Minnesota L 23 31 35 46 49 Pct GB .681 — .569 8 .514 12 .352 23.5 .319 26 W 54 47 39 35 25 L 17 24 32 36 47 Pct GB .761 — .662 7 .549 15 .493 19 .347 29.5 W 53 49 36 33 25 L 19 24 36 37 45 Pct .736 .671 .500 .471 .357 GB — 4.5 17 19 27 32 25 4 3 53 108 71 Detroit 33 17 11 5 39 90 83 EASTERN CONFERENCE St. Louis 32 17 13 2 36 92 89 Atlantic Nashville 33 14 13 6 34 83 88 Columbus 33 13 13 7 33 75 86 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic GP W Pittsburgh L 0 52 117 84 New Jersey 33 15 11 7 37 82 89 Rangers 32 16 13 3 35 78 78 Islanders 33 15 15 3 33 96 107 Philadelphia32 13 17 2 28 84 99 Northeast GP W L OT Pts GF GA Montreal 33 21 7 5 47 104 83 Boston 32 21 7 4 46 94 72 Ottawa 33 18 9 6 42 86 72 Toronto 34 18 12 4 40 102 97 Buffalo 33 13 16 4 30 87 102 Southeast GP W L x-New York x-Brooklyn Boston Philadelphia Toronto Central OT Pts GF GA 34 26 8 OT Pts GF GA Winnipeg 34 18 14 2 38 Carolina 31 15 14 2 32 88 99 86 90 1 31 94 93 Tampa Bay 33 14 18 got us some quick runs. A lot of our guys are locked in these last few days. It's a good sign.'' The A's finished 6-0-1 over their last seven games, a good sign to manager Bob Melvin. ''We played well at the end. That's what you want,'' he said. ''You want to ramp it up somewhat going into the season. We have three more games x-San Antonio x-Memphis Houston Dallas New Orleans Northwest W 49 41 37 25 23 Chicago Washington 33 15 17 and fifth innings against Oakland starter Jarrod Parker. Chris Nelson also homered off Parker and Troy Tulowitzki went deep against reliever Hideki Okajima. Fowler had three hits, raising his average to .388. Tulowitzki also had three hits to climb to .286. Asked if Fowler is locked in with his hitting approach, Weiss said, ''He x-L.A. Clippers Golden State L.A. Lakers Sacramento Phoenix Southwest 85 94 Edmonton 32 12 13 GIANTS WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Pacific 1 29 105 99 Florida 6 24 34 9 19 80 119 —————————————————— Wednesday's Results Montreal 6, Boston 5, SO Minnesota 4, Phoenix 3, OT Colorado at Calgary, late Anaheim at San Jose, LATE Today's Games Carolina at Toronto, 4 p.m. Winnipeg at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Philadelphia, 4 p.m. Buffalo at Florida, 4:30 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Ottawa, 4:30 p.m. Phoenix at Nashville, 5 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis, 5 p.m. Columbus at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m. Colorado at Vancouver, 7 p.m. Detroit at San Jose, 7:30 p.m. x-Indiana x-Chicago Milwaukee Detroit Cleveland Southeast W 44 41 37 28 26 L 26 29 34 43 45 Pct GB .629 — .586 3 .521 7.5 .394 16.5 .366 18.5 W 45 39 34 24 22 L 27 31 36 48 48 Pct .625 .557 .486 .333 .314 GB — 5 10 21 22 W L Pct GB y-Miami 56 15 .789 — x-Atlanta 40 32 .556 16.5 Washington 26 45 .366 30 Orlando 18 54 .250 38.5 Charlotte 17 54 .239 39 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division —————————————————— Wednesday's Results Boston 93, Cleveland 92 Charlotte 114, Orlando 108 Philadelphia 100, Milwaukee 92 Atlanta 107, Toronto 88 New York 108, Memphis 101 Chicago 101, Miami 97 Indiana 100, Houston 91 L.A. Lakers 120, Minnesota 117 L.A. Clippers 105, New Orleans 91 Oklahoma City 103, Washington 80 San Antonio 100, Denver 99 Utah 103, Phoenix 88 Sacramento at Golden State, LATE Brooklyn at Portland, late Today's Games L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee, 5 p.m. Indiana at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Sacramento at Phoenix, 7 p.m. Friday's Games Washington at Orlando, 4 p.m. Atlanta at Boston, 4:30 p.m. Charlotte at New York, 4:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m. Toronto at Detroit, 4:30 p.m. Houston at Memphis, 5 p.m. Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 5 p.m. Miami at New Orleans, 5 p.m. L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 5:30 p.m. Brooklyn at Denver, 6 p.m. Utah at Portland, 7 p.m.