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2B Daily News – Thursday, February 23, 2012 Sacramento, NBA close to arena financing deal (AP) — Sacramento's last shot to remain an NBA city appears headed for another overtime. NBA Commissioner David Stern and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced a joint work plan Wednesday for the two sides to reach an agreement to finance a new arena by the March 1 dead- line. Johnson, Stern and the Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, will meet during this weekend's All-Star festivi- ties in Orlando, Fla. If the final details are resolved in time, a term sheet will be announced March 1 and the Sacramento City Council will vote on the plan at its March 6 meeting, possibly avoiding the relocation talk that surrounded the team last spring when it almost moved to Anaheim. ''I feel very confident that we as a city are going to be able to do our part,'' Johnson said at a late afternoon news conference at City Hall with six council members standing behind him. ''The city controls its own des- tiny.'' The major sticking point in negotiations remains how much the Kings will con- tribute. Under the proposed agreement, the city of Sacramento will raise about $190-$230 million by leasing out parking garages to private investors, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information, said another $75-$100 mil- lion is expected from the Kings and $40-$60 million from arena operator AEG. The remaining gap will be covered by some combination of a ticket surcharge, advertising around the arena, allocating a portion of the city's existing transient occu- pancy tax or a sale of three or four parcels of city land. The final price tag for AEG depends largely on the team's contribution. The Kings' portion would include upfront cash — the city had initially asked for $60 million — and donating back the land around the franchise's current suburban Sacramento arena, estimated at about $25 million. AEG's contribution will be impact- ed by the splits with the team in arena-relat- ed revenue. Johnson and Stern still have some dis- agreement on how much, if any, of AEG's portion is included in the Kings' contribu- tion. Major points for the city also include making sure rates don't soar if the garages and street parking are sold to private investors, and getting Sacramento County's agreement to use a parking garage near the arena site. The two sides are making progress and hope to bridge the gap to finance the esti- mated $406 million arena, which would open for the 2015-16 season in the down- town Sacramento rail yards. The Kings nearly moved south to Anaheim last year, twice extending the relocation deadline and struggling to gain approval from league owners. Johnson made a desperate pitch to the NBA Board of Governors last April to give the city a final chance to come up with an arena plan. He also bought time by present- ing more than $10 million in commitments PANDA (Continued from page 1B) bring him down to about 240, then batted .315 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 2011. Playing so much lighter, Sandoval exhibited improved agility on defense and better timing at the plate. He ran the bases with even more gusto than usual. And he made the All-Star team as a late addition, selected by manager Bruce Bochy — the NL skipper based on the team's World Series win in 2010 — sub- bing in as an injury replace- ment. In 2009, Sandoval was one of the last players left off the team by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. ''Kung Fu Panda,'' as he's known, is eager to begin and prove himself again for any of the skeptics out there who spend their time criticizing his ever-changing midsec- tion. ''I have to start getting ready for the season. I've been working hard. I have more muscle mass, I feel great,'' Sandoval said. During FanFest earlier this month, Bochy said San- doval still had some weight to lose to get back to his ideal number heading into the year. ''Pablo looks good,'' Bochy said. ''He is (lighter than Feb. 4 at FanFest). That's important for him and for us. We've still got two or three days here before we crank up those guys, but he's here early getting some work for new advertising, ticket purchases and other financial support from regional busi- nesses for this season. Despite attempts by Anaheim and Seattle to swoop in and lure the Kings, Stern said the league is making every attempt to keep the franchise in California's capital. ''We appreciate the work of the City of Sacramento and (our) discussions have been constructive,'' Stern said in a statement. ''Our hope is that current momentum con- tinues in a way that we're able to reach a deal by March 1 that makes sense for all parties.'' Johnson described the discussions as having ''great momentum,'' but disagreed with Stern on a key point: the portion of the arena cost that should be counted as coming from the Maloofs. Stern said in a TNT inter- view Tuesday that contributions from arena operator AEG should be included as part of the Maloofs' share, but Johnson was adamant that the city hired AEG and the Maloofs' contribution should be considered separately. ''This is where a feisty point guard and the commissioner get into a little bit of a spirited discussion,'' said Johnson, a former All-Star with the Phoenix Suns. He said he last talked to Stern after the city council meeting Tuesday night. Word of the extended arena talks also reached the Kings before the team's game at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. ''It's good for the team and the city, the positive news of today,'' Kings coach Keith Smart said. ''But for the basketball players, their focus is on the game.'' Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof haven't been involved in negotiations. The league is bargaining with Sacramento offi- cials on the franchise's behalf and will pre- sent the final proposal to the team. Joel Litvin, president of league opera- tions, and Harvey Benjamin, executive counsel for business and finance, are the NBA's lead negotiators. Stern also has been receiving updates. The NBA could force the Maloofs into bringing in investment partners or — as a last resort — even sell the team if the own- ers walk away from a plan that has the league's approval. Southern California billionaire Ron Burkle remains interested in buying the Kings. And Christopher Hansen, a hedge- fund manager based in San Francisco and a Seattle native, is also making proposals to bring an NBA team to Seattle — with eyes on the Kings if Sacramento's latest plan col- lapses. The Maloofs insist they're not selling the team. A Kings spokesman said the team is refraining from comment until the NBA and the city complete a proposed plan. At the very least, the latest development shows progress. A year ago, Sacramento ''needed to sink a full court shot'' to keep the Kings from relocating to Anaheim, Johnson said. ''Now I think we're on the free throw line,'' he said. ''Shaquille O'Neal is not shooting the free throws for us. We could go with Steve Nash.'' Asked about his own shooting percent- age, Johnson joked, ''I could sink two if I had to.'' in and that's always a good sign. Feels good, looks good.'' Now, even the tiniest of fans are watching Sandoval's every move. ''Who's that?'' backup catcher candidate Chris Stewart asked 3-year-old son, Sebastian, on Wednes- day in the clubhouse cafete- ria. ''Panda!'' the boy said with glee. ''His favorite player,'' Stewart noted. Sandoval wants nothing more than to establish some consistency again and show that last year was no fluke. In his first full major league season in 2009, the switch hitter demonstrated his potential by hitting .330 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs in 153 games. ''That happens in your career, you have up and down years,'' Sandoval said. ''So, you have to focus and pay more attention to things. Last year was a lesson for me. Now, I know what I can do. Now, I know what I have to do. For me last year was great. It's the kind of season you want to have in your career. I got it and I'm happy to be here again — ready for it to happen again.'' The Giants don't seem worried about their star play- er a year after they helped him learn better eating and training habits while chal- lenging him to improve his fitness and lifestyle or risk being sent to the minor leagues. He shaped up, all right, and saved his job. ''He looks good,'' athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said. ''We will get a weight on him this week. He is get- ting close to where he needs to be.'' Among the latest position players to arrive ahead of Saturday's first full-squad workout was first baseman and left fielder Aubrey Huff, fit and trim after a winter of pilates work — the same routine he did before his stel- lar 2010 season. Huff, never one to be modest, announced he soon would walk through the clubhouse sans clothes so everyone could see his fine offseason work for them- selves. ''Huff Daddy's here!'' Bochy joked as Huff signed autographs, ''playing third base and batting third.'' Huff, rewarded with a $22 million, two-year con- tract in the fall of 2010 after hitting .290 with a team- leading 26 home runs and 86 RBIs for the World Series champions, batted .246 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs last season. Like Sandoval before him, he's the latest player called to task by the team brass. ''I'm coming in with a positive mind frame,'' Huff said. ''Ready to go.'' Notes: Ace Tim Lince- cum will throw a bullpen ses- sion Thursday as long as his stiff back cooperates. He was scratched Tuesday with the back problem, which isn't considered serious for the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner and projected opening day starter. Closer Brian Wilson and LHP reliever Dan Runzler also are slated to pitch bullpens Thursday if all goes well. ... MASTERS (Continued from page 1B) qualifier when he placed third at 132. Orland and Chico dominated the tournament with the Trojans squeak- ing out a 228-217.5 win over the Panthers. Foothill was a distant third. Corning placed ninth with 71 points and Red Bluff was 11th with 67 points. This year will likely be another battle between Orland and Chico for the team competition. Red Bluff and Corning's best shots at an individual state qualifier come at 170 pounds. A look at this year's divisions: 106: Ten of the 16 wrestlers are freshmen, including Corning's Devon Hiller and Los Molinos' Gage Wabs. Hiller opens with the seventh seed Jeremy Coats (West Valley), while Wabs drew Live Oak's Habib Noman, the No. 6 seed. The top seed is Shas- ta's Matt Smull, who was runner-up in the division a year ago. Orland's Hugo Punzo is the No. 2. 113: Red Bluff's Marco Rodriguez opens with the No. 6 seed Haiden Johnson from Gri- dley. Corning's Martin Solano opens with the eighth seed. Foothill's Jaxon Fit- gerald is the No. 1 seed. He was champion at 105 a year ago. Durham's Lucas Gaeth, third a year ago, and Paradise freshman Wyatt Wyckoff could also be factors. 120: What a tough division this is. It can't get any better of a top overall seed then the defending champion, Orland's Hermilio Esquivel ranked by the California Wrestler as tops in the state. Chester's Clayton Buchanan and Foothill's Zeke Andrade both qualified for state a year ago and they are only the three and four seeds. The second seed went to Trinity's Josh Plotzke. Some how Red Bluff's Fabian Torres and Corn- ing's Elias Vallejo drew around all those land- mines for their first matches. Torres opens against Anderson's Aaron Evett (fifth seed) and Vallejo starts the No. 6 seed from Las Plumas. 126: Matt Boles, who made state a year ago while at Corning, trans- ferred to Durham and is the No. 2 seed in a fairly strong division. The top seed is Chico's Mason Sauseda, runner-up at 121 a year ago. Oroville's Nate McInturf, a fresh- man and Paradise's Blaine Shaw are the three and four seeds. Corning's Nathan Fultz opens with Ander- son's Alex Miller, the sev- NASCAR Daytona 500 Winners 2011 — Trevor Bayne 2010 — Jamie McMurray 2009 — Matt Kenseth 2008 — Ryan Newman 2007 — Kevin Harvick 2006 — Jimmie Johnson 2005 — Jeff Gordon 2004 — Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2003 — Michael Waltrip 2002 — Ward Burton 2001 — Michael Waltrip 2000 — Dale Jarrett 1999 — Jeff Gordon 1998 — Dale Earnhardt 1997 — Jeff Gordon 1996 — Dale Jarrett 1995 — Sterling Marlin 1994 — Sterling Marlin 1993 — Dale Jarrett 1992 — Davey Allison 1991 — Ernie Irvan 1990 — Derrike Cope 1989 — Darrell Waltrip 1988 — Bobby Allison 1987 — Bill Elliott 1986 — Geoff Bodine 1985 — Bill Elliott 1984 — Cale Yarborough 1983 — Cale Yarborough 1982 — Bobby Allison 1981 — Richard Petty 1980 — Buddy Baker 1979 — Richard Petty 1978 — Bobby Allison 1977 — Cale Yarborough 1976 — David Pearson 1975 — Benny Parsons 1974 — Richard Petty 1973 — Richard Petty 1972 — A.J. Foyt 1971 — Richard Petty 1970 — Pete Hamilton 1969 — Lee Roy Yarbrough 1968 — Cale Yarborough 1967 — Mario Andretti 1966 — Richard Petty 1965 — Fred Lorenzen 1964 — Richard Petty 1963 — Tiny Lund 1962 — Fireball Roberts 1961 — Marvin Panch 1960 — Junior Johnson 1959 — Lee Petty enth seed from Anderson. 132: Freshman John Leal, from Chester, is the top seed in what appears to be a rather deep divi- sion. Orland's Jimmy Gam- boa is the defending champion and the No. 2 seed. Chico's Jesse Cham- bers, Oroville's Lake Gee and Shasta'a Joseph Hol- comb round out the next three seeds. Gee made state a year ago at 127 and has Corn- ing's Sean Lowe in the first round. Sutter's Alex Ingram could also be worth watching. 138: Pleasant Valley's Derek Tenckoff is ranked 18th in the state and the top seed. Oroville's Michael Ripley qualified for state a year ago at 121 and is No. 2. The third seed is Anderson's Spencer Larsen, also a state- ranked wrestler. Corning's Aiden Nye grabbed the eighth seed, but that means a second round match with Tenck- off awaits. 145: Red Bluff's Kyle Case is the No. 6 seed. Chico's Pang Lee and Orland's Christian Wathen will likely duke it out for the championship. Both made state a year ago and are ranked 12th and 13th in the state. 152: Foothill's Dallas Poston made state a year ago and this year is ranked 10th in California. He opens with Corning's Dakota Henry. Red Bluff's Gabe Rivera is the No. 7 seed and has Los Molinos; Justin Emerson in the first round. Chico's Cordero Rios is a solid No. 2 seed and awaits the winner of that match. 160: Red Bluff's Tuck- er Gulliford drew the top seed in Winters' Trevor Wright, ranked 38th in the state. Chico's Patrick McCampbell and Modoc's Colton Reed will also be factors. 170: Red Bluff and Corning's best chance to produce a state qualifier could be in this division and it could be possible to NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division WL OT Pts GF GA SHARKS 31 20 7 69 170 148 Phoenix 30 21 9 69 157 151 Kings 27 22 12 66 129 135 Dallas 30 26 4 64 155 167 Ducks 25 25 10 60 154 171 Central Division WL OT Pts GF GA Detroit 41 18 2 84 191 141 St. Louis 36 17 7 79 152 121 Nashville 35 19 6 76 168 155 Chicago 33 21 7 73 191 179 Columbus 18 35 7 43 142 198 Northwest Division WL OT Pts GF GA Vancouver 38 16 6 82 195 147 Calgary 28 23 9 65 143 161 Colorado 30 27 4 64 155 169 Minnesota 26 24 9 61 131 154 Edmonton 23 30 6 52 159 178 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division WL OT Pts GF GA N.Y.Rangers 38 15 5 81 161 118 New Jersey 35 20 4 74 168 162 Philadelphia33 19 7 73 198 181 Pittsburgh 34 21 5 73 186 160 N.Y. Islanders25 27 8 58 140 176 Northeast Division WL OT Pts GF GA Boston 36 20 2 74 194 134 Ottawa 32 22 8 72 190 185 Toronto 29 24 7 65 181 184 Buffalo 26 27 7 59 150 176 Montreal 24 27 10 58 160 167 Southeast Division WL OT Pts GF GA Florida 27 20 11 65 144 162 Winnipeg 29 26 7 65 157 175 Washington 29 26 5 63 161 173 Tampa Bay 27 26 6 60 166 197 Carolina 23 26 11 57 158 181 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. —————————————————— Wednesday's results Boston 4, St. Louis 2 Colorado 4, Los Angeles 1 Ottawa 5, Washington 2 Today's games San Jose at Toronto, 4 p.m. Anaheim at Carolina, 4 p.m. Minnesota at Florida, 4:30 p.m. Vancouver at Detroit, 4:30 p.m. St. Louis at Nashville, 5 p.m. Dallas at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Tampa Bay at Winnipeg, 5:30 p.m. Phoenix at Calgary, 6 p.m. Philadelphia at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m. Friday's games Colorado at Columbus, 4 p.m. Montreal at Washington, 4 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at N.Y. Islanders, 4 p.m. Vancouver at New Jersey, 4 p.m. Boston at Buffalo, 4:30 p.m. Minnesota at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Through Feb. 21 NHL Scoring Leaders GP G A PTS Evgeni Malkin, Pit 53 33 40 73 Steven Stamkos, TB 59 42 28 70 Claude Giroux, Phi 55 23 47 70 Jason Spezza, Ott 61 27 38 65 Phil Kessel, Tor 60 31 33 64 Henrik Sedin, Van 60 13 51 64 Joffrey Lupul, Tor 60 23 39 62 Daniel Sedin, Van 59 26 35 61 Ilya Kovalchuk, NJ 54 25 34 59 Jason Pominville, Buf 60 23 36 59 Pavel Datsyuk, Det 59 16 43 59 Jordan Eberle, Edm 55 26 32 58 John Tavares, NYI 60 24 34 58 Marian Hossa, Chi 60 23 35 58 see both school's get a wrestler in. Red Bluff's Bryce Eggert is the No. 2 seed and Corning's Daniel Welborn is on the other side of the bracket as the No. 4 seed. Orland's Tyler Gil is the top seed. The No. 3 seed is Chico's Ted Staiger. 182: Chester's Westley Ruffer is ranked seventh in the state and the top seed. Las Plumas' Jariah Booker was runner-up a year ago at 191 and is ranked 18th in the state. Mark Jorgensen, from Chico, also dropped down after finishing as the run- ner-up at 217. He's the three seed. Corning's Mario Cer- ventes drew a tough oppo- nent in Orland's Luis Her- nandez, the No. 5 seed. 195: Corning's Noah Hall has the No. 6 seed in what could be a wide-pen bracket. Chico's Alex Campos is the top seed. Orland's Jake Funk, the No. 3 seed awaits for Hall in the second round. 220: Defending state champion Austin Lob- singer, from West Valley, is of course the top seed. Corning's Noe Franco is the No.8 seed and would get Lobsinger in his sec- ond match. 285: West Valley's other top notch heavy- weight is Scott Nelson. Last year he was the run- ner-up and this year he is ranked No. 10 in the state. Challenging for the state qualifiers will be Durham's Garrett Southam, Orland's Victor Raigoza and Chico's Max Bristow. NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division Clippers Lakers WL Pct GB 19 11 .633 — 19 13 .594 1 WARRIORS 13 17 .433 6 Phoenix KINGS 14 20 .412 7 11 22 .333 9.5 Southwest Division WL Pct GB San Antonio 23 10 .697 — Dallas Houston Memphis 21 12 .636 2 20 14 .588 3.5 19 15 .559 4.5 New Orleans 8 25 .242 15 Northwest Division WL Pct GB Oklahoma City 26 7 .788 — Denver Portland 18 15 .545 8 18 16 .529 8.5 Minnesota 17 17 .500 9.5 Utah 15 17 .469 10.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Philadelphia 20 14 .588 — New York Boston Toronto Miami WL Pct GB 17 17 .500 3 15 17 .469 4 10 23 .303 9.5 New Jersey 10 25 .286 10.5 Southeast Division WL Pct GB 26 7 .788 — 22 12 .647 4.5 19 14 .576 7 Orlando Atlanta Washington 7 26 .212 19 Charlotte Central Division Chicago Indiana 27 8 .771 — 21 12 .636 5 Cleveland 13 18 .419 12 Milwaukee 13 20 .394 13 Detroit 11 24 .314 16 —————————————————— Wednesday's results Golden State 106, Phoenix 104 Sacramento 115,Washington 107 Chicago 110, Milwaukee 91 Houston 93, Philadelphia 87 Indiana 102, Charlotte 88 Minnesota 100, Utah 98 New Orleans 89, Cleveland 84 New York 99, Atlanta 82 Oklahoma City 119, Boston 104 Orlando 108, New Jersey 91 Toronto 103, Detroit 93 Denver at L.A. Clippers, late L.A. Lakers at Dallas, late Today's games New York at Miami, 4 p.m. Orlando at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m. San Antonio at Denver, 6 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m. NBA Leaders Through Feb. 21 Scoring GFG FT PTS AVG Bryant, LAL 32 340 202 927 29.0 Durant, OKC 32 322 189 887 27.7 James, MIA 32 319 219 883 27.6 Love, MIN 31 255 230 789 25.5 Westbrook, OK 32 286 153 749 23.4 Ellis, GOL 28 229 129 625 22.3 Aldridge, POR 32 289 134 713 22.3 D. Williams, NJ 33 245 165 733 22.2 Griffin, LAC 30 261 113 636 21.2 Howard, ORL 33 244 182 670 20.3 Parker, SAN 32 236 145 623 19.5 Nowitzki, DAL 29 205 128 562 19.4 Lee, GOL 28 223 91 537 19.2 Jefferson, UTA 28 234 68 536 19.1 Gay, MEM 34 261 92 642 18.9 Irving, CLE 27 187 94 502 18.6 Jennings, MIL 32 217 84 586 18.3 Bosh, MIA 33 230 135 602 18.2 Granger, IND 30 180 128 546 18.2 Martin, HOU 31 188 120 560 18.1 Rebounds G OFFDEF TOT AVG Howard, ORL 33 117 388 505 15.3 Love, MIN 31 129 310 439 14.2 Bynum, LAL 28 96 261 357 12.8 Griffin, LAC 30 99 241 340 11.3 Cousins, SAC 31 136 211 347 11.2 Gasol, LAL 32 100 243 343 10.7 Humphries, NJ 32 123 214 337 10.5 Gortat, PHX 33 85 255 340 10.3 Gasol, MEM 34 73 269 342 10.1 Lee, GOL 28 95 186 281 10.0 Assists G ASTAVG Nash, PHX 30 330 11.0 Rondo, BOS 22 210 9.5 Calderon, TOR 32 280 8.8 Paul, LAC 25 214 8.6 Rubio, MIN 33 278 8.4 D. Williams, NJ 33 270 8.2 Parker, SAN 32 254 7.9 Lowry, HOU 31 239 7.7 Rose, CHI 24 185 7.7 Wall, WAS 32 240 7.5 4 28 .125 21.5 WL Pct GB