It's hard to do: we've reached our breaking point—it's time for those lovable Sacramento Kings to commit to a championship

Basketball Digest, May-June, 2004 by Brett Ballantini

YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR LIMits. To that end, we've penned this letter and are sending it to those special someones in our life, so that we can all move on:

FROM: BASKETBALL DIGEST

TO: Joe Maloof; Gavin Maloof

CC: Geoff, Rick, Chris, Peja, Mike Vlade, Doug, Bobby

SUBJ: The future of our relationship

We'll be honest. We were swept off our feet almost from the moment in 1999 that Chris Webber starting making that beautiful music out there with Vlade Divac, Jason Williams, and Peja Stojakovic. It was a whirlwind romance. We're suckers for the artsy types, and your uptempo game was such a contrast to the fat, lazy, mean NBA. You stole our hearts away.

We like brains too, and your Princeton offense was right up our alley. A thinking man's offense, helmed by none other than the legendary Pete Carril? Basketball doesn't get any better than that.

Of course, we've had to weather change together. Assistant coach Byron Scott flew off to New Jersey, where he made the Nets just a bit prettier by spreading the motion offense back East. And Williams, the lovable lil' rascal of a point guard, was shipped to the Memphis Grizzlies. But we ended up Calling hard for Mike Bibby--so much that we pinned him up on our cover even after the heartbreak of the 2002 Western finals.

Just think back to those long locker-room talks we had together. Chris spoke to us about Malcolm X. Joe and Gavin preached about how important the fans were. Peja snuck around hoping not to be seen as one of the very best players in the game.

We were swooning so much we even developed our own little pet name for you: "Sacto." Sure, we got teased for it, but still, it felt right.

Well, Sacto, the time has come to say enough is enough. We're starting to think that you're leading us on, what with your successive postseason letdowns and untimely injuries. It's hard to say this, but just at the time we hoped you would shine under the bright lights of NBC, ESPN, and ABC, you choked.

Two years ago you had the Los Angeles Lakers pinned. We know that crazy rebound bouncing out to Robert Horry turned your 3-1 lead back to a 2-2 deadlock But you played Game 7 in front of your cowbell-clanging crazies and acted like you were visiting a mausoleum. You really scared us that day, with your glazed expressions and passionless play. It was like you just didn't care anymore.

Last year's loss to the Dallas Mavericks was difficult, yes. We expected more, but C-Webb's busted knee made the disappointment less of a shocker.

Is this some kind of tough love? Are you testing our devotion? This season you've kept teasing us, posting the best record in the NBA even without the man who first stirred us, Webber. Are we supposed to believe that this time it's for real, that you won't let us down? When that big, bad Shaquille O'Neal growls, you will defend yourselves?

We have to put our foot down. This can't go on any longer, us batting our eyes and calling you champs, when you won't come through for us. Just look at all the covers we've compiled over these few, sweet years. We're starting to think that it might be best for us to part ways.

Sacto, you have to commit to winning. Now. This is your year. You can't keep playing with us. It's not right. This isn't easy, believe us. But if you can't win it all this year, we're going to have to say goodbye.

BASKETBALL DIGEST'S Postseason Picks

Eastern Conference Finals: Detroit Pistons over New Jersey Nets (in seven games)

Western Conference Finals: Sacramento Kings over Minnesota Timberwolves (in six games)

NBA Finals: Kings ever Pistons (in six games)

NBA Finals MVP: Peja Stojakovic