Kings to…Virginia Beach?!?

Apparently determined to leave the small-market confines of Sacramento, the Maloof family is exploring moving the Kings to an even smaller destination: Virginia Beach, which ranks below the California state capital as part of the Hampton Roads designated market area on most lists.

So says the , which reports that the Maloofs and officials from Comcast, the Philadelphia-based media giant, are expected to be in town next week to propose moving the Kings cross country. The Maloofs would supply the team, Comcast would build help build and lease a new arena, and Sacramento would be unceremoniously dumped after a deal to keep the team died a this spring.

It would be a bizarre pairing to say the least, especially with so many larger cities either in the process of building arenas (Seattle) or with ones already in place (Kansas City, Anaheim). Indeed, are already putting the kibosh on it.

No matter where the Kings end up, or even if they stay put, it’s times like this that Spurs fans should give major thanks that their team, despite San Antonio’s lack of market clout, has developed into such a strong, successful franchise over the years. Indeed, the Spurs have been so ridiculously consistent — 13 straight 50-win seasons, playoff appearances in 35 of 39 seasons in San Antonio — it’s only natural that even die-hards would take it for granted.

For anyone who does, just keep a close eye on what’s going down in Sacramento, where the fans have largely done their part but could end up with nothing but ugly t-shirts and memories of more bad basketball (10 playoff appearances in 28 seasons) than anybody should be subjected to.

San Antonio Spurs playoff history

NBA Playoff appearances: 32 NBA Overall playoff record: 177-140 (.558)

NBA Championships: 4 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007)

Year by year playoff record

* prior to 1985, there were three playoff rounds
* from 1985-present, there are four playoff rounds
* from 1985-2002, the first round was best-of-five

2012 – 4-0 (1.000)
Def. Utah 4-0 – (W, W, W, W)
vs. Clippers – (Series begins Tuesday)

2011 – 2-4 (.333)
Lost to Memphis 4-2 (L, W, L, L, W, L)

2010 – 4-6 (.400)
Def. Dallas 4-2 – (L, W, W, W, L, W)
Lost to Phoenix 4-0 – (L, L, L, L)

2009 – 1-4 (.200)
Lost to Dallas 1-4 – (L, W, L, L, L)

2008 – 9-8 (.529)
Def. Phoenix 4-1 – (W, W, W, L, W)
Def. New Orleans 4-3 – (L, L, W, W, L, W, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers 4-1 – (L, L, W, L, L)

2007 – 16-4 (.800)
Def. Denver 4-1 – (L, W, W, W, W)
Def. Phoenix 4-2 – (W, L, W, L, W, W)
Def. Utah 4-1 – (W, W, L, W, W)
Def. Cleveland 4-0 – (W, W, W, W)

2006 – 7-6 (.538)
Def. Sacramento 4-2 – (W, W, L, L, W, W)
Lost to Dallas 4-3 – (W, L, L, L, W, W, L)

2005 – 16-7 (.696)
Def. Denver 4-1 – (L, W, W, W, W)
Def. Seattle 4-2 – (W, W, L, L, W, W)
Def. Phoenix 4-1 – (W, W, W, L, W)
Def. Detroit 4-3 – (W, W, L, L, W, L, W)

2004 – 6-4 (.857)
Def. Memphis, 4-0 – (W, W, W, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-2 – (W, W, L, L, L, L)

2003 – 16-8 (.667)
Def. Phoenix, 4-2 – (L, W, W, L, W, W)
Def. L.A. Lakers, 4-2 – (W, W, L, L, W, W)
Def. Dallas 4-2 – (L, W, W, W, L, W)
Def. New Jersey, 4-2 – (W, L, W, L, W, W)

2002 – 4-6 (.400)
Def. Seattle, 3-2 – (W, L, W, L, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-1 – (L, W, L, L, L)

2001 – 7-6 (.538)
Def. Minnesota, 3-1 – (W, W, L, W)
Def. Dallas, 4-1 – (W, W, W, L, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-0 – (L, L, L, L)

2000 – 1-3 (.250)
Lost to Phoenix, 3-1 – (L, W, L, L)

1999 – 15-2 (.882)
Def. Minnesota, 3-1 – (W, L, W, W)
Def. L.A. Lakers, 4-0 – (W, W, W, W)
Def. Portland, 4-0 – (W, W, W, W)
Def. New York, 4-1 – (W, W, L, W, W)

1998 – 4-5 (.444)
Def. Phoenix, 3-1 – (W, L, W, W)
Lost to Utah, 4-1 – (L, L, W, L, L)

1996 – 5-5 (.500)
Def. Phoenix, 3-1 – (W, W, L, W)
Lost to Utah, 4-2 – (L, W, L, L, W, L)

1995 – 9-6 (.600)
Def. Denver, 3-0 – (W, W, W)
Def. L.A. Lakers, 4-2 – (W, W, L, W, L, W)
Lost to Houston, 4-2 – (L, L, W, W, L, L)

1994 – 1-3 (.250)
Lost to Utah, 3-1 – (W, L, L, L)

1993 – 5-5 (.500)
Def. Portland, 3-1 – (W, L, W, W)
Lost to Phoenix, 4-2 – (L, L, W, W, L, L)

1992 – 0-3 (.000)
Lost to Phoenix, 3-0 – (L, L, L)

1991 – 1-3 (.250)
Lost to Golden St., 3-1 – (W, L, L, L)

1990 – 6-4 (.600)
Def. Denver, 3-0 – (W, W, W)
Lost to Portland, 4-3 – (L, L, W, W, L, W, L)

1988 – 0-3 (.000)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 3-0 – (L, L, L)

1986 – 0-3 (.000)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 3-0 – (L, L, L)

1985 – 2-3 (.400)
Lost to Denver, 3-2 – (L, W, L, W, L)

1983 – 6-5 (.545)
Def. Denver, 4-1 – (W, W, W, L, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-2 – (L, W, L, L, W, L)

1982 – 4-5 (.444)
Def. Seattle, 4-1 – (W, L, W, W, W)
Lost to L.A. Lakers, 4-0 – (L, L, L, L)

1981 – 3-4 (.429)
Lost to Houston, 4-3 – (L, W, L, W, L, W, L)

1980 – 1-2 (.333)
Lost to Houston, 2-1 – (L, W, L)

1979 – 7-7 (.500)
Def. Philadelphia, 4-3 – (W, W, L, W, L, L, W)
Lost to Washington, 4-3 – (W, L, W, W, L, L, L)

1978 – 2-4 (.333)
Lost to Wash., 4-2 – (W, L, L, L, W, L)

1977 – 0-2 (.000)
Lost to Boston, 2-0 – (L, L)

No bad actor: Griffin refutes Cousins’ claims with monster game

Blake Griffin was ready Saturday night with a retort for DeMarcus Cousins’ claims about his acting ability.

The Clippers’ power forward answered on the court, notching 27 points and 14 rebounds to lead his team to a 109-94 victory over Sacramento that pulled them within a half-game of the Pacific Division lead.

Earlier in the week, Cousins accused Griffin of being “an actor” who should be at home in Hollywood. Cousins was fined $25,000 by the league after claiming that referees treat Griffin differently than other players in the league.

Griffin provided an assortment of highlight-reel dunks over Cousins in a monster game in the Clippers’ eighth victory in their last nine games.

“I mean this in the nicest possible way, you have to consider the source,”Griffin told the Associated Press. “If this is somebody that really has been in this league a long time and really knows the ins and outs of the game, and he … has a great reputation for carrying himself the right way, that’s something that I would look at and go, `I really rubbed this guy the wrong way.’ But something like that, you just keep going.”

Cousins, who added 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for the Kings, didn’t repeat his claims after the game.

“I’m trying to stay low and just sticking to playing basketball,” Cousins told the AP. “I’m in enough trouble as it is.… It’s not a (personal) rivalry. We’re just playing ball. They’re a playoff team and we’re not, so it’s not much of a rivalry.” 

Big nights by Griffin and teammate Chris Paul (19 points, 15 assists, seven steals, five rebounds) placed them on top of Saturday’s Studs and Duds for the NBA’s top performers.

STUDS

Los Angeles Clippers F Blake Griffin: Erupted for 27 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and was plus-23 in the Clippers’ victory over Sacramento.  

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Filled the stat sheet for 19 points, 15 assists, seven steals, five rebounds and was plus-11 in the Clippers’ victory over Sacramento.

New Orleans F Jason Smith: Notched 26 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and was plus-4 in the Hornets’ triumph over Minnesota.

New Orleans C Chris Kaman: Went for 21 points on 9-for-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, four blocks,  four assists and was plus-15 in the Hornets’ victory over Minnesota.

Orlando C Dwight Howard: Overcame a struggling 4-for-14 shooting effort to post 20 points, 22 rebounds, six assists and two blocks and was plus-15 in the Magic’s victory at Philadelphia. It was his ninth 20-20 game this season and 46th of his career, including the playoffs. 

Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Went for 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in the Lakers’ loss at Phoenix. 

DUDS

Philadelphia G Jrue Holliday: Went 2 of 9 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-13 in the Sixers’ loss to Orlando.

Denver F Jordan Hamilton: The rookie from Texas clanked all seven of his shots, had a turnover and was minus-8 in the Nuggets’ loss at Golden State.

Indiana G George Hill: The former Spur misfired on all six of his shots and was minus-7 in the Pacers’ loss at Boston.

Boston F Brandon Bass: Missed all six shots from the field, had a turnover and was minus-1 in the Celtics’ victory over Indiana.

Orlando G Jameer Nelson: Clanked through a 2-for-12 shooting effort with three turnovers in the Magic’s victory over Philadelphia.