DoktaKra.com

I've been a Sacramento Kings fan for 15 years, and in a little over three months, I will finally step inside the confines of Arco Arena to see my team play on its home court.  The greatest girlfriend in the world is accompanying me on a trip to Los Angeles to watch the Kings get crushed play hard against the hated-rival Lakers at the Staples Center on January 1, and then take on the Mavericks at home the following night.  I already bought Michelle a purple Kings t-shirt, and the over/under on the amount of money I'll drop at the team shop currently stands at $750.

In the meantime, recently-hired Sacramento head coach Paul Westphal took some time to answer fans' questions on the Kings' Full Court Press Blog, and I was fortunate enough to make it into his mailbag.

 Alex K. As it stands now, the Kings don't have a true backup center behind Spencer Hawes. Do you envision playing more small-ball with Jason Thompson and Sean May at the five this season, or are we likely to see another trade or signing before the season begins?

 paulwestphal Alex-Right now, the way that our roster is constituted, we do not have a lot of tall centers. Spencer Hawes certainly qualifies as a legitimate NBA 7-footer. And Jason Thompson has size. We have Kenny Thomas who had shown us that he also can defend the low post better than anyone else on our roster, but he is a little short to play center. There is also Sean May as an option. Those guys are the primary options to give us some minutes at that position. Whenever Spencer is not at center, then I guess we will be playing small ball, if that is what you want to call it.

So there we have it. As much as the thought of seeing Kenny Thomas play big minutes when I finally make it out to Sac-town horrifies me to no end, at the very least, it beats my last New Year's, when my ex-roommate caught the flu and I stayed home instead of going to a friend's party. Ah, good times.

I was a huge comic book fanatic as a kid.  I'd pick up the latest issues of X-Men and Spiderman every week, read them from cover to cover, and then carefully place them in plastic protectors to keep them in mint condition.  I'd pride myself in knowing every minute detail about Wolverine's past and Cyclops' superpowers, and spent hours drawing my own superheroes and fictional stories.  I dreamed of working for Marvel or DC Comics, and my cousin still tells me I would've made a great animator every time I see her.

My love of comic books slowly started to fade as I became more and more immersed in sports when I reached middle school and started trading basketball cards.  One day, I decided to put my entire comic book collection in the attic, presuming that some time down the line, they'd appreciate in value and pay for my college education (in retrospect, I would've been lucky had they covered half a semester at NYU).  I haven't looked at them since, and can only hope that my parents didn't throw them away after I moved out and shifted my focus towards stalking Candace Parker my financial career.

A couple of months ago, one of my friends, a terrific professional animator who'd previously worked for Nickelodeon, decided to create his own comic book.  He asked if I'd help him with the project, and I was about to tell him that I'd be happy to pitch ideas and could even dig up some of my old drawings.  It turns out, he was looking for something different  -- he wanted me to be the superhero in his story.  I ended up posing for several pictures (not nearly as shady as it sounds, I promise) and he later presented a few comic illustrations to the heads of a well-known studio.

Although most of the details are still under wraps and I'm not allowed to reveal any additional information at this time (the titles have been edited out), I'm proud to present two future comic book covers featuring my likeness.  Keep in mind that he had to, "make [me] look less than flattering given the context of the scene."  I still think I look damn cool, even with a knife pressed up against my throat.  I guess this makes me a hero...

A bird pooped on me as I walked home yesterday, and I took at as a sign.  It was the day of the NBA Draft Lottery, where Sacramento had the best odds of getting on the Blake Griffin Express, and I needed all the luck I could get.  I took my throwback Kings jerseys out of the closet and laid them out across my bed, hoping to create a positive vibe.  But I knew it wasn't happening from the moment I saw Chris Webber's fake smile seconds before the results were announced.  The Kings had a 50% chance of getting one of the first two picks, and ended up drawing number four. 

I didn't want to talk about it today and ignored the NBA headlines.  But when I finally let out my frustration, I made it into the Bill Simmons' ESPN Chat for the third time in my life (see here and here).  Witness my favorite sportswriter crushing my dreams:  

Alex K. (NYC): So a Webber-led Kings team came up short when it mattered most...again. As a Sac fan, it pains me to no end to write this. PLEASE tell me there's hope.

 Bill Simmons: (12:57 PM ET ) (Searching for something positive to say)

Shockingly, I don't feel any better.  Okay, maybe a little...

With both the Mets and Yankees moving to new stadiums next season, it's a time to reminisce on the good times.  I was never a huge fan of either team -- if you don't know, I despise the Yankees -- but I've had my share of fun experiences in each.  They usually had nothing to do with the games themselves...more about the people and the times....

I'll always remember being chased by four security guards at Yankees Stadium back in summer camp.  My friend Jeremy and I didn't care about a meaningless game against the Texas Rangers, so we found other ways to entertain ourselves.  One of us, probably me, thought it would be a good idea to fill cardboard food trays with ketchup and mustard and then toss them at unsuspecting people by the concession stands.  After about a half hour of unspeakable fun, we saw several cops rushing toward us.  Jeremy and I ran down the stairs and somehow dodged them, but had no idea where to find the rest of our group.  I don't know how we made it back on our bus, covered in red and yellow food stains, but we never told a single person about what really happened.  The whole thing makes me laugh to this day for some reason.

I also recounted an emotional moment at Shea Stadium on Deadspin, where I comment under the genius pseudonym of Candace Parker Secret Lover:

This One Was For All Of Them. I'm not a good enough writer to describe how Mike Piazza's go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning on September 21, 2001 lifted an entire city. I remember standing up and cheering with my friends, at a time when none of us could imagine ever smiling again. I was a freshman at NYU, and just 10 days prior, the tragic events of 9/11 brought about unspeakable pain and suffering. To many, going to a game during a time of mourning was appalling and heartless, but we needed baseball to remind us that we could get past the tragedy and move forward. After Armando Benitez (who else?) gave up a run in the top of the eighth, putting the Braves ahead 2-1, Shea was eerily quiet and dejected. The good vibes from the touching pre-game tribute were all but gone; I don't think we had the heart to go home with another loss. And that's when it happened. Edgardo Alfonzo reached on a walk and set the stage for Piazza to rescue the Mets, and in many ways, us all from being down. I'm not ashamed to admit that it was the only time I ever cried during a sporting event. We left the stadium in a state that was somewhere between hysteria and disbelief. Whatever that feeling was, I'll never forget it.

Wow, I need a moment y'all, see I almost felt a tear drop....

I've been on fire getting into ESPN chats as of late -- if you ever tried to get a question answered, then you know that's no small feat.  Witness my second-ever response from none other than the Sports Guy -- arguably the best sports writer of my generation -- in his chat this week (my first Q&A can be found here).  The best part is the way I smoothly snuck in that I was a Kings fan...the worst part is the harsh reality of his answer...

Alex K. (New York): My Laker friends are already using the dreaded "dynasty" word...is there any hope for the rest of the league?? As a Kings fan, I'm prepared to light myself on fire...

 Bill Simmons: I will say that LA is in much better position for the next 6-7 years than Boston. In my opinion, the Celtics will never have a better chance to win the title than right now. For LA, they get Ariza and Bynum back next year, plus their midlevel exception... I mean, that might be a 72-win team next year. If you're beating them, it has to happen this year.

Bad times for Laker-haters like me, apparently.   My next goal is to get Simmons, notorious for his dislike of the WNBA, to answer a question about Candace Parker and my newfound fanhood of women's sports....now that would be an accomplishment.  What, did you think I'd go a whole entry without mentioning her?

If you're a loyal reader, then you may remember the day when I accomplished one of my life's greatest achievements (sad but true).  ESPN's Bill Simmons, aka The Sports Guy, answered my question in one of his popular chats last January.  As a follow up, I've now had my question to ESPN's baseball expert, Buster Olney, posted on his chat, as well (reprinted below).  He even said my name!  I know, this made your day, too...enjoy.

Alex K. (New York): Hey, Buster. Do you think the Marlins will sign Hanley Ramirez to a long-term deal?

 Buster Olney: Alex: Nope. He's got Red Sox or Yankees or Angels written all over him, once the Marlins decide he's too expensive. I hope for the sake of the franchise that they do sign him...

UPDATE:  Ha -- the price is wrong, Buster!  Hanley is staying in Florida for the long-haul.  It's shocking that the Marlins are actually spending money, and I couldn't be more pleased....it's been a few years since they won a title....though not as long as the Yankees.... 

Every time ESPN hosts a live chat with an athlete or columnist, I'm ceaselessly typing and submitting questions, desperately hoping to see my name on the screen.  Today was the first time I was able to successfully have none other than ESPN's Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, give me an answer.  Here it is in its entirety, in case the link doesn't work:

Alex K. (New York): What are the odds of Isiah signing Chris Webber to a multi-year deal?

 Bill Simmons: off the board in Vegas. cannot be wagered.

While it wasn't the lengthiest or funniest answer, it was still enough to prove that I am indeed capable of anything if I put my mind to it...or maybe that if I keep persisting, it's bound to work sooner or later.  Hmm, I have a feeling some people may not appreciate this lesson.