Anxious to spend quality time with his daughter and do something special, David Perron devised the perfect plan: Buy tickets for the first-ever Sacramento Kings game at Golden 1 Center.
Perron arrived 90 minutes early and was proudly sitting three rows from the shiny new court, watching both teams warm up and reflecting on his purchase. It had not been a good summer for Perron, a 76-year-old Quincy resident who lost his wife three months earlier. But on this evening he was all smiles, sitting comfortably in his seat wearing an aging Larry Bird warm-up jacket as his daughter and her boyfriend were touring the spacious arena.
“Being here tonight is a big deal. I’m so impressed that the city of Sacramento and its fans were able to keep the Kings,” said Perron, who grew up in Worcester, Mass., and like many New Englanders is a huge Larry Bird fan. “I’m so impressed with people who can get together and make big things like this happen. Keeping the Kings and getting this beautiful arena built was a huge undertaking. And they did it so fast. It’s a special night being here for the first game.”
Indeed, a special evening was the prevailing feeling among the 17,605 fans who didn’t let a rainy night damper one of the most memorable events in Sacramento’s sporting history. Former Kings players like Chris Webber sat courtside. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was in attendance, along with former commissioner David Stern, an instrumental figure in helping the Kings remain in Sacramento when it seemed the team was destined for a move.
California Gov. Jerry Brown enjoyed the game in one of the plush 30 luxury suites, while Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson was courtside and proudly accepting congratulations throughout the night for his large role in keeping the Kings here and helping put together a plan for the 700,000-square-foot downtown arena. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive got the evening started, addressing the crowd with a short pregame speech that included – “Welcome to your new home!”
Although he has announced more than 2,400 games in his 32 years as the voice of the Kings, this was no typical evening for Gary Gerould, who understood the historical significance.
“It may sound kind of corny, but this is the realization of a dream,” Gerould said. “I’m a big believer in perspective and I look back on where we were 3½ years ago and now we are in this magnificent structure. I’m just so happy for the city and Kings fans. This is one of the finest sports facilities in the country.”
In their upper level seats, Kenny and Stacey Williams of Lincoln were giddy with delight waiting for the game to begin. They had already eaten a pregame meal at Golden 1 Center – “The food is amazing”– and were taking in the sights at one of the most technologically-advanced and environmental friendly sports facilities in the world.
“Everything is so open, bright and beautiful, and you can see everything from these seats,” Stacey said. “We have wanted to be season-ticket holders for a long time and we decided to do it this year.”
Dressed in a 20-year-old tux that he admitted had a moth hole, Jerry Reynolds was as mesmerized by Golden 1 Center as any fan. His role has changed over the years – head coach, assistant coach, player personnel director, and now TV color commentator. One thing that hasn’t changed is Reynolds’ love for the city and an organization that he first worked for when the Kings called Kansas City home. Like Gerould, he was on hand for two other Sacramento arena openings and understands where the latest resides in the pecking order.
“It was so special, that first-ever game in Sacramento (1986). It struck a chord – it meant Sacramento was now an NBA city,” Reynolds said. “But in its own way, this is more significant. We’re here to stay. The Kings will eventually be good team again like the glory years. Hopefully, we will get there and stay there.”
Webber wasn’t around for the last game at Sleep Train Arena, but he was happy to help usher in the new era in his first appearance as a fan since his retired No. 4 jersey was lifted to the rafters six years ago.
“Pride.” That’s what I feel about this evening,” Webber said. “I just hope the fans take a moment to pat themselves on the back because without their support no one makes an investment unless they know people are going to come.”
And on the first home game of the 2016-17 season, Kings fans came and were as raucous as ever, loudly cheering throughout, clanging their cow bells, chanting SACRAMENTO, and supporting a noble effort by a hustling team that gave the highly-touted San Antonio Spurs a scare before they escaped with a victory.
“The atmosphere was great, very loud,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “This is a big arena, but it’s very intimate at the same time. I’m happy for them. They waited a long time for this.”
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