Seattle

Over the weekend, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly won the NFL's Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, while Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson finished in second and third place respectively in the voting done by the Associated Press.

As the Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil  reported:

Seattle’s draft class was panned in April. In January, though, Seattle had two of the top six rookies according to Associated Press ballots.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner was runner-up in Defensive Rookie of the Year to Luke Kuechly of Carolina, the No. 9 overall pick. Kuechly received 28 first-place votes, Wagner 11. Green Bay cornerback Casey Hayward finished third with six first-place votes.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was third in votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Robert Griffin III of Washington won the award, receiving 29 of 50 votes. Andrew Luck of Indianapolis received 11 votes, Wilson received 10.

The balloting by 50 designated voters concluded before the start of the postseason.  Voters selected one winner. There were no second and third-place votes in balloting.

While I'm not shocked that RG3 won the offensive award, I was a little surprised Kuechly beat out Wagner. In both votes what really has me scratching my head is the margin by which RG3 and Kuechly won.  

On the offensive side of the coin the competition was fierce between not only the No. 1 and No. 2 selections in the April draft, but the man chosen 70-plus spots following them. 

If you're a fan of the underdog, you will be hard-pressed to find a better story than Russell Wilson this season or most others. The undersized third-round draft choice took the city of Seattle and the NFL by storm in a story that now reads like a cheesy Hollywood script.  

The fact of the matter is that it was really a fairly lengthy process that began last spring and took shape over the better part of the season. Wilson painstakingly won over his coaches, teammates, fans and eventually the entire league by taking on all comers and proving the critics wrong every step of the way.

Yet choosing among RG3, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson isn't as easy as you might imagine. 

All three players led their teams to the postseason. Meanwhile, Luck threw for over 4,000 yards, Wilson tied Peyton Manning's rookie record for touchdown passes and RG3 threw for over 3,000 yards and ran for nearly 1,000 while winning the NFC East the final week of the season after starting the year 4-6. 

As much as I love Wilson, I can understand the appeal of RG3 and how voters were amazed by him from the very beginning to the very end. 

Who could forget RG3's Week 1 performance when he went to New Orleans and won with a dazzling display of dominance by attacking through the air and on the ground. Fast-forward to the regular-season finale at home against the Cowboys with the division title up for grabs when Griffin once again got the job done with the help of fellow rookie Alfred Morris at running back.  

By the way, where were the ROY votes for Morris? A sixth-round pick from Florida Atlantic rushes for 1,613 yards with 13 touchdowns while helping his team to the playoffs and his teammate wins in a landslide while he doesn't get a single vote from the 50 writers? 

It all leads me to believe that Griffin's knack for drama is what has the media and fans spellbound. It also leads me to believe it's part of why he stayed in the wild-card game against the Seahawks well past the point he should have. 

Griffin's failure to understand the limits of his own body could cost him dearly some day if he's not more careful...that's if it hasn't already. 

Wilson, on the other hand, perhaps because he has been reminded throughout his life about his limitations, seems to have a solid grasp of what he should and shouldn't do on the field of play. 

That maturity came through against the Redskins as he rallied the 'Hawks back on the road and leads me to wonder how many voters would have changed their vote if they had the chance now?

On the defensive side, Wagner was a second-round pick joining an already solid defense, but asked to help shore up what was arguably the team's weakest point at linebacker.

Following the departure of veteran David Hawthorne via free agency, Wagner was drafted with the hopes of taking over the middle linebacker spot after the top middle linebacker in the draft was selected just a few spots ahead of the Seahawks' first-round pick.

Whether the 'Hawks would have drafted Luke Kuechly is something we will probably never know, but with the Carolina Panthers grabbing him at No. 9, the brain trust of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider adjusted accordingly and eventually found their man in the middle in Round 2.

From the very start Wagner looked like a keeper; in fact I went as far as considering him the team's most important rookie all the way back in May. Knowing what we know about Russell Wilson now, this sounds laughable, but at the time it made sense...at least to me. Similar to Wilson though, Wagner started right away and week after week grew before our eyes.   

A position that going in to the season looked like a potential liability soon became a strength, with Wagner always at the center of the action while leading the team in tackles playing alongside second-year man K.J. Wright and veteran Leroy Hill. 

With that said, did Wagner deserve to win given his contributions to the Seahawks this season?

In fairness to Kuechly, I have to say that I was impressed with his performance given I didn't see him making much of an impact going back to the draft. I figured he likely peaked at the Combine. 

In Carolina this season Kuechly posted 165 tackles and took over the middle linebacker spot after veteran Jon Beason went down for the season with an injury early in the season.  

At the same time I don't see how Kuechly got 28 first-place votes versus only 11 for Wagner. 

At times like these I can imagine some fans crying about an East Coast bias within the media, but I'm not sure how much I buy that here given the fact that the Seahawks had four first-team All-Pro selections this year.

Perhaps in both cases Wilson and Wagner's success was seen as a byproduct of an already solid roster built by Pete Carroll and John Schneider?

Once again, we will probably never know, but by now Wilson and Wagner are likely accustomed to the critics looking past them. Either way I like to think both slights will be stowed away and some day used as motivation for Wilson and Wagner, who seem the kind of players who may forgive but will never forget.

Winning rookie of the year may be nice, but I hope that both men have their sights set on something far more grandiose over the course of time, while helping lift the Seahawks to a level that no one will be able to deny them with a popular vote...a Super Bowl championship.   

Michael Bourn came into the 2012-13 offseason as one of the top free agents available on the market. However, with only a little over a week until pitchers and catchers report, Bourn still remains unsure of where he will be playing the 2013 season.

Bourn has been tied to several teams this offseason, but the Seattle Mariners have been connected to Bourn since the Winter Meetings back in December. However, as the calendar turns into February, there has been little movement for a potential Bourn to Seattle deal happening.

In order for Michael Bourn to wind up a Seattle Mariner, a few things are going to have to break the Mariners way, as they are not the only team who is currently looking into Bourn's services. With that in mind, here are three things that will have to happen.

Seattle Acquires a Pitcher Via Trade

After Seattle traded Jason Vargas for Kendrys Morales, the Mariners were left with a big hole in their rotation. Sure, Vargas may not have been your standard top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he was still a reliable arm that could toe the rubber for Seattle over the last few years.

With that in mind, the Mariners are in need of another starting pitcher. Ownership could look into bringing in someone like free agent Joe Saunders, but his services would not come cheap. Saunders has been rumored to be looking for a three-year deal which could be worth between $8-$10 million a year. If Seattle decides to sign Saunders, they would essentially be using the money they could theoretically use to sign Bourn.

If Seattle wants to sign Bourn and get a pitcher, they will most likely be looking towards the likes of Rick Porcello or Chris Capuano, both of whom have been subject to trade rumors all offseason. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times suggested that Capuano could be an option if the Mariners were willing to send Franklin Gutierrez to the Dodgers.

Swapping Gutierrez for Capuano would essentially be a wash from a salary cap stand point, and would give the Mariners the arm they need to plug into Vargas' spot in the rotation. This would also clear up the logjam the Mariners currently have in the outfield and allow them to offer Bourn a reasonable contract.

Ownership Accepts Forfeiting First-Round Pick

Let's be clear; it has become very obvious that the reason Michael Bourn has yet to be signed is due to the price tag that comes with it. Sure, the contract will be rather expensive, but it is the first-round pick that goes along with it that is scaring teams away.

Bourn turned down a qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves at the beginning of the offseason. By doing so, Bourn was eligible to be signed by any team, but at the cost of a first-round pick being forfeited to Atlanta. Under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, only the top-10 picks of the draft are protected from this rule. Unfortunately for Seattle, they have the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

General Manager Jack Zduriencik and ownership have built up one of the best farm systems in baseball over the last few seasons, so giving up a high first-round pick isn't necessarily something Seattle may be interested in doing.

However, if Seattle ever had a time to give up a first-round pick, now would be the time. With a glaring hole in the leadoff spot, Seattle could greatly benefit from Bourn's speed atop the lineup, allowing Dustin Ackley to slide into a more comfortable spot in the lineup. Adding Bourn would improve Seattle's lineup, and with the current depth in the minor league system, Seattle wouldn't be that hurt by giving up their first-round pick.

MLB Denies the New York Mets Request to Avoid Compensation

As previously stated, the new collective bargaining agreement protects only the top-10 picks in the draft from signing Type-A free agents. With that being said, the New York Mets are trying to find a loophole in which they don't have to give up their first-round pick.

The Mets finished with the 10th-worst record in baseball last season, but currently have the 11th overall pick due to the Pittsburgh Pirates inability to sign Mark Appel last year. By not signing Appel, the Pirates were awarded the 9th overall pick this season as compensation, sliding the Mets to the 11th pick.

Therefore, the Mets have looked into filing a grievance that would allow them to sign Bourn without forfeiting their first-round pick and instead replacing it with a second-round selection. If this grievance is brought to an arbiter and he rules in favor of the Mets, it could be a huge road block for Bourn to wind up in Seattle.

However, if the arbiter rules in favor of the MLBPA, the Mets 11th pick would not be protected. This would most likely knock the Mets out of the race for Bourn as they have been very reluctant to lose that pick in order to sign a free agent this offseason.

If all of these scenarios fall the right way for the Mariners, Michael Bourn could be a Seattle Mariner come opening day. This isn't the only way Seattle could end up with Bourn, but it remains the most likely way that it will happen.

Years from now, when Seattle sports fans look back at January 2013, I like to believe they will see it as a critical point when all three major sports franchises finally turned a corner following years of darkness and disappointment. 

A time when the Seahawks first showed their ability to make a serious run at a Super Bowl with Russell Wilson at quarterback, a time when the Mariners avoided making the mistake of trading their future ace Taijuan Walker and a time when the Sonics' new ownership finally made strides in securing a team from Sacramento.  

Of course, this is all wishful thinking today, but we can hope, right?

Looking back, the month of January was nothing short of a wild rollercoaster ride for Seattle sports fans when you consider all of the things that did and didn't happen. 

Between the Seahawks, Mariners and Sonics, it's been an exciting but bumpy ride. 

When my wife told me that a deal was in place for the Kings to move to Seattle, I couldn't tell if she was joking or simply trying to console me following the Seahawks' loss in Atlanta the week prior and Justin Upton's rejection of his deal with the Mariners just days before that.  

Turns out, the deal with the Maloofs was indeed true, yet we still have a long way to go before anything becomes finalized.   

At the same time, I'm genuinely torn. 

My heart goes out to the fans in Sacramento—fans who, a little less than a year ago, I urged to continue their fight to keep their team when rumors surfaced about a potential move. Deep down, I believe they should continue to fight, and I wish them the best. If only the city of Seattle had leadership half as decent and well-intended as Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson back in 2007-08.

Is it wrong that, at the same time, I kind of want a t-shirt?

While I'm afraid to jinx things, you have to imagine the folks at Media Fly Creative, especially after being featured on seattlepi.com a few days ago, certainly have customers. Besides serving as a fitting complement to my well worn "Robbed" shirt purchased a few years ago, I'd be supporting the cause to bring the Sonics back without putting money in David Stern's pocket.

Meanwhile, if we're going to talk about merchandising, Nick Eaton at seattlepi.com added more fuel to the fire by asking us what look the team should adopt if it returns.   

At this point, I'm tempted to stop, but one other point keeps nagging me. 

Do we really want this team?

Beyond the ethics and awkwardness, will fans really be excited to see the Kings in the Sonics' pajamas once they actually get down to playing basketball? 

Initially, I'm sure fans will simply be thrilled to see professional basketball again. But unlike the team that left town in 2008, which had Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and top pick Russell Westbrook, the potential incoming roster from Sacramento looks like a train wreck. 

While I'm sure there are a number of fans who will be thrilled to see former University of Washington star Isaiah Thomas return to Seattle, the fact is that the rest of this roster looks dreadful. 

Yes, there is some talent, but even the most promising players on the roster—Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins—both come with serious baggage. Granted, beggars can't be choosers, but if the Sonics are reborn, they may want to gut this roster.

Once again we must fight the temptation of getting too far ahead of ourselves. Nothing has been finalized, and I expect the good folks in Sacramento to put up one final fight.  

But with the Seahawks done until summer and the Mariners' season still a short way from getting started, it's hard to put the idea of having the Sonics back to rest .   

January may have been a wild ride, but February, at the moment, looks to be a real snooze.  With all three teams, we will have to wait and see, but I remain hopeful. 

Hopeful that we have only begun to bear witness to the greatness of Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Hopeful that the young Mariners take the guidance of their elders and begin to awaken following a decade of false starts. And hopeful that professional basketball returns to Seattle.     

If even one of the three can happen, I will take it as a small win.  Anything else after that, I like to think, will make Seattle a great place to enjoy pro sports for the better part of the next decade.  

Fingers crossed. 

As the offseason winds down, the Seattle Mariners have a lot of questions moving forward with their pitching staff. Although the bullpen proved to be one of the strong points for the team in 2012, the starting rotation still offers it's fair share of questions after the trade that sent No. 2 starter Jason Vargas to the division rival Los Angeles Angels for Kendrys Morales.

Without a clear-cut No. 2 starter heading into the season, the Mariners will be looking through the organization for arms to fill out their pitching staff. With that said, here is a list of players Mariners fans should be keeping an eye on come spring training.

Charlie Furbush

Furbush may not qualify as an under-the-radar player after his 2012 campaign, but he is a pitcher Mariners fans should be keeping an eye on this spring. Acquired through the trade that sent Doug Fister to the Detroit Tigers, the South Portland, Maine, native struggled to find his way as a starter for the Mariners in the 2011 season.

With a switch to the bullpen in 2012, Furbush flourished and became one of the Mariners most reliable options at the end of games. Furbush recorded a 0.95 WHIP and a 2.72 ERA, both of which were career bests, through 46.1 innings pitched last season.

However, as good as Furbush was as a reliever, he was a starter by trade in college. Before being drafted out of LSU in 2007, Furbush excelled as the ace for Saint Joseph's College from 2005 to 2006. During his sophomore season at Saint Joseph's, Furbush finished with a 10-1 record and a 2.89 ERA while striking out 115 batters over 74.2 innings pitched.

With the departure of Jason Vargas, Furbush very well could make a strong case for himself as the fifth starter in the Mariners rotation, especially if the Mariners fail to sign any of the free-agent pitchers remaining on the free-agent market.

Tyler Pike

Most likely the least known of the pitchers listed, Tyler Pike burst onto the scene for the Mariners with a strong showing in the 2012 Arizona Fall League. This fall, Pike posted a 2-1 record over 11 games started with 57 strikeouts, a .193 batting average against, 1.09 WHIP and a 1.78 ERA.

The left-hander out of Florida State was a third-round pick and the 16th ranked prospect according to MLB.com for the Mariners in 2012 and features a solid three-pitch arsenal. MLB.com reported that he repeats his delivery well and has solid control over an above-average curveball.

Pike may be a long shot coming out of camp to make the Mariners squad, but should be a name Mariners fans keep in the back of their minds for the near future. Expect Pike to start the season in either High-A High Desert or in Double-A Jackson with the potential to see some time come September with a solid 2013 campaign.

Carter Capps

Touted as one of the best relief prospects in the Mariners system last season, Carter Capps had a rough start to his major league career last season. After being called up in the beginning of August, Capps struggled to find his way in the Mariner bullpen.

In his first month as a major leaguer, Capps had a 5.59 ERA over 9.2 innings pitched as he struggled to find ways to get hitters out without always relying on his fastball. However, when the calendar turned to September, Capps seemed to turn a corner with a 3.38 ERA in the month while only allowing five runs in 13.1 innings pitched.

In the minors last season, Capps was downright dominant, holding batters to a .207 batting average against and a 1.23 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched. With a plus fastball that can reach the triple digits and a solid set of off-speed pitches, Capps has the potential to be an absolute steal as a third-round pick out of Mount Olive College in the 2011 draft.

If Capps can continue his progress like he did from August to September last season, he may see himself in the setup role for the Mariners going forward with the potential to become the closer at some point.

Brandon Maurer

As pointed out in the potential breakout player article I wrote a few days ago, Brandon Maurer has the chance to be one of the biggest contributors for the Mariners in 2013. Maurer started the 2012 campaign as a member of the Double-A affiliate Jackson Generals rotation, but was overshadowed by the likes of Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen and James Paxton.

In 2012, MLB.com ranked Maurer as the 11th-best prospect for the Mariners at the beginning of the season after having his 2011 riddled with elbow injuries. However, when the 2012 season came to an end, it was Maurer who posted the best numbers out of the four. In fact, it was Maurer who wound up taking home the Mariners minor league Pitcher of the Year award for 2012, not Walker, Hultzen or Paxton.

Maurer finished the season with a 9-2 record with a 3.20 ERA and 117 strikeouts over 137.2 innings pitched. Armed with a plus fastball and standing a 6'5", Maurer is an intimidating presence on the mound and a potential rotation candidate heading into spring training. With a solid showing in camp this spring, it would be no surprise to anyone to see Maurer in the Mariners rotation come April.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill is facing assault charges, according to the Associated Press, via USA Today.

Sound familiar?

Hill reportedly was arrested on investigation of unlawful imprisonment-domestic violence and third-degree assault-domestic violence on Wednesday, according to the Issaquah Police Department, per the Associated Press report.

Hill allegedly assaulted his 26-year-old girlfriend "several times" and blocked her way out of the house while keeping her cell phone away from her on Tuesday, according to the woman. She was able to escape the house after Hill went to the bathroom, police said.

The 30-year-old is no stranger to scrapes with the law. He was arrested by Issaquah police on a fourth-degree assault-domestic violence charge for "hitting his girlfriend" April 2010, as well. He's also been arrested twice for marijuana possession since 2009.

Hill, who made the Pro Bowl in his rookie campaign in 2005, posted 47 tackles, including 31 solo, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 13 games (12 starts) for the Seahawks this season, as the club went 11-5 and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs.

But, as gifted and explosive as he is on the field, he's similarly explosive off the field. The Georgia native's career has been marred by incidents beyond the gridiron in recent years. 

This comes at a critical juncture in the eight-year veteran's . After a lengthy run with the Seahawks, he's set to be a free agent in 2013. You have to wonder if the latest incident will hurt contract negotiations with other teams or if teams will stray from Hill altogether.  If his prospects haven't sunk in yet, you wonder if it ever will.

It's just another example of an athlete making ill-advised decisions that threaten to hurt his reputation and stock throughout the league, despite his accomplishments on the field.

Here's to hoping Leroy Hill can learn from his mistakes and finish his NFL career off on a high note wherever he lands next season.

Wanna talk sports?

And just like that...it was over, but it sure was fun while it lasted.

Two weeks after the fact and I'm still not quite sure what to say?

Just when all was lost, the Seattle Seahawks rallied back, and they even took the lead against the Atlanta Falcons.  Thirty seconds, just thirty seconds away from a trip to the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The same 49ers the 'Hawks soundly beat just before Christmas; the same 49ers that the 'Hawks managed to go toe to toe with in San Francisco at midseason. 

While I'm not sure they would have beaten the Niners in San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game, I sure would have loved the chance to find out.  In a way there would have been a certain symmetry to it given how both teams battled this season for supremacy in not only the division, but for the conference in a winner-takes-all grudge match. 

In many other years, an 11-5 record would have the won division, but this year the Niners were just that much better and now have a shot at winning the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens.

I might watch the big game; I might not. 

More importantly the question is what's next for the 'Hawks? 

Russell Wilson was phenomenal as he proved once more in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, but can he build upon this season? 

Is that even a fair question to ask given how well he played during the season's final stretch.

At the same time, can Marshawn Lynch continue to carry the load?

Should the team focus on protecting both of them or provide them more weapons to stretch out the offense?

Meanwhile, what happened to the 'Hawks once-vaunted defense?

Can they become the dominant force we saw at the beginning of this season?

Oddly enough, during the season's second half, there were instances where they looked like more of a liability rather than an asset.  With coordinator Gus Bradley off to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars, will Dan Quinn upon his return to Seattle merely step in or will he step up?    

These are just a few top-of-the-mind questions, but if the 'Hawks can build upon this year, it could make 2013 a great year in Seattle. 

Many fans and writers would agree, though, both locally and nationally that the 'Hawks appear poised for a great run over the next several years, but in a way that worries me, as I believe the 'Hawks need to keep pushing. 

Not that I expect Pete Carroll and John Schneider to grow complacent by any stretch, but the thing is, teams don't get big windows to work with anymore.  In an era of parity, it's that much harder to stay on top as one minute you're flying high, the next you're building from scratch. 

Two years ago, the New York Jets appeared poised to take over the AFC with Rex Ryan as head coach, Mark Sanchez leading the offense and Darrelle Revis a force of nature on defense.

Today, the Jets are a mess as Ryan is hanging on to his job by a thread, Sanchez is widely considered a bust and Revis is trade bait.

In other words, you never know. 

Is this the start of something big for the 'Hawks or simply a one-year joyride?

The key moving forward will be Russell Wilson. 

Strange to think that he has made all the difference.  Without him the conversation is entirely different, even on a team with four first-team All-Pro players.  If he can simply duplicate what he did the second half of this season for, say, the next decade, then I'd like to believe the Seahawks will have a foundation solid enough to remain competitive in the division and the conference as well. 

At the same time, the 49ers look to have their own young dynamic signal-caller, not to mention their own solid defense and running game.  With Jim Harbaugh in charge, you get the feeling that the Niners are going to stick around for a while as well. 

For the next several years, these two teams could form a solid and entertaining rivalry.  As for the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, I wouldn't rule out either franchise making some noise in the next few years either, especially the Rams with Jeff Fisher as head coach.

Today, though, I'm cautiously optimistic about the 'Hawks future and feel that this season was a great success both on and off the field.  On the field, 11 wins and coming up just short of the conference championship is quite impressive, but off the field, I'm equally impressed with how well the organization has handled itself in just about every facet of the game.    

Moves such as adopting the new Nike uniforms, the entire 2012 draft, free-agent signings like Matt Flynn, the decision to start Wilson over Flynn and even the Richard Sherman/Brandon Browner PED scandal all came under some form of scrutiny.

Yet each time the organization managed to stick to its guns, weather the storm and in most cases prove the critics (myself included on many of these topics) wrong.  With the exception of the PED issue that still leaves me with a few unanswered questions, I have to admit that each of the other issues worked out quite well.

The uniforms have been a big hit, the draft picks most of us thought would be terrible have thrived and Flynn may not have started, but that's only because Wilson left Pete Carroll with little choice when the time came.

Just about everything over the course of the season bounced the right way for the Seahawks as the team exceeded expectations. 

Now that they've tasted success, can they keep going forward?

Time will tell, but for now I'm willing to enjoy the moment and give thanks for what was a great season with the promise of more to come.

Unlike the Sacramento Kings themselves, the city of Sacramento refuses to go down without a fight.

Though the Kings' eventual sale to a Seattle-based group of investors was reported as inevitable, Sactown's Mayor, Kevin Johnson, says otherwise.

Johnson (via NBA.com) issued a "stern warning" to all the Seattle hopefuls, one that stated Sacramento would not go quietly into a the night:

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson had a stern warning for Seattle SuperSonics fans who are excited about the prospect of the NBA returning to the Puget Sound next season.

"Don't celebrate too early," he said.

The three-time NBA All-Star turned mayor unveiled 19 local investors who have pledged at least $1 million each to be part of a group that would buy the franchise. Johnson said the major partner he hopes will anchor the last-ditch deal to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle will be revealed as soon as this week.

"We've been here before," Johnson said. "Our backs have been against the wall. They told us it wasn't going to happen. But each and every step along the way, as long as there is time on the clock, our community always finds a way to stand up for itself."

Unlike the Maloofs' effort to effectively rebuild a dying franchise, the community of Sacramento has indeed stepped up.

Per Aaron Bruski of NBC Sports' ProBasketballTalk, Sacramento has reeled in two "mega whales" and will attempt to concoct a bid worthy of keeping the Kings out of Seattle:

Sources familiar with the situation tell ProBasketballTalk that “mega whales” Ron Burkle and Mark Mastrov are in serious talks with the city of Sacramento to collaborate on a bid to buy the Kings and keep them in California’s capitol.

Additionally, sources report that there is no shortage of bidders as at least five groups have approached the city and have NBA-level credentials.

Kudos to Sacramento for the efforts they're putting forth. Had the Maloofs tried even half as hard to build a winning combine, the Kings would probably be contenders by now.

That said, some are probably inclined to scoff at such a cause. After all, the deal has seemed all but done.

Yet "all but done" means nothing to the city of Sacramento. They have yet to allow any reports of a completed sale deter their collective endeavor and have remained loyal to their team (not the owners) through and through. If they're going to go down, they're going to go down swinging.

Which is exactly why I wouldn't "celebrate too early" if I was Seattle.

Because the people of Sacramento are nothing if not persistently resilient. And if they're inclined to continue battling, we must accept that anything can happen.

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The deal to sell the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle group, led by investor Chris Hansen, has finally been signed, and will go through pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

BREAKING: A source tells the Bee the Maloofs have reached an agreement to sell the Sacramento Kings to Seattle group. Kings decline comment.

— Tony Bizjak (@TonyBizjak) January 21, 2013

This is a heartbreaking story to the folks of Sacramento, but even the people of Seattle, who went through a similar situation just over five years ago, have to have to be excited about this latest development.

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson did his best to put together a comparable deal to keep the franchise in California's capital, but ended up falling short.

Deal was struck in principle over weekend of Jan. 5-6, sources told Y! By then, Sacramento mayoral bid to find local group was too late.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 21, 2013

The Seattle group will be purchasing a 65 percent controlling stake in the team, meaning the Maloofs will be able to keep a chunk of the team for themselves going into the future.

The $525 million price is a "valuation" on the total franchise. For 65 percent, Seattle group would pay approximately $340 million.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 21, 2013

It's obvious here that the people of Sacramento are the losers in the sale, and the city comes in a close second. But that's the evident half of the transaction. Who wins from the sale is an entirely different matter.

Many believe Seattle should have a team, few believe it should be Kings, well supported in Sacto by a city that did everything to keep them.

— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) January 21, 2013

The Maloofs 

Sources say deal calls for Maloofs to receive non-refundable $30 million from the Hansen group by Feb. 1 whether or not sale is approved

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2013

Maloofs getting insane deal. Had to do it RT ‏@jadande NBA Source: Sacramento Kings sale to Seattle group is signed & sent to league.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) January 21, 2013

The NBA

How great is it for the NBA that the Maloofs are (somewhat) gone? That's all that really needed to happen from this deal. And, even though it's doing it at the betrayal of Sacramento, the league gets to put on the façade that they've done something for the city of Seattle.

Even still, it's hard to see this as anything much more than a lateral move for the league. The team is moving to a bigger market, but it's one that lost a team before for similar reasons.

Seattle lost Sonics to smaller market looking to raise its profile; they gain a team fleeing one where Kings were only show in town.

— Bethlehem Shoals (@freedarko) January 21, 2013

At the very least, the NBA has gained a forced (albeit interesting) rivalry between the new Seattle Supersonics and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Gonna be a little awkward when Kevin Durant & the Thunder travel to Seattle next season.

— Royce Webb, ESPN NBA (@RoyceWebb) January 21, 2013

David Stern

Let's call it a win-lose situation for David Stern. Sure, the people of Sacramento are going to hate him, but at least he comes through on his promise to bring a team back to Seattle.

Whether or not the move works out is for the future to decide, but for now it looks like the commissioner's not impeded the progress of the league, and even gave Sacramento a chance to keep its team (if they could have come up with the money).

Seattle

C'mon now guys, how complex is this one? Seattle gets the team they've been begging for ever since the Supersonics were stolen away from them back in 2008.

It's a bit of a conflict of conscious for the obvious stated reasons, but the fans will get over that and get to complaining about DeMarcus Cousins' attitude quickly enough.

Even better, the news coming out about who is going to be a part of Seattle's new front office should thrill every single basketball fan in Washington.

Source says almost living lock Phil Jackson will become front office face of Seattle-bound Kings' franchise. Won't coach. Will mentor choice

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) January 21, 2013

And that, most certainly, can only serve to be a positive for the franchise.

Much has been made about the Seattle Seahawks defense, and deservedly so. 

The Emerald City has boasted the No. 1 defense in the NFL this season. They have had playmakers at every position play critical roles. 

However, in the most important game of the year, cornerback Richard Sherman will be feeling the pressure, and he has to respond in a big way for the ‘Hawks to win. 

He will lead his team to Georgia and visit the No. 1 seed Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 1 PM. E.T on FOX. 

If they win, then Pete Carroll and company are headed to the NFC Championship game, but if they lose, then they most endure the longest plane ride ever. 

There will be 11 defensive players out on the field for Seattle on every play.  

But, no one will be more crucial than Sherman. His team needs a big performance from the two-year veteran. 

The path to victory lies on his more-than-capable shoulders. He will be more critical than any other defender. Sherman has to have a big game. 

Why? 

Because the key to an Atlanta win is to get the passing game going. With a trifecta of receivers in Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez, it will not be difficult. 

Sherman has to make it difficult. 

I’m not here to argue about the outspoken, eccentric player and his off-field antics. I’m here to say that he has to back up that talk by shutting down White. 

It won’t be easy, as White has put up 1,351 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 receptions this year. He has dominated opposing corners and made Matt Ryan a happy camper. 

Sherman must make Ryan feel like he has been trapped inside his tent with a brown bear clawing at the zipper, getting more and more upset because he can smell the meat, but just can’t have Ryan. 

In short, Sherman has to make Matt Ryan an unhappy camper. 

The Stanford product is more than capable of doing that. 

His eight interceptions are second only to Tim Jennings. In addition, he has racked up 52 tackles and 24 passes defended. 

He has a 54.1 EPA on the year, third in the NFL behind the two Chicago Bears corners. EPA (Expected Points Added) is an advanced stat that is the measure of a player’s impact on the score of the game.

Opposing quarterbacks have been averaging zero touchdowns against Sherman, with only a 43.1 quarterback rating. He has held those signal-callers to just a 50 percent completion rate.

There is no doubt that Sherman is one of the better corners in the league. 

However, he has to bring his “A” game to Atlanta and shut down Roddy White. 

If he does, then the Falcons offense will slowly crumble and the Seahawks could escape with a victory. But if he falters, Matty Ice could nab his first playoff victory. 

No defensive player is more important for Seattle than Richard Sherman. 

Stop me if you've heard this before: The Sacramento Kings franchise may be packing in favor of a different city.

The latest reports (h/t Yahoo! Sports) cite that investor Chris Hansen and Microsoft chairman Steve Ballmer, who could be the next owners of the Kings franchise for a reported $500 million, are looking to bring an NBA franchise back to Seattle.

Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski writes:

The Seattle group's plans, with support of the NBA, is to play two seasons in KeyArena before moving into a new Seattle arena, sources said.

Seattle hasn't seen an NBA franchise since the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season.

While the move would undoubtedly be much to the liking of the Seattle-based population, what about the fans, players and families of the Sacramento Kings?

It's not easy to uproot a man's family to a completely different city, especially when the players themselves have mixed feelings about the move.

Isaiah Thomas, Kings point guard and Tacoma native who would definitely enjoy the homecoming, had this to say regarding the move (via USA Today):

I've seen the Sonics go. I've seen when a team gets taken away from a city and devastates the fans. It's not a good thing. I don't wish moving a team on anybody.

Obviously, Sacramento fans aren't happy about the possibility of losing their team, as signs that read, "Sactown Needs This Team," and "Accepting money for Kings relief fund," could be seen at a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night (according to USA Today).

And if you think it's easy on the players to block out the potential move and focus on improving a 13-23 record, you're sorely mistaken.

Kings head coach Keith Smart already told USA Today it's going to be a distraction for his team, who have dropped three in a row and don't find themselves in a favorable matchup against the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Sacramento forward Jason Thompson, who has been with the team since 2008, voiced his displeasure with the recent rumors:

Every year they're talking about we're going to a different city. One year it's Seattle. Another year it's Virginia Beach. Then Anaheim another year. Nothing really surprises me. We can only control what we can control. All we can do is put the ball in the bucket and try to win. It's a tough situation for everybody.

It's no surprise that the Maloofs haven't shown their faces at any games recently and have declined to comment, as they practically have an entire city at odds with them.

Seattle was a fantastic basketball town when the SuperSonics were winning conference titles and an NBA championship in the 70's, but is bringing the Kings to Seattle really the answer?

Will fans just attach themselves to Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton the way they did Dennis Johnson and Ray Allen?

Displacing an NBA franchise is one thing, but moving a losing team from its beloved city appears to be an enormous mistake for the Kings organization.

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