Sacramento, though, is as distant culturally from San Francisco as it is geographically. Which is why having the NBA Kings here makes both perfect sense and yet no sense at all.

When the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials were held here in the warm summer of 2000, the community spread its sweaty arms and embraced the event. USA Track and Field executives were so disarmed by the reception, they promised to return.

That wouldn't happen in Dallas, where sports teams must earn their love by the win column.

The place where the Kings and Mavericks will open their NBA series Saturday, Arco Arena, is 14 years old and nothing special. Yet, it's loud and confining and the Kings won 36 of their 41 regular-season contests there this season.

As the Mavericks' Steve Nash candidly observed, "It's the only ticket they have in town."