Sacramento, CA — In just a few words, sacramento These 3 or more sports communities:
“Light up the beam!”
The Sacramento Kings granted this request several times this season, shining the light of victory and finishing in the top three of the rankings. NBA‘s Western Conference.
For those unfamiliar, Sacramento fires lasers into the sky from the top of the Golden 1 Center after every win. According to Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, it’s “much better than what the human eye can see.” that is, Place of worship on Google Maps by the most dedicated fans.
The Victory Beam came to fruition after a brainstorming session with Ranadive and John Reinhart, President of Business Operations for Kings. Originally, Rinehart was inspired by fellow professional sports clubs in California. The Los Angeles Angels parking lot features the Big A sign, a 230-foot metal structure shaped like the letter A, with a halo that lights up with each win.
Ranadivé then had a conversation with his friend David Kelley, founder of consulting and design firm IDEO, before the Golden 1 Center was built. Kelly planted a seed on Ranadive’s head, which later blossomed into a beam. He advised Ranadive to identify what his “purple light” was, referring to Kelly’s unique experience on his Atlantic Airlines flight with Virgin. Ranadivé is imaginative, but he may not have imagined how the Sacramento community would embrace Beam.
“Golden 1 Center is about 100 feet away from us, so as soon as they win, we have our customers run upstairs to see a visual of the beam itself. athletic“I think it’s the pride of Sacramento and the pride of the sport.”
Fans and the community aren’t the only ones excited about Beam. The team itself has fully embraced it. Various Sacramento players have taken to social his media after the win to express their excitement for the Beam.
Light up the beam! 🟣🔦
— De’Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) November 12, 2022
Light the Beam! 🔦🟣
— Kevin Huerter (@KevinHuerter) January 12, 2023
Kings fans have been rooting for a lot this season. De’Aaron Fox One of Clutch Point’s league leaders, he has gone on to become one of the most talented young guards in the NBA. Domantas Sabonis He is averaging 18.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists, and seems to have a triple-double every game. Kevin Harter On pace to set career highs in scoring and 3-point shooting, Mike Brown is on the verge of leading the team to its first postseason berth in 17 years.
For some, the energy surrounding a win — imagine the 17,000 fans at the Golden 1 Center chanting ‘Let the light shine!’ — took some getting used to.
‘I thought it was a little crazy to start chants with 2:30 left’ Kings rookie Keegan Murray Said after winning 110 to 101 bulls last month. “But it was all good”
After a game against the Denver Nuggets at the Golden 1 Center, Kings Kevin Harter presses a button to turn on the beam. (Sergio Estrada / USA Today)
Chants are often heard during Kings games, but are loudest when the team is on the brink of victory. These chants are spread all over California. They were recently heard at the Crypto.com Arena. lebron james and the los angeles lakers.
Music to our ears😌#LTB Chants break out in LA 🟣🔦 #beam team pic.twitter.com/JCD4EHEvKk
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 19, 2023
“We’ve heard[the chant]a few times in the arena, and every time we hear it, we get a little nervous because they spend a lot of time on the clock and start chanting it,” he said. Brown said. “But it’s fun to see the Sacramento Kings jerseys on the street. We have the best fans in the league.
“When a group of people in an opponent’s arena can show the love they showed, you feel good for yourself, but it also feels good for them. …they are with us.” I hope you continue your journey to.”
Back in downtown Sacramento, the ripple effect of the Victory Beam grows. Impound Comics, located 400 feet from Golden 1 Center, “Light the Beam” shirt Purchased by Kings fans.
Brent Sands, owner of Impound Comics, said, “We’re always ordering new stuff because we usually sell out more than we have in stock.” athletic“There are people who may not have been in before, but now they’re in. They see the ‘Light the Beam’ shirt through the window, they walk in, and they realize who we really are.” I will explain to them what it is.”
Every time Kings racks up success and shines a light, local businesses have new opportunities to connect with new customers and the community at large.
“The Kings’ winning light is the catalyst that brings this community together,” said Derek Garanosa, head brewer of Moxa Brewing Company in Rocklin, Calif., about 25 minutes from downtown Sacramento. . athletic“Given a potential playoff appearance for the first time in (17) years, this dedicated fanbase is steeped in anything Kings-related.”
The last time Sacramento had 25 wins by mid-January was in the 2004-05 season. That team he finished 50–32, placing him second in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference, before losing to the third-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs.
As a city without any NBA postseason action for nearly 20 years, Sacramento feels a sense of optimism that may have once felt irretrievable. The impact of winning, and the rewards of winning beams, cannot be overstated.
(Photo above: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
