LETTERS

If it’s late March/early April, it must be time for the latest “sure, they missed the playoffs, but things are looking up for the Kings” article. This annual piece, reappearing with the consistency of a weather-forecasting Pennsylvania groundhog, usually contains a similar prophecy: More clouds on the horizon, for a lengthy period of time.

Given the cutbacks at The Times, I thought I’d help the editors out, and provide the next six years’ worth of headlines for this perennial sports section fave.

April 2010: “Lombardi: Kings closer than ever, with salary cap room to spare”

April 2011: “Salary cap space not an issue as Kings search for final piece to playoff puzzle”

April 2012: “No playoffs? No problem, as ‘Kings of cap space’ seek scorer”

April 2013: “Tale of Two (Staples) Tenants: Clippers reach NBA Finals as Kings launch latest rebuilding program. (Cap space key, says Lombardi.)”

April 2014: “Open April dates at Staples; U2 Farewell Tour moves in, as Kings still haven’t found what they’re looking for”

April 2015: “Desperate Kings rebuild rebuilding program, consider ceasing on-ice operations” (“The hockey team actually, physically playing games is just one component of our business model,” said AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, proposing a novel plan whereby Kings fans would continue to buy tickets and come to Staples Center, without what Leiweke called a “surprisingly expensive” hockey match taking place.)

Colin Campbell

Sherman Oaks