The Sacramento Kings are back in the playoffs after 17 long, bitter, dismally interminable years of futility. It should have never taken this long.
The Kings set a new NBA record for missing the playoffs between 2006 and now, but that sorry story is finally over. The Kings clinched Wednesday by winning on the road against the Portland Trailblazers and, yes, it would have been much more dramatic if the Kings had clinched in front of home fans desperate to go bonkers at Golden 1 Center on Monday night. But the Minnesota Timberwolves had other ideas and you know what? Who cares now?
Today is for celebrating.