November 05, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof sits court side against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

For much of the season, the old barn has been void of any Maloof. Their luxury box is usually occupied by some random cronies or more often, left dark with the lights off, almost in a mourning state.

Scared to attend a game in the city they were once loved in, the banished soon to be ex-owners of the Sacramento Kings made their way to the Staples Center last evening to watch their team live, for presumably, the final time. With only fifteen games remaining in the Kings’ season, Phil and Gavin Maloof slithered their way into Staples, refusing to do any interviews – perhaps taking a final look at what once was. The Kings will not visit Los Angeles again this year, so unless the Maloof family comes to say goodbye (HA!) or takes a road trip, last night was the live finale to the fifteen year ownership run.

The decade and a half tenure at the helm from the Maloof family has been a microcosm of the Kings’ franchise run the past twenty years. Out of nowhere, the Kings quickly emerged as an NBA power – things small markets just aren’t supposed to do, lead by the Maloof family who was on top of the world living the Playboy lifestyle, complete with women and music videos. But the higher you are, the harder and faster the fall, something King fans know all too well.

Nobody feels sorry for the Maloof family – not in the least bit as they made their own bed, though, to see the situation in its current state – it’s just sad, in a yellow bellied way. To see the once proud owners disappear behind the Staples Center curtains, of all places – going out with their heads hanging low, it’s just, sad. Embarrassing, really.

Unable to say goodbye in Sacramento, they attend their personal house of horrors for a final sendoff – a stones throw from the studio where Robert Horry analyzed the Lakers victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Ironic, how it all ended up.