Build it in Natomas, stupid

The pipe dream that is the Railyards Arena may be the stupidest political folly in recent memory.

With more moving parts than a Rube Goldberg contraption, this longshot plan is a grand slam home run if it somehow comes together.

But the more likely outcome is that it will crumble.  And crumble badly.

Now here's the sad part:  Building a new arena on the site of the current arena would be far cheaper to fund, easier to build, more cost effective as a construction project, and smarter overall.

The infrastructure is there.  The parking is there.  The freeway on-ramps are there.  The footprint is there.

It's a slam dunk at this point simply because the city has probably targeted enough financial sources to fund a new Natomas arena right now.

So what's the upside to building in Natomas?

Well, you keep the Kings, for one.

And you have an arena far sooner.

You don't need to wade through environmental reports, crazy parking schemes, and rely on a plan that may or may not appeal to the Maloofs.

Plus, you don't decimate the economy surrounding the current arena.

I say build in the railyards, but don't build an arena.  Build an entertainment complex -- how about an amphitheatre for first-rate concert acts.

Mayor Johnson, just shelve the downtown arena folly right now.

Save the Kings in Natomas and you still look just as good.  And you still create plenty of construction jobs.

The answer is a no-brainer.

Time for someone with brains to make the right call.

Such a sham: The Top 10 rejected new names for Arco Arena

The Kings have become a sham of a team. Now, they are preparing to associate with an alleged sham of a company.

The Bee is reporting that the Kings are ready to announce the new naming rights to their arena.

Think shady. Very shady.

Power Balance, a company that makes colorful silicone wrist bands, will reportedly be the new name on the side of the arena.

Here's what David DiSalvo of Psychology Today wrote about the company:

About 2.5 million people have spent $25 or more on a little rubber bracelet called Power Balance. Perhaps you've heard of it (or are wearing it). Its makers claim that it "resonates" with the body's "energy flow" producing extraordinary balance, flexibility and strength in its users.

Well, at least that's what they used to claim. Now, in a show of candor rare among hucksters (unless they're being threatened by industry watchdogs, which they are), they're admitting that the product isn't backed by an iota of credible scientific evidence. They'll even send you a refund if you feel you were duped by their advertising.

Yikes. Doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. He went on:

Products that seem to work via mysterious means inaccessible to scientific investigation are more than likely bullpucky and always have been. Their makers have always used sophistry and fuzzy explanations to sell them, and have always relied on the power of suggestion to propel the pucky as far as it'll go. The game never really changes; the shysters just develop craftier ways to circumnavigate our judgment and appeal to what we really want -- an easy way to feel better, look better, and be better.

I guess you can't be choosy when your team is bleeding money. With the Palms Casino in free fall and attendance at games fizzling fast, the Maloofs grabbed for the cash. But when websites like Deadspin are already taking shots at the deal, you know it might not be a great idea.

Their headline: "Arco's New Name Will Be A Glorious Tribute to Large-Scale Consumer Fraud."

Amazingly, it could have been worse. Kings Talking Points was lucky to gets its hands on the 10 rejected names for the arena.

Have a look:

1. Sylvia Brown Arena

2. BP Spill Palace

3. Piltdown Man Pavillon

4. Bernie Madoff Arena

5. The Ponzi Palace

6. Subprime Mortgage Stadium

7. Nigerian Email Arena

8. The Barry Bonds-Mark McGwire Home Run Chase Palace

9. Justin Bieber Pavillon

10. Weapons of Mass Destruction Stadium