Gary Gerould rarely is rattled on the air, but this was different. It felt like a memorial, a crushing conclusion to a deep-rooted relationship.

Before Monday's Kings-Lakers opener, the last time many heard the "G-Man" was last spring when Gerould, the radio voice for the Kings since the team moved from Kansas City in 1985, called the Kings-Lakers regular-season finale on KHTK (1140 AM).

Gerould's voice was heavy at the end, emotions pouring out, because he was certain that within weeks moving vans would head south to Anaheim for a newer arena.

It also became a reunion for Gerould. Scores of fans and Kings employees stopped by his courtside seat that April night well after the buzzer to listen to him do his postgame work, shake his hand, mug for a photo.

No one wanted to say goodbye.

"It was so difficult, emotional," Gerould said. "I was thoroughly convinced that was it, that the Kings were moving and there's no way we'd have another season with them here. I was never more happy to be wrong. Merry Christmas, Sacramento Kings!"

Gerould paused to reflect.

"What happened that night, and later in the middle of April in keeping the Kings here, a tremendous amount of credit has to go to (Mayor) Kevin Johnson, what he said to the (NBA) board of governors in New York, opening the door for a reprieve. And then there was the labor situation, and that nagging thought of, 'What if we never get a chance at that reprieve?' What an offseason."

One of Gerould's appeals is he's an everyman announcer. He's affable and approachable. Bump into him at the grocery store, the gas station, a coffee shop, the airport – he's glad to talk basketball as a goodwill ambassador for the Kings. He smiled when the Kings achieved, and he teared up when it seemed they were moving on.

"What got me last April was looking at all those young faces, people who might not ever get to experience the NBA here again, or the generation of fans who have only known the Kings here, and that just ripped into my guts and left a lasting impression," Gerould said. "A week or so ago, I was at a holiday party. There were kids, teenagers, a 7-year old, they were huge fans … so excited the Lakers were coming. These fans really care."

Gerould said if this region can erect a "first-class airport terminal," why not a sports and entertainment complex? Gerould's skin crawls at the thought of anyone in local government frowning at the idea of a new Kings facility.

"I think of small-mentality thinking," Gerould said, "and it drives me crazy."

Gerould said he would not have moved with the Kings had they gone to Anaheim. Since 1965, Sacramento has been home, where his family – wife Marlene, kids Beth and Bobby – are rooted.

Gerould, a senior statesman describing the action of a young man's game, lives for this. Last season, he announced his 2,000th game, and he plans to add greatly to the list.

Monday, there was excitement in Gerould's voice as he crammed for a compressed season. He is touched by Chuck Hayes' saga, the departure, then sudden re-arrival, a feel-good story that ranks among the best in club history, Gerould said. He likes a young roster he said is eager to take the league by storm.

Gerould had what many fans deem his greatest Kings call in the closing moments of that Lakers game in April. He doesn't disagree.

Kings look for the lead … it's 95-95. They've come from 20 down. Beno inside to Thompson – a two-hand jam has me on my feet. This is one of the most magical moments. I'm high-fivin' all the fans I can grab right behind me as we savor this one. It may be our last time in this position – we don't know.

Monday, Gerould said, with no disagreement here: "I feel like I'm still on top of my game."

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