fbpx
Mar. 29, 7:00 PM
DAL @ SAC
Mar. 31, 6:00 PM
UTH @ SAC
Apr. 02, 7:00 PM
LAC @ SAC
Apr. 04, 4:30 PM
SAC @ NYK
Apr. 05, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BOS
Apr. 07, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BKN
Apr. 09, 5:00 PM
SAC @ OKC
Apr. 11, 7:00 PM
NOH @ SAC
Apr. 12, 7:30 PM
PHO @ SAC
Apr. 14, 12:30 PM
POR @ SAC

20Q: Which Kings will exceed expectations?

Some of the older faces could benefit from the surrounding incoming talent.
By | 15 Comments | Dec 15, 2020

Credit: Kimani Okearah

If you are searching for a hairless cat and expecting cute, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re looking for horrifying, then a hairless cat is perfect. Reactions are always based upon your starting expectations.

If you’re expecting Tyrese Haliburton to average 15 points a night and win rookie of the year, you’re likely to be disappointed. If you’re content with plenty of errors and relish the flashes of promise from the rookie, you’re more likely to be satisfied with his performances throughout the year.

I’m not saying lower all expectations to feel less disappointment- although this is not bad advice to any longtime Sacramento Kings fan. But, the question of who will exceed expectations simply depends on what your expectations are.

Here are my top-3 candidates based on my personal expectations:

Buddy Hield

Everyone has been ragging on Buddy for a while now, myself included. He made himself an easy target at times with comments that have been made to the media and underperforming last season – which may be more of a coaching fault.

Let’s not just forget how potent of a scorer the Bahamian sharpshooter is. Last season, he averaged 19.2 points while shooting 39.4 percent on 9.6 attempts from three and it was not very controversial to say he was disappointing.

With some lowered expectations and optimism that he will thrive again due to an increased pace, we could return to the Buddy that can nearly singlehandedly win some games with lights-out shooting.

That should be enticing to other teams come the trade deadline.

Hassan Whiteside

Now, this is one where I have extremely low expectations. I worry there is a chance that Whiteside becomes unhappy with a lack of playing time and provides little in the moments he is on the floor.

Yet, I think there is a possibility that Whiteside can be a well-liked character during his one season in Sacramento. It has already begun with him pranking the rookies at media day in a funny video posted by the Kings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYca8dcVHIQ&ab_channel=SacramentoKings

Hopefully, he is more enjoyable to have on the team than I am expecting. I’m not so sure about his productivity, however.

Cory Joseph

While Tyrese Haliburton is not fit to be a primary initiator of the offense at this point in his career, he is still a better option in the second unit than Cory Joseph.

Joseph, who is entering his second season sporting royal purple, has been miscast on the offensive end of the floor. As is evident in his defensive anticipation, he has an impressive basketball IQ and that’s where he makes his living on both ends. Not attempting to create for himself and others in the pick-and-roll.

I am tired of seeing Joseph dribble the air out of the ball for what feels like half the shot clock just to end in a fadeaway jumper. With Haliburton likely sharing a majority of his minutes with Joseph, I think we will get to see him function more off-ball with well-timed cuts and just simple swing passes.

If CoJo is less involved on offense, it will be that much easier to appreciate his defense.

I worry that the rookies could underperform in some people’s eyes because expectations are being set too high. Remember, these are 19 to 22-year-olds just joining a grown-man league, in an unprecedented season that allowed for very little training camp and no summer league.

Fox was not included for a similar reason. He is getting as hyped up as ever, and that leaves little chance to exceed those expectations.

Which Kings do you think will exceed expectations?

Patreon Membership
* indicates required


To prevent spam, our system flags comments that include too many hyperlinks. If you would like to share a comment with multiple links, make sure you email [email protected] for it to be approved.
Subscribe
Notify of
15 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
WGriffith
Admin
Original Member
Author
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Comments
Vote Up
December 15, 2020 1:45 pm

I take great offense to your opening lines….. this is EXACTLY why you’re a hairless cat on the Chainmail art, SIR.

Aykis16
Admin
Comments
Vote Up
Author
Original Member
Nostradumbass 13
Comments
Vote Up
Author
Original Member
Nostradumbass 13
December 15, 2020 1:45 pm

I’m going with Buddy. If the Kings truly are committed to pushing the pace and bombing threes again, I think he could be on pace for a big year numbers wise.

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
December 15, 2020 3:44 pm
Reply to  Aykis16

I agree with you about Hield. He obviously handled the ball too much last season, and it’s pretty clear whose fault that is. But when your “down year” includes that you shot two points below your career average on threes, and still made over thirty-nine percent of them? Honestly, if the game plan is to let actual point guards run the offense, Buddy will be well-beyond productive.

As to Bagley, I’ll quote our own Tom Ziller:

And perhaps a word of advice to my former sisters and brothers in the Kings fandom: no amount of gnashing will undo the Luka Doncic decision now, so embrace Marvin Bagley and treat him how rangy unicorn prospects ought to be treated.

Samdanger
December 15, 2020 1:53 pm

Surprised that Marvin Bagley isn’t even mentioned in this article. I am super down on his ability to ever be a major contributor, and I often forget he’s on the team. But if he can stay healthy for more than two weeks at a time he seems like a player who could blow his expectations away. Is that likely? Debatable, but the player with one of the highest ceilings on the team can beat expectations by just being an average contributor, let alone actually taking a step forward into a quality player.

If he didn’t have such an unfortunate history with the team and the Kings had just traded for him I’d be really excited to see what he could do this year.

Gregoryl
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
December 15, 2020 2:19 pm
Reply to  Samdanger

I just have no expectations for MBIII. Injury after injury, here we are in pre-season and he is still not playing, etc.. I just expect nothing from the guy at this point.

ManilaBayCleanerCrew
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
December 15, 2020 5:18 pm
Reply to  Gregoryl

I have high expectations that Bagley will be injured this year, he’s consistent about it.

rockbottom
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
December 15, 2020 1:54 pm

Buddy will have a great season if used properly! Klay Thompson lite !

Tunel_21
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
December 15, 2020 2:07 pm

I’ll be watching Bagley very closely in the next couple months. I’m nervous because I feel like we will know at the end of the season if he’s a future all-star or a complete bust. I still have hope he can become great, but there is also a part of me that is ready for disappointment.

cbrody
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
December 15, 2020 2:12 pm

It would be difficult not to reach my expectations but I’m sure they will find a way.

BrazilianRare
December 15, 2020 3:08 pm

Kyle Guy, if the coach gives him minutes, will surprise a lot of ppl.

RobHessing
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
December 15, 2020 3:12 pm

If Bagley can get and stay healthy, he would be a prime candidate. Hield, if the Kings are committed to up-tempo.

SMF-PDXConnection
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
December 15, 2020 3:56 pm

I’m going with Haliburton. He’s still a rookie, but I’ve liked what he’s shown so far.

Bluejohn
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
December 16, 2020 12:23 am

I think Hali is a gimme. All he has to show is that he has the BBIQ we’re expecting and that he shows his game is NBA ready (which to some extent he already has) and that he continues to show improvement over the season. I only hope he doesn’t get too beat up over the season or run into the rookie wall too hard which in this abbreviated season should not be that difficult.

On this team, at this time, I truly believe that the only player on the roster with the capacity to exceed expectations is Marvin Bagley. The bar he has to limbo under is set so insanely low his butt will be scraping the ground before he gets under it.

He is the worst draft pick ever……….(that may be an understatement) but since the Kangz didn’t have the opportunity to take a pass on MJ and nobody passed on LBJ and since the only possibly worse GM than Vlade failed to select Steph Curry………(KAHN!) he’s gotta be up there.

Bagley is in the unique position of having nothing to win (because he will never compare to Luca) and nothing to lose unless he can can show that at minimum he has at least the ability to show up to play (availability) he will always look like a bust. I’m hoping that he does exceed expectations this season because as a fans of this team, we need him to show that Vlade, for all his ineptitude didn’t totally blow the pick.

rc50cal
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
December 16, 2020 10:23 am

The best possible advice for Kings fans:

€I’m not saying lower all expectations to feel less disappointment- although this is not bad advice to any longtime Sacramento Kings fan.€

Badge Legend

Patreon Supporter Patreon Supporter   Registered On Day 1 Registered On Day 1   Published Post Published Post  Published Post Nostradumbass
Comment Up Votes 200 Up Votes   Comment Up Votes 500 Up Votes    1,000 Up Votes    3,000+ Up Votes

Comments 50 Comments   Comments 100 Comments    250 Comments    500 Comments    1000+ Comments