During the early 2000s, ARCO Arena had a reputation as one of the most fearsome and toughest environments to play in the NBA. The ARCO Thunder as 17,317 fans stomped their feet on the wood floor made it hard to hear even before the screams and cowbells chimed in. Phil Jackson famously wore earplugs during those playoff matches against the Kings to try to shut out the noise. ARCO was a fortress that was not easily assailed, and the Kings rarely lost at home. From 2000 to 2005, the Kings went 168-37 at home, an 81.9% winning percentage, never failing to win at least 30 games at home.
Golden 1 Center is a better arena than ARCO in almost every physical sense, but the Kings have yet to establish a true stranglehold of the competition there yet. The Kings have only had a winning record there in three seasons: 2018-19 under Dave Joerger when they went 24-17, and then the last two seasons under Mike Brown when they went 23-18 and 24-17 respectively. Golden 1 definitely isn’t as loud as ARCO was back in the day, but it’s still packed full on most nights, and everyone wants to see the Beam lit in person. Golden 1 should be incredibly tough to play in, but so far, the Kings haven’t been able to establish the same kind of dominance at home that they once did.
Most NBA teams are better at home than on the road. Last season, 21 of the NBA’s 30 teams had a winning record at home, while only 15 had a winning record on the road (the Kings being one of them). Only six teams managed to have a better road record than a home record, something the Kings did the year they broke the playoff drought when they won 25 road games and just 23 home games. Even last season, the Kings were almost equally as good on the road (22 wins) as they were at home (24). Is there a reason behind this? Do the Kings put more effort into road games that are harder while being more complacent at home? That certainly feels to be the case sometimes, and the numbers might just back that up.
Defensively, the Kings were far more competent when going on the road. At home, the Kings had a defensive rating of 115.6, among the bottom third of the league. On the road however, they posted a defensive rating of 113.2, which would be good for 7th. The season before, it was a similar story; The Kings posted a defensive rating of 113.8 on the road, 8th in the league. At home however that fell all the way to 118.2, 29th. The Kings were the only playoff team that season to be in the bottom 10 of defensive rating at home. Most teams tend to play better on both ends of the court at home; last season only the Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat, Pelicans, Trail Blazers and Kings played better defensively on the road.
My hope is that coming into this season, the Kings make a concerted effort to try to play as hard at home as they do on the road, particularly on the defensive end. Golden 1 Center should be a place to be feared, and “Wecome to Basketball Hell” should be an omen to Kings opponents coming into the building rather than a reminder of our checkered past.
I am often at the site of the old arena. It is in the process of being redeveloped. This was part of Vivek’s deal when he purchased the team. The old arena is gone just like the old team is gone. There is a twenty year gap between a playoff series win and still counting. I think the Clippers set the record at 29 years.
This is a completely different team in a completely different venue. The soul of Arco is definitely not in G1. I have experienced both many times. Players say the same thing. To go forward look forward. This team and this fan base has to exist in and improve in the present.
In the present the Kings naturally play to the level of their competition and are still soft when pushed hard. Fix that and the wins will come in G1 and on the road.
Kings would have had a better home record if opponents didn’t make every single 3 point shot they put up. Maybe its just me but it seems opponents hit the 3 ball at a high percentage. Wether they were guarded or not.
There is something to be said for having guards on the perimeter that play defense. Helps keep the paint scoring down as well.
Ellis slots in to that role, and hopefully Carter will when he is healthy.
Fox improved but still needs to get better. Monk and Huerter are the weak links on the perimeter. Monk often looks like a turnstile, and Huerter just gets targeted almost every possession on the court.
Nobody seems to remember Derozan.
DeRozan is bad, but not Monk and Huerter level bad.
What are Derozan’s numbers?
Feel free to go check them out and report back.
You declared he was bad but, not worse than Huerter and Monk. Figured you had something to confirm that declaration so I asked.
Meaning Derozan…the player that was signed to improve this team and will likely change how this team plays in many ways. The lineup, the rotations, the scoring responsibilities, the defensive schemes.
Ellis is not any of those. Ellis is a known average player on the average team.
Do you understand how you contradict yourself here? I’m sure you don’t.
….note the name Derozan.
Golden1Center has yet to find, please forgive me, it’s G spot. The fans are there, with the vibe, yet the team seems to underperform. Sac needs to spread the love and light the beam more often.
Part of the issue, besides playing to the level of their opponent (see 2023-24 Detroit, Charlotte – ugh!) is that the last two seasons went from Mike Brown’s hatchlings (2022-23) to still finding their legs last season. There was some backsliding involved as well, as the Kevin Huerter amd Harrison Barnes of 2022-23 were not as consistent or as reliable.
With a very reliable wing, in DeRozan, and what we hope to be another year of growth from Keegan, the overall record should improve. If this team is to take a next step, they should post a 50 win regular season. That’s hard to do unless there are 27, 28 or more home wins (22 or better on the road makes them >.500).
I don’t know how much the schedule makers influence this differently than other teams. This season, the Kings have 9 of their 40 scheduled home games on a Monday night, nearly a quarter. It’s weird and it’s probably just me, but that seems off.
I agree with everything you said except for the vibe being in the arena. It is a good vibe but it is nothing like the vibe in the Arco Arena when the team was great. G1 vibe has never come close.
Kings seem to relax at home. and, while I do not know the numbers it seems that they lost the first home game after returning from the road far too often
It definitely does seem like they come home from a good road trip then roll over.
Excellent 2nd sentence where you gave me a shout out.
Also, excellent final sentence. We can dream of that to become true.
James Ham has mentioned multiple times that the Kings never do shoot around or shooting drills in G1C. They use the practice facility. His theory as to why they shoot worse at home. Also, opposing players have mentioned that they like shooting at G1C because the sight lines are good for shooting. Maybe there is something there, maybe not.
The Kings really need to stop playing to the lower levels of their competition (Bulls, Blazers, Wizards, etc) and instead just stomp their faces in and get the W. Maybe DeRozan will help bring that wisdom and mentality.
I wonder if they are better being the booed at underdog, but struggle being the cheered on overpussy?
The most Homer thing a fan could say is they “play down to the level of their opponent.”
No matter HOW MANY TIMES it’s said; occasionally average teams beat great teams and occasionally average teams lose to bad teams.
That’s why they’re average.
Technically they are worse than the bad the teams they lose to because they lost.
I know this probably not the time or place but have mulling this over for quite some time. Just asking. What about a trade to the Spurs. The Spurs need shooters and we need a good backup center and another defender at the 4 spot. What about Huerter and Lyles for Jeremy Sochan and Zach Collins. Sochan can handle the ball all over the place. Great motor. Attacks the basket. Needs to improve 3 point shot but doesn’t really need that. Very good rebounder. Young with great contract. Collins can play both center and PF. He also has great motor and is known as a poor man’s Sabonis.
Ellis for Wemby or nothing.
That seems steep. Maybe Len for Wemby straight up?
Does Wemby also have multiple personas?
I mean… that would be amazing. I love Sochan. He’s a perfect Kings player.
tell Monte
Hey Monty! I think this would work. Huerter is a shooter and is known that the Spurs want and need shooting. Lyles would fill in for Sochan and he also can shoot the 3. Sochan can be a jack-of-all-trades for the Kings. He is a really good defender from 1 to 4. He can rebound. He doesn’t score from the 3 but attacks the rim with force. Compared to Huerter he is a better scorer but really a better rebounder. He is young and definitely can improve his game. Look at some of his videos. He is a player.
Collins is 6’11’ and has a real good motor. Definitely a team player. He is still yound and fits Monty’s timeline. He can play either along side Sabonis or back him up at center.
We woulfd be loseing shooter but the Kings would get what almost everyone has be asking for. A power forward and center combination and a player who can play almost anywhere and who can score and rebound and play defense.
This would be a good trade. MM make it so
If I can help it…it will be.
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