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Kangz Rewind: Looking back at the inconsistency of Kings basketball

Today, we explore the phrase "Inconsistent."
By | 67 Comments | Apr 7, 2021

© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to another edition of Kangz Rewind €“ an ongoing feature here at The Kings Herald where we compare recent quotes from players and coaches to past quotes from players and coaches of Kangz of yesteryear.

Previous, but unbranded, editions of Kangz Rewind included comments about the perpetual learning loop of the Kings and the lack of defense and not executing the game plan. Today, we explore the term €œinconsistent.€ Inconsistent is defined as lacking in correct logical relation. The Sacramento Kings can also be defined as lacking in correct logical relation.

It’s been part of the culture for years now.

DeMarcus Cousins in 2013:

€œIt’s the same (expletive) every night.€ €œWe break down defensively, we don’t talk. Same (expletive). When you keep up with the same (expletive), you’re gonna get the same results and that’s what we’ve been getting.€

€œThe team has a problem with just being consistent.€ €œOnce we find something that works, we have a tendency to go away from it or we get bored with it. But the thing is, if we just stick to that boring basketball, we’ll be a better team.€

Isaiah Thomas in 2013:

€œI always say that when you have inconsistent minutes, you’re going to have inconsistent production.”

Michael Malone in 2013:

€œHow many times do you have to hit rock bottom?€ €œI mean, look at our record. We’ve hit rock bottom four or five times now. So maybe some of these guys are so used to losing, they’re accustomed to it. €œI’m not.€ €œI’m not used to losing. I’m used to being in the playoffs and being a competitive team that takes pride in its defense. Right now, we don’t have a lot of guys that do that. So, I’m not sure what their rock bottom is, but I hit my rock bottom one week into the season.€

George Karl in 2015:

€œInconsistent intensity and inconsistent focus, inconsistent toughness and mental discipline €” too many times we have come out on this court and been the quiet team or the soft team.€ €œMy feeling is that we have too many offensive players, and not enough defensive players.€

Darren Collison in 2017:

€œI hate the fact that we’re a little bit inconsistent.€ €œYou’ve just got to take your wins. I think when we play against the top teams, I think guys are more locked in, they’re playing the right way.€

Now, let’s check in on the 2021 Sacramento Kings after Monday’s loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Harrison Barnes:

“Every single night we match whoever is on floor. If we’re playing a good team, we’re going to bring our A game. If we’re playing a team that’s equal with us in the standings then maybe our effort is less. Whatever it is, we always come out a different way every single game based off who we are playing.” “For us to win consistently, we have to do our habits consistently.”

€œIt boils down to maturity. It doesn’t matter what another team’s record is.€

De’Aaron Fox:

€œThat happens at times for sure with us where we’re in there with a playoff team and coming down to the last moment or last few possessions and sometimes with a team that’s not as high up in the standings we play worse in those games sometimes. So for us, we have to find a better level of consistency.€

€œWe just have to be consistent. We have to be a lot more consistent with our level of play no matter what team we are playing against any given night.€

Luke Walton:

€œWe’ve struggled with slippage this year. We’ll play good, solid basketball and we’ll build up some momentum and as that’s happening some of the details of what we do we have slippage in, which is pretty normal. Unfortunately, for us what is happening is normally you are happy with how you are playing, you have slippage, you take a loss, maybe two and then you sharpen up and get back to where you were. Unfortunately for us right now, it’s taking much more than one or two losses to get us back to the level of play when we’re playing really well. That’s something we’ve got to break, we’ve got to fix that. We can’t go through seasons with that many highs and that many lows.”

“When we’re making a lot of shots I think part of that is why our defense struggles is because there’s a relaxation on that end knowing that we have a high-powered offense that can get going at any time.

Thanks for checking out this edition of Kangz Rewind. What will we stumble upon next?

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RobHessing
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April 7, 2021 11:43 am

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TerzoM
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April 7, 2021 12:08 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Redekolous GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Carl
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April 7, 2021 6:01 pm
Reply to  TerzoM

I love that the team just won, and he’s all going all pissy anyway.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
RikSmits
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April 7, 2021 11:57 am

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Last edited 2 years ago by RikSmits
andy_sims
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April 7, 2021 11:58 am

Ah, return of the slippage…

And what does Michael Malone know?!?

RikSmits
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April 7, 2021 12:00 pm
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RikSmits
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April 7, 2021 12:09 pm

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that in the last decade this team has rarely drafted (or brought in other ways) players who have a combination of (i) high BBIQ, (ii) high motor/intensity and (iii) enough leadership qualities to drag the rest of the team with them.

We may have had some players with two of these qualities, but rarely with all three. I hope for Tyrese to grow into that role. He sometimes seems a bit too tentative and nice, but he’s still a rookie, so that is not strange.

Kosta
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April 7, 2021 12:11 pm

Common denominator…

Vivek’s run has been consistent. Consistently sub-par.

RobHessing
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April 7, 2021 12:22 pm
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Klam
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April 7, 2021 3:35 pm
Reply to  Kosta

“Mr. Koufos, it’s called Sub-par 3.0”
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TerzoM
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April 7, 2021 4:40 pm
Reply to  Klam

Vivek going for that Par 3comment image

Marty
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April 7, 2021 1:29 pm

I’m exhausted.

The only feelings left for me regarding this franchise are skepticism, disdain, and hatred. I sort of watch the games, but whatever happens on the court doesn’t make it past those filters.

Being stuck hate-watching the Sacramento Kings is terribly unhealthy, yet also strangely necessary.

Maybe I just need more time.

Last edited 2 years ago by Marty Marty
FarmerGuy
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April 7, 2021 2:01 pm
Reply to  Marty

This reminds me of the quote from Fat Bastard in Austin Powers: “I eat because I am unhappy and I am unhappy because I eat.”

That’s my Kangz Fandom in a nutshell.

Last edited 2 years ago by FarmerGuy
andy_sims
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April 7, 2021 2:39 pm
Reply to  Marty

Speaking as one (more or less) human being to another, anything that you’re lugging around with that much weight ought to be set down, and left alone. If it ain’t family-related, anything causing such negative feelings should be walked away from. Come back when you’re feeling better, sure. But this? Reminds me of the old joke:

“Why are you banging your head against that brick wall?”

“Because it feels so good when I stop.”

So, stop.

Kosta
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April 7, 2021 4:44 pm
Reply to  Marty

We all just need to be more patient-er, Marty!

…But yeah, right there with you. 🙁

TerzoM
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April 7, 2021 4:57 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Same here Marty and Kosta. I actually enjoyed DMC days more , at least there was always drama to go with the suckiness that is Kangz. Tyrese was exciting for few first months, but it seems it has worn off, or Kangz infected him. Another year to wait for next year.

RORDOG
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April 7, 2021 1:46 pm

the one thing I don’t buy into is that this team matches the level of their competition. It doesn’t really feel like there’s any rhyme or reason to their performance on any given night.

RobHessing
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April 7, 2021 1:59 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

The team may not match its level of competition, but it’s pretty good at meeting our level of consternation.

murraytant
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April 7, 2021 4:12 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

agree- that is far too easy an explanation. Makes a good sound bite and we all nod our heads. But does it really make sense and is it borne out with data?

1951
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April 7, 2021 4:19 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

It can be hard to admit that you aren’t as good as you think you are.

Carl
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April 7, 2021 6:07 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

Matching the level of their competition implies that they’re better than other teams. The Kings are on pace for 35 wins, which seems about right to me.
Matching the level of their competition implies that they’re better than other teams. The Kings are on pace for 35 wins, which seems about right to me.

I think they’ve played to the level of their talent.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
NotAlwaysLogic
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April 7, 2021 2:36 pm

Well they are consistent at some things…for example consistently bad at drafting…does that count? But I’m not giving up on a top 5 pick this year and perhaps Monte can turn that bad drafting consistency around.

SelecaoKOJ
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April 7, 2021 2:48 pm

I think the Kings are not inconsistent. Just a bad team. If you look at every single win streak. Break it down. Most of the wins came against bad teams or good/great teams missing their key players. I think they are fortunate to be 22-29. Kings are really a 18-20 win team.

9-22 against teams .500 and above. They beat Denver twice without Murray, CLips, Without Kawhi, Lakers with both HOF’ers. The best Wins the Kings had were against the Knicks, Hawks, Suns, and the win against a healthy Denver team.

AmateurNerd
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April 7, 2021 3:26 pm
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Exactly. “Inconsistent” is just a euphemism for “bad.” The Sixers went 9-73 several years back. That was “inconsistent,” too, of course. The Kings’ default mode is “Suckage,” and these brief runs of competence are made possible by fortunate events (for the Kings) that are completely out of their control, like injuries to other teams’ best players.

sonny
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April 7, 2021 3:25 pm

Don’t sleep on the Kings. Just watch.

or

Don’t watch the Kings. Just sleep.

LandParkJimmer
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April 7, 2021 3:39 pm

But atleast Kings players can now get paid in Bitcoin because Vivek is a true revolutionary and disrupter. The only positive about Vivek is that he’s kept the Kings in Sac – which is huge, don’t get me wrong.

Has anyone else seen the video where he talks about buying the Kings after coaching his daughter’s youth basketball to an undefeated season? It’s absolutely astonishing.

I couldn’t find the video but here’s an article that kinda touches on it.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235348

Last edited 2 years ago by LandParkJimmer
Henry
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April 8, 2021 12:21 am
Reply to  LandParkJimmer

Always wished that some reporter followed up on this story. Is it even all true? How does one suddely become a coach of a middle-school girls basketball team without ever having touched a basketball?

Hobby916
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April 7, 2021 4:07 pm

I have never felt more apathetic about a sports team. They win 4 in a row, meh. They lose 4 in a row, meh. It gets old, same shit different toilet.

Kosta
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April 7, 2021 4:46 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

I’ve never felt apathetic on a rollercoaster.

Until now.

1951
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April 7, 2021 4:17 pm

what you all don’t understand is that this is what €œlearning to play the right way€ looks like!

Anything else is just unsustainable gimmick ball!

A bunch of basketball simpletons around here!

Carl
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April 7, 2021 6:09 pm
Reply to  1951

If you didn’t play professional basketball, you’re not allowed to have an opinion. Apparently.

BeTheBall
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April 7, 2021 6:24 pm
Reply to  1951

I read this in my Kayte voice.

KingsSince85
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April 7, 2021 4:17 pm

The Kings need to have a competent coach and then… Don’t fire him! When players complain (and they will because they’ll have to work harder and they’ll be held accountable), hopefully, Monte (and Vivek) will support the coach. Novel concept, huh. Malone and Joerger were good coaches that had the organization going in the right direction IMO, but they need support and time… That’s how you get consistency.

Kosta
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April 7, 2021 4:47 pm
Reply to  KingsSince85

Draft good players, get good coaching, develop the players, let the GM handle things, get out of the way.

Last edited 2 years ago by Kosta
Klam
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April 7, 2021 4:48 pm
Reply to  Kosta

We COULD’VE drafted good players in the 15 years….

SexyNapear
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April 7, 2021 4:48 pm

I kinda wish we brought back Isaiah and Boogie for the stretch. I weirdly feel there would have been a karma shift.

Carl
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April 7, 2021 6:13 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

Well it would help our draft position.

BeTheBall
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April 7, 2021 6:24 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

From shit to shittier?

BeTheBall
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April 7, 2021 6:26 pm
Reply to  kgdobter

It would depend on who we could then flip those three for.

Brown.says.Good.or.Bad
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April 7, 2021 7:50 pm
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This is good

Gregoryl
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April 7, 2021 8:45 pm
Reply to  kgdobter

Uh bro, no buddy = no play-in!

Carl
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April 7, 2021 9:33 pm
Reply to  kgdobter

I don’t understand how the cap works all that well, or even really how to rub two sticks together, but it seems like the Lakers might be capped out next season, which means they couldn’t take on Buddy’s salary even by moving Kuzma and Gasol.

On its merits, Kuzma is very below average, but at least he makes less money, so it’s effectively a salary dump. I’d personally like to see a deal with fewer years committed to a player who isn’t very good, but then maybe this is the best you can do.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
BeTheBall
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April 7, 2021 6:25 pm

To be fair, only the offense has been inconsistent. They’ve actually been pretty consistent on the defensive end this season.

TerzoM
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April 7, 2021 6:36 pm
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Buddy Hield GIF by Sacramento Kings - Find & Share on GIPHY

BabalooMagoo
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April 7, 2021 8:26 pm

I’ve said it for years, this team plays to level of the competition. We play a team that has a good record and is well coached we dig down and play much better. We play a cellar dweller and we just mail it in. Makes me want to puke.

JackassCentral916
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April 7, 2021 9:09 pm

I really enjoy this feature. Looking forward to more of them over the next 15+ years of losing ball.

CoreyBrewersD
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April 7, 2021 9:14 pm

I think the inconsistency is a shadow of the real problem, the Kings aren’t that good and everyone knows it. Therefore good teams play poorly against us assuming they don’t need to play 100%. Shitty er bad teams see a chance for a win and play up. Kings may be steady, but they need to take it up 2-3 notches and that may just look stupid as they don’t have the players to do that well.

Klam
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April 7, 2021 9:34 pm

comment image

Migz
April 7, 2021 9:46 pm

It’s all aligning perfectly for him to be back next year

RORDOG
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April 7, 2021 9:57 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

(It’s a bummer that Monty Williams didn’t get the job. We could’ve referred to Williams and McNair as The Full Monty.)

RORDOG
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April 7, 2021 10:10 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

(Just pretend I posted this in the Luke Walton article)

Kangz_Landing
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April 7, 2021 9:59 pm

I miss Bogi

ForKingsandCountry
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April 7, 2021 10:28 pm

I have interest in Luke Walton having interest in the Arizona job.

Jman1949
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April 8, 2021 8:12 am

Maybe Vivek can offer some cash considerations to the U of A boosters to take Luke off his hands. He can use some of the million$ he raised through his SPAC in the WeWorks deal:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/26/wework-reportedly-agrees-to-a-spac-deal-to-go-public.html

Jman1949
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April 8, 2021 8:17 am
Reply to  Jman1949

Weird! I thought I posted this comment in the Luke Walton/Arizona article!

TheGrantNapear
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April 8, 2021 8:16 am

Let’s be real, Walton is the perfect coach for this sh@t show of a franchise. Walton and Vivek are perfect for one another. Committment to being bad but never bad enough to pick high in the draft and land real franchise altering talent.

I’d rather be in the Wolves shoes, even as bad as they have been. You have Kat, Edwards and a top three pick in a loaded draft coming. They’ll be relevant next season whereas the Kangz will be playing the same bad but not bad enough dance they play every year.

Jman1949
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April 8, 2021 10:00 am

Being a Kings fan is exhausting!

comment image&ct=g

Jman1949
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April 8, 2021 10:07 am
Reply to  Jman1949

Hmm…this one I posted in the Prediction thread. Hey mods, what’s going on?

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