I have solemn, unexpected news that I hope you’re sitting down for when you read it… The Kings… The Kings can still lose games. YES, yes I know… dreadful to have to hear it from me. I don’t relish these opportunities being the bearer of such news, but it makes what I said nonetheless true. I wouldn’t have believed it if my own eyes hadn’t witnessed their defeat but, yes, I regret to inform you: the Kings are… fallible.
Now, watch in humbling, skin crawling awe as the crumbling husk of a once great super power drags it’s rotting corpse from the unfeeling eyes of Brooklyn to the icy, wind swept shores of Lake Michigan. View with mouths agape at the horrors of one single ox faces down a stampeding herd of Bulls. Weep if you must, but don’t turn tail and run when the once unseen tidal wave of truth washes over you and all you hold dear – The Kings might lose another game or two this season.
Let’s commiseration Kings basketball together!
When: Wednesday, February 16th, 4:30 PM PT
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
A Kiss from DeRozan The Grey: Sooo much for old, washed up DeMar DeRozan right?? That man has been in a career redefining third act all season and I can’t help but feel happiness for him. I, like most, felt like the guy was in the backend of an already great career and was probably more than a little overpaid by Chicago and here he is (yeah, sure it’s still year one) just bodying the naysayers. He’s the fourth highest scorer in the NBA, hitting clutch shots every night seemingly and playing for the a team tied record wise for the best spot in the Eastern Conference. He is leading this team at a time where many thought he’d be an overpaid complimentary piece – and it’s one of the best stories in the NBA this season.
As for the team itself: they’re a weee bit banged up. They’ve spent a lot of this season cobbling pieces together to get their wins between Patrick Williams’ left wrist, Alex Caruso’s right wrist, Lonzo Ball’s and Zach Lavine’s funky knees and a slew of other bings and bangs. The fact remains that they’re a fantastic team and if a Seth Curry led Nets bench can beat the new look Kings, so too can a DeRozan-Vucevic led squad. Here’s a semi-unexpected thing that came up when looking a little deeper into Chicago: they’re shooting the best percentage in the league from deep at over 37% a contest. Sure, they’re also one of those “last in attempts, first in percentage” teams but the front office led by Arturas Karnisovas has done a fantastic job of getting guys that fit coach Billy Donovan’s style of winning basketball. Built around some players that could have been funky fits in Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic – the Bulls have acted like a big market team and produced big market results for the first time in way too long.
Hey just a suggestion: when you’re watching the likes of DeRozan and Vucevic play tonight, keep an eye out for rookie second round draftee Ayo Dosunmu. The kid is playing really well and far outside of his drafted position. Personally, I think the kids going to have a long career in this league, so get in on the ground floor now!
Operation: M.C.N.A.I.R. Update:
Super happy to report that we were finally able to complete our donation drive for the ARRE Foundation and they were kind enough to put a thank-you to Kings fans on their website for all our help in raising awareness and money for their cause.
Tonight’s organization of choice is another one that I want to highlight:
Hand4Hope – Youth Making A Difference
We’ve got a huge Kings fan and Kings Herald reader that’s promised to match all of the donations (up to $1000) that the non-profit receives tonight and their employer will match 100% of what ever they’ve donated so… we’re looking at a 3x multiplier here tonight for Hand4Hope. So please, if it be tonight or in the next few games, continue to write into the donation comments Operation M.C.N.A.I.R so we can really, really ramp up what this wonderful cause gets in donations!
Prediction
Domas decides that he’s gotta get aggressive against the Bulls and rocks for 30-10-8. Fox continues his hot shooting and Coby White gets locked into an eternal prison of fear for daring to be on the floor at the same time and Davion Mitchell.
Kings: 113, Bulls: 106
Ox before the game –
Ox during the game –
Ox after the game –
Kidding! I kid. I’m a kidder.
Go Kings!
Why so down on last game’s loss, Kings fans?
“Who cried when Tyrese Haliburton was traded?”
Remember that Kings win streak after the trade?
Tyrese to the Kings:
I love that these GIF’s are anachronistic when you take into account where they happened in the movie itself. (I love Stripes, sorry. It’s one of the funniest movies ever made.)
Anyway, nice pull on the Ox reference.
Will the Bulls hit tonight?
A signature, statement game. Was the Nets game a fluke, due to a poor shooting night? or are the Kings back to normal?
The D is better- more focused and more chaotic (not necessarily a contradiction) but the shooting is less effective. No consistent outside threats. Buddy was an outside threat but not consistent. Consistently inconsistent.
Want to see DS bounce back a bit.
Kings have been transitioning from all new guy free form to new guys got to run a system and that can be confusing.
Got my notice that season ticket renewal is right around the corner.
Know who you are rooting for.
The new Kings came back down to earth—
On defense, still a bit of a dearth.
Now the Bulls, then the break;
More adjustments to make.
Once back find out what they’re truly worth!
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