After a quick win-one-lose-one roadtrip, capped by a topsy-turvy game in which a last second Fox game-winner was nearly negated by a Lauri Markkanen prayer at the buzzer, the Kings are right back home for a chuck-off against a Trae Young led Hawks squad that’s still looking for any sort of footing in the Eastern Conference. Is tonight the night Nate McMillan’s threat to resign comes to fruition? Will the Kings strike up that long discussed John Collins swap after seeing him up close and personal? Will Kevin Huerter take every single three pointer tonight and if no, WHY THE HELL NOT??
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, January 4th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
For Your Consideration
The Caw of the Wild: The Hawks are so weird, man. They’ve got a superstar level guy, they’re loaded with surrounding talent, they’ve got a good coach and they’re a miserable viewing experience a lot of the time. I don’t mean that the players are bad, I don’t mean that they don’t have plenty of highlights between all the good players they’ve got… they just have a weird basketball aura about them. The Hawks back court has the energy of the middle school point guard who knows his dad’s coaching him next season so he’s clanking between-the-legs layup attempts off the bottom of the rim, the supporting cast feels like kids that haven’t told each other that they’re all transferring to different schools next year and their Nate McMillan has the energy of the freshman team coach that’s watching this random little asshole on his team attempt crazy layups during tryouts because his dad let him do it in AAU for a couple years. Its awkward and weird and when they win, it feels like they do it sometimes in spite of their coach. Again, I legitimately like the Hawks from a talent stand point and I’m rooting for nearly everyone on that team to become the best version of themselves possible… but watching them this season has been like watching a franchise attempt to defuse a bomb by closing their eyes and picking wires to cut. The architect of the team has moved behind the protective barrier of an ownership advisory role, their coach is talking loudly about “maybe I should just not coach anymore?”- they know something is coming and do NOT want to be there for the big boom.
And yet, they’re talented enough to beat the Kings if they decide they want to. Trey Young only shoots a hair over 30% from deep, but it wouldn’t surprise me if one night he hit 15 threes, or dish for 20 assist, or scored 60 points for that matter. He’s that talented. Dejounte Murray has seemingly been a great Robin to Young’s Batman, averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists while also snatching 1.7 steals a game. DeAndre Hunter and John Collins are both averaging over 15 a game, Onyeka Okongwu has started to show his talents in the absence of Clint Capela…hell even AJ Griffin has proven to be a dangerous shooter for this squad.
They score over 115 points per game, 11th in the NBA. That’s good. They’re 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating. That’s bad. They allowing opponents to score over 116 points a contest, 22nd in the NBA. That’s bad. But they’re 13 in the NBA in defensive rating, which is pretty damn good! This team is funky and chaotic and can absolutely crush the Kings if Sacramento comes out tonight tired or overlooks them as an opponent.
Before I go, I’m really hoping for some great back and forth in the match-up between Kevin Huerter and our former steal-of-a-trade-becomes-pasty-shooter-of-the-future, Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogi’s injury history definitely followed him to Atlanta – he’s only been available to play in half the games in his three seasons with the Hawks, but he’s a fantastic player when healthy and I still have many more fond memories of him than I do memories of the crappy way things ended his tenure in Sacramento. A shoot-out between past and present would be a ton of fun and cathartic for a fan of his like I truly used to be.
Be safe out there in the rain this next week, folks! If you don’t hear from me for a bit, its because I fully expect my power to be out for a few days at best and kayaking to the Pacific on an inflatable mattress at worst. Don’t drive into big swift puddles of water, don’t touch live powerlines, don’t interact with any Lakers fans and you should be okay.
Prediction
De’Aaron Fox takes De’Air out of the arena with a nasty slam on Onyeka Okongwu on his way to another 30 point game, Sabonis ties the Kings franchise record for double doubles in a row tonight and Trae Young does something embarrassing enough to make you thankful he isn’t a King, then 5 things that makes you remember that the Kings drafted the currently injured, back-up power forward for the Pistons over him.
Kings: 125, Hawks: 118
Let it rain!…
Threes,.. from the corner,.. from Keegan and Huerter.
Stay safe out there if you have to drive this afternoon. My production manager is actually letting us out from work at 1:00 today so we can get home before the storm starts this afternoon.
Red Rain is falling down, falling down on Trey Young…
‘Gainst the Hawks we’re again back-to-back;
At least this time the game is in Sac.
Hope for substandard play
From a disgruntled Trae
That throws his whole team out of whack!
Omfg, my exact feelings playing Basketball throughout grade school, while being coached by dudes who only let the rich kids/their own kids/kids who have parents as friends play.
If people here haven’t gotten on Atlanta Hawks Reddit in the last few days you are MISSING OUT.
What’s the cliff notes? Trade Trae?
I hope MM can take advantage of the upheaval and buy low on one or two of their players (Hunter, Griffin).
The Hawks Reddit Mods are banning people there because they’re all doing a bit where they pretend to be Kings fans now. It’s hilarious. Also nonstop Nate McMillan memes that are pretty savage. Lots of crying about losing K’Von, praise for Bogi, sour grapes on Luka…things I can appreciate. Lol
Sacralanta Hawkings
Atlantamento Kawks
Just good clean basketball-themed internet shenanigans.
Lol that’s funny. Two years ago they were in the ECF and now this, crazy.
#Huwkz
For some bonus preview content, I was on Locked On Hawks to discuss the upcoming game and the Huerter trade. https://twitter.com/LockedOnHawks/status/1610730409867739138?s=20&t=h8yFo-ACd65c_5nFJsj4LQ
My wife had this spot-on observation of me watching the games this year compared to years past: “You’re laughing a lot less but seem to be enjoying the games a lot more.”
Go Kings!
LOL. We laughed not to cry.
The Kings are no longer a joke!
My wife told me there are a lot less, “Oh for fuck’s sake!” and a whole lot more “Fuck yeah” being said.
My wife just cuts me to the quick:
I thought you gave up on them and are a Clippers fan!?
This has been a joyous ride back on the pot holed community path known as The King’s Herald (from a former SacTown Royalty commenter). The energy of this group (TKH) and the return of a team that is fun to watch both on the court and off. (And I like the Clippers – I really do, but their community is – well, boring to me. That’s on me – I like the humor and candor better here – or maybe I’m just more familiar).
My latest conflict is deciding if The Kangz – who have already been promoted to The Kingz are ready to be fully re-anointed as The Kings. I figured waiting to at least the 1/2 season mark and/or a 10 games above .500 record would do it.
Kangz4eva!
Im hoping I enjoy this as much live as you do from the couch!
you’re at G1C?
Light the Beam!
Is this team destined to ever be 5 games over 0.500? Hopefully they accomplish that tonight but every other attempt so far this year has fallen short, sometimes embarrassingly so.
they are trolling adamsite
Trolling me too. I use 5 games above or below 0.500 as my arbitrary indicator to formally declare that the team is good or bad. They can’t seem to do either one.
LOL! If only this were the case.
No they are going to end up 5 games over because I’m witnessing the event live and I get disappointed easily.
Damn. Nevermind. They don’t let machetes in the G Spot. Bastards.
If anyone is going to the game, please give Softanovic a high-five, but be careful not to shatter any of his bones by actually touching him.
Imagine taking such joy in the injury and misfortune of others.
I mean, I’m a piece of shit, but even I wouldn’t carry that kind of grudge/butthurt.
This was you on one of yesterday’s threads commenting on my comment about Bagley’s right hand. Here you are today taking joy in Bogi’s misfortune.
Hypocrite much?
Even better you telling all of us Fox is soft as butter
Soft butter is pretty nice!
Baby, I’m gonna butter your bread.
I like Butter… my Dr doesn’t like that I like butter, my waistline does not like butter.. anyways I would eat butter in a box with a fox
Are you related to Fox? He’s soft IMO.
You try driving to the rim with huge people trying to block your shot and getting fouled a lot. No I’m not related but Fox is tough as nails. Glad he is a King.
and fat but at closing time Fox is phat
Fox is the fastest and the softest point guard in the NBA. Soft shows in his defense.
This is what I came for, right here, thanks for stepping up.
Interestingly, these comments discuss something mentioned in the article above, as opposed to setting a Google alert for “Bagley injury,” and dumping out your entire purse in a completely unrelated article.
Make sure that you warm up and stretch properly!
As expected, you can’t own your hypocrisy.
Enjoy the game.
😂 😂
Does anyone want tickets to tonight’s game? I have three lower level seats and free parking across the street from golden one.
For real?
Yeah, i give away a lot of tickets throughout the year. My coworker ended up taking these just now.
All of December’s games i gave my tickets away recovering from long COVID.
I may or may not go to Saturday’s game against the Lakers. I’ll know better how I feel Friday night.
1st: I hope you feel better soon!!
2nd: I’ll take my brother in law and his son if someone hasn’t beat me to it…
Too late, thanks anyway!!
Thank you. The only good thing to come out of getting COVID is that my fiance and i stopped waiting and just got married.
Go ahead and send me your email address if you’re interested in going to Saturday’s game.
Very cool on the marriage, congratulations!
I’m not sure how to send my email address discretely.
Any idea?
Thanks so much. Offhand, no idea how to do that.
Best way would probably be for you both to post your twitter handles on here and then get into each other’s DM’s. Or Instagram or Reddit or what have you.
If you don’t have any of those, I do recommend getting at least one, even if you use a dummy email and have it be anonymous. They can be useful in a pinch and fun from time to time.
That’s a great idea. Thanks.
“Love in the Time of Cholera”
Was planning to take my parents to a game this month if you have any more. Three is perfect. I’ll pay. Thanks!
If Huerter hits a game winner, can the do a red velvet beam?
Red Velvet, eh?
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and DESSERT you
I like RedVelvet Cupcakes with Buttercream frosting..
Light the Cream!
Come on, Kings! Let’s break the “can’t win more than four games over .500” curse!!
If we end the regular season 43-39, I’ll be happy!
*well, as long as we get in the playoffs.
I just need that cushion of extra wins!
As of today, 4 January 2023 at 4 PM – the Play-In teams are Trailblazers, Suns, Warriors, Jazz (with Timberwolves on the precipice).
I wouldn’t want to face any of those teams for a spot in the post season. Though I expect that is what will happen, sitting at Fabulous Five and playing a best of 7, is much preferred. (of course)
Badge Legend