The Kings have limped back home, owners of the 5th worst record in the league and losers of seven straight game but they’ll have no time to lick their wounds or rest and reflect – the Nets are in town. Tied with the Jazz for the third longest losing streak in the league at 5 games in row, Brooklyn is … EVERYONE TOGETHER NOW… looking at tonight as a get right game. Yesss, we did it. Kevin Durant is probably not going to suit up tonight as he works through a sprain MCL, which leaves just Kyrie Irving and James Harden to beat the Kings. There’s a joke in there somewhere about spheroids and the pairs affinity for conspiracies and strip clubs, but I don’t have time to make it.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Don’t Drive On The Railroad Track: I’m going to get bold and say that I think our losing streak is going to be over soon. Not today, maybe tomorrow depending up whether the Warriors decide to sit everyone like they did the other night (in a win that extended their win streak to 7 games in a row), but at some point the Kings are going to pull out a W in an NBA basketball game. I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about it.
Obviously, I’d rather see the Kings win than lose on any given night, while in the macro view of things I somewhat paradoxically have called for years now to abandon the vets of this core in a tank. The Kings ain’t tanking and they ain’t winning either and we’ve got about a week to figure out which side of the tracks this Kings squad is going to build their home. Do they exhaust their capital and rush into buying the biggest gaudiest team they can afford? Do the buy a big lot, sell off their assets to build their dream team, even if it takes more time and patience from all involved?
There’s a million different factors to ponder but one that’s recently added a new wrinkle is how De’Aaron Fox’s mysterious ankle plays into this a bit: is he dictating when he plays? Is the team holding him for trades? Did he fall in the shower one morning and tear his achilles? I have no answers. The team has no answers other than vagaries. But I bet we do in 8 days.
Regardless of who stays and who goes at the deadline, the fact remains that the Kings aren’t very good. They’ll win some and ruin our charitable streak in the process. They’re bound to have newbies or surprises off the bench that show out and get us excited for elements of the coming season. But between now and that W hanging right above Sacramento’s outstretched hand, we have a lot of unknowing to ponder and I’m at the point where, I just can’t get too high or low on it.
A Thing To Read, Watch, or Do
Watch ‘Groundhog Day’ (1993) dir. Harold Ramis: What the hell else did you think I was going to suggest today? If I’m being fair, I’d totally be okay with you watching any of the “repeating loop” style movies because it’s become a very fun subgenre of movie. “Palms Springs” on Hulu is a romantic comedy with Andy Samberg, “Edge of Tomorrow” is a fantastic sci-fi twist with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt… I haven’t see the “Happy Death Day” films that move the general plot into the campy horror genre but I’ve heard decent enough things about them that I can reasonably recommend them there and not feel too bad if they’re meh. [Editor’s note: Happy Death Day is well worth your time, the sequel was ok but not quite as strong as the first. -Greg] Yes, sure this team is now the sports arm of “protagonist on a forever loop” but at least these other options are entertaining and… well… have a satisfying ending.
Operation: M.C.N.A.I.R. Update:
So I’m incredibly happy to announce that in just the three games that we’ve been doing this, we’ve officially reached over $1500 in reported donations during this losing streak! We’ve helped 12 different local and national charities and are only growing in our counts every game.
For anyone who is donating, but feels like I haven’t seen their comments in the recap threads or don’t want me publicly placing sweet soft kisses upon your saintly crown, we’ve now got an email address that you can email your receipts, donation totals and questions to: [email protected] . Please still him me up on twitter if you’re already doing so, or placing them in the comments, but we’ve got another option if you want it and one that I will constantly be checking!
Again, a massive thank you to everyone whose donated or shared this cause with others. Sacramento’s fanbase is an incredibly gift to this world and we prove it after every single soul crushing, wallet lightening loss.
Prediction
You want a prediction about the basketball game, you’re asking the wrong Will. I’ll give you a season prediction: It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.
Kings: 118, Nets: 117
Back home for a game with the Nets.
Monte sits in his office and frets.
We hear he’s still trying;
Seems no one is buying.
Lots of doubt that we’ll like who he gets!
Prediction: Evan Fournier.
blob:https://kingsherald.com/1fa99241-5ecd-4f64-987c-f8145e3f9b2a
I really need an assistant.
Edge of Tomorrow is a fun effing movie, and Groundhog Day should be a mandatory watch at least once a year, whether on 2FEB or any other day.
It’s off-topic, but I’ve not watched Scrooged for a few year. An awful oversight on my part.
Here’s one!
They could definitely use Barnes, especially now with Ingles injured. No idea if he could be re-signed, but I’d imagine that getting something of a discount is quite possible. If he expires, that’s helpful, too.
Regardless, scoop up the first-rounders.
That trade can’t be right. Currently Utah’s 2022 first rounder is going to Memphis, as part of the Conley deal, and their 2024 pick is going to OKC. So, from my understanding, the Jazz don’t have a future first rounder to trade until at least 2026
Also can’t do a 4 for 1 deal easily.
True. Damn near impossible without empty roster spots.
If that’s true, thank his Ingles got injured. One would assume Barnes was going to the Jazz. I’m exchange for what shitty package then? Ingles some other expirings and no first round picks? Pontificating how shitty that Utah trade would have/could have been for the kings has my confidence in the moves Monte is (maybe) about to make at a very very very subterranean level.
@Adamsite. You are correct sir. I used the fanspo trade machine and it allowed the deal. The Jazz can trade their 2023 but not until after the draft when their 2022 goes to Memphis. I’d still like to get Jared Butler, but it would take a third team most likely.
Now that’s a realistic and good one for both teams. Exactly the type of deals the Kings should be making.
I smell a Fox for Grant and Hayes trade…
Fox looked absolutely miserable during his interview session today.
That dude is done.
Can’t blame him.
Monte: “De’Aaron, we tried to trade you for Domantas Sabonis, Ben Simmons, Pascal Siakam, Jerami Grant, and about seven other dudes. Nobody wanted you because you shoot worse than a Bond movie minion and make literally twice as much as you’re worth. Don’t worry, we’ll help you save face by claiming the offers we got for you just weren’t quiiite good enough because you’re just so super spectacular good. Go Kings, right, De’Aaron? Right? Play-in push time?”
De’Aaron: “Sigh. KANGZ.”
Where can i see it? And I don’t know why he’d be miserable. There’s no pressure. It’s not like they’re in the finals, or the playoffs.
https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1488957358462013440?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Thanks!
Definitely about pain tolerance. When he decides that he is numb enough to walk on the court to take the beatings he will return.
I’ll say this, I don’t blame the guy for taking it easy on his sore ankle. Let’s look at it from his perspective:
every direction he looks all signs point to “don’t rush yourself back”
1.) am I being traded? If so, I could give two shits about pushing myself to play at less that 100% for a team I might not be on in 10 days.
2.) if I am a core of this team and they are building around myself and Burt then it actually is in my best interest to sit and get healthy.
For several reasons this holds true. One is the fact that he is currently the franchise player they are (maybe) building around and he shouldn’t risk long term injury during a lost season with no purpose. The other is why should he push to get back when the Sacramento Kings franchise does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to actually help him win and help him take the next step? Getting a new deal for Holmes who was the starting center for a team that was terrible the previous year is the “BIG MOVE” for Fox to look at as what this GM has done to help the team get better. On top of keeping two guys in Marvin and Buddy who have requested trades (meaning they don’t want to be here!).
3.) by sitting himself down he’s actually helping himself in more ways that one. The obvious is so he can get healthy. The other is it helps the team lose more games and gets the team higher odds at a Higher draft pick (which he has seen is the only way the team tries to bring in talent) so why not sit out and hope it gets your team a better young player in the coming draft for YOU to play alongside and actually win games in the future?
4.) the season is over. He knows it. Who gives a shit. The people in charge clearly don’t care, why should he?
that last one (#4) speaks to… “it starts at the top”
even if the kings get ben Simmons and Sabonis, there’s still a solid point of view from fox to continue nursing his sore ankle.
I don’t blame the guy one bit. Still like him as a human and a player. If they trade him I’m ok with that but if he stays I have high expectations for what he could become with a little bit of help from his general manager.
Maybe because he is one of only two players currently in the league to be on the same team a full 5 years that is about to miss the playoffs?
The other one is Buddy, who is going to be 6.5 years with the Kings and not make the playoffs. After them is Zach LaVine at 4 years, but his streak is about to be broken.
It’s got to be a bit soul crushing knowing you are the main guy on a team that is this bad.
In regards to Fox’s injury, Ham keeps saying, “its a pain tolerance issue…” That sounds like De’Aaron is choosing to sit with no noticeable injury (ie. MRI was completely clean).
I’d be interested to know if you can refresh my memory about other times he sat out an injury that you were certain wasn’t real. The numbers suggest that he’s been far more commonly playing through injuries.
Another medical degree from Google University’s Truther Med School.
I would suspect if the games mattered, he’d be playing.
Which is fair.
My memory, like yours, is that Fox has generally played through injuries or returned very early in projected timelines for recovery.
Personally, I think one phantom injury is too many.
Do not need a medical degree to determine a ankle boo boo ! Soft as mush is my diagnosis !
whether he has a significant injury or not who cares, it’s better that he sits. They’re not gonna win shit w or w/o him this year anyways
Improving draft position by the day, which is possibly the only future this team has.
I’m pretty sure Fox gets that fact. “If Monte and Vivek won’t tank… I’ll tank for them.”
100%
Fine with me.
there’s no point in him playing. I’d rather he not risk injury and be ready for next season.
I’m serious.
sadly
Realizing like us, he ain’t getting those years back.
I’d worry about Kyrie causing a superspreader event, but I don’t think there will be enough fans in the building to qualify.
That’s my obligatory fuck Kyrie joke.
What do we say every time the Kings lose?
I’d thought that he wouldn’t be allowed to play games in California, among other states. Irving is so talented and bright, and he’s constantly throwing obstacles into his own way.
I think visiting players are allowed to play, which makes absolutely no sense to me. Something to do with not wanting to impact tourism in CA, I think?
From what I’ve read, it has to do with the Interstate Commerce clause. Local officials can’t create regulations surrounding interstate commerce (ie players traveling across state lines to do their jobs, play basketball) because the federal government regulates interstate commerce. That’s why you have various different sports teams/arenas/cities/states/etc mandating it for their employees and players, but they can’t for visiting players.
Well, he’s talented. I’ll grant that sometimes it’s tough to separate dumb from crazy, especially in the last few years.
He’s a stupid smart person. There’s a lot of those here in the good old United States of America
I am vaccinated. I got the virus from my wife, who is vaccinated. (And I wore a condom.)
Getting vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t spread the virus.
This have been confirmed by doctors and scientists, and is commonly accepted by most government officials and even media outlets like the new york times and washington post (with the exception of Don Lemon).
I was just trying to do a double pot shot at the Kings and Irving, one of my least favorite athletes. I am aware of the science and research, like how recently, despite being fully vaxxed and boosted, had contact with someone who was positive at the time, which led me to get tested (negative, fortunately).
I would be asking questions if I had been vaccinated 3 times in the last 9 months for smallpox and still caught the disease.
I’m guessing SMF-PDX knows viruses mutate and vaccines are for not dying and (unfortunately) not infection.
All true what you said but also true what KIngofthemonsters posted. I will add that natural immunity provides more protection from the virus than the vaccine and no I’m not recommending getting the virus I just think we need to consider that before requiring people to get vaccinated.
This isn’t true, and natural immunity is killing a couple thousand people per day.
Then you don’t know how vaccines work. I mean, I had a friend who died in a car accident while wearing a seat belt with all the modern airbags, but I don’t question seat belts and airbags.
this settles it for me, no more seatbelts for me and I’m disabling my airbags first thing in the morning!
People get the flu shot and still get the flu. It’s not some crazy conspiracy that’s proven every time a vaccinated person catches covid.
side note, the vaccinated person isn’t dying when they get COVID. The anti vax crowd are.
Vaccinated people are dying too. Not in the numbers that the non-vaccinated were and are, but the rates are slowly but surely merging. Most of that is because the current vaccinations do pretty much eff-all against Omicron.
The Great Equalizer in that is morbid obesity. If you’re skinny and vaccinated, you’ll probably end up with a case of the sniffles. If you’re skinny and nonvaccinated, you may end up in the hospital a few days, but will probably end up okay.
If you get COVID and have a BMI over 40, then whether or not you’re vaccinated largely doesn’t matter, and you’d better get yourself right with the Big Kahuna, because you’re in for a tough go in the hospital.
(Source: I’ve been reading inpatient COVID patient charts now for 2+ years)
No offense, but where is that recorded statistically by a reputable source? Israel, the UK and the US among others publish reams of COVID data. I’m not questioning your experience, but this looks like anecdata and not data. This data should exist and be obvious if true.
Wrong lol
I don’t think anyone said that the vaccine doesn’t have benefit they just commented on what it does and doesn’t do and it certainly doesn’t have the efficacy that was first reported.
Well a lot of that has to do with the fact that before Omicron, the variants of COVID at the time were not as severe and the vaccine efficacy data at that time showed that the protection against even symptomatic COVID was very good. The Omicron variant hit hard not just in the US, but pretty much everywhere, and it was unlike any variant we had seen at the time. But even if efficacy of the vaccine was not as high as previous variants compared to Omicron, it still prevented many from being hospitalized or dying. And even with breakthrough hospitalizations occurring, the VAST majority of people taking up hospital space are people who are unvaccinated.
You’re exactly correct. The vaccination does however lessen the symptoms should you get the virus. I don’t know why it’s so difficult to get the facts but everything you said it factual.
I’d worry about Kyrie causing a superspreader event, but I don’t think there will be enough fans in the building to qualify.
Crazy how little most people know about viruses and vaccines and how they work two years into this mess. Yet, they’re quick to critisize anyone who doesn’t agree with their view.
yawn. We get it. You’re vaxxed or something. Vegans always need to announce it too.
Fixed it:
“Palms Springs” on Hulu is a romantic comedy with
Andy SambergCristin Milioti…”Coach Joerger battled back…
https://www.libertyballers.com/2022/2/2/22915020/sixers-assistant-coach-dave-joerger-returning-full-time-nba
I hope Philly can win forty games so that the team doesn’t fire him. Although with Luke Walton entirely available…
I have to say, I’m more excited to root against the Kings now that we’re donating money to good causes. Even a better draft position didn’t get me rooting for losses this hard. Let’s go Nets!
Love it, Jackass! We’re in win-win situations now!
Winning Kings tickets? That’s less of a prize and more of a punishment these days.
https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1489040868325560322?s=20&t=Qsp5G2UFRzP4779kAWv_og
I’ll take the Apple TV or a 1988 Zenith tube television.
if you win tickets give it to a homeless person downtown, let them get out of the cold for a few hours.
Badge Legend