The Kings are now the very proud, very deserving owners of a six game losing streak! For those who followed my advice and went and lived your life this weekend, the Kings decided that instead of competing for a win against the Utah Jazz, some decided they’d rather go head to head with the refs while other’s sat the best player on the court for the duration of crunch time after he’d spent the first half destroying DPOY candidate Rudy Gobert. In short, you missed nothing but more Kangz and I’m glad you got yourself a little sun.
Tonight the Kings will attempt to pull themselves out of the ditch by hitching their cables around a tree stump from Hell, the young sequoia himself, Zion Williamson. Winners in three of their last five, the Pelicans are two games up on the Kings for the 11th spot and only a game back of the Warriors and the (ugh, I hate that I naturally wrote the ensuing phrase) coveted 10th seed. If the Kings play down to the level of their opponent and their opponent plays down to the level of the Kings, I have to just assume this game just ended with some sort of temporal vortex opening somewhere in the Smoothie King Baby’s locker space, don’t I?
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, April 12th, 6:00 PM PST
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper on the call
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Zion the Prize: So I’ve got some terrible news for all those who hoped that tonight would be the night the Kings turn it back around – the New Orleans Pelicans currently employ a healthy Zion Williamson and the man is on an absolute HEATER right now. In the last 7 games he’s played, Zion’s averaging 33 points a game, on 61% shooting from the field, to go along with 8 rebounds and nearly 5 assists in those games. On top of all this, his PER is 4th in the league, just behind the three presumptive MVP candidates and oh, yeah, he’s five months younger than Tyrese Haliburton. He’s a wrecking ball aimed straight for any remaining play-in hopes and dreams and with any luck health wise, we’re starting to see the emergence of another transcendent NBA player right before our very eyes. I want to get that out of the way first, because, you know – he’s going to be the biggest factor in tonight’s game.
If it weren’t bad enough, Brandon Ingram is healthy and playing damn good ball as the second option for New Orleans. Outside of that though, this game is a match-up of the 11th and 12th best teams for a reason. The Pelicans aren’t exactly adhering to their new coach in Stan Van Gundy, who has used the media to call them out more than once this season for not playing up to expectations on the defensive end. They aren’t the healthiest of teams either: both Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart appear to be out after not playing in the Pels latest win against the Cavaliers on Sunday night. Even when they are, they’re not good on an entire end of the court – giving up the third most amount of points to their opponents and with a defensive rating in spitting range of the Kings. Tonight’s going to be a slugfest between two fighters with soft skulls, no mouth guards and a couple of mean left hooks. Don’t be surprised if this one is over quick – for either team.
The suns still shining, this team is still bad and the comments might still be broken. I’m done talking to myself today!
Prediction
No defense, all vibes. Who wants a 50 piece? Fox? Sure. Zion? Go ahead big guy! Also, Naji Marshall is going to own, because, well, he deserves it.
Kings: 142, Pelicans: 138
Don’t be the Pigeon.
Don’t be the Pigeon. DO the Pigeon!
Tankathoners be like:
Kings. Pels.
Next.
Isaiah Thomas Revenge Game?
The Smoothie KING!
The Pizza Smoothie Kings Guy?
With New Orleans this year we have split.
In the standings we trail by a bit.
We must control Zion;
He’s who they rely on.
Their fifth game in a week, he may sit!
We’re currently on Daylight Savings time. Run with PT, you can’t go wrong.
nah, sorry, you got it wrong. The game against Utah was actually a good game until the last four minutes.
The possibly of a play-in game expired many games ago, in my opinion. Taking into consideration the way the Kings are playing and games remaining, there doesn’t seem like there’s much hope to cling on to, other than moving up on the draft board.
Securing a higher draft pick seems to be the organization’s best option and the direction the Kings are heading currently.
Badge Legend