The Sacramento Kings host the struggling Detroit Pistons in an early Sunday matchup as the Kings look to extend their win streak to six games. The Kings will match up against some familiar faces, including one man sure to draw some mixed reactions from the Kings crowd. But I implore everyone to please give him proper respect, there’s no need to boo Cory Joseph.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Sunday, November 20th, 3:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
For Your Consideration
It’s in the Bag(ley): Of course, the headline returning player isn’t Cory Joseph (although he always seems to have good outings against the Kings). Marvin Bagley returns to Sacramento where he’ll likely face a mixture of boos, applause, and indifference upon being announced as the Pistons starting center.
There’s an odd semi-rivalry, at lease in some corners of the internet, between Kings fans and Pistons fans. The Pistons thought they had a gem in Bagley because they knew better than the Kings, Jaden Ivey desperately wanted to be in Detroit instead of Sacramento, and Detroit writers made silly claims about Sacramento because they’re sensitive about how bad Detroit is. I bring all this up only because there’s been a weird beef brewing between fan bases over the summer. And yet now all that feels silly.
They say the best revenge is a life well-lived, and the Kings are living their best life. I don’t pay attention to how Jaden Ivey is playing, because I really like Keegan Murray. Feuding with Pistons fans feels pointless given how well the Kings’ season is going. And I feel the same about Bagley at this point. That’s the past and we don’t need to live in it. Boo if you want, cheer if you want, but I’ll be in the indifference camp. I want to watch Sabonis feast on Bagley simply because he’s the opposing team’s center.
Prediction
The Kings run roughshod over an injury-depleted Pistons team. Kings light the Beam and extend the streak to six in a row.
Kings 140 – Pistons 109
Post Script
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A city in the news this morning because last night a man opened fire in a gay nightclub killing 5 and injuring 18. I was driving home from a friend’s house last night when I was passed by several ambulances on their way to the club. It’s just a few miles from my house. I spent my morning anxiously waiting for word on the safety of my friends in the LGBT community. Even if all my friends are safe (which as far as I know so far, they thankfully are), we know of friends of theirs that were victims. Their community is dealing with a lot of pain.
I don’t have any grand call to action, because we know by now that the trend of needless violence will continue unchecked just as has for decades in this country. My heart is simply broken for my city and my friends and a community of people who want nothing more than to love who they love without being killed for it.
Be kind to each other.
With Detroit we’ll end this home stand;
Our results so far have been grand.
That draft pick we missed on,
Big Marvin’s a Piston!
Our win streak, odds are, should expand!
Big Marvin’s a pissed-on. Sounds about right (yes, I’m in the “boo him” camp).
I was in a bit of a rush earlier and posted my limerick without having read your postscript, Greg. I am old enough to remember a time when news of mass shootings was rare instead of a daily occurrence. I wish we could all take a step back from the desperation and hatred that lies underneath these events, but I fear none of us has an answer.
Thanks for your words, Greg. My heart goes out to your friends and your community. As a queer Kings fan living in the PNW, and as someone who longs for more empathy in the world, I appreciate you taking the time to mention what’s occurred in your home.
Go Kings. Thanks for being a purple light in a dark world.
((((((((Hugs)))))))) to you, my fellow Kings fan.
Be who you are. Love who you love. Our differences should be celebrated – along with the common thread of humanity which connects all of us.
Life is too precious and too short for anything less. ❤️
I had to stop and think for a second, but by gosh, it will be dark enough to light the beam by the time the game’s over.
Also, fuck homophobia and transphobia. Live and let live. There is already too much pain in this world to hate someone for being true to themselves and living comfortably in their own skin. Much love and thoughts to your city, Greg, and to the entire LGBTQ community.
Too much hate, fear, ignorance and apathy in today’s world and only seems to be getting worse, I fear.
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the tragedy in your community Greg. Hard to understand the violence that happens so often.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the horrific tragedy that happened in Colorado Springs, Greg. It was so heartbreaking seeing that headline in the news this morning. Stay safe all.
I got all of my anti-Bagley out of my system in the predictions thread. Now that I am cleansed, I hope he puts up a double-double and feels great about himself as the Pistons lose by some random number between 1 and 35.
I always found Bagley to be a sympathetic albeit immature character. Always wanted him to succeed with the Kings, and now I hope he finds a role with the Pistons.
But honestly? Him and CoJo are just really forgettable players. I’m quite satisfied with our new Top 5 draft pick and backup PG at the moment.
I have always found myself to be a sympathetic albeit immature character as well, and I too wish him–by which I mean me–success. Okay okay, Bagley too.
Best wishes to your friends and friends of friends, Greg, as well as anyone who suffered a loss as a result of this violence.
On light rail to G1C. What a beautiful afternoon in Sacramento today.
Have fun at the game Marty!
Everyone in Bagley’s camp was telling him he was all that and drafted number two not gonna boo him for that. I might have bought into the same hype.
I am here for the community and the mutual support of an imperfect franchise. A franchise you saved that give me high highs and low lows. What I am truly gifted by this community is the love for all be they different than I or bandwagoneers. Days like today I wear that silver badge with pride. Keep up the great work. Here We Stayed and Go Kings!
Badge Legend