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Orlando should have been more than a €˜learning experience’ for the Kings

It would be nice to believe that the Kings are going to take this experience, learn from it and come back next season to make the playoffs. The track record says otherwise.
By | 33 Comments | Aug 9, 2020

Credit: Kimani Okearah

The Sacramento Kings are now 1-4 in the Orlando bubble and on the verge of being officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Before we begin, let’s get a few things out of the way.

COVID-19 hit this team hard with Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Alex Len and Jabari Parker all coming down with the virus leading up to the tournament. That likely not only impacts their physical ability to play at the level they had been earlier this season, but also disrupts practice time with the team as a whole. It’s awesome that these four guys are even out there playing. I wish them well and hope there are no long-term impacts to their health as a result of the virus.

The Kings also have had a fair share of injuries leading up the tournament, and Richaun Holmes had to spend some time away from the team for violating the rules of the bubble.

More disruption to practice time.

Every player on the team, coach and staff member has had their lives disrupted by leaving their families behind and entering a new way of basketball life in Orlando.

The NBA has done a fantastic job with keeping players and team personnel healthy while facilitating some intriguing and competitive competition.

Now, let’s get to the point of this article: The Kings have not been competitive or intriguing. Some of that could certainly be related to how COVID and injuries hit during training camp. Yet, it can’t be an excuse. Excuses for the Kings continually fall short and have been part of the narrative around Sacramento for years now €“ the trip to India, injuries, the team being “too young,” needing time to build chemistry. We’ve heard it all. Some of it is legitimate, but much of it covers up a complete lack functional systems and, unfortunately, effort.

The Kings lost to a Nets team Friday that did not have Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan, among others. Though the Portland Trail Blazers loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday kept slim hope alive, the game against the Nets was essentially an elimination game for the Kings and should have been treated as such. The Nets didn’t lean on their lack of having key players as a crutch, they came out energized, ready to play and dropped 30 dimes on the Kings.

Harrison Barnes was straight forward about the team’s lack of effort following the game.

“I think it starts with individual accountability just in terms of the effort that we’re putting out there on a consistent basis in order to win in this league. And, to be consistent, you have to do that every single night. Starting with myself, I know defensively over these past [five] games, I just have to be better,” Barnes said. €œI’ll be the first to say that it’s definitely on us as veteran players. Guys like myself, I’ll take responsibility for that because I’ve been to the playoffs, I’ve been to the Finals. I know the energy and effort that it takes to win games and when you don’t bring that, you lose. I definitely take responsibility there, but I think as a group, we have to learn that you can’t just turn it on.”

Head coach Luke Walton has consistently mentioned what a great opportunity and learning experience Orlando has been for the team.

The Kings are in the top 22 best NBA teams, and considering they will likely be the second team to be officially eliminated from the playoffs in Orlando, they are the 21st best team in the league. Not bad for 13 years of rebuilding, right? To be fair, the clock did reset in 2013 when Vivek Ranadive took over as majority owner, but seven years with no playoffs is an accomplishment in itself.

The Kings are not a young team. Barnes is 28, Hield is 27, Bogdan Bogdanovic is 27, Richaun Holmes is 26, Cory Joseph is 28 and Nemanja Bjelica is 32. The positive here is that De’Aaron Fox is only 22 (though he is in his third year). These guys also have played together long enough to know each other’s strengths, weaknesses and where everyone likes to be on the floor. The point is Orlando should not be a “learning experience” for a team this experienced.

Walton stated this after the loss to the Nets when asked about getting the team to understand that defense wins games: “I think the best way to learn a lesson is to go through things, to live through things. So, going through this bubble and feeling what that’s like, that should be a big time motivator for us as a group as we continue to move forward.”

It is true that this team has not been in many high-pressure situations as a group, but that doesn’t explain why defense and effort, one of the most basic components to success in every facet of professional life, is a key problem with this team. After the loss to the Spurs, Fox said he thought San Antonio just €œwanted it more.€ They got after the loose balls.

The Kings had big-time motivation going into this. They had an opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and had the national media doubting them. Yet their opponents continue to be more prepared and more motivated. That is both a coaching and player issue. The players should be more than motivated (their talk leading up to the tournament appeared to show that they were), and the coaching staff should be able to light a fire under the players when it doesn’t appear to be there. Neither has happened as the team’s only win in Orlando came against the New Orleans Pelicans when they were able to shoot 53 percent from the field for 140 points. If the shots aren’t falling though, the defensive ineptitude, no clear identity and the lack of a fluid offense with consistent sets and motion quickly catches up to them and everything falls apart, and they aren’t mentally prepared to manage those situations.

€œYeah, we were tired, but that’s part of growing in this league. We have to become a much more mentally and physically tough team. We were definitely tired. I know our guys have been through a lot and we were asking guys that haven’t played or haven’t been playing big minutes to step up with some of the bodies down. But it’s that type of game, we need more. That’s why one of the positive reasons to be out here is that we get to continue to be out here. But yeah, we got to be better,” Walton said. “When we get to start winning consistently, it’s not going to be because we’re hot every night. We don’t foul, we’re disciplined on defense, we contain our man on the ball. I know it’s a lot to do, especially when there’s not bigs, with some of the bigs that went down today, to help clean it up, but it has to happen.”

It’s really not a lot to do, even with Holmes out. Professional basketball players and coaches at the highest level in the world should not consider playing defense “a lot to do.”

It would be nice to believe that the Kings are going to take this experience, learn from it and come back next season equipped with the tools to successfully make the playoffs. Given the track record, and the fact that this is already an experienced team in terms of age and basketball played, it is safe to assume this is nothing more than another failed season.

I wish those on the team who have been impacted by COVID-19 and everyone who has been pulled away from their families the best. Additionally, shout out to the players and the league for utilizing the season’s return to take a stand for social justice. Seeing all of the Kings players wearing social justice statements on their jerseys has been pretty cool.

There are more important things in life than basketball.

It just would have been nice if this team had seized the opportunity to reward this jaded fanbase that has gone through its own learning experience over the last decade-plus. It has been educated on a very key subject: Don’t believe the false narratives.

The Kings will be officially eliminated Sunday with either a loss or a Blazers win.

Changes are needed for this franchise before the real learning experiences begin.

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Klam
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August 9, 2020 10:32 am

Everytime Luke opens his mouth at a post game press conference, the only thing he does is create new memes.

CoreyBrewersD
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August 9, 2020 10:41 am
Reply to  Klam

Unfortunately, the meme’s aren’t funny, just sad.

Last edited 3 years ago by CoreyBrewersD
CoreyBrewersD
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August 9, 2020 10:40 am

Thanks for the write up. What this is to me is a eulogy for a “franchise” that has been in the nursing home for 15 years. I knew would come but wow. Time for rebirth trade everyone but Barnes, and Maybe COJO. and start anew. Luka’s dismantling of Bucks sums it up, nothing has been done well or even middling her. I will continue to follow here, but no more financial incentive for this team till till drastic changes occur.

OutofServicePervis
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August 9, 2020 1:25 pm
Reply to  CoreyBrewersD

uh, agreed on blow it up but interested as to why you picked the two players to keep you did…

Adamsite
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August 9, 2020 11:04 am

How many “learning experience” seasons do the Kings need before they become competitive?

I’m so tired of that excuse and the gaslighting by Kings brass.

Klam
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August 9, 2020 11:06 am
Reply to  Adamsite

It’s the experience they need for the NEXT year they will certainly make the playoffs!
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Last edited 3 years ago by Klam
Amonk81
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August 9, 2020 11:29 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Yes. The idea that a coach would talk about learning lessons and not even try to win is disgusting. Seriously, fuck off Walton and Vlade and Vivek. They are all excuses. A joke of a franchise.

#FireWaltonandVkade

then we try to oust Vivek. It is sooooo disheartening to watch these assholes run the Kings into the ground.

L-Train3.1
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August 9, 2020 2:38 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Time to bring back Dearest DeMarcus.

RobHessing
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August 9, 2020 11:04 am

Somehow in Phoenix they win while learning. /Shrugs

Great write-up, Blake.

ZillersCat
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August 9, 2020 11:18 am
Reply to  RobHessing

Phoenix is obviously a better road team 🙂 Ducks!

Kosta
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August 9, 2020 12:25 pm
Reply to  ZillersCat

They didn’t have to travel to India!

L-Train3.1
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August 9, 2020 2:44 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Neither did I, but I still have to watch terrible basketball.

Kosta
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August 9, 2020 11:10 am

Great write-up, Blake!

Changes are needed for this franchise before the real learning experiences begin.

Yes. I hope the the ownership/front office have had a learning experience. It’s been 7 years for Vivek. When will the lightbulb go off?

Kosta
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August 9, 2020 11:13 am

Probably from Kings.com and the Kings facebook page….

KINGS FANS, RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKETS! HERE IS A JASON WILLIAMS VIDEO!
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ZillersCat
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August 9, 2020 11:19 am
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I can only give one thumbs up 🙁

Kosta
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August 9, 2020 12:25 pm
Reply to  ZillersCat

Cat got your thumb?

L-Train3.1
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August 9, 2020 2:45 pm
Reply to  ZillersCat

By now, isn’t a thumbs down deserved?

Timmy_13
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August 9, 2020 1:57 pm
Reply to  Kosta

I spam their posts with Fire Vlade and sometimes Luka stats lol. I guess I’m petty.

ajonez81
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August 9, 2020 11:18 am

Doncic just keeps throwing up these insane numbers to make all this even worse…below rock bottom, earth’s core here we come. Bagley will never be good. But oh well, it’s just basketball obviously. Too bad it had to be the one sport and team (and city) I actually really love.

Klam
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August 9, 2020 11:45 am

Ugh, this year sucks.

Kangz_Landing
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August 9, 2020 12:02 pm

When you’re 13-7 before the shutdown and then come out 1-4 after the restart, you’re not learning, you’re getting dumber

TheFifthMookie
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August 9, 2020 12:04 pm

It was a learning experience for me – to go in without any hope of our team succeeding without changes above Vlade, and not being surprised when the team didn’t succeed, meant I have gotten to enjoy other NBA games a lot.

hopefully someday this team will surprise me.

L-Train3.1
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August 9, 2020 2:59 pm
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

I was almost hoping for a win-less experience in the bubble.

AmateurNerd
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August 9, 2020 1:00 pm

The Kings’ leadership talks like a bunch of climate change deniers. Things will obviously suck for weeks/months on end, then the team will have one outlier stretch of good play, and the narrative becomes €œSEE! We are actually getting better!€ Total willful disregard of reality.

OutofServicePervis
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August 9, 2020 1:24 pm

It’s not a lack of desire. It’s a lack of 1) honestly, talent and 2) coaching

Timmy_13
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August 9, 2020 1:56 pm

It should’ve been the end of the brainless duo of Vlade and Walton.

SelecaoKOJ
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August 9, 2020 2:25 pm

The Time to stop rearranging deck chairs has to begin. Starting next week. Clean house: Vlade/Luke. Undertake an extensive search for the best GM available. That said GM will make hold several extensive interviews for the next head coach. Any and All players will be available for draft picks, trades, expiring contracts. The next GM will know the 2021 and 2022 drafts are loaded. For once, this organization will build a foundation for a successful future the right way…Then.. I Woke up.

L-Train3.1
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August 9, 2020 3:50 pm

At what point do we cut bait and move on again? Is there truly anyone currently worth keeping now, Fox included? Counting stats notwithstanding, I have not been overly impressed with his defense in these games. Also, his drives in the – it was either the Dallas or Brooklyn game – where he crashed into a defender and lost the ball, were terrible. I did not know it was possible to do that outside of NBA2K, I always thought the inclusion of that mechanic in NBA2K to be ridiculous and representative of real basketball, then the Kangz proved me wrong.

NinjaFetus
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August 9, 2020 5:33 pm
Reply to  L-Train3.1

I would keep Fox, mainly because I believe he would be a great second person if we got a pure alpha superstar or actual #1. Think of the passing we’d have if we had Fox and Luka!

eddie41
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August 9, 2020 3:59 pm

learning experience for Luke Walton, hopefully.

NinjaFetus
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August 9, 2020 5:30 pm
Reply to  eddie41

Doesn’t count if it not on tape though.

andy_sims
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August 10, 2020 9:01 am

.

Last edited 3 years ago by andy_sims
andy_sims
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August 10, 2020 9:04 am

Facts:

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