The final score is not indicative of how this game went.  After coming out and laying an egg in Oakland on Saturday, the effort to begin yesterday's game was much improved.  We saw defense, ball movement and a quick double-digit lead.  The Kings couldn't maintain the lead for long though.

It was a frustrating game to watch because the changes in momentum from the Kings to the Hawks were so sudden.  Sacramento would build up a lead and then give it right back all in the span of a few minutes.  If the Kings had simply managed to play with the same effort and tenacity they displayed in the first and fourth quarters, this would have been an easy win.  Instead, we have fans (deservedly) booing the team for a lack of defensive intensity when Dennis Schröder walks in for a layup to put Atlanta up 19.  The Hawks are a good team but they are by no means a team that should be able to punk us on our homecourt.

The game did have a couple bright spots however.  Ben McLemore had his second straight good game in a row, scoring 15 points in just under 23 minutes on 50% shooting to go with 6 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals.  He was one of the few Kings playing with energy on both ends of the floor, and I almost questioned why he wasn't on the floor over Marcus Thornton or John Salmons in the final quarter.  Isaiah Thomas, once again, nearly carried us back to a win.  He's been our best player through four games.

The Kings have a couple days to regroup before they play the Blazers in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.  The Kings aren't facing easy opponents to start the season, even if the majority of the games are at home.  All I want to see from the Kings is consistent effort from start to finish.  If that happens, I'll be happy win or lose.  Effort like the last two games is inexcusable.

Random Observations: