On Wednesday evening I had fun, a lot of fun, watching Kings basketball. I watched every second of the 48 minutes played and enjoyed just about every second of those 48 minutes – something that hasn’t happened in weeks, and probably much longer.
The Sacramento Kings have been so miserable for so long, both in the micro of this season and in the macro of the last 16 years, that the fun of fandom has been occasionally, or maybe often, forgotten, at least by me. And forgotten is probably not quite accurate. The fun of being a Kings fan, not a writer for The Kings Herald, or a member of this community, or an annoying Twitter personality, has been crushed and buried and suffocated under alternating waves of anger and apathy over the past too many years. Sure, it may occasionally surface on the back of a well-executed fourth quarter or a big De’Aaron Fox performance or a shocking buzzer-beater, but those times have been far too rare for reasonable folks. Hence why so many have disappeared or departed over the years.
And to be clear, the sort of fun up for discussion isn’t the exaltation of getting a high draft pick or moving up in the lottery, nor is it the sarcastic joy of watching a horrendous plan fall apart, nor is it the relief of finally shedding an awful player or an awful coach or an awful GM on an awful contract. It’s the pure, unadulterated enjoyment of watching your team play well and unselfishly and win ball games in the sport you love so much.
When was the last time we saw that consistently in Sacramento?
It’s hard to think of the last time anyone had fun watching an entire game of Kings basketball from start to finish. It’s almost impossible to find a recent time in which a Kings player has had fun playing Kings basketball for 48 minutes. Hell, when was the last time De’Aaron Fox, he of the thousand-watt smile and wholehearted desire to turn things around in Sacramento, seemed to be having fun, period?
Instead of the fun and hope and promise that should define most seasons for most organizations, this franchise has historically bent the opposite direction. At some point in each season over the last decade-and-a-half, a majority of Kings fans have been forced to root for their team to lose, the most miserable position possible for a fan. While some may phrase it as “being okay with losses” or “rooting for wins but not getting upset if it goes the other way”, in the end, most folks, whether they prefer to admit it or not, are rooting for blown leads for improved lottery odds around this time each year. What may be sarcastically entertaining for other fan bases for a year or two has devolved into a miserable state of being for many within the Sacramento family, myself included.
I’ve carried that same attitude for the majority of this season, especially once it became clear that this roster was going nowhere fast. I knew it was in the best interest of everyone involved for the Kings to pile up as many losses as possible. Those terrible third quarters were actually great. Bad coaching was a godsend. Veterans giving up on the season and waiting for trades were doing us a solid. It’s miserable to be miserable for three-quarters of a season, but the tank had to go on.
For one night, last night, things felt different.
Last night was fun.
Sure, the defense was atrocious for about 40 minutes, turnovers were an issue at times, and Minnesota’s guards torched the Kings for the majority of the game, but for the first time in a long while, this team smiled. The players got along, passes were made, unselfish plays were rewarded, Domantas Sabonis was the brilliant offensive mind we all hoped he would be, and most importantly, the Kings won a damn game.
I don’t know what last night’s game means long-term for the play-in tournament or for the playoff drought or for lottery odds, but I do know that I had fun watching it, and it’s fun to have fun.
Who are you and what did you do with that Giraffe guy?
That tenth pick will be real fun.
We got Burt at 12 so you never know. And like most of us keep reminding ourselves… it was one game. Let’s see how this team improves and if it actually leads to more wins like last night. If they build something and have momentum as they qualify for the play in game then who knows. Maybe they could squeak into the playoffs. HIGHLY UNLIKELY, but again——— who knows?
Also, how about the kings try and trade up in the draft? Teams do it all the time, why not us?
For someone else.
Monte about the flip that pick with Bagley and Holmes and bring back some more talent!
(OMG – I ate the same edible as the Giraffe!)
It’s OK. It’s legal now.
60% of the NBA AllStars were picked at a later pick including the last two MVP’s !
Sabonis will surely rehabilitate this franchise.
Wow, Marty. Way to bring the party.
Tyrese who? That was not a half-hearted half-hug Fox gave Sabonis after our dominating win, that was a full-on “I love you mannnn” hug. He was not just hugging a teammate on his level, finally, he was embracing hope and start of a beautiful friendship.
Fox looked reborn, revived from the playing dead. He not only got his wind back after the first game vs MIN, he got his sparkle back. What comes first, the cutter or the benefactor? Critics say Fox need to play off the ball more, quit standing, make use of his quickness. How much enthusiasm can you expect a guy to muster when the big, say Marvin, is late with the pass, unlikely to see you, or never draws enough attention in the first place?
The beauty of Sabonis too is he helps initiate your offense more in the attack zone, further penetration into scoring territory. The defense is bending early in the shot clock due to his will and force. Notice hes not setting picks above the 3-point line it is inside the arc. The defense is already in semi retreat because he commands his space, the sweet spots, and refuses to be denied. This buouys and energizes his teammates because then they have lanes and space to operate and whether it leads to make or miss, it is a quality look.
I wonder what Marvin was thinking as Sabonis delivered his masterclass on playing like a true big, besides how he prays to get traded to DET today so he can book some studio time with Slim Shady, anything to distract from the irrelevancy of his career. Allegedly, Thibs is NOT happy with Cam Reddish. How about we trade Marvin and Len for Reddish? Reddish is only 38% but hes a good cutter to have on the floor with the Ox. And Len is trash. Lets gooooooo!
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y9ocrm3l
How many moves does Sabonis make to get the shot he wants? As many as it takes! This is beautiful to see, the refusal to take a shot except the highest percentage shot you can get, and if this takes one drop step, followed by a pivot, then a head fake, a shot fake, another pivot, so be it! It is NO wonder when you are an Ox have the patience of Job and a bag overflowth, you make an incredible 64% of your 2s. Sabonis has as hands as good as C-Webb, he catches everything, can palm the ball like a grapefruit, a la C-Webb and Otis Thorpe if you want to go old school.
Memo to Doomers: I forgive you for your misguided ways, the insistence the GM was incapable or incompetent. Or the only path forward was tear it all down. Its okay. Come to the Light! All aboard the McGenius Express, Ox, Fox and Friends, destination playoffs!
Cat got your tongue today?
Having a talented big that can score, and pass eliminates a lot of unnecessary guard dribbling ! It was fun to watch !
I’m curious if Wagner is still going to be a bad NBA player? You send to ignore my questions about home when you were so confident of his future inability?
You are nothing if not funny. LOL The McGenius Express?!?!?!?!
Nice fucking model, McGenius!!!!!!!!
Trading Hali hurt my soul, but I’m hoping it works out. It wasn’t too long ago Warriors fans were livid and “quitting” their team when they traded Monta Ellis, the fan favorite and best player on a struggling team, for Andrew Bogut. I highly doubt this trade will be as impactful, but after my initial raw reaction to the trade I’ve decided to give it time. Who knows how this will work out?
Always remember they were offering Curry or Ellis in the Bogut deal ! Bucks chose Ellis ! Fact. Genius sometimes depends on others mistake !
Ellis led to Giannis and ultimately a championship, tho.
Dance ..
Well written piece. I wasn’t able to watch the game live so I recorded it and watched it when I got home after. It was the first game I watched to conclusion in months. Initially, it was just curiosity about Sabonis. However, from the start, the team had so much energy. Before I knew it, it was past midnight. I only got three hours of sleep but it was worth it.
Although the defense wasn’t great, the players were working hard on that end. It was nice to see Holiday put forth effort in defense even though he couldn’t hit a shot. Complete opposite of Buddy. It was so refreshing to see the team getting easy looks in the paint, thanks to Sabonis. No more dribbling the clock down while everyone else stands around and chucking up threes. If the team competes with the same type of effort every game, that’ll bring the fans back.
I’m still very sad that Hali had to go. And i still wish it would be Fox. Can you imagine if the kings would have two guys as leaders on the court that show positive emotions and smile? Dont get me wrong, Fox is a very good player. But he is not a leader in my eyes.
But anyways: Last nights game was the first one in years that i watched over the whole 48 minutes and it was the first time in years that i felt excitment and i wanted them to win this game so hard. I honestly thought that i lost my ability to scream at a TV in anything else than despair – but last night was different and the energy of the fans matched my own. I hope this wasnt a one time thing.
I already know you wrote this at 1 am.
I assume you were under the influence of multiple substances.
Yoghurt pie?
One word to describe last night…. “Energy”, or was it “Unselfishness”. Worked in two words, but both were consistent all night long which only came in spurts in other games, or not at all. No Buddy = ball movement, no buddy = team defense. and for at least one game, no buddy = win. Will miss the heart of Hali though.
What seemed to be more present than before was leadership. Not sure, but it looked like the changes brought in more leadership, woke up leadership in others, and there was leadership by subtraction. Team chemistry matters (with talent of course), as we saw it did during the “good ol days”.
I usually tell my wife “I’m going to watch the game, but probably not for long.” Last night I watched the whole game. Then I changed my profile pic. It was fun.
When the team and broadcast crew was good !
You sir win the day!
My 21/22 success criteria: The LeBrons and Kings 9th/10th seed. Kings blow out Fakers. Joy.
That would be the best Christmas gift I have ever received. And it wouldn’t even be Christmas.
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but does acquiring Sabonis at least take a little bit of the sting away from the whole Luka fiasco? Just a little? Maybe? For me it does.
I understand this is a sore spot around these parts, and Kings management will never be forgiven for the monumental blunder of passing on Doncic. I’m with you guys on that. Imagine what could have been. I get it.
Not all is forgiven, but man, I love the King’s newest acquisition! I’m still stunned Monte was able to pull this off.
No. Absolutely not.
Not even close
Passing on Luka is unforgiveable. That’s on V & V for life.
Of course not. It’s the sting that keeps on stinging.
It’s like herpes.. that stuff never leaves nor will Bagley over Luka
Fun read.
Not gonna lie, last night was the first game I’ve watched in about 2 seasons. G1C was getting pretty loud there at that end, and that was nice to hear.
Watched the entire game and was so pumped on that last run in the 4th. Was worried when DeAngelo Russell kept dropping 3’s on us at will. Finally he cooled down a bit and we got through the 3rd. We had some good stops, a run, and despite that BULLSHIT jump ball call, when Fox had that steal in the 4th and went basket to basket I was up and fist pumping like a madman. Black Falcon was all over the damn place. Off Night working, and The Lost City of Domantas just moving right the hell in and giving us epinephrine right in the heart.
That hug with Fox at the end of the game…sniffs.
I know, I know, I know, it’s one game and I still miss Ty but damn this FEELS GOOD so I’m gonna enjoy it.
He cooled down when Mitchell took over guarding him. Funny how that works.
Truth. Drop that hammer Oldbhoy. 😉
Sucks that Haliburton is gone but I hated watching Buddy more than I loved watching Haliburton.
And Sabonis is really good. I had never really focused in on him before.
Hilarious! “I hated watching Buddy more than I loved watching Haliburton”
funny cuz it true
Sabonis looked genuinely excited to be here. That was the best part of the game.
I feel like he’s been in trade rumors for a while, so to go to a team that traded a good young player to get you, he probably feels wanted.
Bagley is gone. Yessssss!!!!
Motor City Bagley
It’s getting better all the time.
The new trade takes all $11 mil in salaries off the books at season’s end, and DD, and to a lesser extent, Jackson, get a tryout. Hell of a deal.
Here here!
Great piece Tim. No, not kidding. You summarized and captured last night well.
It’s easy to forget that basketball can be fun, last night reminded is of that
Fun, yes. But what I saw in the players’ eyes, what I heard in that arena; that was hope. This team and fanbase has some hope again. And its because we have an all-world talent in Sabonis. The guy has gravity, commands respect and opens up the game for others like we haven’t seen since Chris Webber.
Hope.
For the first time in a long time.
That is what we saw last night.
Both deals are wins just to clear out Bags and Hield from a basketball sense. Hali hopefully wont come back to bite the Kings, but there was a huge fan sentiment and marketing loss. With that said, either:
1) Monte really is the GM because Vivek would not have pulled the trigger on a marketing loss
2) Vivek realized he is owner of a Basketball team and not simply the owner of an asset
3) Vivek and his family are in India planning next year’s preseason.
I’m ready to have fun again too. I have just got a couple of observations on my way out of The Kings Hellscape (had no trades happened I would have proposed you rename the blog)…
-polling shows almost everyone considers themselves ‘middle class’, with pride. Not ‘bitter non-rich losers’. We Kings fans should too. That’s the team Monte has gotten us. Enjoy it. I intend to. Don’t compare yourself to Brooklyn. Next stop, .500 and 8th seed! Maybe 7th. A guy can dream.
-I would have preferred to trade Fox, but I suspect Monte didn’t find a market or at least a return as good as Sabonis (and he’s good!). So, now Monte has gotten rid of 3 of Vlade’s top 6; Bogi, Buddy, and Bagley. He even got DiVincenzo! Failed Bogi deal avenged! So in a way he’s almost (cough, coach, cough…) completely done what the fans clamored for. Time to root for MONTEBALL’. Take the paper bags off.
-We now have a team with 3 bonafide NBA starters and a bunch of likable role players who really accept that they are role players. That’s a team with Sacramento written all over it. I haven’t felt great about the Kings since The Legacy Hire coach came here. I feel better now. Not ‘hot take on Twitter’ better. Just ‘gonna start watching again’ better. That’s enough for me, which is fortunate, because that’s obviously enough for Vivek and Monte.
Kings fans are bi-polar. Now everyone is singing praises after 1 win over a mediocre Wolves team? Weird stuff. Kings have had lots of games where they looked good in that one game. It’s the consistency that’s been the problem.
The interesting part is that nothing changed between those two games, so why are we even talking about it?
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