Alvin Gentry didn’t hold back when talking to the media following an all too familiar third-quarter collapse from the Sacramento Kings. The damaging stretch frustratingly featured far too many of the same mistakes that Gentry and many others have been highlighting and emphasizing all season long.
In this episode, I included a decent amount of audio clips from the postgame press conferences. The fanbase is frustrated, for good reason, but these clips are meant to provide some insight on how the team is feeling themselves.
Gentry left little room for interpretation initially when explaining what went wrong against the Memphis Grizzlies. His disappointment, frustration, and confusion were apparent.
As he continued, there was a line that would be repeated by Terence Davis later in the night which had also been expressed by others throughout this season.
I explain what hearing that everyone needs to “look in the mirror” repeated could mean in an attempt to read between the lines.
The final included audio from Gentry was his response when asked if more changes were needed, something deeper than these conversations that clearly are not impactful enough.
With the moment(s) between Buddy Hield and Maurice Harkless recently, it was hard to not feel like Buddy had been particularly frustrating. I explained how I got to that point when reading between the lines and noting his drastic change in play.
The included audio clips from Davis give his perspective on having inconsistent opportunities and the difficulties that cause. I also included his response to being asked if he thinks the team lacks leadership, which was noteworthy.
De’Aaron Fox is the first person that people will point to when the conversation of leadership comes up, and I gave my two cents on that. There is also an included short clip from Fox’s postgame conversation expressing that it’s the same issues — there’s no new solution that will magically be found anytime now.
When diving into my takeaways from this game, the postgame conversations, and the recent stretch I couldn’t help but feel like it all pointed back to Buddy. Listen closely to see if he’s especially guilty of the mentioned frustrations in the past and any future conversations.
It’s not all on Buddy, everyone needs to be better, but am I crazy for primarily pointing in his direction?
The closing segment of the episode includes a conversation about the poor play from Richaun Holmes, Damian Jones shining, the need for a reliable fifth starter, and more.
The Kings Pulse podcast is available on all major listening platforms.
Same shit, different day/week/month/year
No chemistry, no grit, no leadership, no toughness.
And who knows, maybe more is lurking behind the curtain, like some kind of toxic environment among the players, leading to the ‘I don’t give a shit’ product we’re seeing on the court.
If Fox is your team leader than you have no leader ! He is a very gifted individual player and that is how he plays ! Buddy is a selfish chucker and that is how he plays ! Another season and same shitshow !
Buddy isn’t selfish, he’s a bad player. It’s not like he is unwilling to pass or facilitate it’s that he is awful at it
Postgame comments. A pointless exercise. Nothing will change until this organization commits to a rebuild. i have been listensing to this Shizzle.for years now. It’s a running joke. Gentry’s comments were the best I have heard in years. But, it won’t change a damn thing.
Why is it that the Kings worse blow outs happen under Gentry? It’s not fair that Christy didn’t get a chance with a healthier squad. The fouls were atrocious. But that had nothing to do with the second half. Fox did not look good, once again just forcing his way to the basket then complaining about no calls. That was his first 10 games of the season. Haliburton and Fox will never work unless Fox starts shooting at least 39% from 3, and stop doing whatever is causing the bags under his eyes. Unfortunately the team only wins when Barnes attacks the basket at key moments of the game which is not a good thing unless Barnes is your top 2 best players. The FO and coaching staff have not committed to Haliburton being the best player and leader of this team. Also need more Holmes. I have more faith in the team playing defense when Christy is coaching then Gentry. There is a reason that Gentry is a consultant for the Kangz.
#promoteHally #feedHolmes #giveDougAshot #MoreMetuPls
Be careful what you wish for ! Keep moving those chairs around !
Please don’t ruin Doug’s career by letting him head coach this kings team. He’ll never get hired again after a year coaching this embarrassment.
The team has been blown out under Walton, gentry, and Christie. They generally have better spirit under Christie, I agree
In regard to Gentry’s comments about the roster, and his statement that he believes that they guys on the roster are good enough to win games:
What do you reasonably expect him to say? Should he have laid into McNair, or named the guys that he feels are unable to help the team win?
Gentry’s job is to get the most out of the players that he’s given. It’s safe to say that to this point, he hasn’t, but I doubt that anyone believes that it’s Gentry’s fault. And this isn’t an argument against the position that the roster isn’t good enough to win a lot of games, only that Gnetry’s response to the question was the only one that he could possibly have given.
A reliable 5th starter? How about starting off with 1 reliable starter?
If both Barnes and Buddy are with the team much longer, the speed at which the Kings can salvage their losses on these failed trades will slow down any kind of realistic rebuild considerably, in my opinion.
Badge Legend