The Sacramento Kings have now won seven of their last eight games and five in a row after emerging victorious against the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers.
Shorthanded opponents is a theme throughout this winning streak, and we dive into what else seems to be the differences that have lead to this promising stretch of games.
This episode of the Kings Pulse podcast is full of questions and seeking answers.
- Is De’Aaron Fox really a star?
- Is Luke Walton really a good coach?
- Is Harrison Barnes really essential to the Kings’ roster?
- Is Marvin Bagley really worth starting?
- Is Richaun Holmes really worth notable long-term money?
- Have the Sacramento Kings really turned a corner?
I came across some interesting numbers that I present to help answer some of these questions in the episode. Such as opponents shooting percentages on wide-open field-goal and three-point attempts, the amount of injuries that have affected Sacramento’s opponents, and if Fox and Holmes are currently performing at an outlier rate.
Luke Walton was criticized often throughout last season, but now that the team is performing well should he be at the forefront of the praise? Or does a new assistant coaching staff featuring Alvin Gentry and Rex Kalamian have more to do with it?
It is hard to not enjoying the stellar play of Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Barnes, and the rest of the roster. But the NBA is all about momentum, and how long will this good feeling last? What is and isn’t sustainable about their current play?
The Kings Pulse podcast is available on all major listening platforms.
This was a good listen. I appreciate the help in keeping perspective.
Side note: The kings have only won 4 in a row.
Thanks again. I’m always stoked to see this pop up in my podcast feed.
Hey, the Kings are near, at, or above .500 basketball. They are currently sitting in the 9th spot in the West. No critical questions allowed!
I didn’t make the rules but there can only be niceness, appreciation, flowers, and chocolates!
Fox’s play is somewhat sustainable. Kemba, Murray, Fultz, and Beverly have all been out. I don’t think anyone of those guards would have stopped him. But, I don’t think Fox would have made the same impact with those aforementioned on the floor.
Luke is a mediocre coach. A lot of credit should be given to a really good asst. coaching staff.
Harrison Barnes is the key to the Kings ending their playoff drought. If he’s traded, the Kings are looking at the draft again. Barnes trade value is never going to be any higher that it is now. He’s going to be 29. Most likely, he will not be here when this team is competing for a championship.
If the Kings are looking to win now, Benching Bagley is the right option. Not sure what the long term goal is. Bagley has little trade value. But, he’s still young. Problem is, Bagley doesn’t look committed to improving his game.
Holmes is fantastic. If the team signs him long term. Great. If they let him go and sign Drummond, I am better with that.
Regardless, of feasting on undermanned opponents. The Kings have definitely turned a corner. Beating the teams they’re supposed to beat consistently. They still have to prove they can beat high level teams when the other team is healthy. If the Sixers and Nets are 100 percent healthy, can the Kings beat these teams? That’s the difference between being a play in/low seed playoff team or a real playoff threat. Yesterday’s win was great. But, do the Kings win it with a healthy Paul George and Pat Beverly?
Enjoyed the pod. You both were very level headed. I can’t imagine paying Holmes 15-18M. I love the players on this team but I am a seller.
I am also for pushing Bagley at the C. It will be ugly but he has to learn because he is way behind.
If the Kings can keep him at under $10M per year, like Brenden was saying, that would be ideal.
Sorry, I had to go barf when you proposed tanking. You were saying?
I’m a mog. But seriously, you point out that the Kings have had some luck with opponents having injured players? Okay, but the Oakland Raiders were lucky it stormed like crazy on November 20, 2014. That one storm had the butterfly effect of taking that team from 0-10 to very soon going 12-3 before a season ending injury to their QB and all the Vegas nonsense. Kings are winning. Let it happen.
You two make a very good point with the last question in the ability and desire to keep Holmes. If the Kings feel they can afford him, they need to move him by the deadline. Letting him go for nothing would be disastrous.
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