We’re going for the positive spin today because that’s what Vivek pays me the big bucks to do, the world falling apart at the seams and it’s raining on a Friday where I live and it’s all I can do to keep from falling into an existential crisis. YAY! The Kings and the Orlando Magic, two up-and-coming teams with young talent stuffed in their pockets face off in a battle of which front office has the better eye for talent. The Orlando Magic will trot out Aaron Gordon, a sinewy leaper that has made the – wait. What? He’s not playing? Okayyy. The Kings will strike first with De’Aaron Fox, a speedster from Kentucky with more – huh? He’s out too? Alright, that’s fine, I’ll go with some one more established I guess. Hey! Speaking of Euro shooting guards making waves for their team what about Orlando’s Evan Fourn- what do you MEAN HES NOT PLAYING? Willie Cauley-Stein has been – YOU WONT EVEN LET ME FINISH THE SENTENCE WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! AKIS I QUIT, I QUIT YOU CAN’T MAKE ME –

When: Friday, March 9th; 7:00 pm PST

Where: Golden 1 Center; Sacramento, CA

TV: NBCSCA

Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

Oh, Oh, It’s Magic, You Know: After some quiet reflection (and a 500 Zillerbuck fine) I’ve decided to give this another go. The Kings and Magic are objectively bad teams. Two of the better players from each team are sitting tonight due to various injuries; Fox and Cauley-Stein with back injuries, Gordon ruled out due to the concussion protocol and Fournier with a sprained MCL. But tonight’s heavy weight tank duel is a win-win for the Kings, regardless of the outcome. Losing means we’re that much closer to a situation where we screw up a Top-3 pick instead of a Top-8. More chances for the winning combination is a good thing, and we’ve spent the whole season awaiting our lottery fates. But winning, winning ain’t so rough either.

Whether it’s this mild sedative that Akis popped in my mouth or just being in the acceptance stage of grief, I’ve been enjoying seeing the young guys work their tails off, and on the off occasion that one of our young guys ignores better options to turn and yack a three in his defends face to win the game, well so be it. I’m a huge fan of Sam Hinkie, I loved every wierd terrible moment of Le Process Dangereux, but I’m also content with the very fact that their particular strategy just isn’t ours. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and if ours is trying to build a championship contender in the mold of a Spurs or Jazz, then I’m good with that. I’ll take the #6 pick this year and I can wait the 100 years it will take the Sacramento sourdough starter mold to really be special if it means rooting for a team of talented young guys. Tonight’s game, and the rest this season are all win-win situations in the best sense of the word. Z-Bo or Koufos or Temple aren’t stepping foot on the court and beating a team by themselves, so if the Kings win, someone young and promising had themselves a good game. Frank Mason getting comfortable after his injury, Skal operating without a Gordon hounding him, Bogi breaking of a slump: all are acceptable outcomes. If we lose: DONCIC BABY! HERE WE COME NUMBER ONE PICK! I think these meds are wearing off, and Akis definitely heard me slamming on my keys in the next room. I, I gotta go.

Draft Dreams: I dedicate this particular clip to Greg.

Prediction: We win. Did you not read this whole piece?

Kings: Shangri-La, Magic: Xanadu