No. Adjusting for margin using Pythagorean win percentage doesn't help at all. Based on the team's points scored and points allowed, the Kings have an expected win percentage of .306. Over 82 games, that'd be a 25-57 record. That's not improvement. That's not good.

Well, maybe the Kings have had a tough schedule and it'll get easier as the season goes on. Right? Nope. Per Basketball-Reference, the Kings rank No. 24 in strength of schedule so far. That indicates that the schedule will get more difficult, not more easy.

So, as of now, the Kings look like … the Kings. A bad team. A top contender for a top-3 pick in the NBA Draft. A cellar dwellar.

That said …

* Defense is attitude, effort and communication. The Kings are playing good defense. Offense is more about execution. The Kings have been awful on offense. It's easier to fix execution over time than it is effort and attitude. My guess is that the offense will revert back to its quality from last season (though that may require lineup changes that hurt the defense). It may be too late to get to playoff position once it comes together. But it should help the Kings finish better than 25-57.

So yes, I am both bullish and bearish on the Kings. Sacramento is playing like a 25-57 team right now, the same ol' Kings. But there are potential areas of improvement that could change that.