More than anything, that's what I'd love to see out of this season. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see this team challenge for a playoff spot, but I don't think that's a realistic goal yet. I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility, but it would mean a lot of things clicking into place early. I just want things to click at some point. I want to watch this team and feel like the Kings know what they're doing. So often it has seemed that we're a piece short, or that someone is lost on offense, or that there isn't an offense. I'm tired of that. I really, really want to see the team's ideal rotation figured out. I want to see a clear system in place. I'd love to see Smart figure out a line-up that says "You know, this is it. This is the ideal rotation. These are the roles for everyone." Because that's what this team has lacked for years now. Players are constantly juggled, nobody knows what role they'll play or be asked to play. I have an idea of what that rotation looks like, and that's nice in itself. For the first time in a while an ideal rotation seems imaginable. But even if it doesn't look the way I imagine it will, I just want that rotation figured out. That more than anything will set up our players for real growth.

Nonetheless, I am predicting a 34-win season. I expect significant improvement. I am hoping for this. Looking back at my past season previews, I'm always overly optimistic about the Kings record. But I don't care. I still want to believe in this team's ability to shock people. For once, I want my prediction to be too low.

Go Kings.