You mean to tell me that it's only been three weeks since this season started and there are SIXTY TWO more games of this bullshit? I feel as if I have already lived three lifetimes this season. I've laughed, I've cried, I've cheered, and I've sighed. I've seen what looked like the rebirth of the reigning Kings and I've seen multiple murders of the weak and vulnerable Kaaangz. This team somehow went from surprising, exciting, and something to be proud of to disappointing, dull, and what we've come to know and hate within the span of just 19 days.
I honestly felt nauseous all day at the thought of watching another Kings basketball game tonight. Of course, I love basketball. Of course, I love Sacramento. But do I love Sacramento Kings basketball? Not right now. Until the Kings find it in themselves to be fed up with being embarrassed, I will continue to feel sick on game days. But don't worry, my two and a half loyal readers, I will still be here, at King's Landing, night after night. Because we all need a safe space to work through our pain.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 4-6 and seeded at the 12th spot in the Western Conference.
The Indiana Pacers entered this game 6-3 and seeded at the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Kings have lost five of their last six games and are hemorrhaging from a two-game losing streak. Richaun Holmes will be returning to the starting lineup, as the Kings sorely missed his inside presence in their Saturday loss to the Trail Blazers. Despite Marvin Bagley III's consistently poor play for the past two weeks, Luke Walton is leaving him in the starting lineup.
As is a common theme here, the Pacers are playing in direct contrast to the Kings, winning four of their last six games. Indiana had a short playoff run in the bubble, getting swept by the Miami Heat in the first round. However, they still managed to make waves with the exciting emergence of T.J. Warren who averaged 23.3 points during his time in the bubble. T.J. has since cooled off from his explosive entrance in Orlando, and has been sidelined indefinitely for this season after undergoing foot surgery. This works in the Kings' favor, as history would predict that Warren would have dropped at least 50 points tonight if he were allowed to play.
Without T.J. Warren, the Pacers are still very well-equipped with All-Stars Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, as well as their floor general Malcolm Brogdon. Together, this trio averages 65 points and 18 assists per game. Taming this triple threat will take considerable effort and mindful team defense from the Kings - two things they haven't exhibited lately.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings win, 127-122
Sacramento Kings: 127 PTS, 56.0% FG, 46.9% 3PT, 29 AST, 18 TO
Indiana Pacers: 122 PTS, 48.5% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 26 AST, 12 TO
Harrison Barnes (SAC): 30 PTS, 8 REB, 10-14 FG
Richaun Holmes (SAC): 16 PTS, 10 REB, 6 OREB, 6 BLK
Domantas Sabonis (IND): 28 PTS, 11 REB
Malcolm Brogdon (IND): 24 PTS, 9 AST
I just had about three heart attacks in the past three hours. The Kings pull out a W for us and it wasn't that pretty, but it also wasn't that ugly, so I'll take it! There was a lot of UGHHH but also a lot of OOOHHHHMYYGODDDD, so it was pretty standard for a Kings game, except this time we can all go into the rest of this work week HYPED and ready to take on the world. *insert sound bite of De'Aaron's post-dunk yell*
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Not Horrible Defense: The bar has obviously fallen very low when it comes to what I expect from the Kings on defense. Tonight was not that good, but also not as horrible as it has been. The Kings still fail to understand how to defend a two-man pick & roll. However, there was a noticeable buzz of energy on the defensive end, sparked by De'Aaron Fox and his personal effort in guarding the ball early. Effort is contagious - oftentimes it just takes one guy to decide to work hard. When Fox takes it upon himself to hold himself accountable, others will feel the need to do so as well.
3rd Quarter, Best Quarter?: The Kings flipped the script tonight and turned the usual Death Quarter into their best quarter, outscoring the Pacers 32-29. Their offense looked the best in this stretch with the ball and bodies moving quickly. There was good inside & out action that got Buddy set 3-point looks. These are important because this is where Buddy is the most successful. Too often, Buddy has to pump fake and take a dribble before getting a shot off. When the offense is flowing, and the defense is collapsing, Buddy can get clean spot up shots which will hopefully increase his 3-point percentage.
De'Aaron's Dance: While the Pacers came out with a fast-paced edge, De'Aaron ultimately set the tempo for tonight's game. On both ends of the floor, De'Aaron came with a visible chip on his shoulder and led his team by example. He pushed the ball on offense and hounded it on defense. The best part of his performance was his 4th quarter HAMMER that was felt all the way in Folsom:
The Bad:
Turnovers: The Kings had 18 turnovers tonight, tied for their highest so far this season. These were made even more apparent as they came in waves at the beginning and end of the game. The Kings started this game with two quick turnovers, giving the Pacers three scoring opportunities before even allowing themselves a chance at the basket. In the 4th quarter, with the game up in the air, the Kings turned the ball over five times with sloppy play. In close games like tonight, the unnecessary turnovers can be cause for cardiac arrest as a Kings fan. For the sake of our literal lives, please, take care of the ball.
The Ugly:
Protecting the Paint: I'm not sure if any other team defends the pick & roll worse than the Kings. I'm so tired of watching the same sequence, always ending in an easy layup or free throws. The on-ball screen comes, the on-ball defender gets caught on the screen, the Kings' big gets stuck in no man's land and then there's a quick slip pass for an easy look. I can't take it anymore. Either go under the screen to meet the ball or the big has to show and hedge hard to push the ball back to the right defender. Just do SOMETHING. Falling into the trap over and over again is sickening.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Tonight's Royal Court Jester goes to Glenn Robinson III for falling asleep in the 2nd quarter. On an inbound, the Pacers set up in a stack set at the top of the half. For some reason, Glenn was both face-guarding Doug McDermott and had his back to the ball. Doug quickly read the slumber in Glenn's eyes and cut directly to the basket for an easy layup.
I get it, Doug McDermott is sneaky. He looks like he could be casted on a network TV drama as a small-town high school basketball player who has to choose between an athletic scholarship to the college of his dreams or playing at the local JC for his high school sweetheart who he starred in the school musical with. You never expect that guy to sneak one by you in real-life basketball. But Dougy McD is proof that looks are deceiving and got to place the Royal Court Jester cap on Glenn's head tonight.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
This was strange. I had to use my brain to reason and decide who to give this award to tonight. YES, there were actually multiple contenders. Fox had that devastating slam and Harrison Barnes played like the strong and steady force we love to see. But tonight's King of Kings goes to Richaun Holmes for his resounding reminder of why we are nothing without him.
Even more important than his 16 points and 6 offensive rebounds were Richaun's 6 blocks on the defensive end, 3 of which came in the 4th quarter during big possessions. With Sabonis being such a dominant and steady post presence, I think it's safe to say that the Kings lose this game without Richaun on defense. Welcome back, Richaun, you're never allowed to leave again.
Up Next
Wednesday, January 13th vs. Trail Blazers @ 7:00 P.M. (PT)
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