It is a very uniquely Sacramento thing to find some satisfaction in a loss by your hometown team. When you've spent nearly 15 years being traumatized by broken promises, relocation threats, and busted draft picks, your only request is that the team that you've devoted your entire heart to doesn't walk out on you. You just need that reassurance of, "Hey, we know times are tough, but we're going to keep battling, because you're worth fighting for." And sometimes that doesn't translate to wins, but just hard-fought battles where the opponent left at least knowing that Sacramento doesn't go down without a fight.
It looks like the Kings aren't done with us yet, as they throw us back onto the rollercoaster ride of trying to follow their nonsensical patterns. After the hard work against Portland, we are chugging up the track once again, catching our breath from the last plummet, and anxiously anticipating when the next one will come. As we enter the weekend, I'm praying to the basketball gods that we get the high-effort Kings of the past two games instead of the low-life Kings we had to suffer through previously.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 5-7 and seeded at the 12th spot in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Clippers entered this game 8-4 and seeded at the 2nd spot in the Western Conference.
Tonight is the first time the Kings will meet the Clippers this season and within the next six days. After tonight, the Kings will host one more home game before heading down to Los Angeles to face the Clippers again. It's important for the Kings to establish their presence tonight and send the consistent message that they are not here to roll over to anyone, even to the enigmatic Fun Guy.
The Los Angeles Clippers have provided so much content since the bubble and through the offseason, I think it will be easier to summarize it all with a list:
Finished 5-3 in bubble seeding games (one of those losses due to the famous dagger from Devin Booker that we will all remember for the rest of eternity)
Defeated the Dallas Mavericks in first round of playoffs, 4-2
Paul George opened up about his mental health struggles while in the Orlando bubble, relating it to his poor shooting performance in the series against Dallas
Playoff run is ended in the Western Conference semifinal round after losing a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets and we are all robbed of what was expected to be a battle of LA for the Western Conference finals
Doc Rivers stepped down as head coach in a "mutual decision" with the front office
Tyronn Lue signed a 5-year deal to become head coach
Participated in 3-way deal to send Landry Shamet to the Brooklyn Nets and acquired Luke Kennard from the Detroit Pistons
Unloaded Montrezl Harrell in free agency and signed Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum
Paul George signed a 4-year, $190 million maximum contract extension
Beat the Lakers on opening night of the 2020-2021 NBA season (116-109)
But of all the interesting things that have transpired over the last few months for the Clippers, my favorite has to be Paul George's decision to join #TeamBraids with his co-star, Kawhi Leonard, who is the longest standing member of the club, being fully committed for all 29 years of his life (an unverified but probably true fact). The Clippers now just need Reggie Jackson to fully commit so they can become:
When it comes to a storyline, the Clippers have turned themselves into a chapter book. After prefacing last season with championship confidence, and then ending it with deflating disappointment, the Clips are looking to advance their character arc and earn a more mature and successful reputation. They're off to a good start, currently 2.5 games back from the defending champions and rolling on a two-game winning streak. Loaded with superstar talent and a deep bench, the Clippers will be the most talented opponent to enter the Golden 1 Center so far this season.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings lose, 100-138
Sacramento Kings: 100 PTS, 47.1% FG, 30.8% 3 PT, 23 AST, 14 TO
Los Angeles Clippers: 138 PTS, 58.4% FG, 51.4% 3 PT, 29 AST, 9 TO
Marvin Bagley III (SAC): 20 PTS, 8-12 FG
Kawhi Leonard (LAC): 27 PTS, 6 AST, 10-15 FG
Paul George (LAC): 26 PTS, 4-8 3PT
That was fun and then it was terrible. The Kings hung in for two quarters before the Clippers went on their first and only run which lasted the remaining two quarters of the game. As soon as the Clippers got a step ahead, the Kings laid down. This team switches up their look more than Dennis Rodman - one half they're confident and competitive, and the very next half they look like they've never played basketball before. When it comes to the Sacramento Kings, I don't know what to believe anymore.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
So Much HolmesWork: Bully me, steal my lunch money, and call me a nerd because I LOVE HolmesWork. I want the liquid form of Richaun's patented push shot pumped through my veins. I want an endless loop of Haliburton & Holmes two-man work playing on a TV in every room I walk in. Richaun currently leads the LEAGUE in field goal percentage (69.7%). Yes, the entire league of 450 professional NBA basketball players. And Richaun achieves this by taking and making good shots - he doesn't attempt anything out of his range and capitalizes on scoring opportunities. Tonight, he also showed off his athleticism against Zubac as he pulled out some one-on-one work.
The Bad:
Can I Get a V-Cut?: Kings' answer: No. The Clippers introduced their defensive presence early, gluing themselves to the Kings and getting their hands in passing lanes. The Kings were clearly uncomfortable with the pressure as they turned the ball over four times in the 1st quarter and wasted 10 seconds in their offense just to get a first pass in. When these skilled and seasoned teams try to intimidate with pressure, the Kings need to find their composure and fundamentals. Small things like a strong v-cut can get the offense going and alleviate the pressure.
3-Point Throat Punch: It's getting old watching teams make 3-point shots all night long. The Clippers lead the league in 3-point percentage (42.9%) and certainly showed off why tonight as they shot 51.4% (18-35) from behind the arc. Similar to their loss to the Blazers, the Kings suffered from a barrage of 3-point makes from the Clippers that allowed them to pull away in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
The Ugly:
Jekyll & Hyde: I feel as if I just watched two different basketball games. The Kings had a relatively good first half, high in turnovers but also in energy and creative offense. They came ready for the battle and headed into the locker room at the half only trailing by 8 points. But the team that emerged from the tunnel for the second half was almost unrecognizable. The only reason we knew who this group was is because we've seen them before in past games, where we hoped they had stayed. The Clippers put just a toe on the gas and the Kings turned into the shadow version of themselves, being careless with the ball, lazy on defense, and emanating a defeated and pouty spirit. They ended the 3rd quarter trailing by 29 points. I absolutely hate these Kings.
Where's the Leader?: The Kings desperately need a clear and definitive leader on this team. As a group that is clearly vulnerable to complete collapses as a response to a bad run, someone needs to start getting mean. When shots stop falling, feet stop sliding, and shoulders start slumping, someone needs to step in and remind this team that giving up is unacceptable. I'm not supporting workplace harassment, but sometimes people need to be called out and loudly held accountable for not doing their job.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Despite more promising activity from him, tonight's Royal Court Jester once again goes to Marvin Bagley III, this time for his inability to catch the ball. In the 2nd quarter, Buddy Hield threaded through the defense and threw up a perfect alley-oop for Bagley to add to his good start for the night. Bagley timed it right, exploding into the air, arms up, hands open, and bringing them forcefully down onto the rim for an easy slam. The only problem was he didn't have the ball. It slipped through his hands in one of those "how did that happen???" moments. A few possessions later, the Kings ran a back screen for Bagley to redeem himself, only for him to miss yet another executed alley-oop from Fox. I think the game would become a lot easier for him if he could manage to put both hands on the ball.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
I have a lot of mean feelings coursing through my veins right now and all I picture when I think of the Sacramento Kings is burning piles of trash. But I feel some respite in crowning Chimezie Metu as tonight's King of Kings. Metu was called upon to play a season-high of 17 minutes and he made the most of every tick. He fit himself in the flow of the offense early and logged 8 points in the first quarter, as well as 8 rebounds overall. I will always appreciate a dude who stays ready and takes advantage of every opportunity on the floor.
Up Next
Sunday, January 17th vs. New Orleans Pelicans @ 6:00 P.M. (PT)
The Braidy Bunch meme is hilarious, good job.