I am still floating on the high of Tuesday night. I haven't felt this giddy since I was a dumb 10 year-old who thought the Kings would just make the playoffs every year. (Poor thing, she had no idea what was to come). This feels warm and nostalgic, like an old blanket or a home-cooked meal. I just want to paddle into the ocean with this feeling and ride a wave all the way to next summer where the Kings enter the playoffs 71-1 with a legendary reputation for being the most dominant underdog team in the history of all sports, time, and existence. What? Too extra? Well that's exactly what this dumb blog is for, so let me sleep a little longer and continue this dream. Through thick and thin, I STAY dramatic. You know this.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 3-1 and seeded at the 3rd spot in the Western Conference.
The Houston Rockets entered this game 0-2 and seeded at the 15th spot in the Western Conference.
Tonight is the first of a two-game series matchup in Houston. This will be Houston's first night getting Demarcus Cousins, John Wall, and Eric Gordon back on the floor. All three were mandated to a seven-day quarantine after contact tracing found that they had been in close contact with a COVID-positive case. Ben McLemore will be self-isolating tonight after testing positive for COVID last Tuesday. I hope the ex-pizza guy has a speedy and healthy recovery.
This will be the 5th time Demarcus Cousins will be playing against the Kings since his contentious departure in 2017. It still stings my heart to see him in anything other than purple and black. Regardless of his flaws, he truly loved Sacramento and he deserved better than to be blindsided with a trade during All-Star Weekend. He was a pillar in our community and gave his heart to us, on and off the court, for better and for worse. Against the Kings, he manages to average 33 points and 14 rebounds, well above his career average of 21 points and 11 rebounds. It's a weird and fine line to walk where I want Boogie to murder us, but also only to the point where we can still win.
I think I can speak confidently in saying we are all looking forward to putting this year behind us. We have all overcome so much. If you worked from home for the past nine months, GREAT JOB. If you participated in distance learning at any capacity, as a teacher, student, or parent, you are AMAZING. If you worked in the healthcare system, you are a goddamn HERO. If you wore a mask in public and socially distanced, you're a literal LIFE SAVER. If you attended a peaceful protest or donated to organizations to voice your support for racial equality, you sparked a REVOLUTION. If you voted this year, you are POWERFUL. If you had difficult but productive conversations with family members, loved ones, neighbors, or even Facebook friends about any of the topics from the long list of bullshit that was 2020, you are BRAVE and this world desperately needs you. And if you spent this year coughing on people, digging your heels in, plugging your ears, yelling at everyone, and refusing to expand your world view, well, then, you suck.
With all that we've overcome to finally get past 2020, there is not a single more symbolic NBA "final boss" character I can imagine than James Harden. Not only is he one of the most feared offensive players in the league, but he has recently become associated with the coronavirus for his careless and flaunting behavior at parties and strip clubs. Despite what appears to be his lack of commitment to his team, and in spite of the critics who point this out, James Harden has proven he is still James Harden, averaging nearly 40 points in his first two games. However, Harden and the Rockets weren't able to beat the Nuggets on Monday night... so I think based on mathematical principles and the transitive property, the Kings should win this game, right?
Side question on Harden: Do you think he would be as good as he is if he were right-handed? Contact me with your thoughts. I am genuinely curious and would like to discuss this.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings lose, 119-122
Sacramento Kings: 119 PTS, 46.9% FG, 33.3% 3 PT, 23 AST, 15 TO
Houston Rockets: 122 PTS, 52.3% FG, 36.1% 3 PT, 26 AST, 18 TO
Harrison Barnes (SAC): 24 PTS, 8 REB
Richaun Holmes (SAC): 22 PTS, 13 REB, 10-13 FG
James Harden (HOU): 33 PTS, 8 AST
John Wall (HOU): 22 PTS, 9 AST
It truly wouldn't be one of the most absurd, heartbreaking, and draining years of our lifetime without ending it with a Classic Cardiac Kings loss. Taking it down to the final possession, the Kings end the year with their second loss of the season. As familiar and compounding as this heartbreak is, there are still a lot of things to be happy about as Kings fans. The most apparent silver lining in tonight's loss is that the Kings are STILL competing through five whole games and against two playoff teams. I can't remember the last time the Kings competed for five games in a row, so this alone is a promising sight. The Kings have already shown that they've shed some bad habits and picked up some promising chemistry. Let's hope we can keep these trends going into the new year.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Buddy on Both Ends: It feels great to feel great about Buddy Hield again. Tonight he contributed on both ends of the floor, often face guarding Harden and hustling on the floating coverage and then knocking down open looks and being efficient on offense. Buddy has found a comfortable balance on offense of not forcing things and letting the game come to him. I love the confidence he is showing and is starting to earn back from the Kings fanbase.
Nemanja as a Role Player: Nemanja Bjelica started 65 games last year and has now found himself averaging just 16 minutes per game. While some players would let this transition sour their attitude and hinder their performance, Nemanja has handled his new role assignment with grace and professionalism. In fact, Nemanja's game has benefited from the relief of responsibilities. Last year, he was tasked with creating offense and battling opponents' starting bigs. Now, he's expected to hit open shots, spread the floor, and provide a bigger help side presence on defense. With less minutes and responsibilities, his weaknesses are concealed and his skills are highlighted. This becomes evident in his stat lines - tonight he contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds, going 3-4 from the field.
The Bad:
Zone Press Call: Luke seems to like to throw the three-quarter zone press out in the 1st quarter once Tyrese and Fox sub in. I can understand the logic - Tyrese and De'Aaron can provide quick pressure up top and it's a good opportunity to surprise a team. But with Hassan Whiteside as the anchor of this defensive set, tonight was not the time or place for this call. The Rockets were able to quickly pass out of the pressure and move the ball up the court to Eric Gordon on the wing. From there, Luke has essentially left Hassan out to dry. Using the momentum from the quick passing, Gordon immediately put the ball on the floor and attacked Whiteside to the rim where he was fouled and given two free throws. Expecting Whiteside to be able to stop anyone on the Rockets in that one-on-one transition situation is like expecting me to stick to my new year's resolution of swearing less. It's just fucking unreasonable. As the Kings continue to face more teams as the season progresses, Luke will have to be more thoughtful in his play calls and matchups.
The Ugly:
Letting Leaks Become a Flood: Under former leadership, the Houston Rockets manufactured a unique system that sacrifices size for speed and shot volume. The Rockets rely on a fast pace to minimize opportunities for opponents to capitalize on any size advantages. This means the Rockets are constantly looking to run and often send a player out early in transition. The Kings failed to pick up on this leaking strategy and instead allowed the Rockets multiple fast break opportunities where they scored within seconds of securing a rebound and often without any Kings player even near them. In a game where baskets are being traded back and forth and there are multiple lead changes, the Kings can't allow such effortless points.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
The last Royal Court Jester of the year is being given this unfortunate title less for actually being foolish and more for just being frustrating. Tonight was not a good matchup for Marvin Bagley III. Against quicker players who can't be beat with a jab step, Marvin's typical advantage of being faster and more agile than other bigs was stifled and his biggest weakness was exposed. And Marvin Bagley III's biggest weakness is his weakness. Even with his height advantage, he just wasn't strong enough to get to the rim against PJ Tucker, James Harden, or even Eric Gordon. His frustration was apparent and while he's not really a fool for being weak, he will be if he doesn't use this frustration to fuel him in the weight room.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
With how much I love this guy, I feel bad that this is the first time he's being named the King of Kings. This guy is the type of player who is consistently doing great things and so it is often easy to take him for granted. But with this shitty year coming to an end, and reflecting on things to be grateful for, I must include Richaun Holmes on that list. Richaun made his presence known early with a YAMMER in the first quarter, quickly followed by a big block on the defensive end. Holmes has become a constant force for the Kings - he's mobile, active, and you never question how hard he will play. Hint: it's always 110%.
Richaun's role was especially important tonight, as Bagley was unable to compete against the Rockets' stocky "bigs". A fun bonus from Richaun came in the middle of the 2nd quarter when he drained a 20-foot shot clock buzzer beater. It's impossible not to cheer for this guy and I look forward to appreciating him more in 2021.
Happy New Year, Kings fans! Here's to more health, more kindness, and more fun Kings basketball in 2021.
Up Next
Saturday, January 2nd @ Houston Rockets @ 2:00 P.M. (PT)
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