As the Sacramento Kings have officially turned a four-game winning streak into a four-game losing streak, there has been a wide variety of reactions from Kings fans. While those of us who only reside in dramatic spheres are choosing anger and disappointment, some strong media voices are criticizing these decisions as overreactions and are choosing a more optimistic approach to the Kings' recent performances.
You all know where I stand - go big or go home. But to further explain my position, I have to point out why I don't agree with criticizing Kings fans for being upset. Simply put, we are allowed to be. We have lived this same nightmare for over a decade and it is not unreasonable for us to expect better. I acknowledge and appreciate the perspective that the opposite side presents. Yes, there are mitigating circumstances going on, also known as a global pandemic. Yes, this league is extremely competitive. Yes, this team is still going through some growing pains. BUT if we are ever going to get better, we simply must start having higher expectations. And truthfully, I think that most Kings fans have realistic expectations which don't even necessarily include winning. My notion is that the majority of Kings fans just want to see the Kings compete consistently. We are tired of seeing them play to their potential for a week and then lie down the next. And that's not wrong to be upset about. To summarize, #StayDramtic out there, because you deserve to be.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 12-15 and seeded at the 11th spot in the Western Conference.
The Miami Heat entered this game 11-17 and seeded at the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The last time the Kings and Heat met was on January 30th in Miami. The Kings lost in a single point heartbreaker at the hands of Jimmy Butler. It was reminiscently painful, but was also the Kings' only loss in a seven-game stretch. Those were the days... But now we are here and existence is pain. The Heat are heading over from the bay after losing in overtime to the Golden State Warriors last night, making it their third loss in a row. It is a universally known fact that Jimmy Butler does not like to lose, so I expect him and his team to come motivated tonight to break their losing streak. The Kings will be without their most consistent player, Richaun Holmes (knee), and their security blanket, Harrison Barnes (calf).
This game will conclude the Kings' five-game home stand, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing this team get out of my hometown after tonight. Regardless of how tonight's game goes, this team needs to do some serious soul searching on their upcoming road trip. So lets's just get through this so they can get their butts on a plane to think about their recent play and who they want to be as individual players and as a team.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings lose, 110-118
Sacramento Kings: 110 PTS, 46.2% FG, 36.6% 3 PT, 29 AST, 15 TO
Miami Heat: 118 PTS, 51.6% FG, 35.5% 3 PT, 36 AST, 14 TO
Nemanja Bjelica (SAC): 25 PTS, 8 REB
Marvin Bagley III (SAC): 19 PTS, 10 REB, 2-2 3 PT
Tyler Herro (MIA): 27 PTS, 12-17 FG
Jimmy Butler (MIA): 13 PTS, 13 AST, 10 REB
Get these guys outta here!!! This is the fifth loss in a row for the Kings and their longest losing streak so far this season. As expected, the Heat came out blazing, getting everyone involved. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro went full Sidney Deane & Billy Hoyle to lead the Heat in snapping their three-game losing streak. The Heat were able to hold a comfortable double-digit lead for most of the game and on only 13 points from Jimmy, who racked up 13 assists to get the rest of his team fully involved to bury the Kings on their home court.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
MB3 Activity: Marvin Bagley III had another great game tonight, highlighted by his double-double stat line of 19 points and 10 rebounds, six of which were on the offensive glass. Although he missed some of those easy bunnies again, he made up for them by gaining the Kings extra possessions with his hustle and anticipation. Marvin also went perfect from behind the arc (2-2), something that will eventually help him widen his offensive range. I look forward to seeing him gain some muscle, pull big defenders out to the 3-point line, and put a strong move by them for easier shots at the rim.
3rd Quarter Alarm: It seems the Kings hit the snooze button for the first 30 minutes tonight, as they looked lethargic and went down by 20 points early in the 3rd quarter. It seemed that they finally woke up midway through that quarter, as their defensive intensity appeared and DaQuan Jeffries helped by actually putting the ball in the basket, something the Kings struggled with all night long. Aside from back-to-back turnovers to start the quarter, the Kings took care of the ball and didn't have any more turnovers for the rest of the quarter.
The Bad:
Transition Defense: I had no idea that Kelly Olynyk is an All-Star averaging just 9.9 points per game. Oh, wait, he isn't. The Kings just make him look that way. All night long Kelly Olynyk was able to beat the Kings down the floor in transition and Jimmy Butler was sure to find him. Even on made baskets, the Kings struggled to stop the momentum of the Heat down the floor. Many times, it started with the fact that no one stepped up to stop the ball. Instead, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro had free rein to push the ball and get the Kings' defense scrambled just a few seconds into their shot clock.
The Ugly:
Defense, Duh: Back door cuts, FRONT door cuts, weak help side, NO help side, slow close outs, and blow by close outs - the Kings really did all of the ugly things on defense tonight. If the Heat didn't beat the Kings in transition for a quick bucket, they just as easily broke them down in the half court with active, team offense. The Heat constantly moved off the ball and continuously caught the Kings sleeping. The Heat comfortably controlled the game all night, spinning the Kings around with quick ball movement and sharp cuts. It's hard to understand how the Kings can be so collectively bad on defense when we have guys like De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Glenn Robinson III. But they are. They are very bad.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Tonight's Royal Court Jester goes to Marvin Bagley III, simply, for being weak. Don't get me wrong, this is not to diminish all of the great things he did tonight. He used his lanky athleticism to be active on the glass and logged an impressive double-double. BUT I cannot help but be big time irked by how easily he is put on the floor. In the 1st quarter, Marvin received the ball in transition and was sent flying to the floor by a swooping Jimmy Butler as he went up to the rim. And this is where I need the NBC Sports Bay Area TV crew to STOP playing slow-mo replays of Marvin Bagley going down because we are all able to clearly see just how little it takes to put him on his ass. Another instance came in the 3rd quarter when he tried to take a charge on Kelly Olynyk as he came down the lane, but Kelly basically just jump stopped in front of Marvin and yet somehow sent him flying three feet back towards the baseline.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
Tonight's King of Kings went deep into his European bag. Scoring half of the Kings' points up until the 2:45 mark in the 1st quarter, Nemanja Bjelica wears the crown tonight. He got an early scoring start with a smooth finger roll and soft floater. As he got more comfortable on the offensive end, he started to pull out some of his Serbian style with silky euro steps and crafty lay ups. My favorite was his up and under in the 2nd quarter:
Nemanja Bjelica ended the game with 25 points. It is still unclear what Luke Walton or the front office's plans are for Nemanja, but it seems he's found some value on this injured roster for now. I hope Nemanja continues to make his case for himself through his saucy Euro play. I'm here for it.
Up Next
Saturday, February 20th @ Chicago Bulls @ 6:00 P.M. (PT)
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