On the road, the Kings are currently at 0.500 (5-5), so I'd prefer for them to just stay out there. But as they embark on their five-game road trip into the wintry tundra that is not California, I am afraid the cold temperatures may push them further into the hibernation that they have fetal positioned themselves into. Injuries have certainly challenged the Kings, but are not a viable excuse for their disappearing defense and diminishing effort. It is not the losses that I am lamenting, although those always suck, it is the inconsistency and lack of competitiveness. It is my belief that this team is fully capable of team defense, fluid offense, and exciting transition play. I believe this because I have seen them do it. But maybe seeing isn't worthy of believing and I am just another idiot with internet access and a dumb blog.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 12-16 and seeded at the 11th spot in the Western Conference.
The Chicago Bulls entered this game 12-16 and seeded at the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Kings bested the Bulls in their last meeting on January 6th, but both of these teams have played a lot of basketball since. While the Kings have continued to confuse with their up and down play, the Bulls have been consistently led by their lanky wing, Zach LaVine, and feisty point guard, Coby White. Promising power forward, Lauri Markkanen, will be sidelined again for this matchup, this time with a shoulder injury. The Kings will be heavily shorthanded with Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, and Glenn Robinson III all out tonight.
The Bulls' backcourt duo dropped a combined 68 points on the Kings back in January and the Kings had to put up 128 points to best the Bulls' 124. The Kings were barely able to squeak by in large part due to big performances from Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III. Considering the Kings' recent shooting struggles, and the three-game tear Zach LaVine is currently on of scoring 30+ points, I have an ominous feeling in my gut. But, if the Kings somehow choose this as one of the random nights they decide to play some defense, they just might stand a chance. If they can get the ball out of LaVine's hands and force others on the Bulls to take a high volume of shots, the Kings might be able to break their five-game losing streak. Heavy on the "might", though.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings lose, 114-122
Sacramento Kings: 114 PTS, 44.9% FG, 27.6% 3 PT, 22 AST, 7 TO
Chicago Bulls: 122 PTS, 59.8% FG, 47.8% 3 PT, 24 AST, 14 TO
Marvin Bagley III (SAC): 26 PTS, 11 REB
De'Aaron Fox (SAC): 20 PTS, 9 AST
Zach LaVine (CHI): 38 PTS, 15-20 FG
Coby White (CHI): 19 PTS, 5-8 3 PT
My gut was right. Zach LaVine is a big PROBLEM on a bad team and the Kings are a bad team with a lot of problems. For a stretch of that game, it almost felt like there was a lid on the Kings' basket, as they continued their scoring struggles. Floaters, jump shots, 3-pointers - they all found a way to get halfway down and out, resulting in a horrendous 44.9% from the field and 27.6% from the 3-point line. Beyond this, the Kings still demonstrated their inability to defend in transition or in targeting a single threat.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Fighting Back: The Kings went down early and stayed down long. They struggled to find any traction or rhythm for most of the game and were constantly trying to get within single digits. It felt like a long, tiresome uphill battle, and one where we would typically see the Kings wither out and wilt in the last ten minutes. Instead, the Kings found some fight in them and clawed their way back early in the 4th quarter to take the game down to final possessions. Although the fight was needed much earlier (about 32 minutes earlier), it's good to know it's still in there somewhere.
Fancy Fox: De'Aaron Fox had what felt like a mediocre night, finishing with 20 points. But I wanted to highlight one of his plays that will reside in my head rent free for the near future. In the 2nd quarter, Coby White was tightly guarding De'Aaron, all the way into the paint. De'Aaron took a quick step back to gain some separation and showcased some of his best ball handling with a behind the back, through the legs, and quick cross over for a right hand finish and the and one. I have goosebumps just remembering it - the combination mixed with the speed at which he did it warmed my heart and reminded me why basketball is the most beautiful game in the world.
The Bad:
Point Difference Purgatory: For 80% of the game, the Kings floated in the purgatory of a 9-12 point defecit. For what felt like an eternity, the Kings were unable to close the gap on the Bulls. At the 8:20 mark in the 4th, the Kings were finally able to cut the Bulls' lead down to four points and were finally back in the game. But it came too late and the previous 30 minutes spent in the in-between ultimately hurt the Kings in the end. Although they got some good defensive stops in the final three minutes of crunch time, they couldn't convert on the offensive end and never gained the lead. Their final offensive possessions highlighted their lasting immaturity, as they turned the ball over and settled for bad shots. As long as the Kings continue to flip the switch on too late and fail to produce in the stretch, this team, franchise, and fanbase will remain in basketball purgatory - between growth and decline, success and failure, and love and hate.
The Ugly:
I'm Holmesick: How can I donate my knee to Richaun Holmes? It might be a little undersized, but it's healthy. Richaun's absence was especially glaring tonight as I was forced to watch Thaddeus Young constantly bully and steal Buddy Hield's lunch money in the post, Zach LaVine score at will off of on-ball screens, and Marvin Bagley III collect a handful of goaltending calls. Hassan Whiteside did his best, but he was just too slow in defending Zach LaVine as he came off of screens. When he dropped down to protect the rim, LaVine would pull out his mid range game. Typically, Richaun would be able to step up early to meet LaVine as he comes off of a screen and provide better resistance between him and the basket. Marvin Bagley III also did his best at the center position, but his strength and IQ are still not ready to handle all of Richaun's responsibilities. While Buddy Hield was halfway drowning in trying to defend Thaddeus Young in the post, Bagley pulled a Rose in Titanic and refused to make room for Buddy on his flotation device. Once he finally did try to help, it was way too late and resulted in free points for the Bulls by way of goaltending. Richaun would normally send immediate help for his teammate with an aggressive hedge to get the ball out of the post. I miss you, Richaun, and can't wait for the next Holmes cooked meal.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Tonight's Royal Court Jester sadly goes to our beloved leader, De'Aaron Fox, for missing THREE free throws in a row towards the end of the 1st half. He put up a beautiful pump fake (aka best move in the game) while he was at the 3-point line, baited Garrett Temple into the air, and drew the shooting foul to get to the line. It was a perfect set up for redemption of his first missed free throw of the night, just a few minutes earlier, where he was unable to convert a 3-point play. But, alas, Fox missed all three and went 0-4 from the line in the 1st half. Although he eventually went 5-5 in the 2nd half, he still has to wear the cap tonight for the 1st half foolery.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
From Thursday's Royal Court Jester to tonight's King of Kings, Marvin Bagley III surely must be an avid reader of this dumb blog, right? After reading my criticism of him from Thursday's game against the Heat, I can only guess this is what fueled him to have such a strong performance tonight. I still stand by my sentiments from Thursday - Marvin, you still need to get in the weight room and chug those protein shakes. BUT, I like what you did tonight more than I dislike your weakness.
Marvin Bagley III got going early, scoring 10 of his 26 points in the 1st quarter, and kept the Kings afloat for most of the game. In the Kings' first few possessions, I found myself already groaning at the lack of movement and 4-out set they idly sat in. It was Bagley who finally stepped out of the mold and began to move without the ball. This movement provided relief for De'Aaron Fox and got Bagley quick points in the paint from off-ball cuts. Bagley was able to offset the vulnerability of his weakness by being active and beating his defenders to spots so he could quickly get his shot up and over them.
Up Next
Sunday, February 21st @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 6:00 P.M. (PT)
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