What I thought would be a fun little quarantine project has quickly turned into a series of self-inflicted torture I must endure multiple times a week. I was hopeful that by this game, I would be writing about the real chance the Sacramento Kings have at stealing the 8th seed or least the 9th seed close enough to force a play-in series. But once again, I am a fool. After Tuesday's loss, ESPN updated the Kings' playoff odds to 0.4%. When, oh, when will I learn?
The big takeaway I got from Tuesday is that the Sacramento Kings are simply incapable of winning a basketball game. This is unfortunate, since it is the ONLY REASON WE ARE ALL HERE. For 90% of the game, the Kings played well - well enough, in fact, for any reasonable person to expect them to win. But once the 4th quarter rolled around and the Mavs started closing the gap in the remaining five minutes of regulation, every Kings fan knew what was about to happen. And once the regulation time expired, initiating overtime every Kings fan knew what the outcome would be.
The Backdrop
The Kings entered this game 0-3 in the bubble, 28-39 overall, and seeded at the 13th spot in the Western Conference.
The Pelicans entered this game 1-2 in the bubble, 29-38 overall, and seeded at the 11th spot in the Western Conference.
Back on March 11th, these teams were warming up in the Golden 1 Center, ready to play a nationally televised and very important game. Unfortunately for them and everyone else in the world, it was confirmed that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz had tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the sweeping and sudden shutdown of all NBA games and activities.
Picking up where the regular season was halted, today's game was supposed to have a momentous and significant feel to it. Both the Kings and the Pelicans were possible contenders in fighting their way to the 8th seed in the remaining 18 games of the regular season. Now that the Kings have officially shit their bubble bed, this game is essentially only important for the Pelicans. Given the Pelicans' momentum from their important win against the Grizzlies, paired with the Kings' damaged morale and lost motivation, it feels like yet another day to regret being a Kings fan.
Unlike the Kings, the Pelicans still have a very real chance at the playoffs. With their toughest games behind them, it is entirely possible that they could win all of their remaining five games and extend their stay in Orlando. As an NBA fan, I am excited to watch Zion Williamson in his first appearance against the Kings. As a Kings fan, I am terrified. Still healing from the trauma of their first three games, I have lowered my expectations for today's game. My only hope is that the Kings come out and compete enough to keep Zion on the floor and don't let this become a rest game for him. Come on, guys, the bar can't get much lower than that.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings win (!!!), 140-125
Sacramento Kings: 140 PTS*, 53.8% FG, 48.5% 3PT, 26 AST, 8 TO
New Orleans Pelicans: 125 PTS, 57.3% FG, 41.2% 3 PT, 31 AST, 17 TO
Bogdan Bogdanovic (SAC): 35 PTS**, 6-9 3 PT, 3 AST
De'Aaron Fox (SAC): 30 PTS, 12-21 FG, 10 AST
Zion Williamson (NO): 24 PTS, 10-12 FG, 21 MIN
*Season high, **Career high
Leave it to the Sacramento King to force me to lower my expectations for the sake of my mental well-being only to exceed them and make me look like a damn fool once again - typical Kaaangz behavior.
This game did indeed become a restricted minutes game for Zion, having only been on the floor for 21 minutes, but not for the reasons I originally feared. Nonetheless, Zion still tied with Brandon Ingram as the Pelicans' leading scorer with an efficient 24 points. Going nearly perfect from the field through three quarters, Zion is a complete mindfuck - 20 years old, 6'6", 280 pounds, and equal parts powerful and graceful in attacking the rim.
A part of me wants the Pelicans to do well moving forward just so we can watch more of Zion in the playoffs. However, the Pelicans didn't come out with the sense of urgency they needed or I was expecting of them and the Kings were able to take advantage to get their first bubble win. For the first time in 152 days we can finally take a break from the self-loathing and celebrate a Kings win!
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Good Start: The Sacramento Kings scored - not allowed, but SCORED - 49 points in the 1st quarter today. There was good ball movement and shot attempts were in rhythm. The Kings came out blazing and started the game shooting 9-10 from the field.
Bogdan Bogdanovic: The Kings' supporting backcourt has been inconsistent at best and flat out nonexistent at their worst. But today, Bogi SHOWED ALL THE WAY UP. He went 5-6 from the 3-point line in the 1st quarter alone and ended with a career-high of 35 points. We all constantly wonder if anyone will help Fox carry the load and today Bogi did just that and then some.
Limited Buddy Minutes: Buddy Hield played only 10 minutes and went 1-5 from the field for 3 points. I don't think it was a coincidence that the Kings didn't suffer from their usual mid-game crumble and that Buddy Hield wasn't on the floor for a significant amount of that time. I have an idea for Luke Walton - Buddy Hield only gets to dribble the ball 25 times per game. Once he uses his 25 dribbles, he's done. The goal is that this will encourage him to move without the ball, go look for screens for spot up shots, and get rid of it when he doesn't have an open look. The less Buddy dribbles, the better chance the Kings have at winning.
The Bad:
Lack of Offensive Strategy: As the final score demonstrates, the ball went in the basket a lot for both teams. High scoring frequency means less fast break opportunities and more half court offense. Despite their season high of 140 points, the Kings once again showed their lack of preparation in a half court setting. Too often the players on the floor become spectators to the one with the ball and there is little to no off-ball movement. Even Fox is guilty of giving the ball up and just floating around in no man's land between the arc and half court logo. This lack of off-ball motion makes it easy for the defense to catch their wind and remain in a shape to contain and contest.
The Ugly:
Lazy Defense: The final score also highlights the lack of defense from both teams. Particularly in the start and middle stretch the Kings' defense looked slow and lazy. If you are just standing around on offense, why don't you have the energy to properly defend a pick & roll on the other end?
Royal Court Jester
Because there's always someone actin' a fool.
Today's Royal Court Jester is Kent Bazemore for a minor blunder he had in the 3rd quarter. Here's the setting: Bogi was on his tear. He had just scored a driving layup for his 32nd & 33rd points of the game to surpass his career-high. A few possessions later, he picked off a pass by Jaxson Hayes and headed down the court with a full head of steam and confidence in the rafters, ready to add more to his stat line. As he got into scoring range, Josh Hart stepped up and Bogi wisely dumped a pass off to Kent Bazemore who was standing right below the left side of the basket. Ready to rack up what would have been his fourth assist, Bogi watched in anticipation as Baze caught his pass and then...shot it over the rim? As bizarre and lame as it was in the moment, Kent Bazemore did what a Royal Court Jester is meant to do - he made us all laugh.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
It really couldn't be anybody else today, could it? Bogdan Bogdanovic ate his Wheaties this morning and wanted all the smoke! What made his sweet performance even sweeter is how he did it. After going 5-6 from the 3-pt line in the 1st quarter, he adjusted to the defense down the stretch and found easy ways to score and distribute. Even with the hot hand, Bogdanovic didn't settle for contested looks and instead worked the extra coverage to his advantage with pump fakes and hard drives. Well done, Bogi. Please, please, please keep showing up!
Up Next
Friday, August 7th vs. Brooklyn Nets @ 2:00 P.M. (PT)
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