Next 8 games (12/3 to 12/16)
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They weren't unravelling, it was close to neck and neck.....and Brown's blowout and Fox's technical cushioned the Raptors lead more - 5 FTs! They were getting abused by VanVleef....and I think it was Nurse's mistake later that costed the Raptors the game by holding VanVleef out too long. Fox did finally go all out once he got hit....that was probably the spurt that gave the Kings the win....not Brown's ejection in the 3rd. The refs made plenty of poor calls on both ends.
I think you're overanalyzing the short term result of the technicals (which was only 3 free throws not 5.... 2 of the free throws were on the bogus call that drew the techs) vs. the end result in the game. Would they have won without the brown techs? Who knows... but I do know they won with the techs so isn't that the most important point?
plenty of bad calls both ways? Fox’s bleeding face begs to differ. Fox getting constantly stiff armed in that game, to the point where FVV literally just shoved him to the ground right in front of the ref.
You’re really over analyzing something that most good coaches will do every so often when they think their team needs a moral boost.
You’re really over analyzing something that most good coaches will do every so often when they think their team needs a moral boost.
This wasn’t just Kings getting the short end of the stick on calls as we have seen all year, this looked egregious on the refs part and purposeful. Case in point was the last play by FVV with the shove out in the open. Would have been the easiest call all night by the refs. Instead they ignored it. ……….and the fact the NBA did not fine Mike Brown at all, shows the absurdity of the refereed game. Brown did not leave the floor in a timely manner, made enough contact with the one ref to warrant a fine and or 1 game suspension.
The next six are at home but it doesn’t feel a ton easier. Charlotte will get Hayward and his bad hair cut back. Kelly usually hits 9 of 10 from three on us. Lakers still have that guy, we have to play Denver twice in a row which seems like a split at best. Wiz have been struggling but they have talent and Jazz won’t go away. I’d hope for 4-2 since it’s at home but it won’t be easy.
3 of the games in that 0-4 start were at home. Since then, the Kings are 8-1 at home and really do seem to draw big energy from that sweet hometown crowd. It's true that the homecoming stretch offers few gimmes - the Hornets, hopefully - but that seems less about those particular teams and more about league-wide parity, in general. I mean, the flippin' Warriors are 14-16!
All that said, jinx be damned: Ima go ahead and look for a 5-1 homestand.
All that said, jinx be damned: Ima go ahead and look for a 5-1 homestand.
I am enjoying the ride. By the end of the year I am usually watching the standings and wondering where we stand in the lottery race. This year I find it strange that I have been watching where we stand in the race for a playoff position.
I am not complaining at all and I will enjoy the ride however long it last.
I am not complaining at all and I will enjoy the ride however long it last.
I am cautiously optimistic. Reason being is that (see below) ;
16-12 in 2022-2023
11-14 in 2021-2022
12-11 and 22-25 before losing streak in 2020-2021
12-14 in 2019-2020
30-26 in 2018-2019
no good record in 2017-2018
14-17 in 2016-2017
20-23 in 2015-2016
11-10 in 2014-2015
no good record in 2013-2014
no good record in 2012-2013
no good record in 2011-2012
no good record in 2010-2011
13-14 in 2009-2010
no good record in 2008-2009
26-28 in 2007-2008
14-15 in 2006-2007
These are all the non playoff years... So in 9 out of the 15 years we hadn't made the playoffs prior to this year we were at a point in the season where we thought we might be able to make the playoffs. I am not counting this year even though it's listed above. In most of these years we were at least a QUARTER into the season at, above or close to .500.. In three of those seasons we were HALFWAY through the season near .500 or above it as in 2018-2019. This is why I am cautiously optimistic. This year does feel different, but this is the time in 6 of those seasons listed above where things fell apart. Glad we have a homestand so we can get behind the Kings and will them to win. Hopefully I will be attending a few of these games with my pops.
16-12 in 2022-2023
11-14 in 2021-2022
12-11 and 22-25 before losing streak in 2020-2021
12-14 in 2019-2020
30-26 in 2018-2019
no good record in 2017-2018
14-17 in 2016-2017
20-23 in 2015-2016
11-10 in 2014-2015
no good record in 2013-2014
no good record in 2012-2013
no good record in 2011-2012
no good record in 2010-2011
13-14 in 2009-2010
no good record in 2008-2009
26-28 in 2007-2008
14-15 in 2006-2007
These are all the non playoff years... So in 9 out of the 15 years we hadn't made the playoffs prior to this year we were at a point in the season where we thought we might be able to make the playoffs. I am not counting this year even though it's listed above. In most of these years we were at least a QUARTER into the season at, above or close to .500.. In three of those seasons we were HALFWAY through the season near .500 or above it as in 2018-2019. This is why I am cautiously optimistic. This year does feel different, but this is the time in 6 of those seasons listed above where things fell apart. Glad we have a homestand so we can get behind the Kings and will them to win. Hopefully I will be attending a few of these games with my pops.
The only time you share a record that is 4 games over .500 is 2018-2019 (granted much later in the season) in which point our coach and GM/FO had a massive falling out and the coach quit on the team. Not sure at what point that was before trading Shump and bringing Barnes in (remember the former did not have to happen for the latter to occur), but that was also a major catalyst for the team falling apart. But had Joerger even tried to close out 2019 strong the team could have finished .500 or at least topped 40 wins - they were up 20+ in Portland and he rested the whole primary lineup the second half as one final FU to Vlade and Vivek.
all I'm saying is that the one season that's even comparable to now was the best season out of the entire drought and had some major storm clouds developing despite the on court success. Even still, had Vlade made the correct coaching hire it would likely be considered a turning point in franchise history instead of just another year in the drought and Bagley's rookie season being a constant reminder of not picking Luka.
I think the leap has honestly been massive. Bad team-good team seems simple enough, but t's actually a pretty large gap in the NBA.
But I also think there's an equally large gap between "good team" and "contender". That takes a lot of time, usually a top 7 player and a bunch of playoff experience with a core that's been together for years. The Kings will have a lot of trouble competing with those teams, obviously. But in terms of every hurdle they've faced this year.. they've cleared. Every time a potential doubt or question has come up, they've been able to respond and answer with a win.
None of what the Kings are doing is fluky imo. If anything, I think we see a lot of avenues for improvement from a good chunk of the roster. It's a great sign when you're winning games, but can pick out several different improvements to make that could still feasibly add wins.
But I also think there's an equally large gap between "good team" and "contender". That takes a lot of time, usually a top 7 player and a bunch of playoff experience with a core that's been together for years. The Kings will have a lot of trouble competing with those teams, obviously. But in terms of every hurdle they've faced this year.. they've cleared. Every time a potential doubt or question has come up, they've been able to respond and answer with a win.
None of what the Kings are doing is fluky imo. If anything, I think we see a lot of avenues for improvement from a good chunk of the roster. It's a great sign when you're winning games, but can pick out several different improvements to make that could still feasibly add wins.
Lakers had arguably 3 of the best 10 players in the league, including breakout Malik Monk and finished with only 33 wins. Two of the three in their careers had averaged close to a triple double for multiple years. Lakers had playoff experience in their top guys (championship experience), but they hadn't been together very long. The Lakers of the past couple years is why you don't play the game on paper. Hell, for a couple years there I thought we had a playoff caliber team on paper with Cousins, Rondo, Gay, Collison, an emerging Casspi and sharp shooter Belinelli. Rondo and Belinelli having championship experience, and Gay along with Collison having playoff experience.
Anyhow, I am rambling. But this is how I feel...... We have a very good team that play well together, and this long home stand couldn't have come at a better time for us. Our "Strength of Schedule" was like the 5th hardest (last checked after loss to NYK) schedule so far and we are 16-12. From now until the end of January I think we have one of the easiest schedules and we can really break out. Like I said above, I think we can be 31-17 at the end of January and within about 11 wins of making the playoffs with 32 games left, which means we would need to go 11-21 from Feb 1st until the end of the season.
Anyhow, I am rambling. But this is how I feel...... We have a very good team that play well together, and this long home stand couldn't have come at a better time for us. Our "Strength of Schedule" was like the 5th hardest (last checked after loss to NYK) schedule so far and we are 16-12. From now until the end of January I think we have one of the easiest schedules and we can really break out. Like I said above, I think we can be 31-17 at the end of January and within about 11 wins of making the playoffs with 32 games left, which means we would need to go 11-21 from Feb 1st until the end of the season.
I agree. I’m really wondering are they a second round play-off type of team. It’s a bit better than good and a notch below contender. If they can be it will make free agency next year more productive.
Their shooting has been a bit above the norm so one might consider it a fluke. But the real question to me is on defense. Sabonis is not a rim protector and therefore many like Nate Duncan discount this team significantly. But if Fox, Mitchell, Barnes and Murray can play great perimeter defense it might not matter.
Their shooting has been a bit above the norm so one might consider it a fluke. But the real question to me is on defense. Sabonis is not a rim protector and therefore many like Nate Duncan discount this team significantly. But if Fox, Mitchell, Barnes and Murray can play great perimeter defense it might not matter.
The shooting has and it hasn't been fluky? Like Huerter was red hot, but Barnes also couldn't shoot a ball into a swimming pool, much less a hoop for the first part of the year. Murray also started hot, then couldn't hit a swimming pool, now is finding his stroke again the last 8 games. Huerter went from like 50% the first 15 games to 25% from 3 in his last 10. So we've had some dudes be super streaky with regression hitting at different times (positive and negative), but I think overall balances into a good shooting team. Which matches the personal imo.
I do think Sabonis got labeled a bad defender incorrectly. Maybe because he mostly played the 4 next to Turner? Or maybe was never bad? I dunno, but the Kings play average defense when he's on the floor and just from the eye test, he hasn't been the total liability that was "sold" to us. He's not a rim protector at all, but he can get vertical and he's so difficult to move off the block. And he's so good at clearing the defensive glass, which is an important part of defense too.
I do think for the Kings to become an actual contender, you need the JJJ, Dray type lock-down at the 4 that can be the lynchpin of the defense.
I do think Sabonis got labeled a bad defender incorrectly. Maybe because he mostly played the 4 next to Turner? Or maybe was never bad? I dunno, but the Kings play average defense when he's on the floor and just from the eye test, he hasn't been the total liability that was "sold" to us. He's not a rim protector at all, but he can get vertical and he's so difficult to move off the block. And he's so good at clearing the defensive glass, which is an important part of defense too.
I do think for the Kings to become an actual contender, you need the JJJ, Dray type lock-down at the 4 that can be the lynchpin of the defense.
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My initial reaction when Domas came here was maybe he's "bad" at defense for a playoff level team, but by Kings standards he was a revelation. With our offense we only need to climb from historically bad to mediocre to be a mid-seed playoff team if it all held up. If you look at the track record of bigs that have come through since Boogie's departure it's not a great one defensively, but even the ones who came in with a reputation as good defenders tended to look bad here. So it's very reasonable that he just came in with a very low bar to clear.
But it's also possible that he was just misused.
But it's also possible that he was just misused.
At this point, it's getting hard to say that Domas isn't at least a pretty good rim protector. He's allowing 56.4% on shots at the rim this season. That isn't an "elite" figure, but when factoring for volume, it's rather impressive. Domas has defended a total of 225 shots at the rim so far this season, which is the top mark in the entire NBA.
For comparison's sake, Nikola Jokic has defended 205 shots at the rim so far this season, while allowing a gaudy 67.8% on those shots. Brook Lopez is currently the best rim protector in the league, having defended 216 shots at the rim, while allowing only 52.8% on those shots.
https://www.nba.com/stats/players/defensive-impact?PerMode=Totals&dir=D&sort=DEF_RIM_FGA
So yes, while Sabonis is certainly not a DPOY candidate, he's actually a much stronger rim protector than many would imagine, particularly when accounting for volume.
For comparison's sake, Nikola Jokic has defended 205 shots at the rim so far this season, while allowing a gaudy 67.8% on those shots. Brook Lopez is currently the best rim protector in the league, having defended 216 shots at the rim, while allowing only 52.8% on those shots.
https://www.nba.com/stats/players/defensive-impact?PerMode=Totals&dir=D&sort=DEF_RIM_FGA
So yes, while Sabonis is certainly not a DPOY candidate, he's actually a much stronger rim protector than many would imagine, particularly when accounting for volume.
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