Losing to a team 6 times in a year before the playoffs isn't just an anomaly, it's a record
Ok, so it’s both. Who cares. My point is still valid.
The fact that they played 6x this past season w/o playing head-to-head in a playoff series is in itself an “anomaly”. Which is why it had never happened before, because it was previously mathematically impossible (at least since the 80’s). Had the KINGS had the opportunity to play LAL 2 more times, perhaps they tie the record by going 6-0 again them? But the opportunity wasn’t there.
IIRC, the most a team could play another during the regular season was 5, and that was a long while ago. It’s been a max of 4 games for something like 20-30 years or more. Until this in-season tourney thing was put into place, making it possible (however remote).
Further, I find it hilarious how KINGS fans here and the Nat’l media focused on the KINGS losing 6x to the Pels while in now way shedding the same type of light on the Lakers losing 10 consecutive to Denver before finally winning one this postseason.
Considering how the KINGS fared against the same Pels team in the 2-3 years prior most definitely supports the anomaly argument. Not that long ago Swipa was averaging 40+ against that same team and winning season series. Things change and will change again.
It’s always been much ado about nothing.