Don't be afraid - embrace the magic
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
FaStRmAn
Starter
I have been a fan for a long time. I was still a teen ( 19 ) in 85. But I have been with this team thru thick and paper thin. I have watched coaches come and go like door to door salesmen. I have seen owners who had no right owning an NBA franchise swap this team by the skin of their teeth. I have seen a lot. I have seen playoffs that the Kings had no business in and yet I screamed for every rebound and bucket. I have seen beautiful basketball at times.
It feels different this time. I cant explain it but the mere fact that this team possesses 2 legit players who played and won on the FIBA USA team (Cousins and Gay), have what appears to be a legit Point Guard in Collison, and a solid cast of bench players who seem to be actually learning and implementing their roles. Somehow it just feels different to me.
Cousins is a legit allstar. He may not have been popular enough to get the vote last year but he has played like an allstar for the better part of 2 years. Gay is a borderline allstar who give you a scoring threat and 2nd option. If they had that 3rd option at SG I would be over the moon !! They have players who can get a bucket at the end of close games. It feels like they are close.
The new ownership has come in and established order and discipline in their business practices and their talent evaluation. They have not based their player decisions on how much money they could save or flashy marketing stunts (not counting Sim Bullar.... ) The coach has something to work with and players who are willing to work with the coach.
There is a foundation that has been created that has radically changed the culture of the team. Jettisoned are the players who wanted to much and cared too little. Players that are acquired appear to legitimately WANT to play in Sacramento. They want to get better. They want to have a coach that can do the X's and O's and they are starting to see the results of following a game plan or playing the team defense necessary to be competitive! How refreshing is THAT ?
I know it is only 4 games in. But I have been entertained by the product that is on the court. Isn't that the point ? They probably wont make the playoffs. They probably will still only win the 35 games I am on record predicting. BUT they apparently CARE. That is HUGE for me. Because I care. I'm all in but I have always been all in emotionally anyway. And if they fail at least they sure are looking a hell of a lot more engaged in the effort ! And if this is the beginning of something special? Well I'm all in for that too !
It feels different this time. I cant explain it but the mere fact that this team possesses 2 legit players who played and won on the FIBA USA team (Cousins and Gay), have what appears to be a legit Point Guard in Collison, and a solid cast of bench players who seem to be actually learning and implementing their roles. Somehow it just feels different to me.
Cousins is a legit allstar. He may not have been popular enough to get the vote last year but he has played like an allstar for the better part of 2 years. Gay is a borderline allstar who give you a scoring threat and 2nd option. If they had that 3rd option at SG I would be over the moon !! They have players who can get a bucket at the end of close games. It feels like they are close.
The new ownership has come in and established order and discipline in their business practices and their talent evaluation. They have not based their player decisions on how much money they could save or flashy marketing stunts (not counting Sim Bullar.... ) The coach has something to work with and players who are willing to work with the coach.
There is a foundation that has been created that has radically changed the culture of the team. Jettisoned are the players who wanted to much and cared too little. Players that are acquired appear to legitimately WANT to play in Sacramento. They want to get better. They want to have a coach that can do the X's and O's and they are starting to see the results of following a game plan or playing the team defense necessary to be competitive! How refreshing is THAT ?
I know it is only 4 games in. But I have been entertained by the product that is on the court. Isn't that the point ? They probably wont make the playoffs. They probably will still only win the 35 games I am on record predicting. BUT they apparently CARE. That is HUGE for me. Because I care. I'm all in but I have always been all in emotionally anyway. And if they fail at least they sure are looking a hell of a lot more engaged in the effort ! And if this is the beginning of something special? Well I'm all in for that too !
Glaivenomics
G-League
I am embracing this for as long as i can. There is something especially wonderful living in a city that loves their blazers, with carried over optimism from last year and watching everyone look sad while the Kings finally give me a reason again to have my head held high. It is still early, but i feel like while we wont win 3 out of every 4, this is easily a 40 win team.
chasen4r1
Starter
Embrace the magic.... i'm afraid, so afraid!
But, still doing what I can to enjoy and love this moment. It has been long, long time since I've seen this message board and fan base in such good spirits.
I hope our team can take this small taste of success and crave it and fight for it the rest of the year.
But, still doing what I can to enjoy and love this moment. It has been long, long time since I've seen this message board and fan base in such good spirits.
I hope our team can take this small taste of success and crave it and fight for it the rest of the year.
IfAt1st
Starter
VF21 - you say it doesn't cost any more (to cherish every good moment).
Well, it does for some fans - it disappoints (costs) me much more if I believe they will win a game (and they lay a turd as they have so many times the past 8 years) than if I have decreased expectations (and less optimism).
This team has chipped away at my hopes for them for so long, it's not going to be forgotten with a few bad shooting games by the opponents.
Until they prove with at least one month of good play that they can sustain this, then I'm not going to open my fan heart to be crushed again so soon by embracing the idea that they will make a dent in the playoffs.
What I AM happy and satisfied with is their effort level - as long as they keep playing hard like this, it will be a good season, whatever the end-of-the-year record says.
Well, it does for some fans - it disappoints (costs) me much more if I believe they will win a game (and they lay a turd as they have so many times the past 8 years) than if I have decreased expectations (and less optimism).
It's not OK for me to be optimistic.
This team has chipped away at my hopes for them for so long, it's not going to be forgotten with a few bad shooting games by the opponents.
Until they prove with at least one month of good play that they can sustain this, then I'm not going to open my fan heart to be crushed again so soon by embracing the idea that they will make a dent in the playoffs.
What I AM happy and satisfied with is their effort level - as long as they keep playing hard like this, it will be a good season, whatever the end-of-the-year record says.
lawlman91
Starter
I'd recommend being optimistic. It's more entertaining to experience the highs and lows rather than play it safe, and this applies to ... life
The Hammer
All-Star
I'm guessing you weren't around in the early years?
Back then we were optimistic for no reason, and for the smallest reasons. Back then we had open hearts and it was not conditional on the team winning. We simply loved our team. We opened our fan hearts simply because they were our Kings. I don't think there's any way this fan experience can be replicated, but I can sure spot a fan who has been through those times. They were almost all losing seasons (until the Vlade/Webber days), but every one of us remembers them so fondly. You make your own memories.
???
I did not mention the playoffs. Your proclivity for the straw man argument is amazing.
I said to cherish every good moment. To go ahead and be happy with a win. If you won't do that until the team has proven with "at least one month of good play that they can sustain this," that's your choice to make. I don't put that many restrictions on the team I root for. I celebrate unnecessarily according to some but you know what? I have a lot of fun every single time. I'd rather be happy today and let tomorrow take care of itself than refuse to be happy even with a win because I'm afraid I might be sad tomorrow.
Tell you what. When the Kings win, don't read my posts because it will break your heart to see how much I'm enjoying it.
ShastaKingsFan
All-Star
If everyone will remember how it was in '85 and/or '99. Here we are again. Genuine interest and excitement with an entertaining team.
Think back about a year and half ago. Things are about as good as possible
Think back about a year and half ago. Things are about as good as possible
IfAt1st
Starter
Hey - knock yourself out being optimistic.
I am not remotely suggesting anyone shouldn't be -
I was trying to explain this fan's particular approach and reasoning not to be overly optimistic yet.
Siranthony
Starter
It is early but I thought this team looked really close to a well oiled machine last game. It's hard to believe we have come that far from the first game. I don't think it is a fluke though. It looks real enough to me. Fingers crossed.....
Kingston Jamaica
Bench
That's my impression as well. The players show real commitment. I'm really impressed about the defensive effort. That's why I think it is not a fluke at all. Sure they will lose games too, but this is the right way to play and it can only get better.
Kingfanpaul
Starter
After another Lakers loss...
"...Bryant went 14 for 37 for the Lakers, who are off to their first 0-5 start since the 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers lost their first seven games.
randymoss1881
Starter
I BELIVE!!
I think our defense will sustain maybe not top 5 but top 10 definetly.
But our offense improving by default should take care of the defense getting slightly worse.
Thompson: 33%- career 50%
Collison: 46.2%- 12.5% 3pointers career 48%- 36.0% 3pointers
Mclemore: 22%- 30% 3pointers
Career: 41.9%- 32.0% 3pointers
Stauskas: 27.3% 3 pointers
* Will shoot better
Evans: 25% Career 45%
Sessions: 7.5% Career 45%
I think our defense will sustain maybe not top 5 but top 10 definetly.
But our offense improving by default should take care of the defense getting slightly worse.
Thompson: 33%- career 50%
Collison: 46.2%- 12.5% 3pointers career 48%- 36.0% 3pointers
Mclemore: 22%- 30% 3pointers
Career: 41.9%- 32.0% 3pointers
Stauskas: 27.3% 3 pointers
* Will shoot better
Evans: 25% Career 45%
Sessions: 7.5% Career 45%
Chubbs
Starter
I can't even be mad at Ramon. That's just amazing.
That is really the most encouraging thing about the team this year. No one is playing at an unsustainable level on offense and we are still winning. However, our defense is unsustainable. Teams will start hitting a higher percentage of 3 pt shots against us as the season goes on. Last season the top OP3PT% was 33%. The average team shoots about 20 3's per game. Right now we are at 27%. That number is likely to drift up to at least 35% over the course of the season which equates to roughly 6 more points per game for our opponents. The question is can our offense improve enough to match the 6 points. The answer to that question will decide how sustainable our success will be.
randymoss1881
Starter
I expecting that of the defense too but I think we can match that 6-8 point add on. JT/Ben/Sessions/Nik are averaging 14.3 ppg combine.
Ramon ate the whole wheel of cheese.
Livinthedream
All-Star
Life is short. Enjoy the good times when they come. Even if it's for a brief period.
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