J.Ross: The Kings at 20
Nov 26, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:37 am
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings have now played 20 games this season. They are a definite surprise at 10-10. I know that I had very low expectations based mainly on the strength of the Western Conference. That strength is still in place but the Kings are among those tough teams. So far through 20 games the Kings have found an identity that really suits this roster. They are near the top in the NBA in pace and I truly believe that benefits Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley quite well. This team is in the top 10 in the NBA in points, fg %, 3 pt fg %, and assists. They currently have 6 players that are averaging double figures too. The offense has been the strength and it seems to me that it still can get better.
Over the last 10 games this team went 4-6 with some really good wins. They beat Minnesota, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and at Utah. All 4 of those wins the Kings did a great job of executing late to get those wins. Marvin Bagley continues to play better, Iman Shumpert has been an ideal fit and my only real critique with minutes is in regards to Yogi Ferrell. This is my own nitpicking but I believe that Ferrell could still help this team but that is a small detail.
The Kings currently are on a 2 game losing streak and that has happened 3 other times this season. The Kings have avoided a 3 game losing streak all of the previous times. The Kings will begin their next 10 on Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers on national tv. The next 10 doesn’t appear as daunting but that doesn’t matter. The Kings need to keep doing what they do best and continue to grow. Over the next 10 they will host the Clippers, and Pacers, then go on the road to face Phoenix, Cleveland, Indiana and Chicago. After that trip the Kings come home for Minnesota and the Warriors and then back out on the road for Dallas and Minnesota. The Western Conference is stacked, right now the Kings are 3.5 out of first but 1 game out of 14th. Avoid the losing streaks, keep the solid play up and this early start could continue into something really fun. I know that I am enjoying every minute of this.
