For too long to even mention his name Sacramento Kings It was almost synonymous with losing, being at the bottom of the table, not competing for wins. In short, don’t be a franchise to fear. In the last 15 years, the capital of California has seen the 12 coaches and 5 General Managers different, as well as 13 picks in the top 10 of the Draft. A balance that largely explains the total number of playoff games he played in that span: zero.
By the way, an eternal reconstruction, stuck in the spirit of the franchise, moving from a promise of the future to a solid and hard reality. The latter, disappointed by the results, served to make it clear to the Kings that it wasn’t that way, or at least not to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Therefore, they took a decision that was not without risk and which, for now, seems to be heading in the desired direction.
By transferring from Domantas Sabonis Mystery I quit in the possibility of keeping a young man of immense potential and talent as Tyrese Haliburton, but in return he won a gift. And that alone, to get results as soon as possible, is what this competition, whose seasons since 2007 have systematically ended in April (the gossip will say even earlier), needs so much. A fact to illustrate this particular trip to the Sacramento desert: only 3 players in the current NBA they know what’s what a Kings team is in the Playoffs (LeBron James, Udonis Haslem and Chris Paul).
From word to deed there is a stretch and in the last campaign in the California administration they took action on the issue to stop the streak drying up. A series of decisions with which they managed to give the Kings a much-needed image and restore the illusion of a broken hobby.
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Best start in nearly a decade
Getting off to a good start to a season is a very relative thing. Early positive results don’t guarantee anything and when it comes to teams aspiring to climb the table, it can be a poisoned gift. Without further ado, at The Sacramento Kings’ 2014-2015 season began with the same record In this run: 9 wins and 6 losses in the first 15 games.
However, in In the next 15 duels they barely got 3 more wins and to 67 which occurred only at the mentioned authority twenty.
What makes the difference between them and those Kings is how they have shown that they have reason to believe in them. Post I lose The first 4 current campaign commitments have responded with 9 wins from 11 possible, including the last 6 in a row. In fact, the city of California had not seen such a period since 2004. A sign that the team believes in its capabilities.
The pieces are starting to fit together, the twists are starting to make sense, and they’re finally ready to do something right.
The reasons behind the Sacramento Kings moment
Claim it Sacramento Kings They’ve been one of the most fun offensive teams to watch over the last two seasons is a tough line to defend in the debate. A lost team, with no big names, in a small market, without much media exposure… And yet, the Californians were, just as they are in this 2022-2023 campaign. All thanks to the fact that they have been reunited with victory. An event that has the correct name: Mike Brown.
In his first 15 games as manager after an 8-year absence from the role, Brown managed to make the Kings the second best offense in the NBA thanks to an offensive ratio of 118.6. A position that is not accidental, since the distance between the Californians and their direct competitor (Phoenix Suns, 116.7) is the same as that between second and fifth (Cleveland Cavaliers, 114.8).
One fact that draws the attention of Sacramento’s good offensive performance is that they fail to master two of the fundamental aspects in the current game: transition and direct blocking. In both categories they occupy the lowest zone in the performance tables (31st and 37th percentile). Afterward, How are they so effective on offense?
Well, because they’ve built one distance which allows its operators to make a difference on a one-on-one basis 1.08 points per possession of this type they perform, the second best data in the league. Here you have to see two main players as they are De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchellwho shoot at good percentages in situations of this type and have made this their characteristic.
As a consequence of this very favorable distance, they were able to not only create their own shots, but also find others open and willing to shoot. In his situations Out of bounds after a pass (grab and shoot) is the fifth most attempted team and the eighth best percentage (38.6%). A combination that makes them third in performance (93rd percentile).
It all comes from the hands of two players: the aforementioned Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Both combine and intermingle perfectly in attack, producing both for themselves and others. An excellent relationship that makes them one of the most effective pairs in the current NBA (+12.3).
How far these Sacramento Kings can go is anyone’s guess, but for now they seem to be living up to the high expectations that were placed on them during out of season. Fast, brave, versatile and with one of the best attacks in the league.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
