Hi I’m Dave, and I have a problem.
I’m a fan of the Sacramento Kings and once again it seems I’ve been fooled.
In the past week, after losing seven of eight, the Kings got a new coach in Alvin Gentry. They beat Portland, then the Lakers in triple overtime without Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes.
Marvin Bagley gave fans a glimmer of the talent that made him a No. 2 draft pick. He hits a dagger and looks good playing tough defense against LeBron. De’Aaron Fox plays like the De’Aaron Fox that earned a max contract!
Like many Kings fans, I was excited again. Maybe we were a little too quick with our enthusiasm.
Sunday night, the odor from the Kings’ bench was not pleasant. To put it mildly, the Kings stunk up FedEx Forum in Memphis. The Grizzlies jumped out to an 11-0 lead without starting point guard Ja Morant. The Kings never recovered as they got trounced 128-101.
It was embarrassing!
This is why I say that the Kings' main issue wasn't Luke Walton or any coach. Nothing can stop the lazy effort and poor execution on both ends other than the players. They aren't consistent enough to deserve a coach taking the blame for them.
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) November 29, 2021
Kings look absolutely dreadful in the half court offense. Shot selection really poor, ball movement stagnating and the pace slowing from what was witnessed in the opening quarter.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) November 28, 2021
"You've got to flush it down the toilet and regroup." – Kings head coach Alvin Gentry.
— Franklin Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 29, 2021
THE ROAD WELL-TRAVELED
It’s a road we fans have been down far too many times. Hope, then despair. The Kings give us Fool’s Gold.
The Kings started 5-4 despite one of the league’s toughest early schedules. Six of their first nine opponents were playoff teams last year. The Kings then lose seven of their next eight games, which gets coach Luke Walton fired.
Interim coach Alvin Gentry loses his first game, but then the Kings give us hope. Again. Only to disappoint with the loss in Memphis.
"There's still plenty of season left" is an excuse that this team uses a lot.
Yes, there is plenty of season left. But these problems, roster-wise and effort-wise, need to be resolved very, very soon or else it's curtains.
Nothing is working for the Kings. Zero consistency.
— Franklin Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 29, 2021
KEEP THE FAITH
It seems hard at times like this, but I’m not going to give up. I will continue to believe that this Kings team can succeed. They have shown that they can play well and be competitive against some of the better teams in the league: Utah, Phoenix, Portland, Los Angeles (Lakers). More changes are probably coming, but the Kings are a much better team than the one that didn’t show up Sunday night.
I’ve followed the Kings since 1985 so I’ve seen plenty of losing. It gets very frustrating, but I have an old T-shirt that says “Long Live The Sacramento Kings, 1985- Forever”.
I won’t give up. Go Kings.
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