I can’t figure it out. I give up.
I still firmly believe that there is lots of talent on the 2021-22 Sacramento Kings. But good golly Miss Molly, when do the players show up? When will they at least compete night in and night out?
Ok, Covid ravaged the team, but the Kings problems are much deeper than missing a few players for a few games.
After a 127-102 loss Sunday afternoon to the Memphis Grizzlies, Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry said the team’s performance was absolutely ridiculous and he is more disappointed than he has been in 34 years in the NBA.
More from Alvin Gentry, absolutely at his wits end with his Kings team. pic.twitter.com/X7OJFsgiud
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 27, 2021
Losing has taken its toll on the players too. Star point guard De’Aaron Fox used to be pretty upbeat, but lately he seems to have retreated into a shell and doesn’t seem to be enjoying his time in front of the media.
Can you blame him?
Kings PG De'Aaron Fox, a man of few words, and certainly no solutions following tonight's 127-105 loss to the Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/kh4zHlCKvQ
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 27, 2021
Lest we be completely negative, Fox had an emphatic highlight dunk Sunday that might go down as one of the best ever by a Kings player.
💥 DE'AARON FOX DROPS A HAMMER 💥
Watch @SacramentoKings and Grizzlies on NBA League Pass now: https://t.co/V0kkYEn6W6 pic.twitter.com/e4FpVaS0aJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2021
That was a moment that had the crowd at Golden 1 Center on their feet, but that’s about all they had to cheer about. The Kings’ defense was like swiss cheese– full of holes. Memphis pretty much did what they wanted as the Kings put up little resistance.
TURNING UP THE HEAT
The ineptitude the Kings are showing has to come to an end. Some day. Some year. Fifteen years with no playoff appearances! The last eight under owner Vivek Ranadivé.
Ranadivé saved the Kings when it looked like they were going to move out of Sacramento. Kings fans are grateful, but that gratitude is wearing.
General manager Monte McNair is feeling the heat. He’s two years into his five-year contract. The Kings are not progressing. Making the playoffs is the goal, but that is short-sighted.
The Kings need to build a championship-contending team.
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MOVES ARE COMING – I PROMISE
Sacramento must do something. Do they blow it up and start all over again? Or do they just tinker with the roster and make a few minor changes?
The roster is for sure not working as constructed. There are too many guards. Too many centers. No wings.
Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley are at the top of the list of players that could be moved, but will they bring back players that will make a difference?
Probably not.
You have to give something to get something!
So do the Kings trade De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton? That would have been shushed in a New York minute not too long ago. But now it is within the realm of possibility.
Rumor: Kings open to De’Aaron Fox trade https://t.co/ih7watCE2N
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) December 22, 2021
Who do the Kings go after? Ben Simmons? Myles Turner? Domantas Sabonis? Jaylen Brown?
Those names have been floated around. Any one of them could make a difference on the Kings team. It’s up to McNair to look at all the puzzle pieces and complete the puzzle.
It’s time. The losing must stop. The Kings can’t continue their ineptitude. A 13-21 record after Sunday night’s loss to Memphis is embarrassing. The Kings are embarrassing.
