It was very apparent during the Sacramento Kings’ offseason that the franchise and its fans were ready to proclaim that this was the year. That this 2015-2016 roster would finally break the nine-year drought the team has faced with no playoff birth.
The season is now more than a quarter of the way through and due to bad scheduling, injuries, and drama set by themselves, the Kings are right back where they were last season – losing.
The days of being disappointed have risen again in the mindset of the ‘Sacramentan’s’ that have patiently and hopefully waited for this Kings team to finally return to the golden days.
However, it seems the Kings are now having a sense of optimism after their win over Utah last night.
“15 of 21 games are against teams with above (.500) records, and two of them came from the Houston Rockets, a team who made it to the Western Conference finals last year,” Karl said while discussing the losses on the road this season for the Kings.
“I am tired of rationalizing. Come in the film room, watch us play, and show me where it’s really bad basketball,” Karl said. “It isn’t bad basketball; it’s NBA basketball, where winning a game on the road is extremely difficult. Winning a game on the road [while] being short-handed is extremely difficult. We have to learn that. We have to learn the connection of more mental toughness and fundamental toughness.”
Many read these comments and see excuses, but when you hear coach Karl speak, you hear the sense of realizing the mistakes that have taken place through the early goings of the season.
The Kings have now shown in two consecutive outings that their defense has potential. Holding the number two offensive team in the league (while still in a loss) under 100 points could be taken as a sense of light. But first, the team needs to address their internal issues.
In a recent article written by Yahoo’s Marc Spears, reportedly the Kings’ big three, DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, and coach Karl had a private meeting.
In that meeting, Rondo came out and stated that he does not mind being the guy that Karl can use as a demonstration when showing mistakes to the team. Both Rondo and Cousins would like to have a more straight-forward approach from their head coach.
The story behind these three and their path to work in unison has been well documented. From the trading rumors involving Cousins, the Rondo jokes during the preseason, and more recently, the explicit words that were said from the franchise player to the head coach.
But it looks like all parties are ready to once again, turn the page and it looks as if coach Karl has heard what they had to say. In their win against the Jazz, there was a foul in which the team had a choice to who they wanted to shoot the free throws. Karl decided to go with the 43 percent Rondo to take the two shots.
Knowing the lead was not in jeopardy, you saw Karl make Rondo the example. Showing that no matter the flaws you have, you need to face them.
In the same press conference, the former coach of the year was asked to speak about Cousins and his play through the win, but more so, his play during the team’s three-game losing streak.
“I think it’s a variable. It’s not going to be dictated by our personality, but as much of the personality of who we are playing,” Karl said about Cousins inside-out game. “Allowing him some freedom on the perimeter is actually a good thing, but it has its bad moments. It’s about finding a balance.”
“I thought tonight [Cousins] was a great passer, and I think we need that as much as anything. I don’t necessarily think we need a 30-point night. I would like to see [Cousins] get one of those triple-doubles that he got last year,” Karl said.
The future Hall of Fame coach recognizes the talent that Cousins holds, but Karl also recognizes that for Cousins to be “unleashed,” his decision-making needs to grow.
“Sometimes he forces passes,” Karl said. “The whole thing is efficiency. Play fast, be efficient, be smart.”
Acknowledging the problem is always the first step in recovery. Coach Karl is presenting the issue and solution; it’s up to Cousins to acknowledge it and put it into effect.
The Kings have two more home games before they are once again on the road. Their next opponent will be coming to Sacramento. It is the New York Knicks, who are on a bit of a media high because of their rookie.
This game will also be nationally televised on TNT, so that means all eyes will be on the Kings. It’s games like these that can help redirect the overall outlook of your team from a media standpoint. Something the Kings couldn’t hurt to have.
With the Western Conference not truly pulling away from the Kings, optimism should still be the cloud of the Kings’ season. The team is 3.5 games out of the playoff picture and with 59 games to go, the hope that was carried into the season, should stay alive.
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