Sacramento Kings: Long Night at the Office

Derrick Williams of the Sacramento Kings celebrates after dunking in the first quarter. The Kings lost to the Utah Jazz, 122-101.

Well, last night did not go to well for the purple and black, as the Sacramento Kings fell to the Utah Jazz, 122-101, in a dismal showing by the California team. The Kings’ defense failed to show up against one of the worst teams in the league, allowing the Jazz to shoot 13-23 from behind the three-point line in addition to endless cuts and slow rotations as the game was never in doubt from the second quarter on. It started late in the first quarter when DeMarcus Cousins picked up his second foul of the game, prompting coach Mike Malone to bench him for the remainder of the half. I would much rather see Malone sit Boogie for a little and then reinsert him. This year is about truly learning about your team, putting them in adverse situations to see how they handle them, and Boogie, being the huge guy that he is, will need to learn how to play with foul trouble his whole career. However, it robs the Kings of one of two guys who can get their shot with any regularity and it showed. The Jazz steadily built up their lead from there, simply destroying the Kings on the offensive end in any manner they chose. It really was a systematic beat down that comes when a team is learning a new system while simultaneously being bad on defense already. The Jazz were able to rack up 35 assists on their 48 field makes due to good ball movement and the Kings poor rotations. Truly, there isn’t much to say about this game. Games like this happen every so often during the NBA season, especially to a team that is trying to establish a new culture and break out of years of apathy. That it had to happen to the Jazz, who are terrible, makes no difference to me, especially when Boogie sits for a quarter and a half to start the game.

This game taught me a valuable lesson that I will try and hold onto the whole season. Optimism is my new policy. I will be looking for the good in this team, knowing (hoping) that we are bad enough to land a top 5 pick, and observing and finding joy in the small things that need to take place for the Kings to return to the playoffs. This is not about being blind to the deficiencies of the team, turning into a Homer who has a justification for everything that happens, or believes in every move the team makes (yes, I will always hate the Rudy Gay trade), but rather not being so depressed when they are getting blown out, closely watching for marked improvement from players, seeing if they are staying engaged throughout, watching to see if defensive rotations are improving, things of that nature. Will I defend Boogie? Maybe a little too. But know that he actually has performed better this year, both in play and attitude. Hell, I was even holding out hope for a comeback as the Jazz built a 20-point lead in the third quarter, thinking, if we can just get it to 15 by 8 minutes, the 10 by 6 we have a chance. And truthfully, its more fun to watch that way, even when you know how it’s probably going to end.

DeMarcus Cousins hangs his head as he commits his second foul in the first quarter. Coach Mike Malone benched him for the rest of the first half.

Notes

Boogie played pretty well again in my eyes. I don’t agree with Mike Malone benching him for the rest of the first half, but when he came back in the game at the start of the third, he showed a willingness to attack and seek post position. I was really looking forward to him battling Derrick Favors, someone who can match his athleticism and is a good defender, but that plan was nixed by the fouls.
Twice, I found myself holding my breath as DeMarcus jab stepped and jab stepped for about four times thinking he was going to shot an 18 footer. However, I was relieved when he finally just drove to the hole and finished both plays at the rim. This has been happening more and more this year.
I don’t know if I have ever seen someone stand so unathletically and apathetically as Boogie on defense. He never looks like he is ready to react to a play, more just trying to act as a big space filler who casually put his hand up. Yesterday, he only brought out the defensive intensity on several positions and it really bothered me.
Speaking of bigs defense, the Kings have no rim protecting presence and it’s hard to watch. Teams just attack the restricted area without a care in the world.
Isaiah Thomas was decent in his second start. The points (20) and assists (7) were there, but so were the turnovers (5). This will be the challenge all year, create and dish without getting to carried away with craziness that results in turnovers.
It seems like once a game, IT finds himself on the break with Derrick Williams, resulting in alley oop dunks. It happened three times last night and I find myself trying to find Derrick when IT has the ball on fastbreaks. It’s fun.
Speaking of Derrick, he didn’t play bad last night, bringing solid energy on both sides of the ball and looking to fill the lane on fastbreaks.
Jimmer Fredette also had a decent showing last night, even if some was in garbage time. He needed to get the bad taste out of his mouth from the Mavs game on Monday. He shot the ball well and was able to create some opportunities for his teammates as well. This is the Storming Mormon’s last shot to make the team, and he needs to show in his opportunities that he can replicate some of IT’s magic from the backup point guard spot.
Jason Thompson provided another listless performance. Amazes me how some guys just don’t move the needle one way or another. Just about as average a player as they come.
Ben, oh Ben. Ben McLemore had another dreadful shooting night, bringing his shooting percentage down to 36% percent from the field. (And I think Rudy Gay is bad). It’s still early so I’m trying not to get scared, but man he can’t even hit open jumpers. Like, it’s freaking scary sometimes. But remember, optimism. I always thought he would be the type who really needs to get acclimated to the pro game from a mental standpoint before we could tell if he was going to be more than an average role player. So I refrain from judgement but please Ben, makes some damn shots.
Next: on the road in Phoenix on Friday