Sacramento Kings: It’s Time For The National Media To Respect The Kings
The Sacramento Kings get little respect from the NBA media. There’s so much talent on the roster. In fact, they are one of the deeper teams in all of the league. Why is it that nobody wants to claim them as a playoff team?
Here’s something to consider with the Sacramento Kings. The teams leader, De’Aaron Fox, is only 21. It’s rare a team relies on a player that’s as young as Fox, but that’s the Kings. Perhaps, the media sees this and doesn’t believe he’s mature enough to lead the team to the playoffs.
Fox aside, the Kings have plenty of support surrounding him. Buddy Hield set the franchise record for 3’s in a season last year. Marvin Bagley III was a rookie of the year candidate. Bogdan Bogdanovic is one of the NBA’s best sixth men. Harry Giles came into his own. Again, why doesn’t this team get more respect?
Even the weakest areas of the team were addressed. Gone is Willie Cauley-Stein, the often criticized big man. In comes Dwayne Dedmon, a defensive specialist at the rim. The team also brought in Richaun Holmes. These additions will only help the at times rather weak rim protection from last year. But, the Kings still aren’t favored to be a playoff team.
Bringing in Luke Walton to coach was a brilliant hire by Vlade Divac. The fast paced style he’ll employ is right up the Kings alley. A lot will say he was a failure in LA. That’s not true. Nobody can coach LeBron and that roster was doomed from the start. The Sacramento Kings are getting one of the best coaches in the NBA.
The Western Conference is stacked. The Kings didn’t go and add a superstar, they just added to a core which was in playoff contention for most of the year. What many fail to realize is this team is just getting better. Who’s to say Fox, Hield, Bagley, Giles, or Bogdanovic won’t take the next step and evolve their games? If that happens, the Sacramento Kings are already a better team than last year.
It’s fine if the NBA analysts don’t want to give the Kings the credit and respect they are due. Sacramento will prove everyone wrong come the regular season. With a roster of veteran and young players, the Kings have a great mix of talent. It’s just a shame nobody really notices how good they can be.
Image Source: Rob Carr/ Getty Images
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
