Carmichael Dave: OMG THE KINGS SUCK AND EVERYTHING IS LAME
The Kings lost at home to the Memphis Grizzlies a lot to a little.
The score isn't really important, unless you consider that 24 hours earlier, the Grizz lost to the Warriors by 50. Yes, an older team, on the second game of a back to back, came into Sleep Train Arena and punched the Kings in the mouth. Led by All-NBA center Marc Gasol (oops, he had neck spasms and played 18 minutes) led by Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, the Kings had no answer for Memphis in the paint, just a couple games removed from outscoring the Lakers 1394 to 1 down low.
I'm not panicking. I'm pissed. With a full training camp, and veteran leadership, this team was supposed to compete night in and night out, even without their star big man. That did NOT happen last night. The Kings were beaten in every facet of the game, from hustle to cutters to defense to free throws to dance moves. It just wasn't there. Now every team has a clunker or four during the season, but it's not supposed to come in your third home game. It's certainly not supposed to happen twice in three home games, like it did opening night in the first half when the team acted like they were coming off a bender in the first quarter.
This team missed 16 free throws. SIXTEEN. They're shooting under 70% for the season. Gross.
This team was 2-15 in the 2nd quarter. Ew. That's the fewest shots made in a quarter since March 27, 2009, and there have been quite a few crappy teams in the last six years. Yuck.
Ben McLemore couldn't hit a catcher's mitt with a baseball if the mitt covered the entire earth and all the plains within and was made of stick-em. George Karl didn't exactly sound like the president of the BM3 fan club when he told Jason Jones of The Bee:
"I��m not overreacting, but in the same sense, I think everybody's got to understand playmaking is a part of the style we want to play," Karl said. "Good decisions and you've got to make good plays when the opportunity presents itself, and Ben is struggling in that area."
Yeesh.
But the problem isn't just Ben McLemore. The problem is not having your star in DeMarcus Cousins. Your problem is having shooters who can't shoot. Your problem is miscommunication on defense, not setting screens, not running your pick and roll properly. Your problem is getting frustrated, not running an offense, and playing hero-ball. Those are old habits that Kings fans are very aware pre-George Karl.
Karl said in the extremely well done "Inside the Kingdom" series on Kings.com "In all the years I've been a coach, I've missed the playoffs one time. And I still think about that year every day."
A few more nights like this and he'll have a new year to obsess on.
But here's the thing: they're 1-3. They've won every game they were supposed to, and they've lost every game they're supposed to.
Memphis has two losses on the year. Granted, they were by a combined 80 points, but they also came to the two contestants in last year's NBA finals. The Grizzlies are once again a serious playoff contender. They don't suck and they've been together a long time.
The Kings' other two losses were closely held contests with the Clippers, who most think are on a collision course with the Warriors, a match up we were robbed of last year. The Kings were able to stay with the Clips (and even have a double digit lead) without Cousins in the 2nd half.
It's three losses. To two of the best teams in the entire league. I'm not going to panic.
Sure we can grouse about the WAY they lost last night, and we should. If they play like that even against average to below-average teams, more often than not they'll come away with the L.
But let's give these guys some time to jell. Let's see what this vaunted "Vet Leadership" and "Professional Pride" is all about. Let's wait until these Kings actually lose a game they're favored in before we throw in the towel.
Inside the lines of this season, there's certainly a lot to pick at, but as far as wins and losses, this young campaign has been straight chalk. So I'm going to stay away from the edge of the building. For now.
Now for some fun tweets from last night:
This person taking this pic obviously violated my right to watch a game and get fat on buttery popcorn in peace, and I don't appreciate it.
Haha very funny. Taking one of my favorite shows ever and defiling it. You probably aren't even a Doctor.
Super amusing. Once again taking shots at a National Treasure. And Star Wars.
Yes I was there. No that's not where I was sitting. I call FAKE.
Ok. I'm done. I'm out. This is ridiculous. You people are dumb.
