It’s easy to dismiss the Sacramento Kings, given their recent track record and the volatility of their top players.
Center DeMarcus Cousins and point guard Rajon Rondo have made plenty of headlines over the years for their emotional outbursts aimed at coaches, officials and teammates. Their veteran coach, George Karl, isn’t afraid to speak his mind or criticize his players, fostering the notion that the Kings are a fragile team as presently constructed and could implode at any time.
During the first two full months of the season, the Kings seemed headed for another forgettable campaign. They entered the New Year eight games under .500 and rumors were abound that Cousins would be dealt.
Rather than rolling over and continuing another slide into oblivion, the Kings have suddenly found a winning formula and there’s a new vibe around the franchise. They have reeled off five consecutive wins and currently hold the eighth and last playoff seed in the Western Conference.
Naturally, the Kings are benefitting from the Western Conference’s general decline, with only seven of 15 teams above the .500 mark. But give the Kings some credit. Karl has them playing with fire and passion, led by the mercurial Cousins.
Cousins has posted strong numbers all season but he’s been a monster this month, averaging 32.5 points and 13.7 rebounds. Rondo is averaging 12.9 assists in January and the team has also received a big boost from rookie center Willie Cauley-Stein, who has solidified their backline defense.
The Jazz are currently the Kings’ closest pursuers for the final playoff berth, with the Nuggets, Trail Blazers and revived Pelicans also in the hunt.
This leads us to our question of the day: Will the Kings make the playoffs this season?
Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
Yes, they will have to play the Warriors/Spurs though so don’t count on them making it to the second round
No, but it will be close. I think the Jazz will beat them for the last playoff spot. I say this after the Kings lost in double overtime to the Hornets, an excruciating home loss that could prove costly. All that said, Kings fans certainly deserve the playoffs after all they’ve been through the past couple of years.
Yes, and I think they’ll be #7. I predict they catch Dallas, who seriously can’t survive playing Barea, Devin harris and Ray Felton 20 minutes every night. When Dirk goes, they’ll be the Nets of the West — very old and totally irrelevant.
One thing about the Mavs — Carlisle always gets the most out of his teams and finds ways to mask most of the team’s deficiencies.
Yes. Out of all the teams in the race for the last playoff seed they have the most talent and the best coach. Rondo and Belineli are proven winners that will help them make a late season push towards the playoffs.
Rondo has revived his career there after turmoil-filled stay with the Mavs.
I’ll also go with Yes. I’ve never been a believer in Utah, and their PG problems are brutal this year, and I think SAC has more talent (as someone above also speculated) then the other teams chasing them. NO will likely be the closest competition, assuming that Davis injury isn’t serious.
I agree that the Pelicans are the Kings’ biggest threat, but their key guys have trouble staying on the court. Trail Blazers could also be a factor because of their backcourt.