The Kings have been one of the season’s biggest surprises so far, as they have jumped out to a 6-4 start. As a result of strong 3-point shooting, the league’s second fastest pace and development from several young players, the Kings have impressed many through their first 10 games.
This is a Kings team that hasn’t won more than 33 games in a season since 2007/08, so a strong start is certainly something that has caught attention. While the team hasn’t been overwhelming on either end of the floor (they are just about league average on both ends), they have gotten strong play from De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein and Nemanja Bjelica.
In his second season in the league, Fox has made major strides. Heading into the Kings’ loss to the Bucks on Sunday, Fox was averaging 19 points, 7.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Hield is providing another capable scoring option, averaging 19.8 points per game while hitting 48.9% of his 3-pointers. Bjelica has been a great addition for the Kings, as his floor-spacing has been much needed in the starting lineup. So far, Bjelica is averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting a staggering 55.3% on 3-pointers. Finally, Cauley-Stein has improved as a rim-running big, averaging 16.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
However, teams have gotten off to fast starts only to fade throughout the remainder of the season. Most recently it was the Magic, who got off to an 8-4 start last season, only to finish 25-57. While that Magic team surprised many early in the season due to some unsustainable shooting, there are certainly ways for the Kings to fall back down to the bottom of the standings moving forward.
Perhaps the development from their young players, their key free agency additions and their style of play will lead them to more success than anticipated. What do you think? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments!
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Sacramento might be a poor mans version of the Hawks from a few years back. 5 guys who do their jobs well, no true alpha
But those Hawks made the playoffs for several years in a row. I would think that would be a major victory for Kings fans right now.
You mean the Hawks team that won 60 games? Haha what
as a celtic fan i am scoreboard watching with fingers crossed they’ll find a 20 game skid – some things never change
As a true celtics fan wishing misfortune on another franchise so the “rich can get richer” is just gross. Celtics cant even manage the assets they have now what would another top pick add to that lol?
You think its “gross” to want a team to do worse that you hold a draft pick of?
Good day to post this poll after the beating they got from the Bucks lol
Hoping the Sixers and Kings both make the playoffs, makes the Fultz trade less terrible.
Lol no. They SHOULD be winning because they literally have nothing to lose for because they don’t have EITHER of their picks in 2019. There isn’t enough talent to last a whole season like this.
I don’t believe that they can keep up this hot start, but I do think they will end up with a better record than Orlando did after their start last season.
The Kings have a lot more quality youth than Orlando did, and if some of it is rounding into form, Fox, Hield, WCS, Jackson et al could make the Kings an exciting young team to watch, winning 35 or so games.
The Kings record is meaningless. More important is the growth many of their young players (Fox, Hieid, Cauley-Stein) are showing. Fox is especially demonstrating star qualities. This team won’t be going to the playoffs in the next couple of years, but if they trust the process (and draft and/or acquire another piece or two), they should at least be competitive and fun to watch for several years to come.
You think its “gross” to want a team to do worse that you hold a draft pick of?
As a kings season ticket holder for the last 11 years i believe we are treading up but still see us winning 30 to 40 games we’re young and actually really talented truthfully next year i truly believe well be a good team and make the playoffs
4 expiring contracts they could use to swing a deal and net a pick.