Kings: Next Year's Thunder!

I love playing the Thunder. I'm not talking about our ability to beat them (When someone tells you the only reason the Kings lost last night was because K-Mart wasn't playing in the 4th, remind them that Durant didn't play at all). That's not it at all. I like watching the Thunder because it allows us to look into the future. The Thunder are everything we want the Kings to be (besides the whole moving thing) and hopefully not more.

Think about it. Both teams are terrible. We get that. But when we think of the Kings, we think despair. Yeah, yeah, yeah...JT is a good prospect (why people think he is untouchable, while my boy Spencer is chopped liver is another story), but beyond that, all we have are dreams.

Seriously, whenever I read Kings articles and discussions, they are filled with HUGE question marks. Right now, the Kings are a bunch of temporary players who have no future with the team, except maybe 5 players (which is pathetic). And that's generous.

All we can talk about is the hope of bringing over a star free agent. But what I'm about to say, as someone who doesn't live in Sacremento, is important for Sacramento residents to read because after reading some comments by certain Kings fans, I just don't think they get it. No NBA player would want to live in Sacramento over almost every other NBA city.

I know the truth. Sacramento is a great town, great place to raise a family. Too bad NBA players are a-holes who only wanna get laid. Bring on NYC! Hello Miami!

But somehow the Thunder (while living in a worse city) have figured it out. Yeah, they got lucky. They have a certain guy named Kevin Durant who, in his 2nd year (sorry Spencer, I love ya, but your numbers don't come close to matching), is averaging 26 points/game.

Because of Durant and the "young nucleus" the Thunder possess, they are the new Blazers. And look where the Blazers are!

So that's what the Kings are hoping for. In three years, if we are lucky (get the 1st pick, hope Blake Griffin is all he is cut out to be), we might just be next year's Thunder, who were 2 years ago's Blazers.

A boy can dream.

Can't he?

Why I'm Content...For Now.

Remember that Bill Simmons article two years ago about rooting against your team to get a better draft pick. These were the days when the Celts didn't have Garnett and Bill was in love (still is) with Kevin Durant.

Of course, it didn't work out. The Celtics got the 3rd pick, drafted Jeff Green, traded him for Ray Allen, yada yada yada...

If you're the Kings right now, you want to get the 1st pick. I don't care how good you think Jason Thompson/Hawes/Greene are, Blake Griffin is better. And everyone else, well, they aren't Blake Griffin.

Not to say they are bad, but there are no franchise players available. Solid players yes. But no franchise.

So on the one hand, the Kings really need the #1 overall pick. On the other hand, we have a bad enough record with few games left. Meaning, that no matter what we do, the Kings are basically in the bottom few teams in the league.

So why am I content? Because I don't have to think two much about draft position. I can just hope the Kings win a couple more and the youngens' grow a little.

Then in June, I'll be at MSG when I hear David Stern say the immortal words, "With the 1st pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select..."

I Promise I'm not Lazy, Just Busy

For the millions of loyal readers, I apologize. I really can't tell you how busy I've been lately. But hopefully things will quiet down now that the website I work for is up and cool looking (I'm posting a video at the end).

It's actually a blessing in disguise that I haven't written because I seriously had been planning all week to write about how much I love Drew Gooden.

Some quick thoughts before a real post tomorrow:

I watched Mikki Moore on Sunday. He's not good. And certainly is not PJ Brown.

Rashad McCants. You think he wants a new contract? What a great trade for the Kings. Sheldon Williams for Rashad McCants. In this round, UNC beats out Duke (much to Shoals delight). I would love to see the Kings resign him. He's a good guy coming off an otherwise stale bench.

Is Beno Udrih still on the Kings?

Eddie Jordan is a good coach. But I want Mo Cheeks. Did a great job with the Blazers and the Sixers. No reason to believe he wouldn't do a great job with the Kings.

I really hope the Kings don't leave Sacramento. With the Expos already leaving me, this would be an official sign that God doesn't want me to watch sports. Good thing I never lived in Winnipeg, or my life would be very depressing.

Sorry again. Keep reading me. I have good things to say. Sometimes.

Back to the Box Score

Its been a while since I've written, and more importantly, its been a while since I wrote about what this blog was supposed to be. A different sort of analysis of Kings games, because of my inability to watch them.

So let's take a good look at last night's box score. What always impresses me about K-Mart is his ability to get to the foul line. By looking at his physique, you wouldn't think he would be able to generate as many fouls as he does. What is even more impressive, is that he is known for his smooth stroke, meaning that he probably prefers to shoot than go to the basket, especially with a bum ankle. So 13 FTA, not bad.

Now, for my opinions on Nocioni. I gotta tell ya, I've read a lot of negative crap on him. Is he an all-star? Of course not. But you know what, if you can get 19 off the bench on 7-11 shooting, while providing much needed energy and actually caring about the outcome of the game? Sounds like a player I want on my team.

So we lost. But we have no points and we were playing Chris Paul. You only get that lucky once.

Will Solomon Gets a Free Pass

Yesterday, I said that Will Solomon will replace Sheldon Williams as the bench warmer I plan on ratting on.

Then, I remembered something.

I have two main allegiances: The Kings and Judaism. I gotta represent Jews or Jewish links any chance I got (for my real job, I work for a Jewish website/blog).

I knew I remembered Will Solomon's name from somewhere. Then it hit me. He used to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv (turns out he also played for Hapoel Jerusalem). That puts you in Anthony Parker, David Bluthenthal territory.

So, Will, I take it back. You now have immunity in my heart. So I hearby give you the "Mateen Cleeves Memorial Never Make Fun of the Guy No Matter How Bad At Basketball He Is." Congratulations.

The same can't be said for you Calvin Booth. I'm on to you already. You like like Greg Oden's grandfather.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore (For the Time Being)

I'm feeling really weird right now.

When your team is involved in 4 trades in 3 days, you can't help but feel weird. One day you have your team, the next day is in totally and utterly different.

6 people who were on the Kings 3 days ago, are no longer. Remember Brad Miller, John Salmons, Mikki Moore, Quincy Douby, Sheldon Williams and Bobby Brown? Hell, even Sam Cassell is already gone.

I'm excited to bring Gooden/Simmons/Nocioni/Diogu/Booth/McCants/Solomon to the team. But 7 new players on a tough to tough handle. It's not like I don't want to love these guys. In fact, the opposite!

It's that when half the Kings team wasn't there last week, it doesn't feel like the Kings anymore. As much as you love the Kings organization, you feel most connected to the players. But who is left that I currently love?

As much as I love to hate on Sheldon and Quincy, it was a family thing. I'm sure they understood. I hope Will Solomon will understand like they did.

Go "Kings".

Quick Thoughts on the Newest Trade

Brown/Williams for Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth.

I know what you're all thinking:

NO!!!!!!!! Candace Parker and Whitney Houston are no longer Kings fans! DAMMIT!