 |
| Image Source edition.cnn.com |
In May of 2006, Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" was dominating the Billboard Hot 100 charts, while Owen Wilson had just debuted as the voice of Lightning McQueen in the movie "Cars". Meanwhile, Sacramento Kings' forward, Keegan Murray, was eagerly anticipating his sixth birthday. For everyone involved with the Kings, it must feel like a distant memory now.
It has been almost 17 years since Sacramento played an NBA postseason game, making it feel even longer for the team's fans. However, this season has been a turning point for the Kings, and after 82 games of the regular season, the fans at the Golden 1 Center will finally have something to celebrate.
The Kings secured a playoff spot with a record of 46-30 after their 120-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. They are now the third team to secure a place in the Western Conference playoffs, joining the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are leading a new era in Sacramento, and with them at the helm, there is hope that the Kings' return to the NBA Playoffs is not just a one-time event, but a sign of more to come in future years.
Trading Places
When the Kings traded their talented young point guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in early 2022, many people had questions.
Haliburton was drafted as the 12th overall pick by the Kings and was considered by many to be the team's future point guard. He had an impressive first season in the NBA, earning a spot on the 2021 NBA All-Rookie First Team and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.
In his sophomore year, Haliburton continued to excel, averaging 13 points, 5.3 assists, and three rebounds per game. He even recorded a career-high of 38 points and 17 assists early in the season.
However, concerns arose about his long-term compatibility with De'Aaron Fox in the Kings' backcourt, leading to a blockbuster trade that sent Haliburton to the Pacers. Along with Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson were also traded to the Hoosier State, while Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, a 2023 second-round pick, and Sabonis headed to California.
Like Haliburton alongside Fox, Sabonis was a star on a team that didn't fully leverage his talents.
.png "The Sacramento Kings have qualified for the NBA postseason for the first time in 17 years. What alterations have been made") |
| Image Source edition.cnn.com |
Since arriving in Sacramento, the Lithuanian basketball player Domantas Sabonis has had a standout performance, and the 2022/23 season has been one of his best in the NBA. At the time of writing, Sabonis, who is the son of Hall of Fame center Arvydas Sabonis, is averaging career-highs in rebounds and assists. He has also returned to the All-Star team for the third time in his young career. Shortly after being traded, Sabonis spoke to The Athletic and expressed his excitement for the future of the Kings. He said, "They brought me here, and we want to change things, you know? It’ll be a lot of fun. It’s just little by little, I think we’re doing great things and going in the right direction. We’re gonna have a big summer – we’ve been talking about it. And then we’ll have a good training camp and get all the people together, you know?"
All Changes in the Off-Season
After a rough start to the 2021/22 season, Luke Walton was dismissed from his position as head coach of the Kings. Alvin Gentry, a veteran coach, took over on an interim basis until the end of the campaign when he too was released from the role. In preparation for the start of the 2022/23 season, the Kings hired Mike Brown, the former associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors, as their new head coach. Brown had just won an NBA championship with the Warriors, and his job was to bring some of his winning tactics to the team in Sacramento. The 53-year-old has completely restructured the Kings' approach to the game, and the franchise is now one of the most electrifying offenses in the league.
.png "The Sacramento Kings have qualified for the NBA postseason for the first time in 17 years. What alterations have been made") |
| Image Source edition.cnn.com |
The Kings have undergone a significant transformation in their offensive game with the help of head coach Mike Brown, as well as new players such as Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray, who was selected fourth in the draft. Huerter and Murray, in particular, have been crucial in the team's newfound proficiency in three-point shooting, with both players attempting over six threes per game and making them at an impressive 40% clip. Monk has also contributed to the team's improvement in this area, albeit with slightly lower numbers. This overhaul is evident in the team's performance, as they previously ranked 21st in three-point attempts per game and 24th in three-point percentage during the previous season.
.png "The Sacramento Kings have qualified for the NBA postseason for the first time in 17 years. What alterations have been made") |
| Image Source edition.cnn.com |
The Kings under Brown's leadership have shown a significant improvement in their offensive game, currently ranking seventh in the NBA in three-point attempts per game at 36.9 with an impressive 37.4% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, which is eighth best in the league. Additionally, the team's success has been fueled by the exceptional performances of point guard De'Aaron Fox in clutch situations, earning him the top spot on the NBA's Clutch Player Ladder. Fox has been instrumental in securing crucial victories for the team during key moments of the season.
The attack is the Best Form of Defense
Overall, the Kings top the offensive rating rankings, but their 26th ranking in defensive rating shows their all-out attack mentality. This was epitomized in their record-breaking game against the Los Angeles Clippers, where they won 176-175 in an incredible offensive display. Fox was outstanding, scoring 42 points and contributing 12 assists, while Monk led the team in scoring with an impressive 45 points off the bench, including six three-pointers.
Light the Beam!
The fans at Golden 1 Center have embraced the Kings' new approach to the game, and have been instrumental in their success this season. After every home win, the Kings display a giant purple beam into the sky, which has become an iconic part of the franchise's culture. As a win draws near, the entire arena reverberates with the crowd chanting, "LIGHT THE BEAM! LIGHT THE BEAM!" This tradition has become a social media sensation, with fans sharing their excitement about the Kings' victories on various online platforms.
.png "The Sacramento Kings have qualified for the NBA postseason for the first time in 17 years. What alterations have been made") |
| Image Source edition.cnn.com |
The use of the purple beam by the Kings has attracted some ridicule from opposing teams and fans, but it has also played a significant role in establishing a unique bond between the franchise and its supporters.
The team's remarkable turnaround this season, coupled with their fearless and fast-paced style of basketball, has won the hearts of the fans.
As the playoffs approach, the people of Sactown will be hoping that their team will continue to light up the beam and make their mark in the postseason.
