OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings week 10 – All-Star break edition
84. . 13-21. Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 27. team
Sacramento Kings:
Week 10: 1-3
Won vs: Pistons 110-107,
Lost to: Nets 118-127, Knicks 121-140, Hornets 126-127
Opponents this week: Lakers, Blazers
Offensive Rating: 112.9 (10th) | Defensive Rating: 118.7 (30th) | Net Differential: -5.8 (26th)
A trio of clubs hit week 11 with a 13-21 record and while the Magic didn’t garner any wins this past week they weren’t the worst in the group. That distinction goes to the Kings. Despite ending their nine-game losing streak the win versus the Pistons was overshadowed by the choke at game end to a shorthanded Hornets squad.
That and a historically brutal defense (in spite of their top-10 offense) can’t be ignored. Remember the days when teams scoring 120 points were the exception? Well, the Kings allow opponents to score an average of 120.3 points per game!
A few weeks ago when Sacramento won seven of eight some analysts were ready to claim the franchise had finally turned a corner.
The problem was diving into that run offered hints it was fool’s gold:
- Knicks were playing the second game of a back-to-back set
- Ditto for the Celtics who were also missing Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart
- Raptors were playing their fourth game in six days without Norman Powell
- Nuggets didn’t have Jamal Murray or Gary Harris
- Clippers were missing Paul George, Patrick Beverley, and Marcus Morris
Of the seven victories, the Pelicans and Magic were logical victories and the win versus the Clippers could be looked at as a trap game as LA simply underestimated their ability to score and didn’t offer defensive effort until too late.
It’s telling that right after this segment opponents didn’t make the same mistake leading to that nine-game losing streak.
While there are clubs actively trying to tank and others like the OKC Thunder who simply can’t unlearn their competitive identity the Kings are desirous of competing for a playoff birth. Unfortunately, Sacramento appears destined for a 15th consecutive lottery trip, Luke Walton’s seat is hot and this franchise is in desperate need of a culture shift!
The silver lining is Tyrese Haliburton but he’s missed the last two games nursing an injury.