Tag: Sacramento Kings

Pacific Division Season Preview: Not Just the Battle of LA

by RJ Garcia, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

Welcome to the third of the Corner Three 2019-2020 NBA division-by-division season previews. In each of these previews, we use RJ Garcia’s player-by-player ratings (based on on/off metrics and career trajectory) and per-game minutes projections (taking into account potential minutes lost to injury) to project overall team quality for the upcoming season. RJ and Derek Reifer also provide their own analyses and commentary to provide any context and additional insights.

Continue reading “Pacific Division Season Preview: Not Just the Battle of LA” →

Kawow: The Kawhi Leonard Trade Saga Begins

by Derek Reifer, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

It’s official. After months of drama and speculation, Kawhi Leonard reportedly wants out of San Antonio.

Continue reading “Kawow: The Kawhi Leonard Trade Saga Begins” →

The Russell Westbrook Debate Isn’t What It Should Be

by RJ Garcia, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

Russell Westbrook will never win an NBA title.

As takes go, this might be more mild than you first think. Westbrook is going to be 30 years old this season and the Golden State Warriors’ juggernaut continues to power on, in another Conference Finals, and with rumors of a Klay Thompson extension, showing they are prepared to plow into the luxury tax. Westbrook, though, will likely be in the top five of MVP voting once again, and is one of two players to ever average a triple double in a season (he’s now done it twice). He is a fascinating, polarizing character who challenges what the goals and expectations for an NBA team are supposed to be, and whether fans and front offices have prioritized their values in the “correct” way. What is the correct way?

Continue reading “The Russell Westbrook Debate Isn’t What It Should Be” →

What Does the Cousins Trade Mean for the Pelicans and Kings?

by Derek Reifer, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

Last night after the All-Star Game, a bombshell deal was announced (now official) as the Sacramento Kings sent their superstar center, DeMarcus Cousins, along with Omri Casspi, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and 2017 first- and second-round picks. This was a surprising move for multiple reasons, the first being that less than two weeks ago Kings GM Vlade Divac made it clear that Cousins would not be traded.

Continue reading “What Does the Cousins Trade Mean for the Pelicans and Kings?” →

Does Tanking Really Work?

by RJ Garcia, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

Since the race for once-in-a-lifetime prospect Anthony Davis, tanking has been one of the most controversial topics in NBA conversation. The then-Bobcats aggressively lost games to put themselves in position to get the Brow, leading them to the worst winning percentage in the history of the league.

The biggest argument about tanking is usually regarding its morality, and whether a team and its fans should root for failure in order to find long term success. The league is also split on whether tanking is good for the NBA and its franchises, as shown by the failed “anti-tanking” vote that would’ve revolutionized the lottery system. However, for most NBA fans, there is little doubt that tanking is a “smart” plan. But is tanking really smart? Does it often work?

Continue reading “Does Tanking Really Work?” →

The Comprehensive 2014-2015 NBA Preview: Western Conference

by Derek Reifer, posted in Basketball, NBA Basketball

After an amazing 2013-2014 season, the unbearably long offseason is finally coming to a close. There’s a lot to look forward to this year in the NBA, with superstars on new teams, contenders adding pieces, and more squads than ever with a chance to make noise. Let’s continue with my projected standings for the Western Conference, and analysis for the teams in it:

Continue reading “The Comprehensive 2014-2015 NBA Preview: Western Conference” →

Is Parity in Sports Really Better?

by RJ Garcia, posted in Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, MLB Baseball, NBA Basketball, NFL Football, NHL Hockey

It has been said recently that the NBA has never been stronger than it is right now, and it really is true.  The NBA is all over the sports news, currently dominating the news cycle on ESPN, getting more airtime than America’s pastime, the MLB.  Franchise values are skyrocketing and the league recently turned down a prospective owner who wanted to pay a billion dollars for the Kings, over $300 million more than they was valued at before the bidding war began.  The league has two extremely marketable superstars in Kevin Durant and LeBron James, who by all accounts are not only phenomenal basketball players, but also good citizens.

The NBA is an interesting test case because of the idea of parity in sports. With the NBA, you can pick 8 teams at the beginning of the season and you will have a 90% chance of getting the correct champion. Don’t believe me? Check this out.

Continue reading “Is Parity in Sports Really Better?” →