A Royal Pain
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In Sacramento, It’s George Karl First, Sacramento Kings Distant Second

By Tony Xypteras

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This happened.

Shortly after I posted my blog for Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, the positively charged George Karl to Sacramento rumors crept back up again to the point where most basketball insiders were predicting that he would be the Sacramento Kings next head coach.

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Nothing has been signed yet, but I think it’s fair to say we are rapidly heading in that direction. If Adrian Wojnarowski, Sam Amick, Carmichael Dave, and Aaron Bruski are calling it close, I’m inclined to believe them.

There are still issues to iron out. Karl reportedly wants a full four-year contract while the Kings have been offering him three plus a team option for the fourth. There have been reports that some players within the Kings locker room would be against his hiring, and the issues with DeMarcus Cousins’ camp being against Karl’s hiring may still be lingering. It’s hard to say with any certainty.

This story has had so many twists and turns that it’s been nearly impossible to follow with any clarity.

The general consensus is that Karl will be officially hired at some point over the next 24-48 hours, and will have his coaching debut February 20th in Sacramento against the Boston Celtics. This is the Kings first game after the All-Star break. Tyrone Corbin will likely coach tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls, and Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. That shouldn’t be awkward at all.

And hey, the Kings actually beat the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. I know how secondary basketball has been in Sacramento over the last week or so, but it was a good win for a squad that desperately needed it.

I thought the first quarter was the best quarter of basketball the Kings have played in nearly two months. Without Darren Collison and Rudy Gay, the Kings had to play unselfish basketball and that’s exactly what they did. Things started to fall apart in the fourth quarter, and it’s nothing short of a miracle that the Kings were able to squeak out a win after only scoring 12 points in that quarter, but the Kings will take what they can get at this point. A win is a win.

Then DeMarcus Cousins delivered one of the most amazing post game media session’s you’ll ever see.

I don’t want to put words in Cousins’ mouth. I’m not going to try and decipher exactly what he’s trying to say here, but I think we can all sympathize with his frustration. It’s been a tough year.

Ok. Finally. The Kings are in Chicago tonight to face the Bulls. If the Kings want to send Tyrone Corbin out on some sort of a high note, back-to-back-to-back wins against the Suns, Bulls, and Bucks would be one way to do it.

The Kings are without a matchup to exploit tonight, and that’s going to be a problem. DeMarcus Cousins carved up the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, but it is a pretty safe bet that Joakim Noah and Tom Thibodeau are going to provide more resistance.

Darren Collison has already been ruled out. Rudy Gay is listed as questionable. A win in Chicago tonight is going to require a special performance from someone else on this roster. I just don’t think Thibodeau is going to allow Cousins to beat him. Not when he’s the only healthy scoring option on this team right now.

We’ll have more updates on the George Karl situation as that story develops, and as usual, check back in to A Royal Pain after tonight’s game for our postgame coverage.

I’ll leave you with this very spirited message Gary Payton had for DeMarcus Cousins last night.

Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls

Where: United Center – Chicago, IL

When: 5:00 PM Pacific, 8:00 PM Eastern

Broadcast: Comcast Sportsnet California

Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM

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