Opinion: What Will The Sacramento Kings’ Record Be?
By Rafe Wong
As the Sacramento Kings begin their regular season today against the Phoenix Suns, the A Royal Pain team joined together to discuss where the purple and white will finish this year in the record books. Listed down below is each member’s prediction on what will be the Sacramento Kings’ record this season. Enjoy!
Rafe (@rafnation): The Kings’ roster isn’t as talented as they were last season, but I do expect a mild upgrade from the purple and white this time around. The reason why I predict this, unity. Last season there was a division between players and coach that ruined a great opportunity for the Kings to return to the playoffs. I expect new Head Coach Dave Joerger to have a better hold on this team and for the chemistry within the organization to greatly improve.
I also think that the Kings will have more stability on their roster. Guards like Darren Collison and Arron Afflalo will be solid for the Kings this season while the Kings still have wildcards in Ty Lawson and Ben McLemore. At the forward positions, the Kings have Rudy Gay, Omri Casspi, and Willie Cauley-Stein who all should be able to fulfill their selected roles this year. And to lead all of these players is DeMarcus Cousins, who has shown in the past few seasons that he is the best big man in the NBA and a top-tier talent as well.
Prediction: 35-47
Tyler (@wattsy4444): I think the upside is there for the Kings to beat their previous mark, but the schedule makers did not do them any favors. They play eighteen back-to-back games this season, which is tied for the most in the NBA. Not only are they starting off the season with a back-to-back, but they will still be adjusting to their new head coach’s style of play. Throw in the starting point guard being suspended the first 8 games and I predict it will be a rough first month for the Kings. They will slowly dig out of that hole but will miss the playoffs again finishing 10th in the Western Conference with a 38-44 record.
If you are looking for optimism, Coach Dave Joerger has led his teams to the playoff every season as a head coach. The emphasis on defense should also improve the team’s biggest weakness from last year and the combo of DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay should lead to a high-powered offensive attack. Here is to hoping those factors prove me wrong and we find the Kings in the playoffs at the regular season’s end.
Prediction: 38-44
Gabe (@Gabecal): So Vegas has spoken, and when Vegas speaks, people should listen. Because Las Vegas is the house and the house always wins.
The experts put the over/under for wins for the Kings at 32.5, which is pretty much what they predicted last year, and the experts were, of course, correct. Now, last year I thought the 32.5 games was a low ball estimate until the season turned into a dumpster fire. But, Rudy Gay trade distractions aside, I’m thinking that 32.5 games are, once again, too low.
I’m confident about the direction Dave Joerger is taking with the team, as well as the offseason acquisitions. I think Boogie will have an All-Star year again, but I also think that the Western Conference is a beast to compete in.
So a conservative estimate for me would be 36 wins this season, but that’s no fun. So instead, I’m going with what I think the Kings can accomplish in the new Golden 1 Center with the backing of the best fans in the NBA, which bumps my conservative estimate up to a lofty 42 games won this season. I have my reasons for this number. One of which is: I’m a homer.
Prediction: 42-40
Jake (@JakeFitzYo): Dave Joerger is really going to help this team more than people think. He is one of the top coaches in the league and for Sacramento to land such a talent was a big win. Last season was a disaster, but the Kings still managed to finish with their best record since their 2007-08 season by ending the year 33-49.
They added some solid veterans in Arron Afflalo, Anthony Tolliver, Garrett Temple, Matt Barnes and yes, Ty Lawson. The Kings are going to be overlooked again this season, but I can see them improving on both ends of the floor. It will be tough in the West, but I quietly think the Kings will put together a solid season behind Joerger and Cousins.