Since the 2006-2007 season, the Sacramento Kings have been in the bottom half of the Western Conference, leaving them out of the playoffs since then. However, the Kings made a major overhaul in their roster this offseason in hopes of breaking that streak.
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There’s no question that the roster of the Kings has improved, but really what are the chances of the Kings finally snapping their nine-year run of being out of the playoffs? To me, there seems to be limited spots available in a tough Western Conference.
We all know there are certain teams that are considered shoo-ins when it come to playoff contention. Right now I have (setting aside injuries) the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Memphis Grizzlies all making the playoffs, meaning there are only two spots I feel that are left for other teams to contend for.
I honestly do think the Kings have a shot at earning one of the last two spots (surprise, surprise), but at the same time there are also other teams in the conference that can give Sacramento a run for their money. Here is a look at the four teams that I think could potentially ruin the Kings chances of seeing postseason play.
Next: The Mavericks Are Down But Not Out
Dallas Mavericks
Withdrawing the 2012-2013 season, the Mavericks have made the playoffs every season since the new millennium. So why count them out now? If it wasn’t for DeAndre Jordan dipping out of his agreement with the Mavs originally to go back to the Clippers, Dallas would probably join my list of shoo-in teams to make the playoffs.
This season the Mavs roster will be consisted mostly of veterans, but veterans that have carried a lot experience throughout their respected careers. The Mavs also still have Rick Carlisle as their head coach, who I consider a top five coach in the league today. The X-factors I see that can carry this team to the postseason are Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews.
If Parsons can become that legit first or second option for the team, with Matthews bouncing back from his Achilles injury, it will be very difficult for the Kings to go ahead of Dallas in the standings. The Kings were 0-3 in the season series against the Mavs last year.
Next: Will The Kings Choose Fight Or Flight?
New Orleans Pelicans
With the Pelicans having a budding superstar in Anthony Davis, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they see the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Even besides Davis, the Pelicans do have a lot talent on their roster. Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Ryan Anderson are just a couple out of many names that are expected to make a positive impact towards this upcoming season.
I also think the addition of newly hired head coach Alvin Gentry will be a factor as well. He’s had some success already as a head coach with the Suns, and just came off a championship year with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant. I think with this second chance as a head coach, with the talent on this team, he can potentially take this team to another level.
Overall, the Pelicans may be a favorite to take one of the final two spots based on their talent alone. If they can continue to build on what they had last season, there’s seems to be no one that can stop them from reaching postseason play once again. The Kings were 1-3 in the season series against New Orleans last season.
Next: The Suns Could Still Shine Bright
Mar 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (left) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore at US Airways Center. The Kings defeated the Suns 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are another team I can see getting in the Kings way. There are some pieces on this Suns squad that could make them threatening. They have a duo of guards in Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe, which I think could be an X-factor. To me, the question about this duo isn’t their talent, but how compatible they can be. If these two can gel together well on the court, it could be trouble for their opponents.
Also, I like Markieff Morris (if he remains a Sun), Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. I like the pair of big men in Morris and Chandler, who show a good mix of offense and defense when together (Morris: Offense, Chandler: Defense). I also think that Len is another X-factor on this team as well. Last season, Len made strides compared to his rookie year, and if he continues to gradually improve he could play a pivotal part for the team as the season progresses.
Overall, the Suns have a some intriguing pieces on their squad that could help the team make that leap into postseason contention. The potential is there to me, but they have to show more of it on the court where it matters. The Kings were 3-1 in the season series against Phoenix last season.
Next: Will Utah Break Through?
Utah Jazz
At least to my surprise, the Utah Jazz finished last season with a record of 38-44. The record may not be exciting at first glance, but considering it was a rebuilding year they’re heading in the right direction. Although there isn’t any big name player on the roster, the Jazz still found ways to win.
They have Gordon Hayward as their best player (in my opinion), but it’s the bevy of young talent in guys like Rodney Hood, Alec Burks, and Rudy Gobert that have their fans optimistic about the team’s future.
To me the biggest X-factor on the team is Trey Burke. With the injury to Dante Exum, Burke has to step up his game. If he can become more efficient on both sides of the court (improving shooting %, distribution, and defense) he has the ability to vastly improve this Jazz team.
I also think Gobert is coming as well. We know what he can do defensively as a shot blocker, but if he continues his pattern of improvement on the offensive end, he might just be their best player when the season ends.
The Jazz are very young, especially the players that play significant roles on the team. If they continue to keep showing improvement like they did last season, it will dramatically accelerate the rebuilding process for the team. They kind of shocked NBA world with their performance last season, which leads me to believe that they have a legitimate chance to do it again with a playoff berth. The Kings were 1-3 in the season series against the Jazz.
Next: My Final Thoughts
Jan 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings players huddle before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Kings 119-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts
Out of these four teams, I find two to really give the Kings a run for their money. Those teams are the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. For Dallas, it’s their level of experience. Although I thought their talent took a dip from last season, they still have a lot of veterans and a head coach that know what it take to play beyond the regular season.
For New Orleans, it’s their level of talent that will carry them. A lot of experts are projecting the Pelicans to be in the playoffs this season because of the amount of talent they have surrounding future superstar Anthony Davis. Plus, with berth in the playoffs last season, it will definitely motivate the team to raise their own expectations.
With the case of Phoenix and Utah, I see them coming, but I don’t see them surpassing the Kings because of how Sacramento’s roster has improved in both talent and experience this offseason. Overall the Kings are looking to make a playoff run, and I see four teams that could potentially get in their way.
The Jazz and Suns could be dark horses throughout the season, but I foresee the Pelicans and Mavericks being more of a threat. If the Kings can beat out three of the four teams that I listed, postseason basketball might be coming back to Sleep Train Arena for one last time.
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