It’s the 4th of July, the day Americans celebrate independence by blowing stuff up. But, more importantly, do the Sacramento Kings have anything in common with the Founding Fathers?
The Sacramento Kings, much like America in the late 18th century, are just getting started. So, can we draw any parallels between the 2019-20 Sacramento Kings and America’s Founding Fathers? Yes, if you squint hard enough.
First, is both groups were/are significantly underrated, and were/are serious underdogs to win anything.
When the American Revolutionary War began, the United States was small, 13-colony coalition of militias and guerrilla fighters going up against the might of the British Empire. The Americans weren’t expected to win, but ended up doing so anyway because of strong, effective leadership and an ability to adapt to changing battle strategies.
The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, are facing the might of the Western Conference in their battle for conference supremacy. Early predictions have the Kings outside of the playoffs looking in, with few really giving them a shot and making some noise next season.
While the Kings aren’t likely to find the same success America did back then — and basketball is not as serious as war — it’s worth noting that even before the United States became the superpower it is today, they weren’t always like that. Remember, the Sacramento Kings are a super team, just young.
Secondly, some revolutionaries were very young — as young as a nine-Year-old Andrew Jackson. Other key American’s from that time were 21-year-old Alexander Hamilton, 20-year-old Aaron Burr and 18-year-old James Monroe. Coincidentally, the Sacramento Kings are also led by some young stars.
Marvin Bagley III is just 19, De’Aaron Fox and Harry Giles are only 21. But, both sides were also led by some elders as well.
Abigail Adams was 31, while Nathanael Greene and Thomas Jefferson we’re both 33. The Kings have 31-year-old Nemanja Bjelica, 34-year-old Trevor Ariza and a trio of 26-year-old In Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Yogi Ferrell.
But, most importantly, both the Kings and America were/are led by a hotshot (floor) general — which power(ed) both to many victories.
Though George Washington was in his mid-40s during the Revolutionary War and Fox is just 21, both displayed experience beyond their years. Washington powered the United States to independence and became the country’s first president as well, while Fox should have won Most Improved Player last season, and could also end up a president (of basketball ops) in the future.
All in all, the 4th of July represents a fun day to celebrate and spend time with family while (where it’s legal) enjoying fireworks, and this is just a fun way to join in. From all of us at A Royal Pain, have a safe and fun holiday!