As the Sacramento Kings have solidified their status as a 40-win team they are also garnering respect from those around the NBA. The latest proof of this comes via NBA Power Rankings, where the Kings jumped up to sixth overall.
As they jockey for the second seed in a loaded western conference, the Kings moved ahead of teams like the stacked Phoenix Suns in the power rankings. Much of this latest sign of respect has to do with the Kings strong play out of the all-star break.
Many expected the Kings to hit a wall of some sort out of the break after they were one of the only teams in the NBA to make no drastic moves at the trade deadline. Naturally, questions were to be asked of this group as they remained the same, due to some significant roster flaws.
Yet the Kings have continued earning wins out of the break and it has reached the point that others must acknowledge their level of play. That is exactly what is happening, too, proven by the sixth spot in the latest NBA power rankings.
Sacramento Kings keep Winning
One way to ensure respect around the NBA? Winning games. The Kings have taken that route and it is paying off in the later stages of the season.
For much of the year, they have lingered around the tenth spot in the power rankings despite their strong record. It has now reached the point where their success simply can’t be ignored.
Recent wins over the Suns and the previously scorching-hot New York Knicks are the kind of tough victories they need to prove they can pull out. They have done exactly that.
Now at the point where they are playing for more than writers’ power-ranking opinions, the Kings can at least understand they are being acknowledged around the NBA.