Top 5 seasons in Kings history
By Logan Struck
3. Kansas City Kings 1980-81
This Kings team finished with a record of 40-42. Even with a losing record, this team makes the list because of the postseason success. This team lost to the Houston Rockets in five games in the Western Conference Finals, making them just one of two Kings teams to make the conference finals. Just two seasons prior, this team, with a similar roster, won 48 games but could not make it past the conference semifinals.
This team was led by coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, who won Coach of the Year two seasons prior. This team was highlighted by Otis Birdsong, as he received second-team All-NBA honors, averaging 24.6 points per game. We also see Phil Ford, who averaged 17.5 points and 8.8 assists per game. There is also forward Scott Wedman, coming off an All-Star season, averaging 19 points per game.
The only Hall of Famer on this team was Jo Jo White playing in the last year of his career and well past his prime. Injuries took a toll on this team, as Birdsong and Ford missed a combined 27 games, which is part of the reason their record does not reflect the success of this team.
Going back to the reason this team is number three on this list is their playoff success. This team won two playoff series, the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers and the second round against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns eliminated them in the previous two seasons, so a sweet revenge series is what came into play.