2007 NBA Sacramento Playoff Hopes
Northern California Kings Basketball Team Has Shot at Postseason
We now enter the realm of bubble teams that have at least a sniff of a chance to enter the playoffs. (The Knicks are an anomaly, playing in a division that can be won with a sub .500 record). The Sacramento Kings have yet to reestablish their identity from the breakup of the team from their halcyon years of 2000-2004, where they were just a break or two away from playing in an NBA finals. They have stayed in the playoffs during the last 3 seasons, but have been ousted in the first round the past two years. Any statistician would see this as a downward trend, and this year’s edition of the Royals is following that line of mediocrity.
The largest part of their losses were incurred during the first half of the season, going 17-24. February has begun with a 4 game win streak, and so the flames of hope begin to flicker. But this is a team with serious deficits at both ends of the court, and they would benefit perhaps more than any other team fighting for the eighth spot by an extreme makeover. Plus, they only have 9 players under contract for next year, so there is very little financial downside to moving some bodies now to make the team better. But how to make this happen when your fruit isn’t the shiniest on the stand?
That’s the quandary Kings management are in – they need to make a significant move to get into playoff contention, but GM’s aren’t lining up to take their unwanted parts. There are also some untouchables that need to be quarantined from any trading itches that the Maloof brothers begin to feel during the next week. Add to that a few whose value is negligible to any other NBA team. Otherwise, in the best Henry the VIII voice one can muster – “Off with their heads!” – and retrench for seasons to follow.
The positive retains in this roster start are headed by Kevin Martin. What a find out of Western Carolina and what a shooter! He’s scoring at double his career average this year, he’s top-10 in 3 point accuracy, and the Kings would clearly be 5 games worse in the standings without him. Ron Artest has put up some serious numbers lately, most recently single-handedly keeping his team in a game (38 pts., 7 boards) against the Rockets that they lost in OT. Because he’s been the subject of so much ado during his career, people forget he’s only 27 and has 6-7 years of prime playing left in his tank. He’s perrineal all-league on defense, and he appears to have turned the corner on his past behavioral issues. Abdur-Rahim gives better-than-you’d-guess productivity per minute played, his contract is only mid-level and because he hasn't logged heavy minutes of late he'll give the Kings what they are seeing from him at present for several more years.
Mike Bibby will be staying ‘til at least the end of this season, given that his horrible ’07 numbers (.387 from the field, assists are down 1 from his career average) would scare away teams needing a quick fix. His expiring contract will be of value to someone next year. Francisco Garcia has disappointed, but the Kings have him inked until 2010 for very cheap money, so he has time to incubate. Salmons is giving them some production, but he is a liability with the ball in his hands, one that they are stuck with by signing him to the long-term deal.
Brad Miller has declined and this may be irreversible, so he would be a prime candidate to ship except who would want him? His contract (he’s due $24 million over the next 2 years) is holding them hostage, so SAC needs to package him along with a still-contributive Corliss Williamson and ????. Aha, therein lies the problem, because you can’t let Kenny Thomas go if you send two of your other bigs packing, and no other NBA GM lathers over marginal NBA players such as Hart, Price and Doubie. As for the coaching, Musselman seems to have the ear of his players for now, but how quickly that worm turns in the NBA when your team is sliding.
So we’re back at square one. A major roster reshuffling is needed, but it takes two at a minimum to tango in the NBA swap sweepstakes. That’s why the sanest course for the Sacramento Kings to pursue is to, in the semi-immortal words of Snoop Dogg, “Lay Low” for the remainder of the season and get into the draft lottery. If lightening could strike, they could end up with a quality big and/or a talented combo guard that would give them a realistic chance at rebuilding. Though it may go against their noble nature, these Kings need to play like paupers from now through April.
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