If you’re a fan of the Sacramento Kings, then you are probably the worst/unluckiest/potentially cursed organization in the whole of the NBA. Sure, you might point to the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic, who have had their own well-documented struggles.
You might even argue it is better to be in Sacramento than Seattle, who no longer have a franchise. But when part of your argument consists of pointing out that another city no longer has a team to cheer on (although their dress rehearsal to return is coming this year), well, then you know that it is bad.
The last time the Sacramento Kings made the postseason was 2006, meaning the youngest generation of fans of the league have never seen them there.
This was the year that films such as The Departed, Talladega Nights, and Inside Man were released. Cassie, Gnarls Barkley, and an up-and-comer named Rihanna all stormed the charts. Feel old yet? Despite all of this, the Kings somehow lucked into a legitimately special talent in DeMarcus Cousins in 2010. He would play 470 games for the franchise.
In that time, he would average over 21 points and 10 rebounds and shoot a notable-for-its-time 32 percent from deep, which was impressive for a big man. Yet, the Kings could never put the pieces around him to make the playoffs once. In 2022 then, what is different? Well, if you stop laughing for a moment, you will see the Kings have been making the right moves for about 18 months now.