How does it feel to score 175 points in an NBA game and lose?! Just ask the L.A. Clippers how it feels.
On February 24th, 2023, the Clippers ran into a juggernaut by the name of the Sacramento Kings and lost a double overtime game by the score of 176-175.
The Clippers shot a sterling 31 for 36 from the free throw line that night, but just 2 more made free throws would have won that game.
I was at that game and will never forget it. Domantas Sabonis held down the paint and contributed 20 points and 10 boards which is basically just a day at the office, but 1st time all-star DeAaron Fox went off with 42 points and 12 assists to steal the show.
Well, DeAaron is gone and waiting in the wings is someone everyone is hoping will step in and fill those ever so large shoes. Yes, that would be Darius Acuff Jr., and the only question is, do the Kings have the organizational skills to bring this bright young player along at the right pace so as to give him the confidence needed to succeed at basketball’s highest level.
If we are to believe what we hear and read, Sacramento intends to put this 19-year-old into the starting lineup from the get-go and let the chips fall where they may.
I am not necessarily opposed to the idea of letting Darius run the point from the opening bell, but with conditions and maybe a caveat or two.
Any ball player with one year of college basketball under his belt will have some accelerated courses to take in earnest if success is to be expected.
First and foremost, comes mentorship and where is that going to come from, because the current coaching staff does not fill me with trust and admiration.
Coach Christie still has on his water wings, and for all the bravado of how the Kings are going to play defense, at this date I haven’t seen a blueprint that lends acumen in that direction.
Yes, I want this coaching staff to succeed, but I also want to see something tangible that shows the fans that this staff actually knows how to coach!
Just the basics sports fans, like team defense and maybe a lesson or two in how shoot free throws.
I am so tired of hearing that Zach Lavine and Domantas Sabonis can’t play defense when they are the two highest paid players on the team.
How did they ever get to be all stars and never play defense?
Of course they can play defense, but what ever happened to the concept of team defense that seems to be an unspoken term?
Back to basics gentlemen and start creating the identity you want. It is achievable and would be if you would stop listening to the collective NBA naysayers that would have you believe that Sacramento Kings have no chance of winning 30 games.
How is a coaching staff supposed to instill positive energy into a squad that has no expectation of winning games?
How about preaching your own version of winning games and then laying out the map as to how you get there.
The Wizard of Westwood and that would be John Wooden won 10 NCAA championships in 12 years and led his club to four 30-0 seasons before he retired.
We won’t be confusing Doug Christie with John Wooden and time soon, but is there something to learn here aside from the fact they both coached basketball teams in the state of California?
Yes, I believe it starts with celebrating the veteran talent you have on the current team today.
Stop with the negative about what you don’t like about Zach Lavine and Domantas Sabonis and start celebrating what they bring to the table.
A lot of youngsters need to immerse themselves in the etiquette of how to compete against other NBA teams, and both Sabonis and Lavine have more than just a tad of experience in that regard.
Double down on that, use their leadership to your advantage, and start preaching the mantra of what home court advantage is supposed to mean. Set the expectation of winning when a visitor enters Golden One Arena, and heighten the expectation of lighting the beam!
The youngsters need mentors and we have some to celebrate!
All the best!
V.G. Harris
Vince Harris is an area resident and the author of Kings Corner, in which he contributes to Folsom Times, giving readers a look at the happenings on the court and behind the scenes of the Sacramento Kings
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
