The Kings set a dismal franchise record with 15 straight losses

« I’ve been there for better or for worse. » Doug Christie despite the proliferation of references to the Kings’ era of dominance he contributed to in the early 2000s, “worst” is so preoccupying minds today that it’s hard to still think of “best.”

this night on the occasion of the reception of Magichis team suffered a serious defeat: a 37-point loss, while the Kings led by 12 points after 12 minutes. This was without counting the impressive skill level of Orlando, who finished 27/51 from 3-point range (a franchise record) but also held Sacramento to 10 points in the final quarter.

« Letting a player shoot without being hit, reducing space or contesting a shot is never part of the game plan. And there were far, far too many open shots. That’s probably what hurts the most, because that’s not what we’re working on in training. And I’ve also talked to some of our young players about that: when a guy hits, you’ve got to stick with him. It is an absolute imperative. This is something completely unacceptable », the coach gets annoyed.

His team’s current streak is just as bad: 15 straight, a new record for mediocrity that surpassed the 1971-72 and 1959-60 Cincinnati Royals and became the longest losing streak since the team’s creation in 1923 (we were talking about the Rochester Seamy-Pro team then).

Worst record in franchise history soon?

« It is a pain that helps me in many ways. It’s also therapeutic because it can hurt like hell. This is what pushes me to be a better coach, communicator, teacher and find a way to touch them every day. (…) Sometimes what motivates you is not necessarily a good thing, your motivation is pain. And for me, unfortunately, that’s exactly what it is now “, describes Doug Christie.

The challenge is knowing when this pain can be eased, as his team is on course to finish with the worst record in the club’s history. Their current winning percentage (21.1% at 12v-45l) is very close to that of the 2008/09 Kings (20.7%), the worst team in their history (17v-65l).

« Tomorrow we play away, so hopefully that will be a new way to turn the page for us. (…) We will do better against San Antonio, hopefully, turn the page as soon as possible », trying to be positive Makime Raynaudone of the few rays of sunshine on the interior, the author of 17 points and 14 rebounds against Orlando.

The concern for Sacramento is that the upcoming schedule is particularly difficult. With the “journey” starting on the Spurs floor on Saturday, followed by trips to Memphis, Houston, Dallas and finally the Lakers.

« Our fans deserve better and we will get there. Obviously, it can’t be harder to take. The regularity with which we approach things – we show something, then it disappears – is where it gets stuck. We have to make sure we are better, and we will be », promises Doug Christie, as if trying to convince himself.