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The Kings have shown a style of play during their four-game winning streak that's hard not to admire.
The effort of the Kings is already winning over the coaching staff. The wins are important, but there's a pleasure the staff has in watching young players begin to understand what's being asked of them and doing it in a game.
"That's really one of the main reasons our staff is here," said Kings coach Paul Westphal after today's practice.. "I look at Coach (Pete) Carril. When he sees them really moving the ball or diving on the floor or just laying it on the line he almost gets a little tear in his eye. And I'm not being melodramatic. Coaches love to see effort and teamwork. And I think fans do too."
One reason the Kings have to play like that is because it will take a lot more victories before this team can be viewed as anything more than an afterthought when it comes to playoff contention or even having a winning record.
Oklahoma City and Los Angeles Clippers are teams considered worthy of being discusses as on the brink of getting into the playoffs.
"I think we pretty much still are the underdogs every time we play," Westphal said. "And I don't think that can ever change the way we approach the game. The only way we'll play well is to work as hard as we possibly can and we'll live with the results."
*Rookie forward Omri Casspi practiced on his sprained left ankle. If the ankle will keep him out of Tuesday's game against Chicago will depend on how the ankle responds to today's practice.
--Jason Jones
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