‘We’re here’: Kings mock ‘disrespectful’ media coverage upon arrival in NBA bubble
The Kings have had a bit of a chip on their shoulders lately, so it was no surprise Wednesday when they showed up in Orlando with some attitude.
A number of national publications have discounted the Kings as contenders in a playoff race that will unfold over the next several weeks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Some appear to have forgotten the Kings exist after 13 consecutive losing seasons.
Point guard De’Aaron Fox was the first to call attention to the national oversight after ESPN and The Ringer omitted the Kings from playoff polls and discussions. The Kings’ digital team joined the fray when the Kings entered the NBA bubble Wednesday, proclaiming Sacramento’s arrival for The Ringer and the rest of the world to see.
“Since you’re not aware, we’re here @ringer,” the Kings tweeted.
Sacramento is in a virtual three-way tie for ninth in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans, 3½ games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the West. The Kings were coming on strong when the NBA season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, going 13-7 in their last 20 games.
Fox believes the Kings should be part of the playoff discussion, but most conversations have focused on the Grizzlies, Pelicans and Blazers. Fox noticed when ESPN and the Ringer both formulated polls for a fan vote without including the Kings. Sacramento felt slighted again when ESPN unveiled team-by-team schedules during a one-hour special without even mentioning the Kings.
“I’m not someone to filter myself or hold my tongue or anything, and I don’t think even it’s cocky or anything,” Fox said. “I think it’s disrespectful that we don’t even stand a chance, like we shouldn’t even be there.”
The Kings are one of 22 teams participating in the NBA restart. They boarded a cross-country flight from Sacramento to Orlando on Wednesday morning. The NBA announced the Kings had arrived shortly after 6 p.m., posting photos of Marvin Bagley III and Cory Joseph exiting the team bus.
Upon their arrival, players, coaches and other members of each team’s travel party are required to quarantine in their hotel rooms for 48 hours. Each must test negative for COVID-19 twice before they can come out of their rooms.
Kings center Richaun Holmes sent out a call for help Wednesday night as he prepared to enter isolation, asking the people of Twitter for TV and movie recommendations.
Following the 48-hour quarantine, Kings coach Luke Walton and his players will begin team workouts in preparation for their first game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 31. The Kings will hold their first practice from 2-5 p.m. Friday, a session that will mark their first team workout since early March.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
