The Kings need to learn what it is required to become a playoff team.
It’s more than just talent, it’s in the details.
It’s in knowing DeMar DeRozan will use a pump fake to draw fouls. It’s in boxing out every defensive possession to secure rebounds.
Those were the reminders from Friday night’s 113-104 loss to the San Antonio Spurs that knocked the Kings 3.5 games out of the play-in tournament with five games left in the season.
This season wasn’t supposed to be about high aspirations.
This was the “gap year” for the Kings. Offseason upgrades were minimal. The NBA Draft lottery was an expected result at the end of this season.
Having a chance to end the NBA’s longest active playoff drought? Come on, son!
So don’t look at Friday’s loss as a failure.
