It's a classic of an NBA season, which does not always have the desired effect. When things are going badly or a team is coming off a big or important defeat, the players talk to each other at length. This scenario was that of Kings after the setback in Denver.
Largely dominated by the reigning champions, the Californians stayed in Colorado on Wednesday evening, before flying to Minneapolis on Thursday and preparing for the match against the Wolves on Friday evening. Before takeoff, for 35 minutes, Mike Brown's players sorted things out – without the presence of their coach.
The players took their responsibilities
“We had a team meeting to tell ourselves that we had to take things seriously in the 23 remaining matches”, tell Malik Monk, without giving further details. “The coaches have things to say but we are the ones on the pitch. We knew we had to come together and have a big game. »
The meeting was beneficial since the Kings came to win in Minnesota, against the best team in the West, in overtime. For the coach, this reaction and this victory are necessarily good signs.
“I really loved it. I said it to the managers, the coaches and even the group: we will not be able to achieve our objectives until the players take matters into their own hands,” believes Mike Brown. “The coach cannot push them and take them beyond a certain limit, it has to come from them at some point. They spoke, took their responsibilities. This is the first time they've done it with me and I went for a drink while waiting. »
Same results but different season
While they had just won three matches in a row, notably with a newfound defense, the two defeats in a row against the 2023 finalists, Miami and Denver, provoked this reaction. The Kings immediately wanted to redress the situation.
“The most important thing is to be on the same wavelength. It was the time for the players to talk to each other, to take responsibility, to talk about what we had achieved. It was productive,” confirms Kevin Huerter. “We said to ourselves that we had to stick together,” continues Davion Mitchell. “We cannot give up our arms and our heads when our opponent accelerates. We have to be tougher. »
Even if the Wolves were deprived of Anthony Edwards, their main offensive weapon, in the second half, the Californians snatched this success with their teeth and their mind. “We were physical in this match, we won eight out of eleven balls that were lying around. For us, it’s huge”notes Mike Brown.
The Kings resorted to this meeting because, despite having an identical record to last season at the same time, times have changed.
“From the outside, it’s different”concludes Huerter. “Last season, we were the darling of the league, everyone loved us. It was very positive. This season, with expectations and a better Western Conference, and even if our record is almost the same, it's not the same. We fight every match. It's necessary. »
