LaVine appreciates love from Kings fans despite disappointing debut

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LaVine appreciates love from Kings fans despite disappointing debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – Zach LaVine was welcomed with a rousing ovation by the Golden 1 Center crowd when he made his Kings debut Wednesday. It arguably was the loudest the crowd has been this season, and maybe one of the loudest ovation in the brief history of Sacramento’s home arena.

That was about as far as the good times went.

LaVine and the Kings were out of sync most of the night and never found a consistent and smooth rhythm to the offense. Defensively, it was bad, bad and more bad.

“It was a tough one all around,” LaVine said. “Obviously not the debut you want, but that’s why you play in the NBA. Another game tomorrow, literally.”

The Kings do play Thursday against the Trail Blazers in Portland, but it will take more than 24 hours to wash the memories away from this one.

Sacramento was out-worked by an inferior Orlando Magic team that had lost nine of its previous 10 games before taking the Kings to the whipping shed with a 130-111 win in LaVine’s first game wearing a Kings jersey.

There was plenty of blame to go around, too.

The offense was disjointed and herky-jerky most of the game, Sacramento’s second since packaging point guard De’Aaron Fox and sending him to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a multi-team trade.

That wasn’t all that surprising considering LaVine didn’t have much time to learn interim coach Doug Christie’s system. LaVine also hadn’t played since Jan. 27 while on paternity leave from the Chicago Bulls.

“It’s new for all of us,” Kings center Domantas Sabonis said. “It’s just the first game. We’re going to watch film, we’re all going to get used to each another and I think it’s going to work amazing.

“He’s super talented. He’s going to open up the floor for everybody. I’m going to do my best job trying to get him easy looks. It just adds another dynamic to our offense. Once we get clicking, I think it’s going to be very dangerous.”

Asked if he was nervous before the game, LaVine smiled.

“I don’t get nervous anymore,” he said. “I’ve…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lavine-appreciates-love-kings-fans-233342423.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-05 23:33:00

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