The Kings Are Now 1-4

for the second season in a row -- and yet, last year they still managed to win 50 games, so no need for doomsaying yet. Their schedule both this year and last has been tough to open the season. Last year they started off with a game against the Rockets in China and then had to play through jet lag. This year, they started with 4 of 5 games on the road, having the latest home-game opener of any team in the league, and against the conference champion Detroit Pistons no less.

The Kings now play 12 of their next 14 games at home. This is where they will truly be able to show what they are made of. Will they find the passion and fire to pick up their play and play with intensity? Or will they be a bunch of great players doomed to a year of mediocrity? Time will tell, but I am optimistic still.