The True Reason Behind the Kings' Turnaround from Second-to-Last to a 7-Game Winning Streak - The Results Are Shocking January 13, 2025, Beijing Time: The NBA regular season continues, with the Kings securing an impressive 7-game winning streak after a close victory over the Bulls, 124-119, on the road. The familiar Kings are back! The team that seemed to be falling apart at the beginning of the season, even considering putting Fox on the trading block, has now experienced a phoenix-like rebirth under new management. Since the coaching change, they have achieved a record of 7 wins and 1 loss. It must be said that after firing head coach Brown and replacing him with assistant coach Christie, Christie has not disappointed the trust of the management, achieving good results. Since Christie took over, except for the first game lost to the Lakers, he has successively defeated the Mavericks, 76ers, Grizzlies, Warriors, Heat, Celtics, and today's Bulls, which is quite remarkable. A seven-game winning streak has propelled them directly to ninth place in the West, just half a game behind the eighth-placed Timberwolves and half a game ahead of the tenth-placed Warriors. Facing the powerful Celtics, they were able to limit their opponents to less than 100 points and win by a large margin of 114:97. This is simply unbelievable. To defeat the reigning champions so badly, other teams don't stand a chance against the Kings! Now, the Kings have reignited their hopes for the playoffs. To be honest, new coach Christie really has some skills. He has adjusted the team's…

This season, the Houston Rockets have delivered an impressive performance, securing a solid second place in the Western Conference, despite not reaching the finals of the mid-season tournament. Their success is evident, and General Manager Stone's moves have inspired multiple rebuilding teams to follow suit. The combination of promising rookies and experienced veterans has directly contributed to the rapid rise of Houston. The growth of seven newcomers has far exceeded expectations, prompting the team management to abandon the idea of trading for superstar players. Instead, they aim to develop the potential of their players through continuous high-intensity competition, striving to establish them as cornerstones of the team. However, this decision does not apply to everyone, especially the No. 3 pick from the 24th draft, Shepherd, who gained attention for his excellent ball-handling skills and precise shooting, even being hailed as a player comparable to Curry. The harsh reality dealt a blow to the young player, as he only managed to score 3.3 points per game in 11 minutes over 30 games with the Rockets. His once-prided finishing techniques were hindered by his slender physique, becoming a mental barrier that even led to him falling out of Coach Udoka's regular rotation. A shooter lacking in self-confidence is not enough to win every game, making him a target of criticism from various media outlets. As a high draft pick, failing to achieve a single-game record of 20 points is hard to justify. For the long-term development of the team, there were even rumors of trading Shepherd. Despite the Sacramento Kings offering attractive…

The recent crushing defeat of the Lakers was a heavy blow, driving fans to the brink of madness. The team's performance, especially in key position choices, was baffling. This defeat exposed a multitude of issues within the Lakers, particularly the necessity for roster adjustments. It's time to demote Hachimura, who has not been effective. Many feel he often "disappears" on the court, with occasional highlights but overall inconsistent play, becoming a "weak link" for the team. The management is no longer willing to wait. Hachimura has been benched, and Smith's starting position is almost certain, a change that seems inevitable. This adjustment teaches fans a lesson - teams must sometimes make bold decisions, especially when certain players underperform in critical moments. Fans are growing impatient waiting for Hachimura to stabilize his play, while Smith has consistently performed steadily and reliably, making significant contributions. Honestly, this move isn't surprising; Hachimura's state couldn't sustain the starting role, leaving management with no choice but to bring in Smith for strong support. Regarding the frontcourt, the Lakers' rebounding issues have been frustrating lately. Facing large opponents like Valanciunas and Vucevic, the Lakers' frontcourt has been decimated. Simply put, the Lakers lack a center capable of tough battles under the basket. How can they gain an advantage in such confrontations? If the Lakers continue like this, making the playoffs could be problematic. Some netizens say, "Can this lineup even count on frontcourt protection? It's like paper!" Rebounding has always been a weak point, especially against powerful big men. To stand firm in the competitive West,…

The Rockets are set to face the Grizzlies for the third time this season, with both teams well-acquainted with each other. The Rockets aim to challenge the Grizzlies again to solidify their position as second in the West, and they have both good and bad news. Firstly, Jalen Green has been improving steadily, with his offense becoming more reliable and showing signs of a core player. His shooting is becoming more consistent, and his three-point shooting is also improving. It was Jalen Green who helped the Rockets win against strong opponents, which is great news. The Rockets' patience with Jalen Green has paid off, and he has also shown good control over turnovers, although there is still room for improvement. Secondly, young player Sheppard has been performing well in the Development League, with highlights such as scoring 49 points and making 9 assists. Sheppard has shown his potential as a core player, capable of scoring and organizing the offense. His no-look passes are impressive, and his three-point shooting is stable, making him a formidable force in the Development League. It would be great to see him return to the Rockets' rotation soon. Lastly, there is an issue with Whitmore, who has little interaction with his teammates and does not celebrate victories with the team. This young man seems to be just as his college coach described him; the Rockets' investment in him has not paid off, and he is not worth developing. Whitmore may find it difficult to secure consistent playing time, and it would be better to give those…

On January 10th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season is in full swing. In this round of matches, the Timberwolves are in a strong momentum and have been singing all the way, while the Warriors have narrowly ended their losing streak. The Rockets firmly occupy the second place in the West, and the Suns rely on their strength to defeat the Hawks and closely chase the top ten rankings in the West. Next, let's take a look at the specific game summaries. Timberwolves-Magic The visiting Timberwolves started with a strong momentum, with Edwards and Randle taking turns to exert force, successfully occupying the advantage. Although the Magic, who played with a weakened lineup, fought hard and once approached the score, they ultimately failed to reverse the situation. As the game progressed, the Magic became more passive, completely falling into the opponent's rhythm, and could only helplessly watch the victory slip away. In the end, the Timberwolves easily defeated the Magic with a score of 104-89, winning three consecutive victories and rising to seventh in the West, just 0.5 games behind the top six. The team's chemistry is gradually improving, vowing to be the disruptor in the West. Warriors-Pistons After a brief adaptation period at the beginning of the game, the Warriors slowly found their rhythm. Although Curry had a poor shooting performance in this game, by the second quarter, Hield and the substitutes Walters and Santos rained down three-pointers, relying on this fierce offensive, they quickly widened the scoring gap. The Pistons fought hard to keep the game suspenseful, and…

According to Law Murray, a reporter for the Clippers, Hornets center Richards has entered the Clippers' reinforcement range and is considered a qualified backup for Zubac. Richards averages 9.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this season. Richards' technical style leans towards a dunking center, and his scoring ability under the basket is not outstanding. However, his athleticism can make up for this shortcoming. Just like Capela during his rookie period could achieve significant growth alongside Harden, the Clippers, lacking a backup center, can give Richards the opportunity to partner with Harden and improve his basketball skills. Currently, after Leonard's return, the Clippers have improved their frontcourt lineup. However, Tyronn Lue usually uses Batum or Bamba as substitute centers, which makes the Clippers' interior lineup somewhat stretched. If the Clippers can trade Tucker and Mann for Richards, it would further enhance the depth of their bench. Do you think Richards has the potential to become the next Capela? Is the combination of him and Harden worth looking forward to? Welcome to leave your comments below for discussion!

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving many wondering how the once-promising Spurs could suffer such a crushing defeat at the hands of the Bucks. The silence of Wenyambo, the struggles of Paul, and the inefficient performance of the Spurs' five tigers painted a picture of dark humor. The Bucks' strong showing served as a harsh reality check for the Spurs, casting a shadow over their future this season. This wasn't just a simple loss; it was a mockery. The Bucks demonstrated that reaching the playoffs isn't just about potential; it requires substance and grit. The tension was palpable from the start, with Antetokounmpo and Wenyambo, representing "the future and the present," facing off on the court. Antetokounmpo's powerful dunk at the beginning seemed to declare his dominance, while Wenyambo found his rhythm after several attempts, nailing an impressive three-pointer. The first quarter was a fierce battle, with the Spurs' five tigers attempting to counter the Bucks' momentum through quick counterattacks. The Bucks, however, maintained control with Antetokounmpo and Lopez's dominance in the paint. Both teams traded blows, but the Bucks' cohesion gave them the edge. Green's hot hand in the first quarter allowed the Bucks to pull away, setting the stage for the rest of the game. The second quarter was a bloodbath, with a 15-0 run by the Bucks akin to a sharp blade piercing the heart of the Spurs. The Spurs lost their composure during this period, even their shooting touch felt rigid. Despite Paul's valiant efforts with some clutch threes, the Bucks' Lopez and Lillard…

The Houston Rockets have now become the second strongest team in the Western Conference, with their winning percentage consistently ranking second in the West. After defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, the Rockets achieved a small three-game winning streak, with their winning percentage and form steadily improving. Udoka clearly stated in an interview that Jalen Green and Shen Jing have been performing outstandingly and stably recently, serving as the core pillars of the team. He likes to see them play in tandem to better complete scoring, rather than having them take turns playing individually. Udoka places great emphasis on teamwork. Udoka is a strict head coach who started as a defensive assistant coach, learning from Popovich and working for a long time with the Spurs coaching staff. During his tenure with the Celtics, Udoka was known as a defensive coach, leading the Celtics to the top defense in the league at the time. The current defensive system of the Rockets is also built by Udoka, centered around Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Tate, and VanVleet. This season, the Rockets' defensive efficiency ranks third in the entire league, with both Jalen Green and Shen Jing's defense entering the top 70 in the league. According to official reports from ESPN journalists, Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick for the Rockets, has averaged 27.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals since January, with a shooting percentage of 47.8% and a three-point percentage of 41.2%. Recently, Jalen Green has continuously scored high points, including 33 points + 6 rebounds + 4…

Paul Banchero and Jalen Green have a good relationship, but unfortunately, he was unable to wear the Rockets jersey. After a long absence, Banchero did not show any signs of rustiness in his body. He made a comeback against the Bucks, scoring 34 points and hitting 5 three-pointers. In this game against the 76ers, he also scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 6 assists to lead the team to victory. The 22-year-old Banchero has now become an All-Star forward. This season, he averages 34 minutes per game, scoring 28.4 points, grabbing 8.4 rebounds, and providing 5.3 assists, with a shooting percentage of as high as 50.8% and a three-point percentage of 40.5%. ESPN believes that Banchero is already a star of the new generation in the league, and he will deliver impressive performances this year. The No. 1 pick in 2022 is indeed talented, and the No. 12 pick that year, Jalen Williams, is also making a push towards becoming an All-Star. This season, he averages 32 minutes per game, scoring 20.6 points, grabbing 5.7 rebounds, and providing 5.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 47.7% and a three-point percentage of 34.2%. Retired Houston journalist Feigen feels regretful that Banchero and Williams were unable to join the Rockets. Feigen predicted back then that the Rockets would use the No. 3 pick to select Paul Banchero, the No. 17 pick to choose Jalen Williams, and the No. 26 pick to select Marjon Beauchamp. If the Rockets could have gotten Paul Banchero and Jalen Williams, they might have been able…

In the NBA regular season, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113 at home. This game not only affected the ranking in the West but also added a lot of suspense to the future of the team. The Warriors showed amazing team strength in the absence of Curry, while the Grizzlies, despite maintaining their second place in the West, faced challenges due to the absence of Morant. This article will delve into various aspects of this game and analyze the changes in the Western Conference landscape. The Warriors' Team Strength Despite Curry's absence due to a knee injury, the Warriors still showed strong team strength in this game. Many players on the team scored double digits, which is not only proof of the team's depth but also the key to their victory in adversity. In the absence of Curry, other players were forced to take on more responsibilities, and this role change often unleashes greater potential in the players. The Warriors' victory largely depended on their excellent three-point shooting performance and quick offensive and defensive transitions. In this game, they used fast ball movement and accurate outside shooting to successfully strike the Grizzlies' defense. Although Curry is the team's chief three-point shooter, the outstanding performance of other players ensured that the team maintained its firepower from outside. The performance of young players is particularly noteworthy. In this game, young players like Poole and Wiseman stood out and became key scorers for the team. Poole's breakthroughs on the offensive end and Wiseman's dominance under the basket brought new vitality…