They were role players with excellent, clearly defined skills.
On a team capable of contending for a championship, they could certainly provide the finishing touches and give the team a substantial boost.
But on a team as lousy as the current Cavaliers...
They simply lacked the ability to change the situation, leaving them to follow the team's lead and tank along with everyone else...
It was a tragedy for the players, and for the team.
November 17.
On the second night of a road back-to-back, the New York Knicks arrived in Sacramento to challenge the Kings on their home court.
This season's Kings were a different team from years past.
After years of building, they had finally amassed enough talent to turn all that groundwork into a breakthrough.
Through their first eleven games this season, the Kings had gone 8–3, placing them fourth in the Western Conference for the time being.
Sacramento had not seen a start like this in many years.
And with such an excellent record, it was only natural for them to start setting their sights a little higher...
It was now five thirty in the afternoon.
At the Kings' home arena, the Golden 1 Center, the Knicks continued their road trip.
As tip-off approached, both teams' starters made their entrances and soon took their places on the court.
Knicks starters: Rose, Chen Xi, George, Horford, Hartenstein.
Kings starters: Fox, Mikal Bridges, Barnes, Franz Wagner, Sabonis.
One glance at the lineup made it obvious why the Kings had enjoyed such an excellent start to the season.
Their roster was simply too good.
That starting lineup alone was enough to overpower sixty or seventy percent of the teams in the league.
Big Joe, Little Wagner, and Barnes were all outstanding complementary players.
In fact, with more development,