While it may seem as if the Kings have nothing left to play for in this season of so many struggles, there is the incentive of not being the worst Kings team of all-time.
They remain on track for that unenviable distinction, as a loss to Memphis on Friday leaves them with 11 games left and a need for an increased pace of success to avoid the history books. The first goal should be to win four more games before the end of the season, as hitting the 19-win mark would pull them into a tie with the Cincinnati Royals of 1958-59 (19-53) and 1959-60 (19-56) for fewest wins in franchise history. Those seasons, however, consisted of 75 and 72 games, respectively. If the Kings are to avoid being the worst Sacramento Kings team in history, it will take a minor basketball miracle. They would have to win eight of their final 11 games to tie the 1989-90 Kings team (23-59) as the worst in Sacramento-era history. What's more, that 1989-90 team has the worst Kings record regardless of city since they started playing 82 games in 1967 (while in Cincinnati).
GRIZZLIES 113, KINGS 95: If the Kings were hoping to earn a few more ping-pong balls, then it was a mission accomplished. Otherwise, it was just another lowly loss for a team that looks determined to finish with the worst record in the league.
The Kings were down by 22 points at halftime, this despite the fact that they welcomed back Bobby Jackson and Andres Nocioni and had a fully healthy roster. Rudy Gay, Michael Conley and Marc Gasol combined for 70 points for the Grizzlies.
