After the Sacramento Kings were blown out by the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine spoke about the challenges the team is going through this season. Both DeRozan and LaVine talked about the issues they have as individuals and the frustrations the team has as a whole.
When asked where the Kings are emotionally, DeRozan was blunt.
“In a s-ty place,” DeRozan said. “Don’t nobody want to lose the way we’ve been losing. I think it’s just everything right now for us is just s-ty, honestly. Sometimes when you’re in the deep end, it’s hard to hear anything. You’re just trying to swim your way out, one way or another.”
DeRozan also expressed some uncertainty with his future in Sacramento.
“I’m pretty sure everything comes into question when you’re in the situation like we’re in now,” DeRozan said. “That’s another thing that’s frustrating. That’s another thing. Only time will tell. We’ll see.”
LaVine said he can’t have the impact he’s supposed to have if he’s not able to play more aggressively.
“I’m not my best self when I take eight to 10 shots,” LaVine said about his recent play. “I can be as efficient as you want me to be. But if I’m taking eight shots, it’s like, what are we doing? So today I just tried to be a little more aggressive, try to find spots, my teammates (were trying) to find me, which was great.
“But obviously it didn’t result in anything like a win. I’d love to go 4-for-8 and we win. I scored a lot of points in my career. We’re just trying to get a win right now. Gotta go sit on this flight. Got a day tomorrow. Got a game Saturday. Come Saturday, gotta figure it out.
“Only time will tell. It’s hard to say right now. A lot of frustrations from a lot of angles. Still a lot of season left, still a lot that’s in front of us. We gotta fight for something.”
LaVine said part of his frustration comes from not being on the floor late in some recent games.
“I’ll always be a team guy,” LaVine said. “(But) personally, I don’t like it. I’ve never not played in the fourth. But when you’re trying to find a win, you do whatever you can, I guess.”
