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3 teams that will exceed expectations in the 2023 NBA Playoffs

By Holden Walter-Warner

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings defends during the second half at Barclays Center on March 16, 2023 in New York City. The Kings won 101-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings defends during the second half at Barclays Center on March 16, 2023 in New York City. The Kings won 101-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings , NBA
Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings will have expectations that come with being a top three seed (potentially) in the Western Conference. Still, it feels like there are those who doubt the Kings can keep their breakthrough season going through the playoffs. Be assured, this isn’t fool’s gold.

To be fair, it’s been awhile since the Kings have been here. In case the narrative hasn’t flooded every brain this season, Sacramento has the longest playoff drought in the NBA and all of professional sports. That should end any day now.

The Kings’ best players don’t have much playoff experience to rely on. Domantas Sabonis made the playoffs four times with the Indiana Pacers, but only played a notable role in two of those trips, both first round exits. De’Aaron Fox has never been to the playoffs, by virtue of playing his whole career in Sacramento.

But the Kings are not entirely bereft of postseason experience. First, this is a transformed team under Mike Brown, who has turned Sacramento’s defense into a dominant unit (and defense wins championships). Brown has coached in six postseasons as the head man and was the assistant on four championships with the Golden State Warriors.

There is also plenty of veteran experience on the roster Brown can lean on. Harrison Barnes and Matthew Dellavedova both have titles in their display cases.

Ironically, the biggest thing working against Sacramento is their seeding. With teams like the Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies on the rise, they may be stuck playing more experienced teams early on. At the moment, the Kings appear poised to either play the LA Clippers or the Warriors in the first round. That’s daunting.

Are the Kings ready to win a title? Maybe not. But this regular season has been no fluke: Sacramento has arrived and they’ll be happy to show it on a bigger stage.

Light the beam!

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