Great, so far
This team is competing better than any Kings team in a very long while.
Our differential is -3.7 in points scored per 100 possessions vs. points allowed per 100 possessions this season. Last year it was -3.0. You could argue on this basis that the Kings competed better last year under Karl. Your conclusion could be due to recency bias. The valid counterargument is wins vs top teams: Celts, Warriors and Cavs did not happen as often last year. I would not disagree vehemently. These wins have been impressive, but occurred when opponents were going through own issue (Cavs) and opponents did not take us seriously (Warriors, Celts). Not to discount the wins, but we exploited opponents during the dog days who thought they waltz in against team in disarray, with injury, player drama (Boogie) and old guys on the decline (Barnes, Affalo). This is not sustainable blueprint once opponents figure out they need to take you seriously (with or without Cousins).
There's a point to be made about competing. The win was not primarily because we played hard. It is because we played well. Last night was not about effort. It was about execution. Barnes is 48% TS and he scored 14 points on 6 shots. I think that is 75% TS. Ben is 50% TS and he made 17 points on 12 shots. WCS averages 5 points and scored 14 points. Collison doubled his average with 26 points. I am not about to commend the team for playing hard! I expect the team to play hard! That's their job! Neither am I going to credit Joerger for getting the team to play hard. That's his job! And all involved parties are compensated handsomely to do their job. I do credit the team for their execution, in particular Collison, Willie and Ben for getting up against former teammate, and indirectly serving their best player a slice of humble pie with message your negativity and chronic complaining casts cloud. In absence of inclement conditions the rays and rainbows were a beautiful sight to behold.
In moment of self-reflection and alternative perspective, one can only hope Boogie asked himself if he wants to return to the team with the customary dark clouds of negativity and victim mentality hanging over himself and the team by proximity, or if there is another way. In the past I would have said there is NO hope, and he is NOT going to change. But the interview with Carmichael Dave gives me a slight amount of hope he's not done maturing as a player. That is the $200 million bet Vlade and Vivek appears set to make.