SACRAMENTO, Calif. – s rookie Darius Acuff Jr. has a skillset that's change into inconceivable to disregard, however actuality is setting in that the staff is in a rebuild section that's going to return with rising pains.
Sacramento is presently on a four-game skid after dropping to the c, 107-100, on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Golden 1 Middle in Sacramento. Acuff, who had 29 factors on 10-of-21 capturing, was visibly annoyed because the dropping continues for the 1-10 Kings.
The 19-year-old, stoic Acuff walked right into a postgame press convention because the face of the franchise fielding questions on a torpid begin to the season. Essentially the most irritating half? All of it.
"When the clock says zero and we misplaced," Acuff instructed USA TODAY Sports activities.
Acuff mentioned he understands that it's an 82-game season, however that doesn't conceal his ardour and emotion. There's a profound want to win.
"I don't know what to do man, I really feel like we're making an attempt," Acuff mentioned. "Everyone as an entire, we're simply not popping out with the win. I don't know man, 1-10 simply don't sound correct."
In a brief interval, Acuff has commanded consideration across the league for his scoring capacity and assertiveness. He's averaged 25.9 level per sport by way of his first 11 video games, however the Kings have solely received as soon as.
Acuff has topped quite a few rookie information, or got here shut. His newest is probably the most factors by way of the primary 10 video games (259) for a rookie since Michael Jordan had 273 within the 1984-85 season. The entire private feats don't imply a factor, although, in the event that they don't convert into wins.
"So much," Acuff mentioned on a lot losses put on on him. "I'm not a loser. So it's not enjoyable."
Sacramento turned the ball over 21 occasions within the loss. Acuff had 4 and took accountability for it. It's the identical conversations time and again of protection, limiting turnovers and executing for 4 quarters. The Kings will discover themselves in a aggressive sport, then one thing occurs while you lookup after checking a couple of cellphone notifications and they’re down double-digits.
"We've been saying it for 5 video games now, it's sort of exhausting to maintain saying that with out really doing it," Acuff mentioned. "We simply obtained to go on the market and really do it. We're on the courtroom taking part in, there's no one guilty however ourselves. We simply obtained to get higher as a staff."
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Though Acuff appeared reluctant to speak after yet one more loss, he grudgingly ensured that he answered questions completely, with eye contact – an early show of maturity.
"And to reply your query, it's simply sort of the 2nd half is sort of irritating," Acuff instructed USA TODAY Sports activities. "It's like within the 1st half, we come out with vitality, after which third quarter, typically we don't, after which we do. Then in 4th quarter, the final 5 minutes of a sport, we simply can't put it collectively as a staff. I feel we're making an attempt. We speaking as a employees, as a staff. However like I mentioned, when the clock is zero, we simply lose, and that's probably the most irritating half."
Acuff is studying every sport, which is what Sacramento ought to be most involved with.
"I'm studying a brand new lesson each sport. Properly, a couple of classes each sport," Acuff mentioned to USA TODAY on Sunday after a loss to the Miami Warmth on Sunday, Nov. 8. "Making an attempt to not get too excessive, making an attempt to not get too low, simply making an attempt to remain even-killed, you understand … simply maintain constructing that belief and communication with my teammates. Issues will get higher actual quickly."
Zach LaVine scored a team-high 31 factors on Tuesday and reiterated his function of supporting Acuff. LaVine has been extraordinarily excessive on the rookie and has taken him beneath his wing, even vocally supporting his shot quantity. The veteran has made it his obligation to advocate for Acuff and be an asset to him.
"Darius is particular," LaVine mentioned. "This isn't for me anymore. I obtained to have the ability to attempt to assist him the very best I can, if that's taking part in off the ball a bit extra, if that's catch-and-shoot conditions. That's the function I'm in now. I can exit and get it clearly. Such as you inform me to go rating, I'll try this for certain. However I'm making an attempt to be in the very best assist function I can for him as a result of he's gonna be actual particular."
LaVine's message is for the staff to remain collectively.
"From the entrance workplace down, all of us have the identical report," LaVine mentioned. "It's us versus everyone, that's how we now have to have a look at it. We have now to attempt to determine it out as a unit, how are we going to begin placing collectively extra video games the place we may give ourselves an opportunity to win."
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