Warriors vs Kings Rivalry Heats Up as Fox Leads Sacramento's Resurgence

The Warriors and Kings Rivalry

The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings have one of the most underrated rivalries in the NBA. As two California teams trying to stake their claim as the premier franchise in the state, there have been plenty of hard-fought and entertaining games between these Pacific Division foes.

Origins of the Rivalry

The roots of the rivalry can be traced back to the rise of the Chris Webber-led Kings in the early 2000s. Featuring a high-scoring offense with Webber, Peja Stojaković, Mike Bibby and Vlade Divac, the Kings were one of the best teams in the league and dominated the Warriors for several seasons. They seemed poised to rule over Northern California basketball for the foreseeable future.

However, the tables started to turn when the Warriors drafted Stephen Curry in 2009. After dealing with some early injury setbacks, Curry established himself as a superstar and led the Warriors back to prominence. With the help of Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, he formed a formidable Big Three that turned Golden State into a burgeoning dynasty.

Memorable Games

There have been plenty of hard-fought, down-to-the-wire thrillers between the two franchises. Some particularly memorable games include:

• May 2007: The "We Believe" Warriors, led by Baron Davis, pull off a huge upset over the top-seeded Kings in the first round of the playoffs.
• February 2013: The Warriors set an NBA record by scoring 51 points in the third quarter en route to a blowout win over the Kings.
• November 2014: Curry explodes for 24 points in the third quarter, including 10 straight makes from 3-point range, in another Warriors rout at Oracle Arena.

Ongoing Tensions

In recent years, tensions have remained high between the two fan bases. Kings supporters bitterly remember watching Golden State build a juggernaut and win three championships seemingly right in their backyard. They are eager to return to the glory days when Chris Webber and Vlade Divac ran the show.

Meanwhile, Warriors fans now have a championship pedigree and look down on Sacramento as an inferior franchise. Dub Nation eagerly circles the Kings games on the schedule, expecting Curry and Company to light them up.

The players have also stoked the flames on occasion. In 2018, Warriors forward Draymond Green called the Kings "the Sacramento Queens" after a narrow Golden State victory. And in 2019, Kings big man Marvin Bagley proclaimed on Twitter that Sacramento would soon emerge from the Warriors' shadow.

De'Aaron Fox Looks to Lead Sacramento's Resurgence

Currently, point guard De'Aaron Fox represents the Kings' biggest hope for the future. After Sacramento selected Fox out of Kentucky in 2017, he has quickly developed into one of the NBA's most dangerous backcourt players.

In 2020-21, Fox seemed to enter superstar territory by averaging 25.2 points and 7.2 assists per game. With blinding speed that allows him to get into the lane at will, an improved outside shot, and instincts to rack up steals on defense, Fox possesses an extremely well-rounded skill set.

Fox Steps Up Against Golden State

Fox has also made it a point to step up his level of play in games against the Warriors. He scored 36 points in only 27 minutes in one victory over the Dubs in 2018. And in 2021, he exploded for 44 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists to hand Golden State a rare loss at Chase Center.

If De'Aaron Fox continues his upward trajectory, he seems fully capable of leading the Kings' effort to emerge from the Warriors' shadow. With a potential superstar point guard in the fold, Sacramento's future looks bright once again.

The Warriors Focus on Championship Defense

Meanwhile, after claiming their fourth championship over the past eight seasons, the Warriors remain focused on defending their NBA crown. While they enjoyed watching grizzled vets like Andre Iguodala and Steph Curry guide Golden State's younger players during their title run, the front office made changes to keep the core intact.

Golden State Retools Their Roster

The Warriors said goodbye to several role players who were key contributors during their playoff run, including Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II. However, they retained defensive guru Andrew Wiggins and rising scorer Jordan Poole. Golden State also signed JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo to fortify their bench depth.

Of course, the strength of the Warriors still lies with their homegrown Big Three of Curry, Thompson and Green. So even with a slightly revamped supporting cast, Golden State expects to remain near the top of the West this season as they strive to hang more championship banners.

Ongoing Northern California Showdowns

As this season tips off, both the revamped Warriors and the De'Aaron Fox-led Kings expect fierce showdowns when they meet. With bragging rights and division positioning on the line in these Northern California contests, expect fiery competition between familiar foes.

So while the NBA landscape looks extremely different now compared to the Kings' glory years in the early 2000s, Sacramento aims to rekindle their impressive past and give the Warriors a run for their money.Buckling up for these contests should thrill any basketball fan, whether you're a Warriors diehard or bleeding purple for the Kings.

FAQs

When did the Warriors vs Kings rivalry begin?

The roots of the rivalry can be traced back to the early 2000s when the Chris Webber-led Kings were one of the top teams in the NBA and dominated the Warriors for several seasons. However, the rivalry was renewed when Stephen Curry and the Warriors rose to prominence in the 2010s.

What are some memorable Warriors vs Kings games?

Some particularly memorable games include the "We Believe" Warriors' playoff upset over the Kings in 2007, the Warriors setting a record with 51 points in one quarter against Sacramento in 2013, and Steph Curry hitting 10 straight 3-pointers on his way to 24 points in the third quarter to beat the Kings in 2014.

How has De'Aaron Fox stepped up against the Warriors?

De'Aaron Fox has made it a point to raise his game when facing the Warriors. He scored 36 points in only 27 minutes in one win over Golden State in 2018. And in 2021, he put up 44 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists to lead the Kings to a rare victory at Chase Center.

What roster moves have the Warriors made in the 2022 offseason?

While the Warriors brought back key pieces like Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, they let some role players like Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. go. They signed veterans JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo to reinforce their bench as they look to defend their 2022 championship.