Kings-Warriors playoff predictions, picks and analysis: ‘Going to be a sensational series’

The new kids on the block against the old guard makes for an interesting NBA opening-round playoff series between the long-suffering Kings and defending champion Golden State Warriors, winners of four trophies under Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and coach Steve Kerr since 2015.

So, who wins and why, and who says so?

First, a quick breakdown by the numbers. The Kings are 48-34 and seeded third in the Western Conference. The Warriors are 44-38 and seeded sixth. The Warriors beat the Kings three out of four meetings this season in the Pacific Division, won by the Kings for the first time since 2004.

Sacramento is in playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons and the Warriors seek to become the first No. 6 seed to win it all since the Houston Rockets in 1995. The Kings and Warriors are in the playoffs at the same time for the first time. The teams have never met in the postseason. The Warriors for all their star power are just 11-30 on the road this season and the Kings are a Western Conference-best 25-16 on the road.

All of this means nothing, of course. A sampling of what’s been said so far, and that includes Charles Barkley of TNT, who said before the playoff brackets were posted: “The Sacramento Kings are gonna win a playoff series. GUAR-AN-TEE! They’re gonna be playing the Warriors or the Lakers. That’s a tough first-round series. They’re gonna win the series.”

Other voices:

▪ Brian Windhorst, ESPN: The Warriors “are the biggest winners in the West. ... They get the sixth seed and the inexperienced Sacramento Kings. ... (Gaining the 6 seed) was the sweet spot.”

▪ Colin Cowherd, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on FS1: “I don’t think the league is rigged, but I do think veteran teams manipulate officiating in the playoffs where the referees tend to swallow the whistle. The Warriors can slow it down, get the whistle. ... It’s a really good series for Golden State. I think they lucked out (with the matchup).”

▪ NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner: “(The Kings and Warriors) have rarely been good at the same time, but they are now. The Warriors’ timing in health and pride in keeping its window propped open just a tad longer will help exploit the Kings’ playoff training wheels. Warriors in 7.”

▪ KNBR Radio, San Francisco: “If Andrew Wiggins gets up to speed, it’s hard to bet against Golden State here. That said, they’re not going to sweep this thing. But to bet against them ... would be foolish. Winner: Warriors.”

▪ James Ham, Kings Insider ESPN1320/The KingsBeat.com, while a guest on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco: “I was in (Golden State’s) locker rooms (during the championship seasons). I know how great they are ... The Kings offense this year was better than the Warriors’ offense in any of their great years.”

▪ Bonta Hill, on 95.7 The Game: “Until we see them lose under Steve Kerr in the Western Conference, how can you bet against the Warriors? They haven’t lost one (playoff) series in the Western Conference under Steve Kerr. Not one.”

▪ DraftKingsNation, predicting Warriors in six: “It’s a shame that the Kings’ incredible season rewarded them with a first-round matchup against the Warriors, who despite all their regular-season troubles, still boast a roster of veterans with ample playoff experience.”

▪ Stephen A. Smith, ESPN and “KnowMercyPodcast”: “That’s going to be a sensational series. I’m picking Golden State. But I’m not sleeping on Sacramento. You’re going up against the champions. I’m not going to give you the edge when you ain’t been relevant in the postseason for two decades.”

More media takes

The Bee reached out to Grant Napear, who did Kings TV/radio for 32 years and hosts the “If You Don’t Like That” podcast. He said, simply, “Golden State in six. They have Steph Curry and they know what it takes to win in the playoffs.”

Scott Moak, longtime Kings public-address voice on a prediction replied in a text with, “Dude. I’m a (former) baseball player. The MOST superstitious of all types of sports people. There’s no way I can do that. But of course, Kings win it!”

Other local media predictions culled by The Bee:

▪ Carmichael Dave, host of “The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross” on Sactown Sports: “Are you crazy? You want me to jinx the thing of the thing on the thing? Here’s a prediction: My blood pressure will be 500/300, and I’ll lose 24 pounds in pure sweat. My wife and kids will leave me and I’ll be left with my dogs Gus and Nacho — and hopefully a winning Kings team. Good trade.”

▪ Michelle Dapper, KCRA-3: “A battle of NorCal comes down to the worst road team and the worst home team in Round One. The Warriors bring a load of playoff experience while the Kings are playing with house money, so who’s the pressure really on? The X-factor - former Dubs assistant coach Mike Brown and now Kings coach Mike Brown. But can he out-master Steve Kerr? Warriors in six.”

▪ Jake Gadon, CBS Sacramento: “Kings win in five games. Keegan Murray hits a big shot and finally smiles.”

▪ Kirsten Moran-Kellar, Fox40: “Offensive mayhem! It will come down to who can adjust and play better defense. Warriors in 6.”

▪ Kevin John, ABC10: “Don’t expect the Kings to lay down and let the Warriors punk them. I believe experience will ultimately prevail. Warriors in six.”

▪ Chris Tavarez, Fox40: “As much fun as this Kings season has been to cover, I think it ends in the first round. The Warriors are healthy, they have their full roster and they’re playing their best when it matters most. Golden State in six.”

▪ Andrew Haubner, CBS Sacramento: “If the Kings can prove that they can hang with and beat a team like the Warriors, then they can ride that momentum to take the series in six. Damn the matchups and the stats. In the playoffs, it’s about what’s going on between the ears. I believe the Kings are in the right head space to shock the NBA world, but Game 1 will tell us all we need to know.”