Update: 10:30 pm
The Sacramento Kings lost to a better team again. This time, the Nuggets defeated the Kings by 31. Denver has 35 assists and 12 turnovers. So, as you can see, the Kings defense was on full display. The Nuggets also won points in the paint 66-46. The Kings shot 29% from three and lost in the rebounds column.
Anyhow, the unintentional tank continues to stay strong. The Kings are now 6-19 and tied for 14th in the Western Conference with the Clippers.
The young guys got some extended run in this one. Zach LaVine was out with right thumb soreness.
Maxime Raynaud started and finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds in 37 minutes. Nique Clifford also started and had a rough night: 2 points (1-8), 4 rebounds, and 4 turnovers in 28 minutes. Devin Carter got 21 minutes in this one and finished with 15 points and 4 assists. Keon Ellis got 31 minutes (whoa) and finished with 8 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 rebounds. Keegan Murray had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in 28 minutes.
From Earlier Preview:
The Sacramento Kings are back in action tonight to face the Denver Nuggets, and they’re going to look much different than the squad we’ve seen for most of the season. Let’s get into it.
Who: Sacramento Kings (6-18) vs. Denver Nuggets (17-6)
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
When: 7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
We don’t root for injuries around here, but with Zach LaVine joining Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder on the injury report, tonights game against the Nuggets offers Kings fans their first real look at what a younger version of this team might look like. Could it get ugly? Absolutely. Am I more intrigued to watch it than your typical Kings game this season? Yes I am.
Maxime Raynaud will likely continue starting for the injured Sabonis. Nique Clifford is expected to start for LaVine. Hell, Keon Ellis might even get a minutes bump with LaVine sitting out.
Unfortunately Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are on the other side of this impromptu youth movement. Raynaud has played very well, and Jokic is a problem for everyone, but that matchup alone could blow this game up for the Kings. It is what it is, this is how you learn. Denver will be missing Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, so they aren’t exactly at full strength, either.
Prediction: Kings 115, Nuggets 112.
Tonight’s game it’s the Nuggets —fourth time.
One more hill we’re not likely to climb.
Both teams are short-handed,
But losers, we’re branded.
Vivek’s ownership should be a crime!
+1 Must be thumb injury keeping LaVine out tonight!
Maybe the Nuggets will have a dip in their game tonight
Dear Fanbase,
We have arrived. It was obvious to the schedule-makers that this team is feared among the upper-echelon based on our assigned opponents. While the other teams are pitifully reaching for relevance with this in-season tournament, we were given real matchups with the Nuggets and Timberwolves. Obviously, we are thought highly of by those around the league; to be placed in such prestigious company.
Also, please pay no mind to the rumblings of “tanking”. We will never do this. What you don’t understand is We will fight with all we have to be a top-seeded team; top 10 to join our rightful place among the ranks of the best. It may be time to reload, but never rebuild.
Sincerely,
Management
What you also don’t understand is that Scott Perry is ready to lead a true rebuild.
Part of a true rebuild involves signing marginal talent for multiple years, getting rid of a top 20 center for a non NBA player, overpaying for a #5 starter on an extension, not valuing 3and D players and drafting older rookies with limited upside in the hope that they can contribute right away.
Trust us. We definitely were never trying to make the 9/10 seed this year, that would have been crazy…unless we win 2 in a row. .
unless we win two in a row lol…
Uhhh…is that Vlade sitting next to Vivek courtside? Seriously?
Yes it was. Dismissive long chap.
To be fair, Vlade did manage to count all the way up to his seat number, which based on his work as GM wasn’t a given.
He’s been back not accidentally. Scott really values his opinion. Sincerely what has been said.
8 shots for Westbrook already. LOL…Monk guarding Jonas on the low block. Kayte compliments Denver on their acquisition of Jonas…LOL.
Just so we’re clear, Dougie McBuckets is going to shot it when he gets it. Thanks Kayte. He hasn’t played in what 15 games? How about some Devin Carter time so you can, yah know, value your assets before you give them away?
Drewbanks is out. Does that mean we’re going to see Westbrook play center?
Start Carter in the second half. F##k it.
McDermott getting the call over Carter? smh.
1 half of this game was enough for me.
LOL, Kayte, “A very depleted Kings team against the 2nd best team in the West.”
Denver is down two starters as well, Kayte.
When was this team ever pleted?
Kings down by 30. Let’s put Carter in for Clifford. JFC.
Free Dario Doug! Free Dario!
“I think the important thing to remember” is that “this front office has inherited someone else’s roster.” Oh gag me with a spoon Kayte. What a bunch of unprofessional bullshit…
This owner surrounds himself with a coterie of people that are
smarter than himdumb shills.Vlade fucking Divac, who isn’t able to string together two coherent sentences and has brought ruin to this franchise, isn’t booed out of the arena. Thisfanbase is too polite.
Everyone bags on Kayte’s talking and I just couldn’t care less. I think she’s fine as a basketball analyst. Game to game, Doug Christie was a worse and more annoying announcer by a long shot.
But that quote, that’s what makes her a bad announcer. It’s Baghdad Bob levels of bullshit. I’m not stupid, lady. OK, maybe I am kinda stupid, but I’m not so stupid that you can actually convince me to not to believe the thing that’s staring me in the face. I mean there are lies and then there’s
Unless you’re auditioning to be a White House press secretary, make your pro-administration bullshit at list a little plausible.
I don’t think she’s fine as is. If she talked over play a little less with nonstop pointless stories and analysis, then yes, she’d be much much better. She does have some good moments, but it’s hard to watch the damn games sometimes when she goes on and on and on and on.
She talks over the game and play by play announce constantly . Just sayin !
On a side note: Kudos to Duece and Mo. I didn’t watch the post game, but they don’t mince words and are generally excellent!
Agreed. They call it how it is, especially Deuce, and the are Kings employees!
Picture good representation of Gavin Newsom and his P.R.
Free the Croatian Coke Machine! He was not inherited by Perry!
Saric, Eubanks, and Schroder as ‘signings’/acquisitions is comical, these guys don’t even exist in the real NBA world of actually mattering at all, completely non-existent and insignificant. You could’ve brought up 3 hungry young dudes from the G-League and they could do more than these 3 guys easily.
Perry saying it will take 3-5 years is hilarious, I literally just wrote that on here a few days ago. I swear him and Vivek have been reading this blog, not even joking. They really do need to read this here from real Kings fans.
My point about Perry saying 3-5 years though is clearly that’s doubling as job security. Yes it takes 3-5 years, which you can waste and go completely nowhere or you can execute well and completely turn around. No definite signs yet Kings will even try and not much hope they’ll succeed. Like I said at first, we’ve seen what kind of moves Perry is capable of so far trying to win so not much faith in his moves trying to lose.
Listen, what fans don’t understand is that Perry inherited someone else’s roster that doesn’t fit his style.
Hey! Vivek’s current mouthpiece inherited Vivek’s previous mouthpiece’s roster!
All while Vlade whispers sweet stupidity in Vivek’s ears.
When it comes to roster inheritance, the problem will always be that Vidreck Runtadiva is the executor of the will. And by will, I mean won’t, as you won’t see this team in the playoffs while that little fucktard, Matina, and his family are involved.
Perry made a small unathletic team with too many guards less athletic, older and added guards . Perfect leader for the rebuild . I am not convinced that Vlade will somehow be Perry’s replacement .
This article’s original title suggested last night was a possible look at the future. I think a 30 point loss should cover it.
I really hope the rumored rebuild kicks off in fashion come Monday. For reference, Dennis Schröder was traded Dec. 15th of last season. Perry needs to get off the pot quick. There really is no reason to wait until the deadline. It’s not like anyone is going to increase in value.
Chances are the Dubs will keep Perry paralyzed with a potential Kuminga deal until at least Jan. 15th if not all the way through the deadline.
God, I hope not. I’ll admit, at times this past summer I thought Kuminga would be a good move, but after seeing him this season for the Dubs, I want no part of him. He’s a bigger black hole on offense than LaVine and DDR, and he can’t shoot!
Need to focus on players that will do whatever they can to help the team win, on both ends of the floor, even when they or the guy they’re covering don’t have the ball.
That eliminates half our current roster and all of Vivek’s crushes.
I’m not implying that Perry will “succeed” in getting Kuminga—just that he’ll keep chasing that deal and not accomplish much else.
Yup, which is exactly what happened this past July.
Amazingly Kuminga’s numbers and production are pretty much on par with what Schröder has been putting up. The both got pushed to the bench as well. If Dennis is overpaid at around $14M per year for the next two years, why would you want to chase Kuminga is on the hook for around $23M per for the next two years?
The reason would be he’s 23.
I’d stay away because if GSW can’t get him to play the right way there is no way the Kangz can.
Exactly.
Everyone should be available, Everyone. Keegan not until the offseason, because of his poison pill status.
It’s pretty incredible that the best player on the team is a 37 year old minimum salaried guy signed just before the start of the season. Maybe 2nd or 3rd best, but still.
LOL
https://x.com/SacramentoKings/status/1999344397998235711?s=20
Many comments below the post are predictably gold.
The is the most on brand celebrity row that this org. could possibly have. The fact that it is posted unironically is the chef’s kiss. All that’s missing is Roy Al.
Am I supposed to know who those guys are?
My best guesses Left to right:
VivekDopeyHere’s my guess:
Did I win the Zillerbucks?
5 cent, Havarti Larson, Sinna Bonds, Hasoff Minhaj, Chance Comanche, and Hedley Lamar
My fav
Well, the Kings are definitely “in the pink”.
https://x.com/ALLCITY_NBA/status/1999274788171448332?s=20
Thanks for sharing. Cool infographic. Speaks to team competitiveness. Knocks and Rockets jump out. Very low percentage up 20+, but winning teams.
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