The chess match is underway. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in glorious fashion Saturday night. These two teams know each other well and have many well-documented connections; chief among them is the relationship between Mike Brown and Steve Kerr.
The two teams played each other extremely close the whole game, aside from a brief 10-point lead by the Warriors, and the scouting on both sides was highly prevalent. The Warriors tried to take away the dribble hand offs from Sabonis and close out on the Kings threes. The Kings tried to be as physical as they could and throw everything at Steph Curry. In the end, the Kings came out on top, and that beautiful beam lit up the Sacramento skies while Kings fans poured out their emotions for the whole world to see.
Game 2 is Monday and both Brown and Kerr now know what they need to adjust. Let’s take a look at some of the things they discussed following Game 1.
Physicality And Pace
Brown liked what he saw in the first game from his team in terms of physicality and pace. He said the pace was good in the second half. The Warriors did a good job of disrupting the outside shooting of the Kings in the first half. So, Brown will likely push his team to play with more pace throughout the whole game in Game 2.
“I’m going to be preaching that the whole playoff run – physicality, pace, pace, physicality, not just in the full court, but in the half court too. And physicality not just defensively, but offensively as well,” he said.
He will look to continue to get his players to spray the ball out to open guys on the perimeter. Watch for the Warriors to continue to try to limit this and disrupt the Kings pace.
Offensive Rebounds
Speaking of physicality, the Kings won the offensive rebounding matchup 17 to 9, and Kerr was not happy about it.
“The issue was the offensive boards. You had 17 of them, a lot of them in the second half when we had built that 10-point lead, and that allowed their shooters to get open,” Kerr said.
Kevon Looney is one of the better offensive rebounders in the league, and Andrew Wiggins and Donte DiVincenzo are both good in that category as well. The Kings held the three of them to 5 total offensive rebounds. Meanwhile, five of the Kings players who saw minutes had at least 2 offensive rebounds, including 5 for Sabonis and 4 for Harrison Barnes.
So, Kerr will likely be pushing his team on this for Game 2, and the Kings will need to keep the pressure on here. Sunday, Kerr said boxing out and being physical on the glass will be on the biggest adjustments he is going to try to make.
Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray
Both struggled a bit in Game 1, especially Murray. When asked about this, Brown said the message is don’t hesitate: “If they are in position to score, go ahead and do your thing, but don’t hesitate at all.”
This was sort of expected from a rookie. The nerves and the Warriors plan of attack took Murray out of his game. He only made 1 of his 5 total field goal attempts, though he was a +1 overall. Sabonis was a little more surprising. The Warriors were physical with him and dared him to shoot, leaving him wide open at the elbow and from three – and you could visibly see Sabonis questioning himself.
“I thought our guys did a good job, forced him into some tough shots,” said Kerr, who said his team did some good things, but not enough. Then he said: “When you play these guys, the dribble hand off game is one of the big two threats. It’s Fox in pick and roll and Sabonis in dribble hand offs.”
So, the Warriors will likely continue to give Sabonis those open shots until he makes them and put their focus on stopping the DHOs that run through him.
Effective Kings Bench
Malik Monk, Trey Lyles and Alex Len played key roles off the bench. Using Len to stop the Warriors from attacking the rim in the first half was fun to watch, especially when it was capped off by that emphatic block. And despite the Warriors being able to keep Sabonis, Murray and Kevin Huerter in check scoring wise, the Warriors had no answer for the bench. Monk and Lyles combined for 48 points. Kerr said Monk’s ability to get to the free throw line 14 times [and make all of them] was a huge factor.
“I didn’t think we were in tune with him early. He got free on several dribble hand offs, got downhill on us, and attacked the rim, and so we’ve got to do a better job, especially in the first half,” Kerr said.
And Lyles got free in transition: “That can’t happen. You can’t give a shooter a wide-open look with a breakdown,” Kerr said.
The Kings bench will need to be prepared to carry some of the scoring load ongoing if the Warriors continue to be effective in slowing down Sabonis. You would expect Huerter and Murray to have better shooting nights though.
Box-And-1
The Toronto Raptors implemented the rarely used box-and-1 defensive strategy against Curry in the 2019 NBA Finals. (Brown, of course, was an assistant coach for the Warriors at this time.) Box-and-1 is basically combining man-to-man and zone concepts. One defender guards the player with man-to-man pressure while the other four defenders set up zone coverage in the form of a “box.” This combination is intended to help neutralize the other team’s best scoring and playmaking threat – in this case, Curry.
“They played a lot of box-and-1 tonight, so they tried to disrupt some of the pick and roll game and so that forced us to do some other things,” Kerr said. “But that’s all part of it so we’ll look at the tape and if that’s something we need to do more of [pick and roll] then we’ll do more of that.”
Brown was pretty hilarious about this whole strategy. His approach is to just sort of wing it with box-and-1 and not coach it too much to add a level of chaos and confuse the Warriors.
“They did a great job. We don’t work on it a ton. It was part of our game plan as coaches going into this series,” he said. “We’re not going to [work on it] because the beauty of us going to a box-and-1 is we don’t really know what we’re doing which that may confuse the other team, so let’s just let them play.” Alex Len asked Brown to go over the box-and-1 because he didn’t know what he was doing. Brown told him, “That’s a good thing, don’t worry about it. [Laughs]”
Wild! But hey, if it works, it works. He is the coach of the year, after all.
Fox had a great game defensively on Curry, and Mitchell came in and pestered him. Then, they threw this chaotic box-and-1 out there. It will be interesting to see how and if this strategy is used throughout the rest of the series, and if it continues to disrupt what the Warriors are trying to do. Regardless, more defense from Fox like we saw will be a major factor.
How great is it to talk adjustments in the freakin playoffs? It is still amazing. I can’t wait to see Sacramento on the center stage again Monday.
It gives me great confidence that a bunch of very bright minds are at work on our side trying to figure this thing out.
It’s nice when you know the coach actually watches the live games AND the tape. I love that coach brown and jordi are teaching non stop during the games.
Brown v Kerr: King’s Gambit!
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Another factor is a new officiating crew.
Monk was 14/14
Kings 26/33
Warriors 21/27
Steph gonna flop, Poole gonna flop more. Dray gonna get called more.
In a close game – and these are likely all close games- FT matter.
Coaches are gonna have to adjust to that as well.
Of course.
Just reading this John Schuhmann piece, there’s an interesting nugget right out of the jump. On the first 58 possessions, the Kings averaged .982 points per possession on offense (or 98.2 ORtg). The following 43 possessions saw the Kings score a whopping 65 points for a 1.511 points per possession (or a 151.1 ORtg).
Remember O/Drtg = points per 100 possessions
This nugget by Schuhmann, like many of the points you make Blake, is sometimes what gets overlooked. There’s so much attention to the legacy of these Warriors that some people actually forgot that these guys still have to play basketball. And many of the combinations the Warriors would put on Fox couldn’t work or didn’t. They couldn’t stick DDV 1v1 on Fox (or Monk). GP2 didn’t do well against Monk either. Wiggins gave up a few buckets on Monk. Fox scored on every defender he went up against.
The Kings outscored the Dubs 60 to 44 in paint points. They outscored the Dubs in Points off Turnovers 16 to 5. The Dubs had 50 bench points but the Kings had 55 bench points.
The Warriors scored 48 points off 3, 21 points at the FT line and 44 paint points. That’s 113 of their 123 points.
The Kings scored scored 36 points off 3, 26 points at the FT line and 60 paint points. That’s 122 of their 126 points.
And this is a team that had more offensive rebounds than the Warriors in an area where the Dubs had the advantage (by the numbers on the season) than the Kings by a little bit. Both teams shot a similar eFG% (Kings were #2, Warriors #3 in team eFG%) in the regular season.
All of this is to say, the Warriors combinations they have don’t really suggest they are elite defensively as they were a year ago, and they aren’t elite offensively either. The Kings took advantage of this in small ways (gang rebounding for one), they knew which combinations could do what against the Dubs combinations for another, and really they had great performances from two guys the Dubs somewhat dared to keep beating them.
The scary part for the Dubs is the Kings can be absolutely better than they were last night. So can the Dubs…but I’m not entirely sure on that. Kerr has his rotations, and his guys he wantes to use. I’m just not sure those combinations add up to the mystique that many are accustomed to with the Golden State Dubby Dubs.
I think you hit the nail on the head for that last point, For as intense and high scoring a game as it was with some major defensive stops, I don’t think either team walked away feeling like they’d played their best game. Not to mention, we have both an offensive and a defensive Bench guy that fits the BREAK GLASS IN EMERGENCY scenario. Edwards for Defense and TD for offense. If we get in a rut and need some instant offense, we send TD in for a quick stretch. If we’re getting torched (which honestly didn’t happen last night despite Steph’s consistent dancing) we can throw Edwards out there and make someone’s night hell. We didn’t peak, and this is going to be more intense Monday. I’ve never been so thrilled about the next game. Well, not since the early 2000’s.
Also, call me crazy, but I actually kind of like our odds against LAL and LAC if it comes down to it.
Nah, that’s the Dutchman’s job. Heh. Just kidding.
I don’t really want the Clippers, and tonight was why. I don’t know I want to test fate with PG13.
The team I fear the most in the West is the Nuggets. I would love a WCF between the Kings and Nuggets. That would be….. something.
That’s not my job. It’s a calling.
But I am not looking beyond this series. It’s far from done.
I’ll take it a step further. I’m not looking beyond tonight. Take the Clippers-Suns last night. Or the Heat- Bucks?Doesn’t what happened yesterday have to be taken into account?
There’s no shoulds. There’s Do and Do Not. The Kings for what they achieved Sat night can be better. So can the Dubs.
These series, hell individual games, are their own animal. Can’t overlook anyone if you’re going to take that step.
stehie tried to dance around like he owned the place- he looked, quick frankly, silly.
Iggy went after Kings fans on the baseline, stephie engaged in 5 minutes of h jabbering with Kings fans behind the dud bench, complete with the four fingers thing. and Day-day tackled DS.
Me thinks, desperate.
Kings won and did not play well at all. Duds lost and played pretty well as expected.
They have no excuses except blaming Wiggins for missing a shot after day day tackled DS.
I expect duds Historyonics and dirty play.
I think the emphasis on pace by Brown is strategic, more than tactical.
The pace may not help us win individual games, but I think that Brown is counting on wearing the Warriors down over the course of the series.
That’s also why I expect Brown to employ a bigger rotation than Kerr; it’s a war of exhaustion.
I feel like the gameplan from the tip off should be very Fox heavy. Let them try to chase him around and let him do what he does. Then sub in Malik to play with/off Domas. If they start Wiggins I think our bench will feast. I feel like going with our normal game plan of playing more off Domas to start the game is more of an advantage to the dubs being able to get him off track which stops the DHO. Let those legs get a little tired and then let the shooters shoot
I’m not sure about that strategy with multiple days between every game.
It’s really not though. 2 days might be technically multiple, but Sunday’s game in SF is at 1230. That’s not really 2 days off.
Part of the reason for the short turnaround is due to travel, or lack of it. Same reason for Brooklyn/Philly playing tonight. Everybody else has at least 2 days off in between games 1 & 2.
I take the last line back. Phx and LAC only have a day off in between as well. Matter of fact, it’s interesting they only seem to have a day off all series long.
I think you are underestimating the physicality and intensity of the play-offs, and tighter rotations where the guys playing play more minutes as usual.
Who will have more spring in their legs in the 4th quarter of game 5?
On the Sabonis dunk near the end of the game, Looney just couldn’t keep up with him.
I think that is what Brown is trying to achieve.
This team has just had more starch than other teams at the end all year. They don’t wear down as easily. I dont know what exactly the reasons are, but I’m sure there’s alot of strategy behind it.
They did it in Cleveland without Fox or Donovan Mitchell on the court that night. They forced Garland and Mobley into a few mental errors (partially due to physical exhaustion I suspect) they don’t make as often.
More famously they did it to the Clippers in the 351 point affair. This isn’t new. It’s why I wanted this matchup. I didn’t think the Dubs could keep up for 48 minutes enough times over a 7 game series. G1 did not dissuade me of that notion. G1 was, IMO, their best opportunity to steal one outside of CC. Fox and Monk had other ideas, obviously.
The reason I didn’t want the Clippers was because I fear Kawhi in a 7 game series more than the Dubs with Curry. They have better overall depth than the Dubs. And they got a matchup that suites them better in Phx than Sac. There’s a reason they wanted Phx.
Plus, it would be lots of fun to beat the Dubs and Lakers in the same playoffs. That would be memorable for every kind of reason.
Rec’d, but
I meant by the time it’s all said and done. You have to take it a game at a time. Worry about your next opponent when you’re in the 2nd rd.
What do you mean…”game 5”?
Do not disrespect the champs unnecessarily Grampa Jman.
I’m old, but still…uh…semi-alert!
Better than me. I’m rarely alert, and I’m only middle aged! But I am grumpy alot so that makes up for it? 😂😂😂😂
LOL, I’d be very happy to be proven wrong.
Read a pretty lengthy post the other day about how poor Klay’s perimeter defense was, something to focus on tonight for sure.
It appears the Dubs have met their match. I like the King’s overall physicality and conditioning, as they can run faster than any other team in the NBA. The Dubs will tucker out and fall short again tonight. Alex Len will bring it again. He’s so large! And the Warriors have no answers for the speedy Mr. Fox and his duo Kentucky connection. Look for the Kings to not have an “off night” and Offnight will plan much better and same for the Dubs, but the Warriors core appear to be getting old and have a hard time keeping up. It’s not a delusion to think the Sacramento Kings could become world champs. Look what happened over the weekend. The Finals will go through Denver for sure and maybe the Sacramento Kings could be their opponent.
Yeah, so many injuries happened yesterday. Wonder how long Giannis will be out.
Long time lurker at this and the previous site.
I cannot thank you all over the years for letting me fan how I want to fan. This site, writers and commentors have taught me so much about basketball and helped me not feel alone in my support of this franchise.
I grew up in Vacaville watching Mitch Richmond, Tyus Edney, Brian Grant, Lionel Simmons, Walt Williams, Michael Smith, etc. That team stands out to me due to the ’95 Rattle Seattle Playoff series. Too bad Mitch got injured in that series. Obviously, had a blast in the glory years. And you all are all too familiar with pain and disappointment of the last 16 years.
I live in Phoenix and am currently sitting in a hotel a 15 min walk away from G1C. I am going to the game tonight. (I joke that i have been saving up for tickets for 17 years).
I love living in Phoenix but when we drove into downtown and saw all the purple lights, flags, jerseys on the street, etc. I almost cried. My wife was so excited for me to be around “my people”
Saturday night (as one commentor stated) was exactly what I dreamed of for the 1st game. I hope tonight is much of the same. I can’t wait to feel the roar tonight and be around some of you in the arena.
People keep asking me if I am going to the game alone. I answer them “no, I am going with 18,000 other Kings fans”.
I am so excited. Thanks you again TKH.
Long live…
P.S. I am gonna try and post a picture of what my wife made for me at our house leading up to the playoffs. She bought a kings colored generic backdrop and then printed out pictures of jerseys, fans (including sign lady), my favorite players from over the years, logos, etc. Laminated and put them on the banner to make it look like G1C.
P.S.S. Disappointed my custom Beam Team Jersey didn’t arrive in time, but i will wear the jersey in the picture to the game. I will proudly wear my beam team jersey for my weekly basketball in Phoenix when i get back.
That’s a fantastic backdrop, and I hope you have an amazing time at the game. Let’s get another one!
Thanks so much! My wife appreciates the feedback on the backdrop
Awesome.
I’ve never been to a playoff game in all my years of Kings fandom for a variety of reasons, but I’m thrilled for those who are going to be there! Have a great time and enjoy Monday night!!! It’s going to be quite busy with the unusual amount of fans at G1C! Places that aren’t usually open will be tonight that’s for sure!!!!
Not a chance for you to go to a game, Nate?
Nope. I hit my allotment of games this year. Might go down to DOCO for a watch party tho.
Yeah, that sounds like a cool experience too.
It’s so packed down there the only thing I won’t do is drive down there. Typically Mom drops me off by the Capitol, believe it or not, and I walk to the G Spot from there. Far easier than driving and mostly I don’t want to pay for parking. I’d rather take Light Rail.
I, for one, will yell for you.
Much appreciated!!!
My bro in law just bought a ticket one row behind and two seats over from me. We are meeting up early to enjoy the pre game fun
that collage is dope
Thanks, Eddie. My wife put a lot of time and effort into it. I love it!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/15/sacramento-kings-playoff-return-warriors-game-1/
I found it funny that the Post knows who to talk to when it comes to the Kings – Mr. Ziller and Kevin Fippin (and the Kings Herald). Being namedropped in the national media is not too bad.
And yes, I know that Ben Golliver is a Blazersedge alumnus… 🙂
I like the intense optimism I’ve been seeing. As it was once said: Fk it. We deserve this.
I liken our current situation, however, to having a tiger by the tail. I don’t care what kind of animal you think you are, tigers are natural born killers and when you have one by the tail its only a matter of time til you meet the business end, all teeth and claws and primal instinct doing its best to not die. This tiger may be a little long in the tooth but its still a fkn tiger and I have a hard time seeing us walk away without a few scratches. I def think we have it in us to walk away, tho. I’m just waiting for the business end and hoping we’re ready for it.
klank says “you better not try to junk it up with a box and 1 because that is disrespectful to me, and I will make a lot of baskets.”
ok, klank, jack up another 8 for 19 night and continue to try to be a hero.
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