The Sacramento Kings destroyed the Portland Trail Blazers in their preseason home opener with a final score of 126-94. It felt like a nearly perfect way to introduce the Golden 1 Center crowd to the new season, but Mike Brown still clearly believed there were things that needed to be cleaned up.
Portland is a team that Sacramento is expected to be in close competition with for a play-in spot in the Western Conference. Both sides were slightly shorthanded with Richaun Holmes (non-COVID-related illness) sidelined for the Kings while Gary Payton II (core) and Justice Winslow (non-COVID-related illness) didn’t suit up on the other side.
Here are seven takeaways from Sunday night’s 34-point victory.
1. KZ Okpala’s defensive versatility
Many were pushing for Keegan Murray to replace KZ Okpala in the starting lineup, but Okpala has clear value in his defensive versatility. In the previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he started the game assigned to the 6’9″ LeBron James. For game two, he was tasked with slowing down the 6’2″ Damian Lillard and responded to the challenge.
Okpala, who is 6’8″ himself with a 7’2″ wingspan, has a legitimate case as Sacramento’s best defender. Being able to check Lillard full-court and make him as uncomfortable as possible from the jump adds a layer of defense that was nonexistent in years prior.
That being said, he did manage to tally four fouls in just 12:25 minutes of playing time which was highlighted by Coach Brown postgame. “We’ve got to do a better job of trying to defend without fouling,” Brown said. “It’s been two games now that that’s happened.”
2. Keegan Murray continues to impress
Mike Brown said pregame that who closes games, or even halves, is more important than who’s starting. Murray finished the second half with the other four starters in De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis.
The rookie continued to look like a polished veteran on the floor. In just 22:40 minutes of run, he tallied a team-high 16 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one blocked shot on 5/6 from three.
“I just shoot with confidence. Every shot I take I think is going in,” Murray said postgame. “My teammates have given me the utmost confidence to shoot the basketball when I’m open. I just think every shot I shoot should go in.”
Murray was appreciative of his first taste of a G1C crowd and the opportunity to guard Damian Lillard, who he was switched onto a few times throughout the course of the game.
“It was cool just because you watch him all the time and my brother actually went to his camp last month,” Murray said. “It was cool. I know that I have the ability to guard a lot of people, switch onto point guards, and things like that. So, I just take on the challenge.”
3. An emphasis on rebounding
“It’s one of the things that me and the organization are emphasizing. We’re all big in the offensive rebounding category from Monte (McNair) on down,” Coach Brown said. “We feel like coming up with extra possessions in this league can be really helpful and we have some long athletic guys that are capable of hitting that glass and hitting the glass the right way. We just want to make sure we don’t get beat in transition when we do it.”
Mike Brown specifically mentioned Harrison Barnes pulling down three offensive boards, but pointed out how “everyone else got one or two, which added up to a lot.” To be exact, the Kings ended the game with 13 offensive rebounds and 23 second-chance points.
Sabonis had two of his own, as did Alex Len and Trey Lyles. All of Fox, Terence Davis, Matthew Dellavedova, and Neemias Queta contributed one as well. Look for Sacramento to continue to attempt to outrebound their opponents and win the possession battle that way.
4. Quick to call a timeout
After just one defensive possession in the second quarter, Mike Brown was dissatisfied with his team’s coverage and didn’t hesitate to call a timeout and make the adjustments he deemed necessary.
“It’s part of my job to make sure that there’s no detail that’s too small for us and I think they appreciate that at the end of the day,” Brown said. This is what setting a culture and holding guys accountable night in and night out looks like.
Some may worry that too many quick timeouts to clean up minute specifics could leave the coaching staff in a tough situation late in games. Coach doesn’t seem to share those same concerns.
“I could end up saving them and having all of them and we’d be getting our behind kicked because we’re not doing the right thing,” Brown said. “If we’re not doing the right thing, I’m gonna use my timeouts. Trust me.”
In postgame, Terence Davis recalled a moment early in his night where he slipped up defensively and corrections were made with no hesitation. He checked into the game, made three defensive mistakes in consecutive possessions, and was subbed out swiftly. He heard about his shortcomings right away.
“(Coach Brown) is going to let you know if you’re out of order,” Davis said. “He has high expectations for all of us… anytime you don’t meet that standard he’s going to let you know for sure.”
5. Sacramento’s outlier three-point shooting
Adding Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray this offseason was a clear attempt to bolster Sacramento’s spacing and three-point shooting. The front office, returning players, and coaching staff has acknowledged that many times leading into the 2022-23 season.
While the roster is undeniably improved in that aspect by a significant margin, expecting them to convert 46.7 percent of their 45 three-point attempts is probably unrealistic.
The franchise record for made 3's in a game by the @SacramentoKings is 22. Kings have 21 now. It is preseason and wouldn't count but lets hope this is a sign for the regular season.
— Jason Ross (@JasonRoss1140) October 10, 2022
Their franchise record of 22 made triples was set last season. It was the only example of the Kings knocking down 20 or more through 82 games.
While the three-point shooting was great to see, don’t expect this sort of conversion rate to happen often for either end of the floor. Portland only managed to go 10/29 from beyond the arc and Damian Lillard contributed zero makes. That won’t happen often.
6. Some rotational notes
With Holmes being unavailable due to an illness, Alex Len filled the role of the backup center but Chimezie Metu also shared those responsibilities for a short burst. Coach Brown had previously floated around the possibility of Metu playing the five, but this was the first time we saw it in action.
As for changes with the bench unit compared to preseason game one, the primary difference was Davis in place of Trey Lyles. The first five off the bench were Mitchell, Monk, Davis, Murray, and Len.
Davis at the three and Murray at the four allowed the Kings to play with a much higher pace and Davis managed to knock down four of his five attempts from beyond the arc in just under 11 minutes of run.
As for the very end of the bench, Chima Moneke, Quinn Cook, and Sam Merrill were the only three players who did not see the floor. Sacramento will have to cut three players from their current roster before the start of the regular season.
Why not think of Murray part time at the PG? Magic and Simmons have done it. That would drive defenses nutso.
Magic and Simmons both had/have excellent ball handling skills. They don’t get robbed easily and don’t make many mistakes dribbling the ball.
Keegan does not have anything close to their skill in that area. He’s very good now because he only does what he’s capable of doing, no more. If he develops a good handle, then I’d love to see him be the point man on more plays; until then, he’s doing a great job as a wing/2nd big
Good write-up Brenden.
What stands out to me after two games is the ball-movement. There were a couple of possessions last game that looked like were not going anywhere. Last season, that would’ve probably ended up with a terrible 3PT attempt. In these two games, the ball has continued moving in those moments. Last night, those extra passes paid off against a really poor defensive team.
Only when Metu played as a 5, the Kings fell back into their Waltonian bread and butter of simple pick and rolls and bad shots.
I’m trying not to get too optimistic after two pre-season games, but I will acknowledge that the Kings played well in both games.
Metu has looked rough to me on both ends of the court. I wonder if it is because of the time he missed with the Kings to play for the national team. Maybe it is just a function of the positions, but I have noticed issues like that with Sabonis or Len.
I think the #metu movement is regressing.
I simply, and maybe mistakenly, believe he’s just not good enough to be an NBA player.
The talent level of the team is much higher now, so Metu is being seen for what he is, end of the bench guy that would mostly get DNP-CDs on a decent team.
Thankfully g league players are not going to be worshipped as potential saviors.
I entirely agree with you. Personally I think Trey Lyles is a much better big off the bench. The 2 players I had doubts about at the end of last season, who are still on the team were Metu and Neemie.
I again (just an opinion) think this is Metu’s last season in the NBA. Queta is starting to look like a player who will stick. Metu got too many minutes last season and Queta didn’t get enough. Thru Summer League and two preseason games which in themselves mean almost nothing it looks to me like Queta is playing with more consistency and confidence.
I tend to agree
Love how Mike Brown states the obvious in such gentle ways. It’s endearing and speaks to his wisdom, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence
He doesn’t have to watch the tape to figure what happened.
People who read the headline will feel like they received their clicks worth for this article,
I’d say that there’s a decent chance that both Davis & Lyles are going to be important contributors off the bench this season.
I was glad to see Coach Brown yoink Davis off the floor for his defensive lapses, make corrections, and give Davis the chance to make good. Davis is one of those guys who can give you twenty-point quarters, so I hope he earns significant playing time.
And Trey Lyles just does what Trey Lyles does, which is hit shots, get boards, and make smart passes. He’s a guy who is rarely going to hurt your team when he’s playing, and does a number of things well.
There aren’t any saps among the bench guys, and getting the roster down to seventeen ought to leave a pretty good group. If the rotation guys can keep the plus/minus reasonable when the starters are resting, I’m hoping there will still be plenty of bounce in their legs at the end of games, and as the season grinds on.
It’s preseason, but the style of play and coaching give us a lot of reasons to think that the Kings are going to be in games in crunch time, and the phrase “off-night” will be largely limited to our kid Davion. Even if Sacramento wins only thirty-six games, if the losses are hard-fought and well-played, it will be something substantial upon which to build.
They’re going to win fifty, but it would be foolish not to hedge just a bit.
Just curious Sims here, but do you see Davis as more a SF than SG? Because I do. Agree about the 20 pt qtrs as well.
Ahahaha. Yep.
I’d say Davis is truly a shooting guard, but he’s hyper-athletic and strong, so he ought to be able to put up a good fight against wings when he needs to.
Davis could be a Tim Hardaway, Jr. type player if he continues to work. I do think he has a rather high ceiling, but he’ll have to fight hard to get there.
I think it’s Davis’ weight that gives him a chance against taller wings.
Interesting comparison.
Regardless, thanks for the thoughts.
I have my opinion solicited so rarely, I ought to be thanking you.
The THj comparison, for me, has a lot to do with the fact that he was an absolute chucker his first few years in the league.
“He scored twenty points!”
He took twenty-seven shots!”
Davis isn’t nearly that bad, but he’s definitely a scorer first, an effective passer, and if he can add consistently vigorous defense to his game, well, that’s a guy who fits on any roster.
We’ve been talking about for awhile that the Kings are really missing a SF/big wing type right? To me Davis fits much of that mold despite not being tall or long enough to be an ideal fit in that regard. Except, I don’t think there’s such a thing as truly ideal at this level.
Davis has the athleticism and strength to match up well with SF’s, and that to me is the biggest thing. It would be great if he also had go-go gadget arms, but we can’t have it all apparently. That said, I think the conversation about the type of bigger wing the Kings are looking for should start with Davis, perhaps Moneke or Okpala, and the baseline should be Harrison Barnes. If you can be as effective as Barnes (which I think Davis can be), just check out those splits as a starter. I realize that’s not necessarily the entirety of the story (some of that was against bad teams like Houston and Detroit), but that’s also my point.
Davis is an interesting unknown precisely because of what he’s capable at two ends. He shoots the 3 as well as Monk for his career, he’s a better defender and passer now (IMO), and Davis is really trying to carve out a path for his career still.
That said, I don’t think the Kings will just move Barnes to open up a spot for Davis. And I don’t think Okpala wil likely start long term, either. We’re just looking at the reality of what happens during an initial phase of team building like what the Kings are looking at under Mike Brown IMO.
P.S.
You’re so full of shit Sims. Funny, more often than not, but full of shit nonetheless.
Good opinions, especially that last paragraph.
I’ve always thought that you give your opinion so willingly that there was never a reason to have to ask for it.
That’s fair.
Exactly. Not that I mind that either, mind you.
What about your boy Ellis?
My two cents, the lineups should be
Davion/Monk/Delly
Fox/TD/Baze
Huerter/Murray/Metu
Barnes/Okpala/Lyles
Sabonis/Holmes/Len
-Davion is the 3rd or 4th best player on the team and needs to be starting.
-Murray is better than Barnes, but Barnes should be the #4-5 option in the starting lineup, and Murray should be the #1-2 option off the bench.
-Monk should be given the opportunity in the Lou Will role.
-The forward rotation is far more versatile and effective than I ever imagined
-This may be an average defensive team. It’s likely an above average offensive team. That sounds more like a playoff team than a play-in team.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I have no complaints with the rotations so far.
Let me start this off by saying that I love the way Davion plays. Having said that, I don’t think he is the 3rd or 4th best player, nor do I think he necessarily needs to be starting. I also think Okpala brings more defensive versatility just because of his length.
I agree about the forward rotation, and I am trying hard to pump the breaks on my expectations for the season.
Whoever starts is really just a formality. This is a rock solid 8-10 man rotation, and they all seemingly can play with any combination of each other.
I like Okpala, but simply find him far too one dimensional to possibly take up too many of Barnes and Murray’s minutes at the forward spot. He and Lyles should get spot minutes based on matchups rather than be penciled in for anything concrete.
I like Okpala being used as a secret weapon in the starting lineup. Putting the other team’s best perimeter player in clamps to start the game will absolutely help set the tone. The other 4 starters carry so much offensive talent and variety, which helps to neutralize Okpala’s negative offensive effect
Could the Kings be the Minnesota Timberwolves of this season? It feels to me like there may be a huge leap in performance this season. Am I being too optimistic?
Idk man. The Fakers and Blazers are supposedly our competition this season. These games haven’t felt like competition.
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
I love it.
Can you imagine what this team would look like if we hired Mark Jackson instead of Mike Brown?
We’ve got a real coach!
He’s so legit. I love this man already.
Thank the cosmos Monte was able to make his choice of coach in Mike Brown. Thank you to Vivek for not over stepping your bounds and allowing Mike Brown to be the hire. It is so nice to have confidence in the Kings coach. I liked Joeger but my confidence in Brown is substantially higher than what I had for Dave. It’s amazing to know, not think but know that my favorite basketball team has a true leader who is 100% qualified for the job at hand.
Will he make mistakes? I’m sure he will, we are all humans and thats what we do. Will he work his ass off to make as few mistakes as possible? Yes, and I have no doubt in that. Pretty cool.
It’s almost surreal. By far the best coach we have had since Adelman. No one even comes close.
Mike Malone would like a word.
I think Malone, Joerger and Brown are all very good coaches. None are Rick Adelman.
True. However, Mike Malone back then was in his first head coaching position. he was great but the experience level wasn’t up to par with what we have now in this current version of Mike Brown
I had the HUGEST sighs of relief when the news broke that the Kings were hiring Brown.
Yeah, I probably would’ve wanted to break out
sighssais if that happened.My main takeaway from this game…Portland doesn’t have it this year. The Blazers bench looked down right awful and Dame looked mortal. Nurkic is their only big and he is injury prone. If he or Dame miss any time they aren’t going to win too many games. The 10th spot is the Kings to lose this season with the threats of PDX and Houston looking weak.
Agree. With Utah, SA, and OKC pretty much joining the Wemby tank before the season begins, Houston will probably see what they have before joining the tank and Portland probably joining soon thereafter, that’s 5 teams not actively looking to not make the Top 10 in the West by Thanksgiving, maybe Christmas. The Kings would have to really sh*t the bed to not at least make one of the play-in spots.
Yea my super optimistic self (gasp) actually thinks they can finish much higher than tenth. It’s going to take some time to wash away my negative vibes but I’m ready for it. I’ve never had this kind of negativity regarding one of my teams, usually I just stop following the Phillies if they suck and don’t stress. The Viveks have caused a much different mood to stick and it’s no fun, but I do enjoy watching the little guy burn.
I’m thinking seventh.
I’m starting to see the major upside of KZ starting. You put him on the best player of every team except for Nikola Jokic to start every game. By doing so you have the best chance of slowing down the other teams number one option. Not allowing a rhythm to start. Make that star player uncomfortable, maybe even frustrated. Then, you sub KZ and one other starter out for Murray and Davion and you have someone to continue tough D on an already frustrated and out of rhythm star player. Guard or forward.
I’m into it. If Mike Brown likes it I’m going to have to defer to that super smart and qualified dude.
Good call. You put that frustration hat onto the opponent’s lead option nice and early, and try to keep him off-balance for the rest of the game. With his size, length, skill, and heart, I sure as hell wouldn’t want to see him picking me up when the ball is inbounded.
Yep. I don’t see the need for a rush to start Murray. Coming off the bench but getting starter minutes or close to, is a perfect role for him his rookie year
The only issue I see with starting KZ over Murray is lack of offfense to start the game. This was eveident in the Lakers game. We were down 10-12 most of the first and 2nd quarters. If not for both teams playing their benches exclusively in the 2nd half, the outcome may have been different. In my opinion if Fox starts the season aggressive and taking it to the rim we will be OK (provided he doesn’t continue to shoot fade aways on his free throw attempts). I do like KZ’s defensive pressence to start games provided we can score.
For what it’s worth, no one could manage to hit the broad side of a barn in that one. KZ isn’t going to be a scoring machine, but if the other starters are playing their games, I don’t think it’ll impede the offense too much.
And remember that defense also scores points. If you can hold a team’s best offensive player below his point average and you turn that into offensive points you are also scoring points for your team.
Jack is right!
I think Murray plays pretty good defense also.
Check out his defense on Dame.
https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1579556098448977921
Fundamental D right there.
Strong performances by most players last night, starting with Fox. Pretty good roster, top to bottom.
Starters looked much better tonight. Fox is engaged on the defensive end. Players are getting fouls, but much of that is b/c of bodying up on defense, which I am fine as they learn to be better on that end. Brown calls fouls before bad defense can spiral into a 10-0 run. Love it!
Great game. Even last year, if the Kings hit a ton of threes they win. A game like this: even with a regular night of 3 pointers the Kings still win the game. Kings are playing a good style.
Optimistically: they settle into this style so it’s second nature. Watch out rest of league.
Pessimistically: by game 20 they’re back to iso-ball and no defense. Will the new GM be hiring a new coach?
I’m thinking if the Kings hit a ton of threes last year, the score would be 126- 120, instead of 126-94 like last night’s game.
Preseason +small sample size, but I feel a difference on the other end of the court.
You need to practice and work out other offensive schemes because a good coach will figure out your offense and play defense accordingly. Don’t be complacent.
Team has looked really dialed in the first 2 preseason games. But i have to temper any real enthusiasm. Kings were 4-0 last preseason and looked good. Most teams don’t show all their cards in preseason. There is Zero correlate of Preseason success being a template for regular season success. Murray looks SPursesque. Fox and Sabonis both played great. the bench is deep. The team is definitely the most talented I have seen in 15 years.
Will that translate into more wins, play in, playoff, or missed all together. Who Knows.
After 20 games, I think one can make a good assumption.
I have to be Devil’s advocate: KZ, FOX, and Sabonis won’t work with good 3 pt shooting teams. The Kings just faced 2 of the worst 3 pt shooting teams from last year.
Spacing has not been an issue, Yet. Unless Fox can start scaring defenses with his shooting. As you saw last night. Fox had plenty of time to launch those 3s completely undefended. This team won’t be able to have those 3 on the floor consistently.
When this team has to face teams with multiple snipers, the task is not going to look too seamless.
Main reason, KZ did not get much burn in Miami. When the other team has 3-4 good shooters on the floor at the same time. Which most playoff teams have. It’s not going to look so pretty. I live in Miami. Spoles would put KZ in blowouts and occasional 5 minutes here and there. His defense is good. He will give you next to nothing on offense. In addition, in the limited play off burn, Spoles would have to pull him. I can understand him getting 10-15 min a game. More than that, you’re going to see. He’s not that effective. Lakers starters still outscored the Kings in Game 1. With the Lakers getting next to nothing from deep and Lebron having a bad night. I would be realistic and say Kings D played a role 100. But not entirely. Lebron is going to get his, if he’s aggressive. Blazers are just a mess. Talented. But i see Billups on the Hot seat quickly.
Murray may not start Game 1. But I am sure if the Kings get out of the gate slow, Murray is going to be starting by game 10.
First off, I’d like to say, I am not a robot (but you’ll have to take my word for it. And I lie, sometime).
Pre-Season. Pre-Season. Pre-Season. There, I said it. I said if for my non-robot brain, but programming is programming. Two 30 point wins. Pre-Season. Pre-Season. Pre-Season.
34 Assists. Sure, it helps when you are making shots, but that’s a (dare I say) GSW type number and not one I am used to seeing East of the Bay.
Rebounding – For a team that struggles somewhat with outside shooting, it always surprised me that this was not a priority. Nice to see. Is it because it is an emphasis? more athleticism? better on the ball defense, or defense in general causing decreased shot opportunities?
Free Throws and Fouls – 31 to 23, again Sac at the line less than opponent. Could be defense/fouling 33 for Sac, 20 called against Blazers. Aggressive D? Zebra hate?
Looks like this is the Opening Day roster with Moneke, Cook and Merrill getting no PT.
Thanks for the review and report Brenden.
“Okpala… has a legitimate case as Sacramento’s best defender”
Blasphemy! Davion is easily the best defender, and as such, Okpala has a legitimate case to be Sacramento’s 2nd best defender.
Still, the 1-5 versatility is a big deal.
The versatility is nice and will be very useful this season. But when I watch Davion, I think he’s one of the best on ball defenders I’ve ever seen.
But now we’re shifting from best “defender” to best “on ball defender”.
With the many switch-heavy schemes in the NBA, the ability to defend multiple positions is a growing plus for defending, and converseley, on ball defending is somehwat shrinking as an element of defending.
And even though Davion is great at navigating screens, he will have to deal with switches.
Davion is great, but his lack of length and wingspan does limit him somewhat in that respect. Some of that can be covered in defensive scheming, some of it can’t.
STOP PUTTING DAVION IN A CORNER, DUTCHMAN! NOBODY PUTS DAVION IN A CORNER!!!!!!!!!!
I’m putting him in the post, here.
I have breakfast to make, you smartass barrister.
Send us blurry pics or it didn’t happen!
No. You aren’t worthy of my amazing collages of food.
Just in case your hopes weren’t high enough yet…
https://www.nba.com/blazers/videos/chauncey-billups-their-physicality-on-both-ends-hurt-us
I don’t think beating the Blazers means much. I really don’t think they were all that interested in competing, just appearing to so they could sell season tix and hopefully draw more viewers for TV in Dame’s last season in a Blazers uni. Cynical? Yeah, you betcha.
I’d be willing to bet money, assuming I had some to bet, that Dame gets moved by the deadline. I’d be willing to bet even more than it’s to the Lakers for Westy.
I agree. If the Blazers are struggling by the Deadline. Lakers make a lot of sense. Unfortunately. A health Lakers team of Dame, Lebron and AD. Won’t be good for the Kings.
It wasn’t the win. It was Billups saying how well the Kings pressured, attacked, and were physical on both sides of the court the entire game. Also taking good shots and not throwing them up. Those are things we haven’t heard an opposing coach say about the Kings in a while.
I agree with your point about what Billups was saying, that’s a good sign actually. It’s not that they won, it’s how they won.
But this Blazers team is so bad it’s hard to take anything meaningful from it. Especially because it is preseason.
That said, I doubt Billups will be the only guy saying that this year. This team is improved IMO, it’s a reason why I keep saying I think this is a 45 win team.
I haven’t been more excited for a season since we drafted DMC. Fitting time to be moving back to California too for this life long kings fan. We are talented and deep this year and with coach brown it feels like a new team. I’m ready to be hurt again
I was very impressed with both preseason wins. They don’t look like the same team to me. I would be freaking amazed if they look like last year’s Kings and prior, prior, prior teams etc. at the 20 game mark. I don’t believe Mike Brown will let them. We still may be losing a bunch of games but we won’t be losing them the same way we have if that makes any sense.
I was thinking that the Kings were going to be a 38-40 win team this season. After reading thru the whole thread and seeing the mostly over the top optimism I have to rethink my initial opinion. We have gone plum crazy, group think, drowning swimmers grasping for the life ring, struggling people crawling through the desert all seeing the same mirage of palm trees and water just over the next dune. I’m going with 36 wins. This optimism is unhealthy.
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