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After 17 years, the Sacramento Kings have an identity

And it has led to a playoff appearance.
By | 16 Comments | Mar 30, 2023

Mar 27, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) yells after dunking the ball while being fouled against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Following last Friday’s victory over the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker spoke about the Suns defensive struggles against the Kings.

“Sac does a good job of five-out offense with [Domantas] Sabonis playing the point guard, so you got to lock in at all times because there’s nobody in the paint to protect you. They got a lot of backdoors, open threes, that’s just a recipe for disaster for us,” Booker said.

The Sacramento Kings are a disaster for a Suns team that was in the NBA Finals just two seasons ago.

And it makes sense, because Sabonis will wreck you – the dribble handoffs, the screens, the vision, the strength, the rebounding. The big man has it all. But more importantly, it is a key piece of what the Kings have not had in nearly 20 years: an identity.

Every season during the drought it was difficult to identify what the Sacramento Kings were. Sure, there was the short-lived “Scores,” a fast-paced team led by the personality of Iman Shumpert. They were a team without much discipline that tried to outrun everyone and score a lot of points. There was the dump-it-into-Zach-Randolph-in-the-twilight-of Randolph’s-career team (????). There was the bully ball DeMarcus Cousins teams simply built around the big man’s dominance and not much else. Again, not much discipline here either. There was the season Tyreke Evans won rookie of the year.

And beyond this, there wasn’t much to be seen since 2006. And certainly nothing that represented a style built around excellence at one particular aspect of the game.

When Mike Brown was hired, he laid out his principles for success.

  1. Vertical and horizontal alignment of trust within all the units of the organization.
  2. A set of values that are led and upheld by the leadership of the organization.
  3. An embracement of your role.

All of us collectively rolled our eyes at another head coach with lofty promises and goals walking into Sacramento. More talk with little action to back it up, right?

Wrong.

Here we are with a playoff spot cliched.

De’Aaron Fox recently said, “He’s [Brown] brought just a level of consistency a level of urgency, and he’s kind of just changed everybody.”

Brown’s first two principles are largely related to an off-the-court change. The third principle has impacted the on-the-court identity in a major way. The Kings know what they are. Everyone is embracing their role.

Here is what they are.

Sabonis is going to pick apart the opponent for the first three quarters and wear them down. Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes are all going to benefit throughout those quarters from three and strong cuts. This will be relentless with no letup to get the other team’s defense back pedaling.

“Sabonis is a dog man. I’ve been a fan of his game for a while now, we know how physical he is. He is patient but deliberate, he finds his guys, those DHO’s are tough, especially if you don’t pick them up above the three-point line if he gets too low,” Jaylen Brown said.

CJ McCollum also shared how tough it is to guard this.

“They play either pinch post a lot with space tag rolls. Basically, everybody can shoot including Sabonis, so helping is tough. They’re always on the go in terms of close outs and player rotations,” McCollum said.

Then, throughout the game, Malik Monk is going to come in and bring even more energy and intensity. Throw in Davion Mitchell’s relentless defense and the consistency and IQ of Trey Lyles and the Kings bench can maintain while the team’s two star players get some rest.

“They play hard, they play together,” said Pelicans head coach Willie Green. “They’re an elite offensive team and you can see why – they’ve got weapons all over the floor.”

All of this happens with good pace because of Sabonis’s playmaking, the team’s off-the-ball movement, passing (27.1 assists per game), and of course, De’Aaron Fox.

“If you don’t set your defense early, he will attack early. De’Aaron Fox is probably the fastest guard in our league,” Lebron James said. “We had a rough time in the four-game series vs. De’Aaron Fox this year.”

Greg Popovich said the pace the Kings play at “is really tough to guard.” And Paul George shared similar sentiments. In fact, he defined Sacramento basketball: “That’s just Sacramento. They play high intensity; they play fast paced and they are going to keep coming at you. They play Sacramento ball,” George said.

Come the fourth quarter, Fox will take over if he needs to and turn into clutch Fox. Star Fox. Whatever you want to call him, but the man has been elite in crunch time.

The whole team, including Mike Brown, gets out of the way and lets Fox work in the 4th. This means that the guy putting up triple doubles regularly in Sabonis gets out of the way too, which is yet another example of everyone buying in and being on the same page in terms of roles. There aren’t many teams around the league that has a guy putting up the numbers Sabonis does and then deferring in crunch time. Both Fox and Sabonis have a personality built for team dynamics. Neither seem to need the spotlight, and they will figure out what works best to get a win.

An embracement of their roles.

And every time that embracement leads to a win, despite the troubles on defense, that beam shoots up into the downtown Sacramento sky, representing the identity that everyone around the league sees.

This is the Beam Team, and it is fun as hell.

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murraytant
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March 30, 2023 4:47 pm

Identity- not fully formed yet.
The offense is relentless, runs the same scheme with multiple variations. DS is the hub. Fox can get most any shot he wants. Lots of shooters – not always consistent.
The defense is sporadic- at times, relentless as well but just as often, somewhat disorganized.
Team did not use excuses, adjusted well at half time and in between games.
Team is better than most outsiders think. Greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Gabriel_Bonito
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March 30, 2023 5:02 pm

For the MTG guys out there: ‘The Beamtown Bullies’

eddie41
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March 30, 2023 5:05 pm

It’s an exciting brand

Want2win
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March 30, 2023 5:22 pm

I am in the ATL airport and grabbed some Kevin Huerter Cake and the dude behind the counter said “ I think that team has a good shot at a ring” I looked around and was confused at first ; then realized I had my Kings Hat and 1/4 Zip on. He said he loves watching them and is cheering for them and I had 2 other people make comments…

feels freaking great!!

Last edited 11 months ago by Want2win
Klam
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March 30, 2023 5:41 pm
Reply to  Want2win

Great to see the Kings catching the attention of folks all around the country. Awesome story!

RPO
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RPO
March 30, 2023 11:14 pm
Reply to  Klam
UpgradedToQuestionable
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March 30, 2023 7:45 pm

Well stated Blake.

The Sacramento Style has a relentless offense engine which was designed by Coach Brown and set into motion by Domas and then iced by De’Aaron Fox – the D&D team that has lifted Sac from the dungeons to become dragons.

this team is lit. And we fans are beamin’

Watty4ever
March 30, 2023 8:29 pm

Just a ton of fun to watch. This is kind of like 2000 all over again. They’re really good now, but with some adjustments, this could be a Championship team once they fully gel and get a bit stronger on D. Rotation isn’t perfect yet, but they could be strong for a lot of years. Let’s build something great and sustainable.

Mike120
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March 30, 2023 11:18 pm

I was just scrolling YouTube and caught Jim Rome’s opening today on the Kings. Not his usual snarky stuff. Would be nice if someone could link it. I’m a caveman, don’t know how. I think a big part of the King’s identity is that there are a legit 7-8 guys who can score 30 on a given night. Sure, Fox and Domas are our stars but Barnes, Huerter, Murray, Monk,Lyles, and Davis are all capable of exploding.

Adamsite
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March 31, 2023 7:44 am
Reply to  Mike120

I know folks are excited for this year’s playoffs, but I’m equally excited for next season and beyond. This Kings team should stay intact for years. If Monte can get Barnes to sign an extension or re-sign this summer, the core returns. Lyles is likely gone, but his production can easily be replaced, same for TD. Everyone else, including Fox, Sabonis, Huerter, Murray, Monk, Mitchell, and even Edwards are under contract for next season. This team that has built and identity and can basically roll it out again next year with a more experienced Murray, Mitchell, and Edwards and a still peaking Fox and Sabonis. There is a 7 man rotation already guaranteed to return! How many playoff teams can say that!

Just got to make sure Barnes returns!

OldDude50
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March 31, 2023 10:18 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m guessing they bring Lyles back too. I think Brown loves his game and fit.

Jack
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March 31, 2023 10:29 am
Reply to  OldDude50

50-50

Jack
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March 31, 2023 10:28 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I agree on everything except possible Lyles. Right now am 50-50 on Lyles. I thing what the Kings have done this year and looking ahead there are now a lot of free agents that would play for the Kings.

murraytant
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March 31, 2023 12:27 pm
Reply to  Jack

I like Lyles and he has strongly contributed to 3-4 victories. At the same time, will his salary expectations be too high, is there a replacement FA who would be just as good, can Sasha- if he comes- replace some Lyles minutes?
Depth is important- the teams with too many 40 M a year guys lack depth unless they can beg a player to “come get a ring.”

Parenthetically, I do wonder if there is a graph of salary (combined + tax + repeater tax) vs. victories.

Marty
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March 31, 2023 9:19 am

Great article!

Lurkdogg
March 31, 2023 10:27 am

As a life long south sac guy I feel so good right now. Through all the pain and relocation the kings has remained a constant in my life. I remember oldin polynice coming to Luther Burbank for a bball camp by BOFA. Brian Grant becoming a friend to my cousin with sickle cell. Meeting Peaches and Doug or winning shit and going to khtk. Calling khtk to listen to the game by phone cause I had no radio. I got to watch the 30 for 30 that never came out.

The rekes, the zbos the pollards and the Williams, all of them gave me purpose. No matter how many losses or drama they always were there. When I tell people I’m from South sac I usually get a ew look just like telling someone I’m a kings fan.

I’m so proud to be apart of this city. My Dad passed away in August and I miss him but I get to cheer with my kids now. I love this city. This team and everyone here even though it gets chippy; let’s hear it for the underdog

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