It’s been a while since we’ve done a mailbag around here. In fact, I don’t think we ever got around to answering the questions asked in the last one. We can blame Tim for that, but if your choices are puns from Tim and nothing at all, nothing at all might actually be your better option.
Nonetheless, we’re in a bit of a lull (sorry, but we don’t do much Summer League coverage around here, especially when Sacramento’s first round pick isn’t participating), and I thought it was time to bring back the mailbag. Ask questions below and I promise we’ll answer. I may even cajole a few of my colleagues into joining me and giving their answers as well.
Assuming a stretch four isn’t acquired ahead of the season, can you think if any reason why Ellis wouldn’t start at shooting guard, with DeRozan at small forward, given the defensive boost that Ellis provides? (He also shoots really well.)
And if we do get that PF, should Mike Brown start him or Ellis, depending on matchups?
I’m pretty scared of the prospect of starting Huerter, Demar and Sabonis together. The Kings need Ellis in the starting lineup for his defensive impact
This is one of my questions as well. It comes down to two possible scenarios for me, and I’m interested to get a pulse from this community.
1) Start Keegan at PF, with DeRozan and Ellis at the wings, then have Monk and Huerter as your offensive weapons off the bench.
2) Aquire a PF (likely at the cost of Huerter), slide Keegan and Derozan to the wings, but then bring Ellis off the bench.
Personally, I’m in camp #1 at the moment. I prefer to run smaller and faster with your two best defenders on the floor (Ellis and Keegan), then get possibly get bigger but loose the POA defense. Boston just won a title with a smaller defense oriented and three point shooting lineup. Why not just find a lengthy 4 who has value off the bench and in the rotation? Someone to split the 4/5 backup with Lyles? Poku would have been nice.
With a roster full of guards and lacking any true power forwards we have flexibility to get a talented true power forward. Swapping Ellis and some picks or some filler for a true power forward that is legitimately good isn’t a bad idea.
That doesn’t work mathematically. Ellis makes $2.1M next year, which is about what Len will make. In that situation, the only filler to combine with Ellis to potentially land a true power forward will cost the Kings Huerter and/or Lyles, which depletes your depth at both guard and PF to a worse situation then it currently is.
We can find a young power forward with some true skills. Might be a trade that includes Huerter or Lyles with Ellis. I think a guard is much easier to sort out on this team. There is no depth at power forward because we don’t have one. Keegan as a shooting guard is more realistic than Keegan as power forward.
Agree to disagree then. I think Keegan is perfectly fine in a PF type role like Aaron Gordon, Jerami Grant, or Jayson Tatum, whom Keegan is virtually identical in size and weight with. Two of those guys have the last two NBA titles and are not true PFs.
I guess I’m just confused by what your definition is of a “PF with true skills” is?
A power forward with similar upside as Keon making the trade worth while. A power forward good enough to keep defenses honest. Pulling a double team off of a 11 to open up his game. I think 11 becomes much more efficient as an undersized center with a true power forward to help balance it out down low.
Different solution to the same problem we both see.
I totally hear your reasons, but I’m not sure who is out there, available, and at a cost that the Kings can afford with the current cap situation.
I could get behind a Bobby Portis type guy, but it’s going to cost two core rotational players in something like Ellis and Lyles or Ellis and Huerter, plus future assets. Is that worth it?
If Monte could swing a Tari Eason for matching salary and draft assets, then yeah, but I guess I’m not prepared to empty the depth.
Full admittance, I was on the John Collins hype train prior to the trade for DeRozan (who I view as the new starting SF), but I’m not very hesitant to give up Huerter and Lyles (which is what it would take salary wise) for him. That would deplete the PF and wing positions for a 5th option type player. I’m totally a sum is greater than their parts kind of guy.
Derozan was able to happen so Monte did it. I am glad he did. As you point out it changed some options, I honestly like the idea of going big for Portis.
I don’t know much about Eason?
Portis seems like the best fit for the PF role that the team needs, someone that can defend the bigger guys but doesn’t need the ball in his hand in the offense. Would give Mike Brown’s rotation some wrinkles. A Fox-Ellis-Murray-Portis-Sabonis lineup would be a defensive nightmare for everyone. A Fox-DeRozan-Murray-Portis-Sabonis lineup has 4 scorers and a center that can set the tone of the game. It’ll be hard to stop our offense with that. You can even sub Monk or Ellis for Fox in this lineup if we need more playmaking or defense. Dunno just how Monte would get Portis as the Bucks are stuck in 2nd apron hell ATM.
If not IMO Eason would even be better and much younger and possibly easier to get.
Hoping Monte can figure that one out.
Yeah getting Portis is the trickiest part, would very likely need another 3 team trade which means it’s more expensive for us because we need something from two teams
Eason is a ball player. Can rebound, protect the rim(especially the weak side) and can stretch the floor(shoots the 3) He has a great motor and will play like that the whole game. He is young already a very good player but hasn’t reached his full potential. If I were Monty I would try very hard to get him.
You can look at Tatum and Aaron Gordon body types and see the difference in muscle mass
also Jayson Tatum played the 3 most of his career with horford at the 4 until he got strong to play the 4 the past year and year before that. Keegan is still 2 years away of strength training if his frame can put the weight on. We don’t have defensive monster to help him out.JT had horford , kristaps and Robert Williams over the years .
I think starting Fox, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, Sabonis is the most balanced starting 5 on the roster, currently.
Swapping out Ellis for a better PF forces DeRozan to be the “SG” and guard POA more, which will hurt the defense a ton.
The most likely is for a backup 3/4 or 4/5. Someone on Lyles level as a player or better, who can give 15-20 solid minutes a game offensively and defensively.
That would allow better lineuo combination when the bench starts rotating in. Huerter could be a huge piece coming off the bench, assuming his shot/game gets back to normal.
ding ding ding, winner of a post. We basically need another Lyles, HOPEFULLY with some more upside to be better than Lyles, but bottom line that’s the type of player that we need that we can probably get.
With Carter basically a wash for the year, I don’t think they can afford to roll with Fox, Monk, Ellis, and McLaughlin as the entirety of the backcourt. So you kind of need Huerter back there too. I’m intentionally disregarding Jones because he simply doesn’t seem like he’ll ever improve to the point where he can be a playable option on a team with dreams of the playoffs.
what one piece of this teams big 3-4 is the most replaceable , and why ?
When will the NBA start whistling like FIBA when it comes to players blatantly hunting for fouls?
Things seemed to improve a bit after the AS break, but it’s still annoying.
Is Monte’s vest stuffed with freezer packs in the summer?
I finally sat down to start Game of Thrones. I made it halfway through the second episode before I realized I was watching a soap opera and bailed. Is there something wrong with me, or is my assessment correct?
I feel the same way about Yellowstone. But it’s still entertaining to me as i finish season 4, even with the soap aspects.
I did make it through Game of Thrones, although it didn’t meet the hype imo.
What scripted TV shows aren’t soap operas? I can’t think of very many stories that entertain humans without leveraging dramatic suspense and viewer emotions.
It seemed to get better as the seasons went on, regarding the soap opera stuff
I have very little free time and tend to be fairly picky about what TV I watch. I thought GoT wasn’t half bad, despite the feel of the overtly manufactured drama. It’s no Breaking Bad or The Wire but it’s still worth watching, imo.
Breaking Bad and The Wire are top tier in my mind as well. Band of Brothers, Dexter, Sopranos, Homeland, for it’s first seasons Lost, Game of Thrones come quickly to mind for me. Nothing more current seemed to grab me much. I had some interest with Yellowstone, 1921 and 1883 as well. On the regular Justified and Killing Eve were also some fun, and The Good Wife. The Boys was interesting for season and then degraded to abject ridiculous.
Anyone add to that?
It’s all so personal but Deadwood is my all time favorite show. Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant are masterful working with each other.
I liked Deadwood as well. And second the ones UTQ mentioned above.
I’m currently wrapping up rewatching the early 00s Battlestar Galactica series(streaming on Prime). I enjoyed it when it originally aired and it still holds up IMO.
Netflix – 3 Body Problem and Altered Carbon are both good, if you like Sci-Fi
Then that hooplehead David Milch walked away from it so he could make John From Cincinnati, quite possibly the worst show I’ve ever seen.
Every fucking week… “Shaun! Where’s Shaunie?!?”
Just meandering, pointless drivel, created by an ego that thought he too could walk on water.
Deadwood was good for ten seasons, minimum.
Hooplehead, lol. Thanks for confirming my decision to not watch John From Cincinnati!
They finally did a movie for Deadwood too. If you stopped watching the show when the series ended, there is a movie that attempts to wrap-up some of the open storylines. Loved me some Calamity Jane.
Originally Milch planned to do three movies. I was disappointed not to get more but the movie definitely helped me get my fix.
I watched and thoroughly enjoyed it. Still, it would have been two episodes in a series, and I’d like the other ten ASAP.
You don’t walk away from a series where Ian McShane is a ;lead character. Hell, I was mad when they canceled Kings.
For me, Al Swearingen and Ruthie from Ozark are two of the best acting performances in a TV show ever.
Agreed, absolutely.
If I recall, Deadwood suffered the same fate as Rome, death by massive production costs that the corporate bean counters no longer wanted to pay.
Also, if you haven’t watched the first season of Severance on Apple TV, it’s got the same mysterious feeling that Lost captured in its first couple of seasons.
Severence is pretty derned good. Looks like there’s another season upcoming. Of the top of my head shows I’ve really enjoyed in the past couple years include Shrinking, The Bear, True Detective, Barry, and, of course, assuming one still has some semblance of a heart and/or soul, Ted Lasso and Kim’s Convenience. We’ve also really enjoyed random comedies like Fisk and just recently, belatedly, got hooked on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Low Winter Sun
24
Hell on Wheels
Homicide for the old crowd
Bloodline
Prison Break
Friday Night Lights ***
The Killing
Peaky Blinders
My Brilliant Friend (all 3 seasons)
Babylon Berlin
Better Call Saul, of course
Black Mirror. each episode is different. slightly futuristic.
I got half was through the first episode and haven’t watched it since. My wife watched the entire series, said it gets better at episode 2 but falls off later in the series when they ran out of material from the books.
I read the books though, incredibly long but it’s a great story.
Need to give it 3-4 more episodes. I was never a soap opera guy but they never seemed to come to any resolution. GOT moves along. People die, new characters emerge. Heroes and villains all around. Get your popcorn, soda, light blanket and comfy couch and curl up and take it all in over a long weekend.
We all agreed Mike Brown wasnt given the personnel last season to build off the 48 wins the year prior. But now, roster is looking pretty stacked.
So what should Kings fans expectations be for this season (certain # of wins? Top 6 seed? 2nd round of playoffs or further?) and if we fail to meet those expectations, what should be the consequences for MB, Monte, and the roster?
when can McDaniels be traded? and is there a reason he has not been “introduced”?
Assuming a bench of McLaughlin, Monk, Huerter, Lyles, and Len, is there enough defense in the second rotation? If not, do the tea leaves indicate an additional defense-centric move?
Has the front office given any indication that Mason Jones, Isaac Jones, or Isaiah Crawford factor into long term plans? More specifically, are there any specific characteristics about Isaac and Isaiah that indicate they might be an answer to the Kings’ length challenges at the forward position?
Crawford is interesting, but he’s not NBA ready. 1-2 years in the G League and he may be a 3&D 3/4.
Mason Jones looks like he might push for rotation minutes in training camp.
Colby has been a SL disappointment and I’m hoping he’ll be able to show more over the course of the season.
I don’t see it with Isaac Jones.
Colby has been hit and miss for me. He certainly looked good on Monday with 25 pts and 6 rbs in 29 minutes, though.
I agree on Mason Jones. He looks to be figuring out how to use his (now) NBA-ready body to good effect.
Mason Jones looks legit to me, I think he went from All-Time Hype Man to actual rotation player. I love that he took the off-season time extremely seriously and used an effort of will and discipline to give him the best chances possible at seizing an opportunity. I think he’ll fight McLoughlin, C. Jones, & maybe even Huerter (if KH starts the season shooting poorly) for minutes since he can guard 1-3 and is pretty reliable with what you expect to get out of him each game.
I thought that Colby has played pretty well defensively (there were a couple of drives where he got toasted by the opposing PGs) but for the one game where he scored 25, he’s really had a hard time being a creator for himself and/or others which is a bit disappointing. When he’s on the court with the regular team, he only needs to play hard-nosed defense, rebound, connect passes, and hit open C&S shots at a decent clip. He showed well in SL doing those things but struggled when asked to do more; we’ll see how it goes the rest of the year. I still like this kid…he knows where to be and what to do, it’s mostly execution with him (like poorly thrown passes or unbalanced shot attempts).
I agree about Crawford, he is someone I can easily see becoming a rotation player in 1-2 years if he gets the time to develop. He’s long, has a natural scorer’s mentality, nice touch, decent-enough handles, and good size for a G/Wing. He also lacks vertical athleticism and quickness. It could be that the defensive concepts are new and he is thinking too much but his read and react skills on that side of the floow seem slow.
I like Isaac Jones, I personally thought I. Jones played much better (and more consistently) than Crawford. He’s long, got good timing on his block attempts, plays within himself, can stretch the floor a bit, and finishes well around the basket. He lacks a bit of explosive athleticism which is why I see him as a slower 3 or undersized 4, but he seems like a smart player…I wouldn’t count him out unless the Kings acquire a better or more promising project at the F/Wing.
my 2 cents
I get some Kent Bazemore vibes from Mason Jones, which is a good thing. I feel like Baze was an undrafted hype man at first but earned his way in the league with a lot of hard work. He was also a late bloomer, which Jones would have to be since he’s already 25.
Interesting comp, I can see that.
As long as a team doesn’t start asking/expecting too much of him (and paying him like it) like a few teams did with Bazemore.
Yeah, I think Colby Jones can have a Kessler Edwards role at the guard position, making a few appearances in the year (until Carter is available) to help guard someone who draws a lot of fouls. Not expecting anything more. Colby’s disappointing summer league means that Kevin Huerter is needed this year as a rotational 2/3 wing.
Mason Jones is intriguing. lost 45 pounds I hear. Like you said, there might be competition between him and McLoughlin on the depth chart.
Isaac Jones is intriguing also. I was thinking slower 4 or undersized 5.
Keon had a good stat line yesterday.
McLaughlin a defensive stud, Lyles and Len passable…they will almost NEVER be out there all together unless it’s a blowout either way so that’s not really a concern anyways.
Is this draft class really this bad, or do you think folks all making more of SL than we should? I’m not referring to the Kings undrafted 2 way players as they seem better than some of the top picks so far, but they’re also all much more experienced. Thank you!
I still don’t know how Sarr got drafted at the spot he did.
“Potential”. That’s why bad teams stay bad. I think he will be fine, he just isn’t ready. Also in a historically bad organization. Hopefully he won’t have the expectations of being “the guy” and they allow him to develop, for his own sake.
38 minutes for Keon today. 29 pts (on 10-18 & 5/10 3pt), 4 rb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 4 blk. Dude is going to be full beast mode in training camp this year.
Hes been a man among boys in the SL which is exactly what you want to see from a guy that’s presumably the starting SG
Yeah, he looks every bit a core rotational piece. He just seems to have a feel and understanding of the game. It’s looks to be slowing down for him.
In the SL action I’ve watched (not much), he looked sharper, just playing with more confidence. Like that late 3 tonight, for example.
His hands are just so deceptively quick. The way he whips his arms up to block shots at the point of release or how he strips the ball from defenders going up for a shot is elite-level.
I think he is a key piece to the team’s growth at an absolute steal of a contract.
Value to production ratio is off the charts. If he stays healthy and gets near 30mpg, I think he might get some all-nba defense votes.
We have to hope the refs will generally call the games the way they did last season after the all-star break. If they return to their pre-break habit of heavily favoring the offense, Keon will quickly pick up a lot of “phantom” fouls and get stuck on the bench.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, and you are now Monte McNair.
Do you swing now with Kevin Huerter, do you wait until the deadline, or do you keep him? Targeted player up to you if you do trade him.
Bonus question: Favorite Michael Keaton movie? Mine is Nightshift.
Multiplicity
yes, hidden gem
Nightshift is fucking hilarious, haven’t seen it in years. Gotta be streaming somewhere, and that’s my evening.
Johnny Dangerously
Gung Ho
Nightshift is great.
I’d probably put the top 5 at:
How do you see the 4 spot playing out? Do we go out and get player X, or are we doing something like sliding Keegan to the 4 and basically running it back?
IMO we need a 4 like Eason Portis or Collins.The younger the better. Derozen will really help for 2 or 3 years then what? Not only look now to win but in the future. Murray can play the 4 and play defense and rebound but you can’t put all your marbles on one player.You need flexability. When during the game Brown needs to adjust according who on the other team is playing. You need defense then play Ellis. Along with Murray and Fox(he can guard the PG well) you have your shooters and defense. If the other team is playing big you need that #4 to adjust. If we had the PF to do this now you can counter either way. How are you going to get that #4? You have assets like Huerter Lyles Jones McDaniels and picks. I sadly am disappointed in Jones. He has been given oppotunities to improve and one game might change another GM as a trading chip. Have to try. If we do get a really good PF it has to be an upgrade over Lyles. Huerter is probably our greatist trading chip. Are we going to keep Kevin ot trade him. Big question. IMO we need to improve this roster even more. We sure lost a big one in FA. That IMO as Jalen Smith. Of the 3 mentioned above all 3 would help with IMO Eason being on top.
Assuming no major or minor changes before training camp, how deep do you feel our bench is? What players shouldn’t be seeing minutes that aren’t garbage time? And what is the biggest plus minus of the bench overall?
Also does Amazon really lower their prices for Prime Day? Or is it just an excuse to sell cards and chocolate?
If we keep our bench as is then IMO we haven’t changed it from last year much and last year was terrible.
Except Monk. Huerter brings offense MAYBE but not much defense.
Summer League is a fun time to introduce the new draft class – did you, or any in the community see a player you thought raised an eyebrow?
It has been a bit of a lull in VSL as well as many of the stars have their eyes on Paris. Any predictions from the TKH staff or community on TeamUSA, or any of the other countries? Who do you see grabbing Au, Ag or CuTn?
Last Q: How do you rate the moves or in some cases, the lack of moves in the NBA, the Western Conference, in particular. I see Sacramento as climbing back up to #1 in the Pac Div but it will by tooth and nail. Who got better Who got worse, Who stayed about the same?
In an article in Bleacher Report we have gotten worse. I don’t agree. We still need at least one more move. It’s up to Monty to decide that.
Worse? SRSLY?
The Kings added a borderline HoFer, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, led the League in minutes, was 2nd in Mr. Clutch Award voting for Harrison Barnes and Chris Duarte and they got worse? They kept runner up 6th Man of the Year in Malik Monk and that doesn’t count?
In what Universe that this makes sense?
These are the same folks who exclaim the virtues of Buddy Hield in replacement of Klay Thompson and Kyle Anderson as a noteworthy addition that places the Warriors above Sacramento.
To quote the quotable- Okie Dokie!
Yes, another move in the frontcourt is hoped and expected by all. Monte and Wes, do your best.
I’m 100% on board with national media underestimating the Kings.
that’s only one writer. I think most are saying the Kings have improved this offseason.
Jerry Reynolds: Great American, or Greatest American?
Can’t wait to vote him for President in 2032 when he’s finally old enough.
Every time I have had the pleasure of a having a conversation with him he has always displayed a level of class and intelligence that would preclude him from joining the ranks of those politicians.
This.
Greatest citizen of the world?
All World(s)
I’m 61. I don’t think we should have any public officials over the age of 60.
Because I haven’t heard much on the subject, will Huerter be healthy and available for camp and/or the start of the season? If not, could his possible trade value be too low at the moment for Monte to consider moving him?
I think Huerter is still here because he has not played since his injury. People want to see him play. Just my opinion. Good question.
Yeah, I only asked because of what the rumored timeline of Carter’s recovery is. I’ve heard 6-9 months and his injury is very similar to Huerter’s. It could explain why the Kings appear to have an abundance of guards and not lengthy bigs.
The only healthy backcourt players are currently Fox, Monk, Ellis, McLaughlin and Jones…assuming DeRozan is slotted in a SF. Still, another PF combo player would be nice, if only for depth reasons.
Hopefully Huerter comes back on fire. Good to have the competition for that crowded spot and it creates some good options for Monte.
Totally! A healthy Huerter hitting from deep, while coming off the bench, and on a good deal, is an excellent asset for Monte.
In sprite of the contract extension is Mike Brown on the hot seat, especially if the Kings get off to bad start next season?
I’m not ready to drink the Kool-Aid on Brown yet. This team still has a Mountain Dew to climb. He could use a John Collins. But I’m rootbeering for him.
If the Kings can go 7 Up or higher in the Western Conference that would be Fanta-stic. I think that Mike Brown has a better talent base in Sprite of what you may think.
Zing!
Those two Coke heads make me dysPepsic. They should call the Doctor & Pepper her with questions about how to improve their likeability.
Mike Brown Shasta figure it out this year. Whatever it is. (And, today i learned that Shasta soda is still a thing!)
https://tenor.com/view/the-office-michael-scott-pudding-gif-9980828
Since tomatoes are a fruit, do you classify Ketchup as jelly or a smoothie?
Ronald Reagan already answered this one in the 80’s.
Legally, tomatoes are vegetables (at least for purposes of tarrifs). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nix_v._Hedden
Botanically a fruit. Government needs that tariff money!
Everyone says get a backup 4/5. Do we kick the tires on Christian Wood?
No, those tires are flat .
I woodn’t. I think he needs to retire.
It’s not the worst idea. I’ve read the Lakers basically want to dump his deal and possibly Cam Reddish as well. Wood only makes a hair over $3M so I believe his deal should fit into the remaining MLE. If the Lakers would take a heavily protected future 2nd round pick in exchange, it might be worthwhile. He basically would be the 12th man as a 4/5 backup.
Disclaimer: I’m not educated on the NBA cap at all (and really, have no interest in doing the work necessary to understand it). That said, the core of Domas/Fox/DDR/Monk/Keegan are locked in through 2025/26 and all but Fox are locked through 2026/27. To me, the goal should be more than simply making the playoffs – we would all love for the team to be in reach of a championship.
If you guys put on your prognosticator hat, do the Kings have a realistic opportunity (specifically re: cap flexibility) to add another player to the mix who can make the team a championship contender? Alternatively, given that we saw this last year with parity in the West and a 5 seed making the Finals, is it possible that the FO thinks they’re only a move or two away from being a championship contender?
Trade idea. Trade Lyles, McDaniels, Jones, first for Isaiah Stewart.
Starters(defense): Fox, Ellis, DeRosen, Murray and Sabonis.
Starters{ need a big): Fox, Derosen, Murray, Steward and Sabonis.
Backups: McLaughlin(Carter), Monk, Huerter, Stewart(when not playing), Len
When Stewart is playing then Ellis is the backup.
Trader Jack, at it again.
Skip the first and get Stewart.
I think there is a trade in the works involving McDaniels. but have to wait to trade him
Thanks for the confidence.I still think you’re right. There is a trade coming. When?
Still would need another PF on the roster. The depth at 3/4/5 just isn’t there on the roster. Maybe they could address after your proposed trade, but it would be lower end guys like McDaniels anyway.
Would you rather have Bibby and Webber or Fox and Domas?
Do you think Domas could succeed at the 4?
Do you think there is a strategic reason we haven’t improved our big man depth?
Do you think Fox will stay on the Kings long term?
Can you provide examples of potential starting, 2nd string rotations with current roster?
Do you have any free tickets for next season?
If the Kings ceased to exist, would you rather be a Warriors fan or a Lakers fan?
Did DeRozan join the kings for the money, chance of winning, or other?
If you had to, would you rather start Marvin Bagley or Jimmer Fredette?
Do you think the Kings were considering Ke’lel Ware with the pick?
When the Kings were going to move to Seattle, I was going to stop following the NBA as a response to that fuckery. If they ceased to exist now, I’d probably be a Nuggets or Clippers fan. If I had to pick between the Dubs and Lakers, I’d go Dubs.
after Seattle lost the Sonics in some f*d up back alley dealing between David Stern and Clay Bennet, i gave the middle finger to the NBA and haven’t watched a game since. i pay attention to my one-and-only hometown kings (i’ve been in seattle area since 1999) but that’s about it.
It’s still ludicrous to me that the NBA allowed a team to leave one of the biggest TV markets in the country for a comparatively small one. I wouldn’t blame any Seattle fan for permanently boycotting the NBA.
Back then, I said that if the team moved any farther away than Folsom, I’d likely never watch another NBA game.
Eyeballs are money, and mine are not for sale to an NBA that has become entirely non-local.
Otherwise, you’re a Stockholm Syndrome addled Raiders fan. How can you keep rooting for them and buying gear when ownership has never, not once, given a rat’s ass about you?
Caveat: Still better than being a Niners fan.
The Sacramento A’s schedule is out, you gonna catch a game next year?
What are the pros and cons to starting Lyles as opposed to Ellis?
Got to have defense. Need a big bigger than Lyles. Any of Eason, Stewart, Collins, Portis when compared to Lyles all four win out, Ellis is a better defender that Lyles and I would question he might be better offensively
Is Malik going to start? The answer is yes…
IMO he will not start. Ellis will start and Monk will come in wherenhe always does. We need him in that second unit to bring it and to facilitate.
I like your thought process.
By “thought process”, you mean asserting something to be true without supporting evidence?
Take a breath. Ease into the exhale. Calm down.
A simple discussion. Not participating in any debates or “proving” people wrong. I like the idea that he thinks instead of follow the herd.
The Earth is flat.
Not a herd opinion, but not exactly thinking, either.
But kudos on the “calm down, take a breath” patronization ju-jitsu. No part of BTS’ comment was even slightly histrionic, but credit for the invocation of the rhetorical trick. I’d not be the least bit surprised to discover that it works on some people.
Reasonable people can disagree. They can also critically analyze two differing scenarios, take into account what’s happened previously, apply it to the current situation, and make an educated guess. Monk may very well become the starter, but based on what’s known, there aren’t any particularly good reasons to think that it will be so. That’s what BTS said, calmly and succinctly.
And welcome back, ABB.
Thanks for the backup, Andy!
Marvin here seems to think I’m stressed about this situation, even though I’m not. I played guitar all night and didn’t think about Marvin at all.
I’ll beat the same drum I’ve been beating all along. It doesn’t bother me if you think that Monk or Huerter should be in the starting lineup. What mildly bothers me is stating the same thing repeatedly as though that somehow makes it fact.
If you think Monk or Huerter should be in the starting lineup, tell me why. If you’re just looking at PPG, that’s not enough to convince me of your POV. Do better. Think more strategically and explain your position.
Relax.
As Andy points out, the implication that “following the herd” means someone is not thinking is flat-out ignorant. I follow a basic principle that can be paraphrased as “allow your opinion to be influenced or changed based on new data”. In your world, you won’t accept Ellis as the starter unless he’s All-NBA at least a couple of times.
You seem to argue that not following the herd is thinking and following the herd is not. I mean, the herd thinks that Jokic should start for the Nuggets. If you argue that Dario Saric should actually start, does that mean you’re the only “thinker” in a crowd of dummies? Or is it possible that the person arguing for Saric is just an idiot?
Present some arguments to support your position, Marvin. Show me in that way that you are thinking.
I was never in a conversation with an Andy.
You think Ellis is the starter. I think Heuerter is the starter if he is still here. Nothing to prove. It is ok.
My two cents, if Malik and Fox start in the backcourt, the Kings are going to give up an unacceptable amount of points in the paint and Sabonis will be in foul trouble most nights by trying to protect against straight line drives.
Flashy offense, though.
Exactly. There is also a decent sample size of a Fox/Ellis backcourt to show how much better the team was when both were on the court together.
Monk off the bench has worked out well, so why change that?
Drew Timme – 6’10” forward. 3 time collegiate All American. Gonzaga’s all time leading scorer. On our summer roster – he seems to be playing well. Could he be an inexpensive, already available answer to any of our needs?
I was wondering the same thing the other day. He’s definitely skilled. I’m not sure what he brings to the table in terms of defense, though. He has virtually no vertical leap.
Not much defense, not much of an outside shot, poor free throw shooting, and a lack of verticality, but he can bang down low, rebound, and is crafty in an old school way at post scoring.
If I had to give him Kings related comp, he’d be a cross between Jason Thompson and Kosta Koufos. That means he’d likely get minutes on a team destined for 29 wins.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. That aligns with what I saw during SL. But damn, it’s sure easy to root for the guy.
Could be. I like the guy.
The Timme Shimme alone necessitates getting this kid on a two way and eventually on the active roster. Timme’s Shimme is a thing of absolute beauty, elegance and grace.
There are a fair number of Gonzaga guys that stack up fat numbers playing against schools like Aunt Mavis’ Typing Academy For the Blind, but can’t sustain it in the NBA. Kispert is the same. Even Jalen Suggs, a top five pick, has only recently become a serviceable rotation player, and Orlando still felt the need to add Cory Joseph to the roster.
DT being on the roster opening night would be an organizational failure.
If there are no major roster changes between now and the start of the season, how far do the Kings go this season?
Answering my own question, in order of likelihood:
Lose in the first round.Lose a play-in game.Miss the play-in.Win a first round series (Unlikely)I said this last season: The bar to me is winning a first round playoff series. The Kings failed that bar last season, and they don’t get to diminish expectations to match 2022-23 because they were worse this season. If they lose in the first round or worse, it will be the third season in a row of at best treading water. Treading water is not good enough when there’s been one major personnel change in two full seasons.
The reality is this franchise hasn’t won a playoff series in like two decades, so yeah that’s the bare minimum accomplishment this upcoming season, anything below that is a complete and utter failure, especially when we traded for a a 35 year old player and gave up a potentially juicy pick swap in 2031. The time is now, no more excuses.
And if Coach Brown can’t get this talented group of players past the first round this season, it’s time for him to go.
OT: I caught a bit of the Kings summer league game and was taking note of the Wizards. They are now loaded with bigs. Jonas is their starting center, they re-signed Holmes to be his backup, Kuzma is still the presumed starting PF, but they used the #2 on Sarr…and they still have Marvin Bagley!! Nuts!
From all that, I think they have a nice prospect that’s been totally overlooked: Patrick Baldwin Jr. I liked him in Golden State and he was included in the CP3 deal but is now likely completely out of their plans. The kid is still just 21 standing at 6’9″ with nearly a 7’2″ wingspan, has the makings of a stretch 4, and could even play some small ball 5.
Wiz are also at 16 players under contract. Someone has to go. Kings still have 2 available roster spots.
Bagley it is!
You guys are setting ya self’s up for disappointment thinking keon Ellis is going to be in the starting lineup when the season opens lol
All of the depth charts show him at the number three. I don’t think he is the third option but a healthy Huerter or a 4 we pick up somewhere definitely goes first.
The only thing that would disappoint me is losing. If Brown puts Monk in the starting lineup and the Kings lose, that would disappoint me. If he puts Monk in the starting lineup and the Kings win, then fantastic. I just fail to see why a starting lineup that plays very little defense is the best option. We’ve been there for two decades now. And the minute we have the defense everyone claims to want, people want to eliminate that lineup for the same old Kangz.
The shapeshifting commenter here who spends all of his/her time denigrating Ellis also constantly cries about the Kings’ lack of defense. They can’t have it both ways – if you insert Huerter or Monk into the starting lineup, this starting five is well below average on defense.
So please break it down for us. What are the reasons that Monk or Huerter make the most sense in the starting lineup? Use your power of persuasion while we wait for Mike Brown to make a decision that is entirely out of our hands.
i Hate to break the news guys but if the kings don’t get a 4 derozan will be the starting 4
been that in Chicago and San Antonio unless keegan somehow pack 10 pounds of muscle he is the “ power forward “ not happening
Just read on Bleacher Report a three way trade with the Hornets and Lakers. It gets a little lengthly but what it comes down to for the Kings we would give up Huerter and a second rounder for Rui Hachimura. What do you all think?
I don’t like that trade. In a vacuum, KH is a better player than Rui, I wouldn’t trade them straight up, let alone giving up a 2nd rounder and helping the Lakers.
Plus, I’d rather start KM at the 4 over trading for Rui if those were the only two options.
A healthy Huerter is the better player, but a Huerter for Rui swap does balance out the roster better. I guess it could be rationalized that the Kings give up the better player but end up with a better rotation. Taken with a grain of salt, a very VERY loose comparison trade would be Hali for Sabonis.
I was hoping for better, but Rui for Huerter works on salary (forget the 2nd rounder) and IMO, they are comparable players who both fit positions of need for each squad. Rui is a stretch 4, not a very good defender or rebounder. But he can shoot the 3. He could be argued to be the beefier 6’8″ version of 6’7″ Kevin Huerter.
That said… I don’t know if I would ever trade with LAL (Pelinka) after the KCP/Kuzma for Buddy which turned into Westie debacle.
Bad grudge has to exist there, me thinks.
Badge Legend