The Kings entered this lovely Saturday night on a three loss streak after: 1) giving up a 19-point lead to Dallas, 2) giving up a 20-point lead to New York, and 3) fighting back from an 18-point deficit only to still fall to Denver. So, yeah, it’s been a long week. But don’t worry, things only get harder from here because the Kings had to face the 4-seeded Utah Jazz tonight. Luckily, we’re in the home stretch here where expectations have reached an all-season low. Effort? Well, of course. Chemistry? Always preferred, but we’re also used to not seeing it. Defense? I mean, if you even can, we’ll take it. Winning? Eh, actually, it would probably be better if you didn’t. Exciting stuff, right? Now that I’ve got you amped up and on the edge of your seat, let’s see how they did:
Quick Stats
Outcome: Kings lose, 134-125
Sacramento Kings: 125 pts, 50.0% fg, 39.4% 3 pt, 85.7% ft, 27 ast, 33 reb, 10 to
Utah Jazz: 134 pts, 55.8% fg, 39.0% 3 pt, 71.0% ft, 21 ast, 44 reb, 7 to
The effort was acceptable, the chemistry showed up in spurts, the defense was nowhere to be found, and the Kings got another loss closer to the Indiana Pacers in the lottery odds. So, overall, what was expected. Another incredible performance from De’Aaron Fox, bested only by an equally spectacular showing from Jordan Clarkson at least made this a fun game to watch.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The Good
- Fox Unlocked: De’Aaron Fox came out on a mission, scoring 20 points in the first quarter on 4-5 from the 3-point line. This early production unlocked more space and lanes for the Kings’ offense to utilize. With the defense reacting to Fox’s heater and focusing on him with the ball, he was able to find teammates in open space as he also totaled 11 assists. Fox’s early distance shooting also enhanced his own game, as he was then able to use the extra ball pressure to his advantage by turning on his speed to get to the rim. The Kings were able to put together a 42-point first quarter due to Fox’s scoring ability and its ripple effects into the rest of the offense.
The Bad
- Fox Dependency: De’Aaron Fox made it clear early on that he meant business tonight but, unfortunately, it wasn’t contagious. As soon as Fox got his first three minutes of rest in the second quarter, the Kings struggled to score without him, and the five-point advantage they had built in the first quarter was quickly erased by the Jazz. After trailing by double digits for most of the second half, the Kings did a better job in finding rhythm without Fox, led by Chimezie Metu’s efforts on both ends of the floor. Metu provided a spark off the bench that brought the Kings back within five points for a fourth quarter run, as he finished with 12 points and five rebounds, but it just came a little too late. The Kings needed more help, more often throughout the game to give them a chance down the stretch against this seasoned playoff team.
The Ugly
- Defense: Even after putting together a spectacular 42-point quarter to start, the Kings still managed to only lead by a few points as they allowed the Jazz to score 37 of their own. It was apparent from the jump that defense wasn’t really going to be a priority tonight. This game had big 24 Hour Fitness vibes. The defensive intensity was low, which led to the overall pace of the game being slower than usual, and it was mostly a back and forth spectacle between De’Aaron Fox and Jordan Clarkson. Off the bench, Clarkson finished with 45 points on 15-21 from the field and seven made 3-pointers. Clarkson made a lot of tough shots, no matter who the Kings put on him, but the Kings also didn’t show any double coverage or extra efforts to get the ball out of his hands.
The King of Kings
De’Aaron Fox finished with 41 points, 11 assists, and five made 3-pointers. There were also a handful of beautiful passes he made on deep drives to open shooters that weren’t converted, so I’m convinced that this could have easily been a 15 assists night for him. Please, don’t take this man for granted.
Operation: M.C.N.A.I.R. Watch
Tonight’s chosen charity is Department of Sound, a Sacramento non-profit organization that empowers youth through music and podcasting education. Donate here and be sure to notify Will via Twitter (@WillofThaPeople) or e-mail ([email protected]) so he can continue to keep track of donation totals.
Up Next
Monday, March 14th vs. Chicago Bulls – 7:00 P.M. (PT)
Gallo del Cielo didn’t really like our chances much.
No D equals No W ! Rinse, Repeat ! Jazz on Back to Back and without two starters but did have a head coach !
Jordan Clarkson, who averages 15 ppg, gets career high 45 tonight. This team must have the record for allowing career highs.
I’m starting to think Fox is the worst defender in the league. It really pains me to say this.
Fact.
The softest point guard.
We’ve almost caught up to Indiana for #5. Cmon Tyrese!
Maybe that was Monte’s plan all along with this trade. Brilliant!
Chess not checkers.
Mirann, I just want to say thank you. Your recaps are clever and excellent. The only thing keeping me engaged with this sorry team is the excellent work put in by the Kingsherald staff.
Absolutely. These recaps are all-star material.
Games may be unwatchable at times but the recaps are brilliant!
Mirann doing “Oh my Gawd!”’s work.
Thanks so much, @rc50cal!
I know I should be content with this L, but man, the defense was so so bad.
The Jazz got whatever match-up they wanted with this horrible ‘lol let’s just switch everything without even trying to get over the screen and see what happens’ scheme. I just can’t wrap my head around seeing Mitchell/Clarkson calling up Lyles’ man (or any other big for that matter) over and over again and just getting whatever they wanted.
This got basically every Jazz player to get going early. The Kings compensated with some spectacular plays by Fox, but once he cooled down, the Kings couldn’t keep up with this well-oiled Jazz machine that just produces a lot of good shots.
But yay, the tank rolls on!
The defense was bad, but the offense isn’t much better, outside of Fox lately. The Kings are a long ways away from being competitive, even with Sabonis, who was a nice addition.
Fox scoring 41 was nice, but where’s the next guy, and the next guy? We don’t have a 1-2 punch at all, or even a 1-2-3 punch, as some of the real good teams do.
The Kings are probably looking at another mediocre season next year, unless Monte can pull a rabbit out of his hat, or we hit a home run in the draft.
This season is more bad than last season, and last season was pretty bad.
Should have a good spot in the draft though
You are damn right…
Before the season started, with a more consistent roster (retaining TD, Harkless), the Kings showed how they played with passion and tough defense in their training camp.
The roster is better, but the record is worse….
Just another more disappointing season……..
Fox is really really good.
…at offense.
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Fox is a good player, but he made me think about this quote:
“A leader is not necessarly the best at something, but someone who makes everyone around him better.”
Fox is a lot of things, but not such a guy. He gets assists at a good rate, but rarely I have a feeling that what he does really aids his teammates to come into the flow of the game. And that is just talking the offensive side of the ball…
The Kings need such a player, and I think and hope that Sabonis will be that guy. But I think that will also require taking the ball a bit more out of Fox’s hands, and that hasn’t worked out great in the recent past.
And on top of that, Fox needs to be a really really good player for a whole season. Not just after the All Star break, when the team is in such a hole so there’s less pressure on his shoulders.
thanks for sharing that quote. The book on Fox is not finished. He was phenomenal last night, individually, and I liked seeing him trust his teammates in the late third. the results weren’t there immediately, but there might have been a delayed effect when a bunch of no-namers started making shots in that rag tag bench unit. He won’t get anywhere alone, and that quote reflects he’s aware of that. If he trust his teammates more, at least there’s a chance.
I agree with everything you said but will also add, I still believe Fox should be traded. He is a huge defensive liability and as you said, he does not make his teammates better. I wont cry over spilled milk, the Haliburton trade happened but we need a point guard like that.
I agree that he’s tradeable. However, if he’s not a natural leader, that does not preclude the team from putting someone else on the floor who is a leader to play with him. I also think a better coach would help bring out his best as a two-way player. His nickname is “Swipa” for a reason.
Yup, good at losing. That’s what happens when you don’t play D.
Fox had 41 on 15-32 shots. Clarkson had 45 on 15-21 shots. Not only a career high, but way more efficient.
It seems that when the other team is minus two or three starters someone or two step up and score a ton. Last night it was Clarkson. Of course we had no defense on him. Fox scores 41 but with Sabonis out there is nobody who steps up like a Clarkson to help him out. It is really tough watching 5 against 1. I hope Monty can do something this summer but who wants to play for the Kings.Really discouraging
You have to factor in that Clarkson was more efficient against the Kings’ “no defense” defense!
Exactly. You get it tiny unborn ninja.
There’s always too much Jazz (and Warriors, and Heat, and Knicks, and Mavericks, etc., etc., etc.)
What happened to Justin Holiday?
Same thing that has happened the last 7 years ! He is not a very productive player !
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