By now, Sacramento Kings fans know the on-court arc of Keegan Murray. The blistering shooting from three in his rookie season with the Beam Team, the big jump on defense in his second season. The continued dip in his three-point shooting in his third season even while the defense was on display as the team’s style of play felt a decade removed from that magical season just two campaigns before. Then, the injuries that prevented much of an opportunity for him last season.
Coming into his fifth season, Murray says his goal is to put it all together and become a complete player.
“Being a complete player. I feel like in the league, I’ve shown flashes and different stuff, and it’s just trying to put it all together in one season. I’m at this point in my career I just want to have one season where it’s kind of like, ‘dang that’s the season where he kind of showed everything.’ I feel like I’ve put in enough work to do that so I’m just excited to get this thing rolling,” he said Monday at Media Day.
And it makes sense: Put the shooting, aggressiveness (we see in small spurts), and the defense together for the complete package. Up until now, it has seemed the effort on defense impacted his offense. And we shouldn’t forget the circumstances around him and the lack of ball movement that took place once the Beam Team got dismantled.
He’s hoping that style of play can return.
“I know I can shoot the ball; it’s just being able to find a rhythm in the game. I feel like a lot of the times last year, I was shooting just off grenades or there were a lot of contested threes and stuff like that. I’m at my best when I’m moving, when I’m coming off DHOs, pin downs, and things like that. I’ve put in a lot of work, and I know how good of a three-point shooter I can be so it’s not a confidence issue or anything, it’s just being able to get good looks,” said Murray, who spent the summer rehabbing from injury.
That’s the style of play he remembers from early in his career.
“I feel like I’m at my best when the ball is popping and when guys are moving, when we’re unpredictable. I’ve talked to guys around the league too and they said when they played us our first couple of years, it was hell for them because we were unpredictable, we were cutting, things like that so I think the more that we can do that the better we’ll be,” he said.
Who knows if the Kings are going to get back to that. They certainly could since they still have Domantas Sabonis, who was responsible for all those DHOs.
Last season, we did get a glimpse of what Keegan Murray, the complete player, could look like. It was in November against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The threes, the defense, the attack mode. It all led to 26 points and 14 rebounds in 44 minutes of action, and Murray’s full bag of potential was there for everyone to see. So much so that after the game, DeMar DeRozan called it Keegan’s team when talking about how special he is going to be in this league.
Let’s hope we see a lot of complete Keegan this season.
the article raises an interesting point: “Up until now, it has seemed the effort on defense impacted his offense.”
I think that statement is partly true. I would modify it to say “it has seemed that his effort on defense without his teammates giving effort on defense has impacted his offense.”
Keegan plus Barnes, Fox and Sabonis was fine. Keegan plus Keon, Fox and Sabonis was fine. Keegan plus Lavine, DeRozan, … that’s tough.
This year he should have more help from Hunter, Sharp, and Simmons. I still think Domas is a good defender. and throw in some Precious, Mogbo, and … am I forgetting anyone?
It might be more of the same with Acuff and Lavine on the court together. Maybe Christie can get Lavine to give a bit more effort on D.
Yeah, there is a not so subtle dig by Keegan on the Kings lack or direction and style of play over the past 1.5 seasons. By becoming Chicago Bulls West, they went away from not only his strengths, but Sabonis’ as well.
Deep down I’m hoping Ben Simmons can help get Keegan some open shots, Sabonis is used in the high post, and Acuff is a willing distributor. Passing, cutting, and NO FUCKING ISO is what this team needs to get back to.
What I fear is it is the same damn coaching staff that ran a shit offense last season. I have zero faith in Doug and his staff until they show otherwise.
yeah they picked the wrong Bulls team to be.
Some ISO is fine if there is a mismatch to exploit. Even that amazing offense with CWebb, Vlade, etc., had some ISO if they saw a mismatch.
Also a subtle swipe about how well the offense worked with Mike Brown as the coach. Unpredictable, ball movement, pace, DHO game, speed with Fox, maturity with Barnes. The Kings were nothing but predictable last season. Other teams, and teammates, knew when the ball got to DDR, an ISO fall-away was coming. No need to guard Keegan and others and no need for any of them to cut. Still trying to understand what got Brown fired, Fox traded, and the rest of the Dream Team dismantled. Rumors were Domas wanted it. If so, he made a bad bet as Christie can’t seem to remember his time with Vlade and have Domas work the high post.
Just not sure that Christie is up to it as Head Coach, not saying you had to keep Sabonis as the core of your offense but, I’d suggest using him as part of it would be smart as he gets players like Murray shots. Instead is just caved to to DeRozan and Westbrook and all you got was Iso ball and talk about defense and picking up 94 feet, and a poor season
You could say that the likes well JJ Reddick had never coached, while true you can also see the impact he has had on the Lakers.
For the love of god can the glazing of the local media of the team that training camp as started be stopped its embarrasing
Agreed! We need movement! Domas is key for this and Lavine should be a 6th man at best.
Transformation season is in full swing.
I’m in the best shape of my life.
We are gonna pick up our physical defense at 94 feet.
… added 10 pounds of muscle.
…as we continue to build culture.
Our rotations and play calling will be handled by Super Intelligence!!
It’s all positive vibes in the locker room. Everyone is locked in.
Del Paso Gabe: “Sources tell me the GM has final say.”
This year for sure!
75th times a charm!
These guys genuinely like each other, it’s great to see. They went bowling.
But it is going to take some time for them to build chemistry on the court. There is a new playbook.
Fans will finally understand..
Oh, look. They brought in a Glory Years guy for training camp.
Webber must be next up for the Kings Head Coaching gig.
The Greatest ShitShow on Vivek’s Court.
Las Vegas expansion ownership group to be named “soon.” $12-13B asking price. So what are the chances they offer Vivek some cash to grant them the “Kings” name and rights. You have to admit, the Las Vegas Kings would be so easy to brand.
Finally we can realize our destiny as the Sacramento Farm to Forks.
Las Vegas Draftkings.
Cash out, Vivek. You can sell for a huge profit and become a movie producer, to hang out with celebrities. Very famous people want to make art films/dramas that don’t do well at the box office, but also aren’t that expensive to make. Think of the celebrities you can hang out with if you fund a few art films per year!
Murray needs to play 70+ games and show at least a little bit of passion or personality.
Badge Legend