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Kings 112, Pelicans 99: Relentless defense earns Kings first home win of the season

Back to .500, baby!
By | 94 Comments | Nov 3, 2021

Nov 3, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

I know we all hate having to find these by now, but here’s one more silver lining for Kings fans: no matter the opponent, every game is an important one. The stakes always feel high. Last night against the Utah Jazz, #1 seed in the Western Conference, it was important that the Kings demonstrate the effort to compete, and they passed that test. A win would have been icing on the cake, and although we didn’t get the added sugar, at least we got to enjoy some dessert.

Tonight, the Kings faced another test against the New Orleans Pelicans, who sit dead last in the Western Conference with their superstar, Zion Williamson, sidelined with a foot injury. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones also took the night off with injuries. For most teams, this may seem like an insignificant game against an insignificant team, but the Kings are not like most teams. This season, the Kings are teetering on the cusp of finally reaching some tangible success or proving all the haters right again by failing to meet expectations and falling to the bottom of the conference. A demonstrative win over the Pelicans would prove that the Kings are capable of beating teams they should beat – a trait they haven’t earned in past seasons. A loss to the Pelicans would prove that the Kings haven’t made the strides to be a serious threat in this league yet.

So, whether it’s against the best team in the West, or the worst, every Kings game feels important and therefore worth stressing over. Silver lining or curse? Well, that’s up to the eye of the beholder. For now, let’s see how the Kings did in their test against the Pelicans on the second night of a back to back:

Quick Stats

Outcome: Kings win, 112-99

Sacramento Kings: 112 pts, 53.5% fg, 33.3% 3pt, 81.8% ft, 27 ast, 8 to

New Orleans Pelicans: 99 pts, 43.0% fg, 35.3% 3pt, 86.7% ft, 24 ast, 16 to

Not only did we get icing on the cake, we got some ice cream on the side, too! For the second night in a row, the Kings passed the test laid before them, at least in my book. It was a close battle for 35 minutes until the Kings’ tireless efforts on defense finally began to translate into big runs. The Pelicans were able to hang around with some early hot shooting, but the Kings proved they were the better team tonight.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
The Good
  1. Relentless Defense: For 48 minutes, the Kings showed real effort on defense. There were still breakdowns and lapses, but the effort was always there. Bodies were flying, hands were moving, and feet were sliding. It all came to fruition in the fourth quarter as the Kings held the Pelicans to just 12 points and had their best defensive quarter of the season. Tyrese Haliburton ate a handful of cookies tonight with four steals, and Alex Len battled inside all night long and contributed three blocks. It was surprising to see such intense effort from the Kings on the back end of a back-to-back, but it was fun as hell to watch and I could definitely get excited about 74 more games of this defense.
  2. Return of Fox: De’Aaron Fox looked much more like himself tonight and I hope it marks the turning point for his official return to greatness this season. He got going early, scoring seven points in the first quarter and demonstrated the comfort and confidence we love to see from him. His shot selection was excellent, nailing 2-3 from the 3-point line, and he finished with 19 points and five assists. Even more encouraging was seeing him find his way into the paint with ease and create offense for his teammates.
  3. Alex Len: Early in the third quarter, Richaun Holmes was ejected from the game on a double technical call after receiving his fourth foul. It felt like a perfectly crafted Kangz setting, with the game still going through multiple lead changes. The primary responsibility of guarding Jonas Valanciunas and protecting the rim on defense suddenly fell upon Alex Len’s shoulders. And the man stepped all the way up. Len came up huge for the Kings, especially in the fourth quarter, where he provided big boy rim protection and went toe to toe with Jonas the bully. Len showed absolutely no fear in adopting these new responsibilities unexpectedly and thrived under the pressure. He also contributed 12 points on the offensive end on 6-9 from the field.
  4. Being the Better Team: The most promising and fulfilling part of this game was that the Kings showed that they were the better team. The Pelicans hung around for three and a half quarters, but once the Kings finally cracked the code and gained a 10-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, they never looked back. As the Pelicans began to crack under crunch time pressure, which bad teams do (we would know), the Kings capitalized on their mistakes, which good teams do. The Pelicans eventually ran out of gas, and the Kings kicked it into overdrive to finish them off. Beating a team you should beat is the first step towards sustainable success, and the Kings took that first step tonight.
The Bad
  1. The Refs: I typically refrain from talking about the refs. I don’t see the use in it, the players and coaches do it enough already, and referees should never be the hot topic of a basketball game. But, my goodness, who here kicked Tony Brothers’ dog? I don’t want to spend too much time here, but a questionable Richaun Holmes’ ejection, an egregiously missed 24-second violation call, and inconsistent whistles for both teams really made this officiating team stand out tonight.
The Ugly
  1. The Little Things: The Pelicans were able to hang around for so long by riding the wave of their hot shooting. They completed the first half hitting nine of 24 3-point attempts, converting a handful of those from second chance opportunities. The Kings tightened up their defense in the second half, but still suffered from defensive lapses in the first. It’s the little things – box outs, close outs, help side rotations. The Kings fell asleep on these and the Pelicans were able to take advantage. While the effort was there for the entire game, the focus and attention to detail were not. Locking in on the little things will be the next step in shoring up their defense.
The King of Kings

Tonight’s King of Kings goes to the man who did it all tonight. Tyrese Haliburton had his best game of the season, finishing with 20 points, seven assists, four steals, two blocks, and converting 7-8 from the free throw line. Whenever the Kings had a significant run, it was led by Tyrese. He snuck into passing lanes on defense and had some of the best highlight plays of the night in transition. We love a confident Rese!

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1456106449440935942?s=20

Up Next

Friday, November 5th vs. Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 P.M. (PT)

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BasketballHella
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November 3, 2021 10:23 pm

Wasn’t perfect but definitely looked more together than almost any game this season.

Kosta
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November 3, 2021 10:40 pm

Your name is perfect, though!

Klam
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Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
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November 4, 2021 7:03 am
Reply to  Kosta

Hella perfect!

SexyNapear
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November 4, 2021 8:49 am

Loved the flying around on defense.

Still not sure why Fox seems so dour.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 9:03 am
Reply to  SexyNapear

“You’re doing a great job here at work, honey, but it sure would be nice if you smiled more.”

SexyNapear
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November 4, 2021 10:31 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Yes, that’s exactly it. We need need Fox to be the hot babe who smiles.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 11:09 am
Reply to  SexyNapear

Yes, we understood the first time.

SexyNapear
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November 4, 2021 1:08 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

My bad. You’re right. You go for the fat ugly dudes with zero emotion

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 1:29 pm
Reply to  SexyNapear

I’m not sure why you brought attractiveness into this in the first place, so I can’t seem to put this remark into any kind of context.

BasketballHella
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November 4, 2021 10:41 am
Reply to  SexyNapear

He’s dealing with something for the first time. Where expectations are now implicitly expected to be realized. Lots of players have to deal with it as pay increases and people expect results to reflect that. Being on the kangz the last 5 years anything positive was viewed as great by local and national media. Now there is a narrative, which I think is garbage, that as Fox goes the kings go.

You know for a fact when Hali came out last week and said it’s not bothering Fox that it was bothering Fox.

In short the guy is great at what he does well, but as per usual for years a kings player is trying to be something he’s not and he’s struggling.

TerzoM
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November 3, 2021 10:25 pm

Welcome back Fox, hope it’s a start for more good things to come

Animated GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Last edited 2 years ago by TerzoM
Kosta
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November 3, 2021 10:30 pm

comment image

TerzoM
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November 4, 2021 8:41 am
Reply to  Kosta

This is awesome Kosta!

Kosta
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November 4, 2021 11:41 am
Reply to  TerzoM

Thanks, TerzoM!

Hope to see more of your awesome fun creations!

Last edited 2 years ago by Kosta
TerzoM
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November 4, 2021 1:08 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Nah I just mess around with Windows Paint 3D and Giphy. What kind of apps do you use?

Kosta
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November 4, 2021 3:53 pm
Reply to  TerzoM

Well, I appreciate your work. 🙂

I use After Effects, and then Giphy for uploading.

Jman1949
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November 3, 2021 10:33 pm

It’s great when the Kings dance!

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Kosta
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November 3, 2021 10:37 pm
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RikSmits
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November 3, 2021 11:10 pm
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Last edited 2 years ago by RikSmits
Kingsguru21
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November 3, 2021 11:00 pm

Good recap Mirann.

Here’s some thoughts about trends and what they could mean to this team. Take it all with a grain of salt.

Kings are 10th in ORtg at 108.7. They are 26th in DRtg at 109.9. The Net Rtg is consequently -1.2 which is 21st in the NBA. (8 games in, I wouldn’t read much into that.)

Offensively, they are #1 in TOV% (12.6%) while being 17th in eFG% at 51.8%. The FT rate is 23.4% which is 14th in the NBA, and their ORB% is 21st at 24.4%.

Defensively they are at 50.5 eFG% allowed good for 8th in the NBA. No, not a typo. They are 25th in TOV% at 12.9%, 24.2% FT rate, and the DRB% (the big bugaboo of this team) is 31%.

Overall, I don’t think there’s anything that surprising other than they are forcing a lot more missed shots more frequently collectively than in years past. Which shouldn’t be a surprise much.

Tonight went about as well as it could given all that happens in a NBA game. The Kings made a lot of winning plays tonight, and against a team that’s performing like a bottom tier team (whether they remain so is another matter) right now in New Orleans. I’d like to see a 3-1 homestand, but I’ll be okay with 2-2. Especially since you have Charlotte Friday night, Indiana Sunday afternoon, and Phoenix on the 2nd night of a b2b next Monday.

The Kings have opportunities coming up to win games especially because they are at home. And the 4 games they have on the road (San Antonio, OKC, Detroit and Minny) are certainly winnable, too.

This team has hung in there with a tough schedule. But for the first time in awhile, I feel like the fate of this team is mainly on how well they play, particularly how well they shoot, and how well they don’t. I can’t say that about many Kings teams over the last 15 years.

GFunkClassic
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November 3, 2021 11:07 pm

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Kosta
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November 3, 2021 11:13 pm
Reply to  GFunkClassic

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Carina707
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November 3, 2021 11:15 pm

Hali with a helluva game!! That was a fun one to watch…still stressful being a Kings fan with any sort of lead though. Keep this energy please Fox.

SelecaoKOJ
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November 3, 2021 11:16 pm

I am not sold on this team being anything more than Mediocre. If that’s where we’re setting the bar? A consistent winning streak will go along way.

Right now, this resembles last year. When the Kings would benefit from another teams misfortunes(Injuries) What would be more convincing? Win the next 3 games. Hornets and Suns included. 4-0 home stand. Why Not? If this team is more than a playin?

The East is much more competitive and tougher than the West Now. KIngs should TCB OKC. Indiana is better than their record suggests. Beating the KNicks tonight.

Pistons should be a win. Minny. Not Sure. I like their Big 3 alot more. KAT, Druss, And Edwards. That will be a tough matchup. Spurs just don’t have enough talent. But, like all Pop’s teams they play smart and work hard.

Fox looked mildly better tonight against a 70 percent G league team in NO. He scored 9 in the first and 10 the rest of the way. Tonite was a game he should have put his imprint on.

Ball is going to be a handful on Friday.

Eventhough the KIngs play some bad teams record wise. All of them will have a better roster than waht the Pels rolled out tonight.

This team needs to protect home court. These next 6 are pivotal. The next 10 after that are all Playoff teams from last year.

RikSmits
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November 3, 2021 11:24 pm

Being the Better Team: The most promising and fulfilling part of this game was that the Kings showed that they were the better team. The Pelicans hung around for three and a half quarters, but once the Kings finally cracked the code and gained a 10-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, they never looked back. 

Let’s be real, this was Valanciunas, Graham (both no world-beaters) and a bunch of scrubs. If we can’t show us being the better team against one of the worst teams in the league without their best two players, then what kind of team are we?

Of course happy with the win, but too soon to proclaim that Fox is over the hump by one game against such weak opposition and it did nothing to convince me that this is a legit play-off team.

We are quick to label losses as moral victories, but this one came pretty close to a moral loss.

SelecaoKOJ
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November 3, 2021 11:43 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Are we related by any chance. Keep up the good work.. Keepin it real. LIke I said, Kings want to be taken seriously. Win the next 3. Detroit, Pistons and Thunder will be more difficult than the Pels. Just based on the premise of having more talent. The turning point was at 92-91. Either the KIngs ramped up the D in the last 5 minutes or Pels just fot real sloppy. Probably a little of both.

My biggest fear. Kings get to the playin, as I predicted. Lose, and Walton is offered an extension. My lord that would be a nightmare.

SelecaoKOJ
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November 3, 2021 11:45 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

15 years of moral victories. Tired of that phrase. Start balling out and winnig games.

If Fox cant get his act together. I am fine with Davion starting PG, not sure if Hali is starter worthy yet.. But, we can always place Hield back at the 2.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 9:07 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

(Kings win game)

15 years of moral victories. Tired of that phrase. Start balling out and winnig games.

And for the record, I don’t think the team has anywhere close to that many moral victories.

krswin
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November 4, 2021 9:19 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Is this a joke, you would rather Buddy go back to the starter and bench Hali, even when both of them are doing better where they are.

GhostMalone
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November 4, 2021 12:47 am
Reply to  RikSmits

 “If we can’t show us being the better team against one of the worst teams in the league without their best two players, then what kind of team are we?”

I would agree that this is a very low bar, and that if we can’t do that, it clearly shows we are a very bad team. However I also think it’s a bar we would/have not cleared countless times the past decade, so I’m not sure it’s something we should take for granted. I don’t think we’ve proved that we’re not bad anymore

WizsSox
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November 4, 2021 9:25 am
Reply to  GhostMalone

Agreed. The talk before yesterday on threads that the Kings ought to win and do so convincingly was surprising to me. But somehow it’s the some of the same people who say the Kings don’t have enough talent/coaching and are mediocre at best. Curious how it goes both ways.

There needs to be a much longer track record to be saying the Kings should be winning any games at this point. With that in mind, any win is a good win and look for continued signs of progress.

Last edited 2 years ago by WizsSox
Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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November 4, 2021 10:02 am
Reply to  WizsSox

It goes both way because if you aren’t a very good team you should still be able to easily beat an equally not very good team who are also missing their two best players.

I’d think a healthy Pels team is on par with a healthy Kings team, regardless of how good or bad folks think the teams are, therefore the Kings should win convincingly because Ingram and Williamson are out.

ForKingsandCountry
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November 4, 2021 10:24 am
Reply to  Adamsite

And yet, last year I think they would have lost this game by 20 points (Remember those games against the Pistons? Yuck). Heck, I thought they were going to lose last night because I’m so conditioned to expect it over the last 15 years.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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November 4, 2021 10:30 am

I thought it was over when Holmes was booted, but the team came together and Len stepped up. I would not have expected that in years past.

WizsSox
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November 4, 2021 10:28 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I would contend if you aren’t winning 45+ a year consistently, there are no “should win” games. You may be favored betting line, but nobody should be counting games in win column at the Kings team level.

markdog333
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November 4, 2021 11:02 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I get the sentiment. While there is a big drop in talent from the top 100 players in the NBA and the G-League, I don’t think there is that much of a gap between the best players in the G-League and the bottom half of NBA rosters.

Jman1949
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November 4, 2021 11:22 am
Reply to  Adamsite

“if you aren’t a very good team you should still be able to easily beat an equally not very good team who are also missing their two best players.”

That seems like a very low bar, but how times in the past have we failed even to get started?

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eddie41
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November 4, 2021 6:48 am
Reply to  RikSmits

on paper, one team might be better than the other, but … whatever. This game was amazing to watch. And I’ll take the W.

WeDeserveThis
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November 3, 2021 11:45 pm

We are 4-4. All four games we have lost have been against the top three teams in the Western Conference.

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RPO
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November 4, 2021 12:50 am

The win is nice but I’ll point out that we’re 0-4 against teams over 0.500. We have yet to beat a 0.500+ team this year. If we really want to make the playoffs this year, we’ll have to regularly beat the 0.500+ teams. I hope it can happen but I’m not optimistic.

markdog333
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November 4, 2021 11:03 am
Reply to  RPO

We will at least have to do it more often than losing to teams with sub 0.500 records.

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November 4, 2021 12:19 pm
Reply to  RPO

Pretty small sample size…Come back to me if the Suns are not over .500 by the time December rolls around.

DutchKingsFanInUK
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November 4, 2021 1:48 am

Big shout-out to the crowd at Golden1. They were INVESTED for a Wednesday night game vs the 1-7 Pelicans. Loved their enthusiasm!

rockbottom
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November 4, 2021 7:31 am

Very small crowd but enthused !

keith_kar
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November 4, 2021 4:35 am

I like the Kings identity this season, sticking up for guys, just overall toughness they haven’t showed in a while. Let’s see if all this can translate to more wins.

Nice write-up, I’ll take the win. 4-4 is a heck of a lot better than 3-5.

TheBaker
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November 4, 2021 6:01 am

The Halliburton stat not listed here was the one that jumped out to me the most: 0 turnovers in 36+ min.

HoustonJP
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November 4, 2021 2:05 pm
Reply to  MirannTsumura

Nice article. TY.

FarmerGuy
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November 4, 2021 6:41 am

It’s good to see them take care of business and close out a game they should win. This is progress.

eddie41
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November 4, 2021 6:50 am
Reply to  FarmerGuy

I agree with that.

1951
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November 4, 2021 8:34 am

I liked the win but it wasn’t very encouraging for the long term.

Tonight, the Kings faced another test against the New Orleans Pelicans, who sit dead last in the Western Conference with their superstar, Zion Williamson, sidelined with a foot injury. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones also took the night off with injuries. 

The Kings needed the Pels to decide to throw the ball out of bounds for no reason ten times in the fourth quarter to be able to pull away. That can’t happen at home, against a 1-7 team that is missing 60% of its starting lineup, including it’s two best players!

(And don’t give me the back to back excuse, NO was on a back to back too.)

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 8:52 am

Where did all of the “why do we have five centers?!?” people go?

Len & Thompson are giving the team exactly what it needs: Toughness and effort on the defensive end, and offense when opportunities present themselves. Len is the enforcer who makes opponents pay if they try to get to the rim, and has also shown real skill in defending farther from the hoop. He and Thompson have been pure effort when they’ve been called upon.

The perimeter defense has been better this year, but while it’s not necessarily good, having some brutes on the back line is the best kind of support.

Kingsguru21
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November 4, 2021 9:11 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Where did all of the “why do we have five centers?!?” people go?

It’s not as easy a narrative to sell when A) all of them but Len can defend PFs in theory and B) when two of those haven’t even played a minute.

But meanwhile for all the hand wringing over Thompson for Delon Wright, including mine, TT has 69 total minutes and DW has 81 total minutes. Davion has 218 total minutes.

Last night the ability to use both Len and Thompson was huge for a team that lost Richaun Holmes the way they did. Last year they don’t win this game.

Baby steps, but I’m cool with that. Forward progress isn’t always about landing on the moon. Sometimes it’s simply about bolting the right nut and bolt in the proper place using the proper torque specs.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 10:09 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

You, always with the torque specs

JoeMama
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November 4, 2021 11:11 am
Reply to  andy_sims

torquing nuts is very important

Hozr
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November 4, 2021 6:06 pm
Reply to  JoeMama

Yes, he’s very good with nut jobs.

Kingsguru21
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November 4, 2021 12:32 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

I’m going to torque spec your opinion here shortly if you don’t show me some receipts.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 2:07 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

*gestures broadly at everything*

Last edited 2 years ago by andy_sims
Kingsguru21
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November 4, 2021 4:42 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

It’s quite generous calling your gestures broad…. but okay!

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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November 4, 2021 10:15 am
Reply to  andy_sims

I’m still here Andy, and there are still 5 centers on the roster. Just curious, because I’m not as good at looking up the exact stats, how many minutes has Holmes shared the court with Len and TT? Have Len and TT shared the court together?

I still stand by my premise that there are too many bigs on the roster and this team is seriously unbalanced. The team is a rolled ankle to Barnes away from losing multiple games in a row. He is 5th in MPG in the league in large part because he is having a killer year so far, but he is also the best SF and PF the team have.

I think we might agree if Holmes or Fox go down with an injury for a few games, there are more than enough reinforcements to help their respective positions, but the same can’t be said for Barnes.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 11:36 am
Reply to  Adamsite

The vacuum through which you continue to make this observation simply isn’t helpful.

Wings are at an absolute premium at the moment in the NBA. Players who can excel at all of the responsibilities that the position now entails do not grow on trees. Refusing to budge from your view that there has been some kind deliberate effort to not add depth at 3/4, because centers are being hoarded? I’m unable to come up with any rationale as to why that might be true.

And I still can’t get to five. Queta is in Stockton, Metu is better suited at PF than center, and Damian Jones is on ice.

My assumption is that the front office shares your (and everyone else’s) concerns about wing depth, and is working to address it. Acquiring another starting-caliber wing is not going to be a snap-your-fingers situation.

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November 4, 2021 2:09 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

I’d be less concerned about 5 centers on the roster (Holmes, TT, Len, Jones, Queta, and 6 if you count Metu) if they were all already on the roster and it’s been Monte’s goal to balance the roster with much needed wings. The problem is, Monte went out and signed, drafted, or traded for each and every one of those bigs this summer. He created the imbalance and loaded the roster with bigs.

To this point:

Refusing to budge from your view that there has been some kind deliberate effort to not add depth at 3/4, because centers are being hoarded?

Adding each and every big WAS DELIBERATE. Are you suggesting that because Monte couldn’t add any 3/4 type player he just happens to settle on the idea of adding bigs for now?

You seem to be implying that Monte couldn’t find any quality 3/4 players, of which you have no evidence of. I’m saying Monte went out and acquired or reacquired 5 centers, of which I have evidence of. The proof is in the pudding.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 3:09 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Sorry, I stopped reading after you claimed that a guy currently playing in Stockton was currently on the roster of the Sacramento Kings.

If you can’t even acknowledge that, we should stop wasting one another’s time.

Adamsite
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November 4, 2021 4:09 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

I could be wrong but If a guy is taking up a roster spot, then he is on the roster.

Does that mean that Ramsey, Woodard, and King are not on the roster either? I mean, that would make the 3/4 depth even less if that were true. Amirite?

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November 4, 2021 4:45 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

A TWC contract isn’t technically taking a roster spot. That’s why that player can be both in the G League and the NBA.

King and Queta are TWC’s. Ramsey and Woodard are indeed on the roster but assigned to Stockton.

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November 4, 2021 6:00 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I totally understand that, but doesn’t change my perspective that Queta is one of 5 rostered and usable centers that could otherwise be used by a 3/4 player that might help with depth, or even Jones for that matter. Why did Monte guarantee his deal with so many other centers already taking up seats?

In order Monte drafted Queta, traded for TT, re-signed Holmes, guaranteed Jones, Guaranteed Metu, then signed Len.

For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why when there are only 2 players play nightly that legitimately fill the 3/4 spot.

Unless there is some long term objective that is not clear to us yet, I question it.

Kingsguru21
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November 4, 2021 8:33 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

doesn’t change my perspective that Queta is one of 5 rostered and usable centers

Well in that case you’re really not understanding the purpose of a TWC. Queta is not a rostered player BY DEFINITION.

that could otherwise be used by a 3/4 player that might help with depth

Louis King says hi. He, like Neemus Queta, are both TWC guys. But unlike Queta, I’d be quite shocked if King doesn’t see rotation minutes at some point. There is a need for wings, LK is a wing.

Why did Monte guarantee his deal with so many other centers already taking up seats?

Well, that’s Holmes, Len and TT. Queta is a development project and wasn’t expected to get minutes. If you insist on calling Metu a C, well, okay.

As far as why, trades are the most likely answer. If you need Thompson, Bagley or both in a trade, you might need Jones instead of having to use Queta before you think he’s ready.

Which wing do you use that roster spot on instead of Damion Jones?

In order Monte drafted Queta, traded for TT, re-signed Holmes, guaranteed Jones, Guaranteed Metu, then signed Len.

This isn’t that meaningful as your order seemingly suggests. They resigned Holmes and signed Len knowing the TT trade happened. And knowing they were thin at wing spots.

In reality the TT trade, Holmes resigning and Len signing were all announced within 72 hours of each other if memory serves. When they were technically signed and formally brought in matters little in reality. Unless there’s a technical order you need to do things to make the league happy and follow CBA technicalities.

For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why when there are only 2 players play nightly that legitimately fill the 3/4 spot.

Perhaps it’s best to have talent to trade for other talent. Rather than worry about roster balance, get more talent, make a good trade and eventually that roster balance exists. Wah-lah!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Kingsguru21
1951
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November 4, 2021 11:12 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Where did all of the “why do we have five centers?!?” people go?

Quick question: Is Moe Harkless still starting for the Kings?

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November 4, 2021 12:26 pm
Reply to  1951

Is Moe Harkless still +4.7 net rating per 100 for the Kings?

+3.8 last season for Kings.

I don’t love him obviously offensively, but short sample size the team is 7 pts better defensive rating when he is on the court.

1951
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November 4, 2021 1:26 pm
Reply to  WizsSox

I don’t want to want to pile on Moe (because he is fine for who he is) but our starting combo 3/4 wing is averaging less that 5 pts and less that 4 boards per game, while shooting 41% from the floor and 25% from deep in 25 minutes per game. He is sporting a 96 ORtg with a 111 DRtg, a negative VORP, a negative BPM (-4.4), a negative DBPM (-0.8). 

That’s simply not acceptable and my point is not that Moe sucks but that the roster is still unbalanced. That the Kings are forced to start and play Moe 24 minutes per game as a stretch wing is a roster construction issue. 

So, in response to the “where are all the” people complaining about roster imbalance I am pointing out that the roster imbalance is still a problem, Moe being exhibit A.

Exhibit B is TT himself. All this TT love is perplexing when you look at actual on-court production, which has been eminently replaceable. Indeed, TT’s on-court production, including last night, has done nothing to convince me that he provides any more value than would Metu or Jones in limited minutes. 

So, the roster balance/rotation of a (1) five guards [Fox/Hali/Mitchel/Buddy/TD] (2) Barnes and Moe; and (3) three centers [Holmes/Len/TT] is still a problem. 

 I would have and still prefer the Kings address the wing spot than jump on the TT love fest bandwagon! 

Last edited 2 years ago by 1951
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November 4, 2021 2:19 pm
Reply to  1951

I’d also point out that I don’t consider Len and TT as part of the same core rotation. When one plays the other usually does not. Up until last night with the early departure of Holmes, Len and TT only played in one other game together, and that was because Holmes fouled out in the first game against Utah and TT got 4 minutes.

They are currently splitting the game time that Whiteside got last season.

Last edited 2 years ago by Adamsite
BradMillersDipCup
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November 4, 2021 9:03 am

we beat an inferior team by over 10 points and avoided any drama in the last 5 minutes of the game. No complaints here

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November 4, 2021 9:20 am

Without searching for any deeper meaning, that was a really fun game to watch. I enjoyed it immensely, from Barnes’ all-star level play to the assassin guard rotation. Well worth the watch.

When I submitted my 35-47 prediction for the season, part of the “reasoning” was that Thompson for Whiteside was a wash, and Mitchell for Wright would be at least a small step backward – most rookies (especially rookies selected outside of the top 3) fail to ascend to the level of 2020-21 Delon Wright. While I am not ready to move off of my 35-47 prediction, I couldn’t be happier that I was wrong about Mitchell. His effort is tangible and contagious and an absolute pleasure to watch. The Mitchell that we are seeing now is the Mitchell that I figured we would see maybe in March-April, and that’s if his development went well. Kudos to McNair for apparently nailing another draft pick.

/Winston Wolf “Let’s not sucking each other’s dicks quite yet” gif, as the team is only a game ahead of the start that I thought they would have. I still don’t see a top 8 WC team, and that is my bar for a successful season. But as it pertains to an entertaining season? This team could very well provide that. Compelling basketball for six months would be a firm step in the right direction.

My turd in the punch bowl: I would love to see this team play under a legitimately good coach. That said…comment image

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 10:11 am
Reply to  RobHessing

“Don’t you just love it when you come back from the bathroom and your rookie is already playing like he’s been in the league for years?”

Kosta
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November 4, 2021 11:44 am
Reply to  RobHessing

8 assists and 0 turnovers in 26 minutes is pretty nice from a rookie!

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November 4, 2021 12:03 pm
Reply to  Kosta

comment image

Last edited 2 years ago by RobHessing
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November 4, 2021 1:32 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

“Are we happy?”

“Yeahhh, we happy.”

HoustonJP
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November 4, 2021 1:51 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

There is an intangible part of his game that is difficult to capture even with advanced stats. However, it’s real and he seems to grow by the game. At LVSL you could see it in the smaller fishbowl of rookie and 2nd year players. His complete confidence in his game, his unrelenting effort, his ability to teach and make players around him better than they might otherwise be was visible and visceral.

Fans from other teams noticed it and started leaving the bigger Mack Arena at halftime and coming over to the beginning of Kings games in the smaller Pavillion to watch him. You could count on the crowd swelling by a large number, and the talk in the stands was along the lines of “Christ this guy may be the best defensive player in the league this year.” That is a reach IMO, but only by a year or so.

Still, the larger stage of the NBA loomed, far from the Mack Arena and Cox Pavilion. One never knows if it’s real or a mirage when the lights go on in regular season games. The last three games he is starting to do things he did at Baylor and at SL. He is aggressively driving to the basket as he looks to pass to an open player on the perimeter, but unafraid to continue to finish at the rim. He is entering a comfort area, I think, not sure yet due to the small sample size, where he is going to be so much fun to watch and I almost feel a little sorry for established players. He rises to the competition. And, his fundamental shooting mechanics are good.

My two cents, he is a home run for this team and for the young players he will work with to help them get better.

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November 4, 2021 2:21 pm
Reply to  HoustonJP

He certainly came along at the right time. I see a lot of plays where he fronts his man beautifully and the ensuing contact results in a no-call, where last year my guess is that he gets rung up for blocking. It is refreshing that the NBA recognized and addressed flailing offensive players hunting for fouls, much to the benefit of players that are enthusiastic about putting effort into playing defense. Mitchell is a pocket-size Artest in this regard – Artest’s personality overshadowed his unrelenting defensive positioning and effort.

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November 4, 2021 2:38 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

His timing is perfect in terms of how he plays Defense. I am seeing some really positive signs his offensive game is emerging even with the apparent change in foul enforcement. Rapidly. Put those things together and the Kings really have something. Might take a year or so, I am hopeful it is coming.

I can’t argue with anything you say.

What a treat to be able to watch Davion grow. I have been to two Rockets games. I like their young players. It is very early days. I like Sheghun. I would rather watch Davion if I had to choose.

1951
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November 4, 2021 11:47 am
Reply to  RobHessing

Rese, Holmes, Mitchell.

Those three alone have made this team as enjoyable a Kings team to watch in …
comment image

Kingsguru21
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November 4, 2021 2:56 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Rec’d for the dance GIF alone. That will always be a classic.

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November 4, 2021 9:41 am

One of my favourite play of the night…

“The race between the BIGs”comment image

We are not a good team, and that’s why we need more hustle from our guys to win all those 50-50 balls.

Above Gif showed Alex Len is smart enough to know Tyrese may throw him the ball, and he just ran to the front court….(Also he got the heart, and beat JV on the race to get an easy basket)

Give more credit to Alex Len !!

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November 4, 2021 9:49 am

I would not underestimate how the defensive intensity we saw last night would translate against better teams. They were flying around the court, a joy to watch against any team.

When I first saw Davion in summer league, I figured his defensive intensity would help Fox and Hali. I still think that is true. However, he may have had a much greater impact on Buddy, who is play with a ferocity I don’t recall from last year. Buddy seems to have bought into being a team player. I find Buddy’s playing particularly pleasurable. And, like everyone else, I love watching Davion.

If the Kings play with this intensity every game, I will totally enjoy the season.

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November 4, 2021 10:18 am
Reply to  Daydreamer

All true, and another thing that Buddy is doing that I’m really enjoying, is that he’s translating all of his off-court work into something useful during games. Namely, he’s beating up other guards who are defending him, backing them down a bit, and getting a good shot or kicking out away from the collapsed defense.

Buddy is strong like bull, and he seems to be using that to put defenders where he wants them, instead of always needing to run himself free. There’s no downside to Hield taking more free throws, and he may have figured out how get them on the regular.

He is still going to often lose the quickness battle when he’s defending, but his effort has been tremendous, and you can see it in real time. The man is looking fierce.

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November 4, 2021 10:53 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Gotta say, Barnes and Buddy have crazy increased their trade value since the offseason. If Morey calls for those two, I bet Monte hangs up now.

andy_sims
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November 4, 2021 1:34 pm
Reply to  Rosevillain

If Morey throws in Thuybulle with Simmons, the Kings would win games by scoring 85 points and holding opponents to 72.

HoustonJP
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November 4, 2021 2:01 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Daydreamer and Andy,

Excellent points. I think Buddy is listening to the University of Christie. When it is visible on TV Doug is meeting him on the floor as Buddy comes out of a game with his small white board or IPad and they talk a few moments. Just as importantly I have the feeling Buddy’s better play and higher motor is for the Kings team and his teammates and not for the next team a la the trade that did not get consummated. That’s a gut check feeling, not based on anything other than my eyeballs, so, there is that.

Last night he was playing hard, forceful basketball as you guys noted. Fun.

Last edited 2 years ago by HoustonJP
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November 4, 2021 2:14 pm
Reply to  HoustonJP

That’s a really excellent point, I think DC has found his post-career calling, and it was a great move by the team to hire him while Walton was having a nap or whatever. His reaction on the sideline during that gorgeous Fox to Hali to Len sequence was all of us.

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November 4, 2021 2:43 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Agreed.

Gregoryl
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November 4, 2021 10:45 am

Big props to Buddy this season. I would be the first to bash Buddy for some of his past decisions, but that guy is excellent this season. A total pro. Maybe he needs someone like TD coming into the season to take his minutes? Also, loved seeing TT as one of the first guys up to high-five Len at a timeout. That guy wants to win, that’s all.

BobbyFresh
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November 4, 2021 11:32 am

I think we need to add rebounds to the “let’s see how they did” analysis at the beginning of the game recaps. Some improvement there would go a long way for this team.

I’m glad to finally see a double digit win, but if we are going to be a playoff team, we should beat this particular Pelicans squad by 20+.

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November 4, 2021 3:14 pm
Reply to  MirannTsumura

Be careful. Today it’s rebounds, tomorrow it’s VoRP, and next month it’ll be WAR and FaRT.

YOU CANNOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN INCH.

Additionally, another excellent writeup, lady!

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