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Kings 123, Pelicans 108: The Beam is Back

The Kings give the beam little rest as they handedly defeat the Pelicans.
By | 158 Comments | Mar 6, 2023

Mar 6, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Davion Mitchell (15) scores a layup against New Orleans Pelicans small forward Naji Marshall (8) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

We are less than 20 games away from postseason basketball. And especially in the Western Conference, where parity is haunting every team between the 2nd and 13th seeds, every game matters. After their loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday, Sacramento looked to start another beam streak tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans. Let’s see how they did:

Quick Stats

Outcome: Kings win, 123-108

Sacramento Kings: 123 pts, 56.6% fg, 42.1% 3 pt, 65.0% ft, 39 ast, 33 reb, 11 to

New Orleans Pelicans: 108 pts, 53.8% fg, 37.9% 3 pt, 78.6% ft, 29 ast, 40 reb, 16 to

In a season where my expectations have already been vastly exceeded, I didn’t think this team had much room left to impress me. But tonight’s performance did just that. Without De’Aaron Fox, the Kings put together a win that did NOT require post-game cardiac care all across the greater Sacramento area. As a Kings fan, if that doesn’t make your heart sing, I don’t know what will.

The Good, The Better, & The Best
The Good
  1. Following Davion: Sacramento’s defense started out as leaky as a broken faucet. The Pelicans put together a 32 point quarter to start the game where Brandon Ingram (24 points) and Jonas Valanciunas (19 points, 12 rebounds) each scored seven points a piece. There was a lot of ball watching, primary breakdowns, and failure to execute secondary help. It wasn’t until midway through the 2nd quarter that the Kings started to follow the defensive intensity and discipline of Davion Mitchell. To no one’s surprise, Mitchell showcased his suffocating on ball defense on CJ McCollum (14 points), drawing two offensive fouls on Jaxson Hayes on screen attempts. His teammates followed suit and picked up the defensive execution, getting into passing lanes, causing deflections, and disrupting the Pelicans’ offense. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter each got two steals, and the Kings forced 16 turnovers out of the Pelicans.
The better
  1. Everybody Eats: Seven Sacramento players finished in double digits. The Kings connected on 39 assists on 47 made field goals. Domantas Sabonis logged his 8th triple-double of the season (19 points, 11 rebounds, & 11 assists). Kevin Huerter had another hot performance with 25 points and eight rebounds on 6-10 from deep. Trey Lyles led the bench with 14 points on six made field goals. The Kings’ offense was firing on all cylinders tonight, and it showed up in the stat sheet. When the ball moves as quickly and abundantly as it did tonight, everybody gets to eat.
The best
  1. Say It With Your Chest: This was a statement win. Without their floor general and clutch time closer in De’Aaron Fox, the Kings showcased just how dangerous they can be. The Kings knew they wouldn’t be able to rely on Fox’s speed and shotmaking, and so found other ways to dominate. Sacramento relied more on their potent ball movement, gaining them an impressive 39 assists. It is so encouraging to see how bought in all of these guys are on the power and efficiency of this offense. There is a clear understanding and trust from each member of the team that moving the ball will result in the ball finding its way back to the originator’s hands, or into an even better look for a teammate. Tonight’s performance was a statement that this team, this offense, and this success is the real deal.
The King of Kings

Tonight’s crown goes to Davion Mitchell for his complete performance on both sides of the ball. As expected, he was a complete menace on the defensive end and set the tone for his team to follow. And on the offensive end, in the absence of De’Aaron Fox, the Kings looked to Mitchell to carry more weight. Mitchell fearlessly rose to the challenge and finished with 15 points, six assists, and only one turnover on 3-4 from the 3-point line.

Up Next

Thursday, March 9th vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 P.M. (PT)

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RobHessing
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March 6, 2023 9:48 pm

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March 6, 2023 9:48 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:48 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:49 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:49 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:49 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:50 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:50 pm
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March 6, 2023 9:50 pm
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!

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March 6, 2023 9:51 pm
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(Comments!)

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March 6, 2023 9:51 pm
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March 6, 2023 10:09 pm
Reply to  Klam

And funnily enough, the Kings’ loss to the Timberwolves has less comment activity (45) than the win against the Clippers (117), even though I was told the opposite would happen. 😉

Last edited 1 year ago by Klam
Adamsite
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March 7, 2023 7:27 am
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I woke up this morning and saw 55 comments and immidialaty thought Nate or Sims pissed someone off, but no…it was just you two messing around.

Last edited 1 year ago by Adamsite
Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 8:41 am
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I don’t give a shit. I made my point, I stand by what I said, and that’s that.

andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 10:17 am
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I do appreciate being included.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 7:18 am
Reply to  RobHessing

You win with 39 assists, ball movement, very little turn overs and my favorite defense. Defense didn’t really start until the middle of the second quarter then following Mitchell’s example really picked up. I’m not a big fan of zone defense but I did use it sometimes in a 1-2-1-1 zone press I thought their 2-3 really changed the Pels game. Kudos to the coaching staff on that one. If the Kings come out and play defense like last night Thursdays game will be a good one.

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:02 am
Reply to  Jack

the zone helped. I saw the guys looking, gesturing and talking to each other- getting into position. It really threw the Pels off their game.
Defense has to include all the attributes from man to man- communicating, switching, attention, getting into stance etc.
But defense can be enhanced with the occasional zone. Good on coach Luke (not Walton- my god)

Jack- heard that Monte had offered two second round picks to Utah for Vandebilt. But missed out to wasteful Fakers. We would, I am sure, agree on that deal.
Off season- look for length.
Yuta Watananbe?

I simply cannot help myself- it is March, so I have to think next year. My total bad on that one.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 12:11 pm
Reply to  murraytant

Of all the players available at the trade deadline the only player I thought worthy was Vanderbilt. I am positive he would now want to be a King.Of all the teams I would wanted him to go to the last one would be the Lakers. Too bad.

Jman1949
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March 6, 2023 9:58 pm

Kings strutting their stuff!

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Jman1949
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March 6, 2023 9:59 pm
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Jman1949
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March 6, 2023 10:01 pm
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Jman1949
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March 6, 2023 10:08 pm
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RikSmits
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March 6, 2023 10:13 pm
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UpgradedToQuestionable
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March 6, 2023 10:52 pm
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GhostMalone
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March 6, 2023 10:08 pm

Thoughts from section 108 (I made a few trips to the concession stand, take with a grain of salt)

-I expect the play of Huerter, Murray, Monk and Mitchell will determine how far this team goes. When 2/3 of them are having a good game the Kings offense is near impossible to stop. We know what Fox and Sabonis are going to bring each night. I’d mostly include Barnes in that category as well.

-Sabonis is just such a solid basketball player in every facet of the game. We are very lucky 

-I don’t think they like Valanciunas.  

-And a quote from the pair behind me;
“So will you officially become a Kings fan now?”
”I am a bandwagon fan for whichever team is better.”
”So the Kings.”
(He was a Warriors fan. What a time to be alive.)

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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March 7, 2023 7:30 am
Reply to  GhostMalone

Him and Metu had that hanging on the rim incident.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 8:59 am
Reply to  GhostMalone

I personally don’t like Valaciunas at all. Remember what he did to Metu.

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:03 am
Reply to  Jack

yes, dirty play

murraytant
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March 6, 2023 10:09 pm

Somewhat surprised at the win since Kings stunk it up against Pels reserves recently.
Took control in second quarter but let loose of the rope for a 59-59 tier at halftime then turned it up in 3rd.
Pels shot high percent.
Kings won.
Pels seem disorganized- lots of my turn now, type of play.

Ja may be in trouble. If LAL beat Grizz, Kings tied for second in west.

Klam
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March 6, 2023 10:14 pm
Reply to  murraytant

One thing I’ve really liked about this season is that unlike what I’ve been used to seeing the past 16 seasons, other then starting the season 0-4, the Kings haven’t let a loss or two spiral out of control into a long losing streak. I think they’ve had one instance where they lost three in a row, and the rest of have been ones or twos. It’s so nice to see them move on to the next game and respond instead of letting a loss get the best of them.

Pretty crazy that this is only the third time since 2006-07 that this team has reached 38 wins.

RikSmits
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March 6, 2023 10:16 pm
Reply to  murraytant

Yeah

Pels seem disorganized

We’re such experts at spotting bad basketball. LOL.

What a time to be alive a Kings fan, at least.

Jman1949
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March 6, 2023 10:23 pm
Reply to  murraytant

“Ja may be in trouble. If LAL beat Grizz, Kings tied for second in west.”

Can I possibly bring myself to pull for the L****s to win a game?!!

Jack
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March 7, 2023 9:03 am
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Just for a game or two if it helps our standings.

andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 10:19 am
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Whatever worsens their draft pick for whatever team they foolishly gave it to.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 10:48 am
Reply to  andy_sims

I think that the Pels have a pick swap option with them. So if the season ended today, the Pels would get 11 and the Lakers 12.

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:05 am
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Pels pick swap

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:05 am
Reply to  Jman1949

yes, we can make exceptions for hate- because the hate is on them- they win and they help us– so F you Lakers.

GhostMalone
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March 6, 2023 10:34 pm
Reply to  murraytant

Had the same thoughts about the Pels. Seems like they are missing 3-4 glue guys.

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:08 am
Reply to  GhostMalone

they have a ton of talented guys, length, athleticism, shooting, skills….. but somehow – and even with Zion- they do not seem to have a consistent scheme or system. Lots of “my turn now”. I think they missed Alvardo.
and that jerk Trey Murphy the 8th, took a 3 with 2.4 seconds to go. Pig.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 12:16 pm
Reply to  murraytant

I really thought that was a bad decision on his part. Pretty selfish.

MichaelMack
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March 7, 2023 1:21 pm
Reply to  murraytant

I think they need a real point guard, not just CJ as the nominal one, and then putting heavy play making duties on Ingram and on Zion during those rare occasions he is game ready. I thought they might make a play for Conley.

I think they have some work to do this season. They have plenty of assets, young players, vets, and draft wise, but this roster needs to be sorted a bit better. It looks more like a fantasy roster.

Timmy_13
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March 6, 2023 10:13 pm

HB the next boogie? That’s the 3rd tech of his career. What a head case.

Klam
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March 6, 2023 10:15 pm
Reply to  Timmy_13

First one since his rookie season, too!

Daydreamer
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March 7, 2023 6:27 am
Reply to  Klam

I think the ref T’d him when he looked at the ref for a second time after a non-call. The next time HB got the call!

Jack
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March 7, 2023 7:29 am
Reply to  Daydreamer

Barnes gets a technical for what he did then Green Luka and a whole lot of others should have been ejected in the first quarter. Where is the sense to all this refs. Explain it to me.

murraytant
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March 7, 2023 11:10 am
Reply to  Jack

cannot do that.. Without sounding like an idiot.

Ralph_Furleys_Tailor
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March 6, 2023 10:22 pm

At the risk of being unkind…I think this was a better forum in the past. It’s tuned into a dance thread with a basketball problem. At least guru talks basketball. I still enjoy the write-ups though. To each their own I suppose.

RikSmits
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March 6, 2023 10:28 pm

Feel free to contribute and start meaningful discussions.

There may be stuff to analyze/scrutinize/criticize, but I’m just enjoying the ride.

BuffaloDiaspora
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March 6, 2023 11:20 pm

After a win like that I am way too drunk to do anything but dance. If you want analysis, I’ll be in other threads

RikSmits
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March 7, 2023 2:05 am

BuffaloDiaspora after tonight’s win:
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BuffaloDiaspora
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March 7, 2023 6:55 am
Reply to  RikSmits

No no no, that’s *pre*game ????

ArcoThunder
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March 7, 2023 5:28 am

um….. maybe you’re new?

the dance thread has been a thing within this community for YEARS!!! Anyone know exactly when it started?

please sir, don’t criticize the dance thread. It’s pure gold, unique and at one point in time crucial to this traumatized group of die hards.

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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March 7, 2023 7:31 am

LMFAO!!!! Bro, this forum was more depressing than Bruce Wayne’s family reunion for YEARS. Let us dance.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 8:58 am

How can something at the bottom go downhill?
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TheGrantNapear
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March 7, 2023 9:32 am

I agree with you. This is a pretty dead forum and the lack of comments on articles backs that. The good ole STR days are doubtful to come back even if the Kings keep this winning stuff up.

Ellis5
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March 7, 2023 9:42 am

The forum is fine. I think many here are like me and just burnt out on all the winning.

Jman1949
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March 7, 2023 10:04 am

Mea culpa!

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Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:40 pm
Reply to  Jman1949

We have the “THREE’s COMPANY”

cuz they be making 3’s.

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Bluejohn
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March 7, 2023 5:43 pm

As Steph says” I don’t dance in public”. If I can’t dance at home after a win like this then screw it…..why be a fan. The decades (1.5 decades) have brought nothing but sadness. THIS IS THE TIME FOR JOY!!!

BeTheBall
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March 6, 2023 10:49 pm

That first quarter was enraging. Thankfully they figured it out.

Tonight shows they do understand how to play some type of defense. It wasn’t great, but it was certainly solid by Kings standards. Why they can’t engage like that regularly just doesn’t compute, as you can see the ability to do so is there.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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March 6, 2023 10:59 pm

The Third Quarter – for last more dozen seasons, was when we’d comment about how horribly Sac played.

Now I know why.

Good teams come out, make adjustments and take over and hopefully coast through the fourth.

That’s what we saw tonight. Brandon Ingram is a super scorer but I’d really like to Sac snag Herb Jones and/or Trey Murphy III when available.

Also – 39 assists on 47 FGM. Impressive (only 9 TOs too)

Last edited 1 year ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 10:21 am

I like Jones, too, but he looks like he’s melting.

DutchKingsFanInUK
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March 6, 2023 11:37 pm

It’s just wild to me that Matthew Dellavedova can be in an NBA game in 2023, and doesn’t look awful. He may not be fast or even be good, but does everything he needs to do.

He takes shots he needs to take, makes the right defensive rotations, and makes the right foul at the right time. Sure, he misses many of those open shots, and yes, he gets blown by every now and then, but he shows that there’s value in having someone who doesn’t make many mistakes.

(But Fox please come back soon)

BuffaloDiaspora
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March 7, 2023 12:31 am

Delly is absurdly bad on the offensive end of the court but the Kings don’t really require their point guard to initiate the offense so it doesn’t matter too much right now. Fox or Davion missing a playoff game would be rough, though.

ArcoThunder
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March 7, 2023 5:32 am

I don’t get why Monk doesn’t slide into backup PG duty with TD taking monks spot in the rotation. Maybe that would happen on the playoffs? I’d like to see it now though and find out if it works as good as I think it would.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 9:14 am
Reply to  ArcoThunder

In all respects I would rather have Mitchell as backup rather than Monk. He would be my third choice. Monk should be at the two spot for reasons we should already know.He can drive, shoot the three and is a really good facilitator. He sometimes makes a turnover with his enthusiasm but more than not is a great passer. Remember when he scored 45? Could’t do that trying to run the point.

ArcoThunder
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March 7, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  Jack

Sorry. Wasnt clear enough. I meant monk backing up Mitchell when fox is out instead of delavadova.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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March 7, 2023 9:23 am
Reply to  ArcoThunder

Monk, IMO, is too erratic – he is that guy who strives for the highlight: to me, it is his biggest flaw.

If there is an open lane and you can lay it up – he’ll want to windmill dunk. If there is a spectacular assist with a low chance of success – he’ll try it. Not all the time, mind you, but more than your average bear. Last night was a great example: he came in for the first few minutes, had two silly turnovers and Coach Brown pulled him.

On the other hand – you have that Friday Night Fantasia down in LA against the Clippers and the dude comes in and hangs 45.

It is why Malik Monk, who is a dynamo of energy, is a hot or cold player and not a model of consistency. IMO, high level consistency is what earns you starter status. Higher level consistency and you get named an All-Star. Superstars are that cut above who also make everyone around them better.

Has Malik Monk ever been a starter in his six years in The Association? No, he has not (not for very long, if so). However – the guy is only 25 years of age (February) and has room to grow. Manic Malik can still shape into something more than an energy spark player. Davion, who is still growing as a player (and he had a wonderful outing last night) is only six months younger than Monk.

As a fan, I enjoy the different facets both bring as role players for this squad.

Amonk81
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March 7, 2023 12:04 pm

Monk is way too erratic to run point all that often. He goes for it 100% of the time without regard for the situation or without thought it seems. Sometimes he’s on and that’s great. Other times he’s a turnover machine.

Davion runs the O. Monk only does PnR or jacks up a shot.
Hes a perfect 6th man 2 guard and can be very valuable at end of games due to his ability to get his and get in the paint. If he ever learned to slow down he’s be a consistent badass.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 1:01 pm
Reply to  Amonk81

He is considered for the 6th. man award. He is that good. Hope he wins.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 12:27 pm

I would rather have Monk on my side than not. Yes he likes the highlights but so do players like Curry Booker and a hundred more. He has never given a chance to showcase his skills not even in LA. He likes where he is in the rotational order with the Kings. He and Fox love playing together. You can see it on the court. Give me Monk at the 2 as a valuable asset anytime. I believe he is a winner.

OldDude50
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March 7, 2023 12:54 pm
Reply to  Jack

Yeah, I love the energy he brings to the court (even though it’s misguided at times). He excites the crowd too, and has a huge positive affect on the moral of the team. I love his game.

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March 7, 2023 1:22 pm
Reply to  Jack

Agreed Jack.

Of course he is going to have moments like last night, but he is going to steal a game or two as well, and definitely puts pressure on the other team.

ArcoThunder
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March 7, 2023 3:57 pm

I apologize to you as well. I wasn’t clear enough. I meant monk backing up Mitchell when fox is out instead of delavadova.

VladeRunner2049
March 8, 2023 10:35 am
Reply to  ArcoThunder

If Mitchell was out, I think the Kings probably run the offense through Sabonis with Monk as a sort of combo playmaker/ball handler with Fox on the bench. I think those two combined with a combo of like Huerter/Lyles/Barnes/TD would be enough to move the ball and get good shots

Gregoryl
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March 7, 2023 7:58 am

Agreed on Delly, but the games that Fox has missed in the last couple weeks make me feel much better about the possibility of giving Sabonis and Fox occasional rest games next season, assuming Monte can get some more depth in the offseason.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 9:15 am
Reply to  Gregoryl

He will.

Amonk81
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March 7, 2023 12:07 pm
Reply to  Gregoryl

I love Fox, but the team has fallen into a bit of Fox getting his dribble O lately. Guys watching, etc

With Fox out you saw the great ball movement. I hope the Kings get back to running the O through Sabs and ball movement until end of games or when needed, Fox can take over.

And even when Fox takes over he doesn’t need to jack up off balance threes. Just a tad more discipline will help.

aplumley
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March 7, 2023 9:03 am

I’m watching a different Delly. He’s cooked. Move him to an assistant coach role and don’t let him back on the floor ever again. I thought it was cringe worthy watching him out there. Sure, he doesn’t make mistakes, but he doesn’t add value either. Can’t guard anymore, can’t shoot, can’t drive…I don’t know what he can do. It was like playing 4 on 5 when he was on the floor.

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March 7, 2023 9:16 am
Reply to  aplumley

Eh, as 3rd string point guards go, he’s fine. 3rd string PGs do not play by design. They sit behind the “break in case of emergency” glass.

andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 10:25 am
Reply to  RobHessing

But he played in the first quarter, which is simply not what he’s here to do.

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March 7, 2023 10:51 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Right, because De’Aaron Fox was out. So Mitchell started in place of Fox, and Delly came in because Mitchell was not available as a bench piece.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 1:09 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

I can’t tell you how musing I find this entire conversation when the argument is about whether or not Keon Ellis or Matthew Dellavedova should get your 3rd PG minutes.

Talk about top 4 seed problems!

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 11:08 am
Reply to  andy_sims

I’d rather Delly play with Sabonis than Metu. I thought that was a subtle adjustment that worked last night that Brown made.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 1:03 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

IMO we should give Ellis a shot at the third guard. AT 6′ 6″ he can shoot the 3 and play pretty good defense.

MichaelMack
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March 7, 2023 1:23 pm
Reply to  Jack

I would not be surprised at all to see that as he learns the offense a bit more. I feel like there is some juice to squeeze their for Brown with his size and versatility.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 9:23 am
Reply to  aplumley

Would I rather see Keon Ellis than Delly? Yes. Is Keon Ellis likely to offer more value than Delly at this point? I’m guessing, but probably not. Delly doesn’t offer you a ton, but he doesn’t beat himself and isn’t a huge sucking chest wound when he is out there.

He’s a 15th man nearly at the end of his career. If Keon Ellis can’t clealry outplay Delly to get himself into the rotation, then there’s little point in discussing this further. Especially if we are talking the current rotation.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 9:27 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Oh and since it will inevitably be brought up, I don’t think Jaden Hardy is the answer here either. I don’t think young players like that function well as a 3rd string PG. It needs to be a vet like Delly that knows where they rank within the team hierarchy. Young players rarely know that.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 9:33 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Adding, there have been 7,211 minutes logged by Fox (1948), Huerter (1840), Monk (1371), Mitchell (1141), Davis (683), Delly (178), Ellis (36), Dozier (8) and Burton (6). So Delly has played roughly 2.5% of the total guard minutes.

So , not a big deal.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 9:48 am
Reply to  RobHessing

I would add to this point, I wish Mitchell had the same amount of minutes as Monk at this point. Even if you took away those Delly minutes and added those to Davion’s total, he’s still about 50 minutes shy of Monk’s total.

It’s simply a minutes issue at this point. Delly is this era’s edition of the victory cigar. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 10:12 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Yep. When I look at the Pacific, the #6 guards are Delly, Moody (GS), Pippen Jr. (LAL) and Saben Lee (Phx). So these other teams have youth in the 6 hole instead of a grizzled vet, but for this team, where it was and where it is now, I can sure see why Brown opted to have Delly sit behind the emergency glass. He is probably far more valuable at practice and film sessions and such than he (or any other 6th guard) would be in a game.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 10:41 am
Reply to  RobHessing

I might argue for a minute about Saben Lee…….and I would just retreat after the obvious rebuttal of playing behind that Point God guy.

Different teams have different needs, and there is simply this:

He is probably far more valuable at practice and film sessions and such than he (or any other 6th guard) would be in a game.

His contribution is being an extension of the coaching staff. His spot is there for the taking by Keon Ellis and yet Ellis has not taken it. Whether Ellis should have or not is another matter, but that’s the beauty of a guy like Delly. He;s a placeholder who understands where he’s at.

Just as an aside, I enjoy the Sabonis gallop as much as I enjoy watching Delly hunched over as he dribbles up the court.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 1:08 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Ellis can’t take that spot unless he is given a chance by the coaching staff. I like Ellis.

Amonk81
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March 7, 2023 12:09 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I definitely like the look of Davion when he has more
minutes. And when he runs the point when Monk is in.

andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 10:27 am
Reply to  RobHessing

The last two minutes of a game are only 2.5% of the total, but those minutes matter. All of them do. On the floor, Dellavadova adds nothing, and Brown shouldn’t let their shared history impact the games.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 10:53 am
Reply to  andy_sims

?

De’Aaron Fox and his 34 mpg were not available last night. So Mitchell stepped into the starting lineup, and Delly got Mitchell’s minutes. Simple, that.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 11:10 am
Reply to  RobHessing

And 1 – There was a brief period in the 1st half where the Kings went with Monk at the point, and Monk responded with back-to-back unforced, silly turnovers. My guess is that had Monk not shat the bed in that moment – had he simply run the point instead of trying to make highlight reel passes – Delly would not have logged as much time.

At least for last night, Delladova was the 2nd best option that the Kings had at point guard. And the Kings won by 15. And while the Kings did not win by 15 because of Delly, they didn’t win by 15 in spite of him, either.

andy_sims
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March 7, 2023 12:09 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

If Fox is gone, more of the offense goes through Sabonis. Monk had a rough start, but both he and Huerter are capable distributors, and each are better than Dellavadova offensively and defensively.

I don’t think that the team can afford to give Delly anything more than token minutes, barring something awful happening. The fact that he’s technically a point guard shouldn’t necessitate more minutes with Fox or Mitchell out, since the team has so many great passers. Barring weird circumstances, the team simply doesn’t need the minimal things that he offers on the court.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 12:40 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

If Fox is out for any substantial amount of time, it does not matter.

I’ll stand by my original comment that Delly is a representable 3rd string point guard when compared to the league inventory. And I’m going to take Brown’s decision making on the use of Delly, as I have been pretty happy with the team results.

Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:44 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Have you all forgotten about how great this guy was???

(the blurry guy in the background, I mean)

comment image

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 12:48 pm
Reply to  Kosta

I’m pretty dense, but I don’t understand the angst about Delly and how Brown uses him. Delly has logged double digit minutes six times this year, each time a game that Fox missed. This is why you have three PGs on your roster. You hope that you don’t need your 3rd string PG, but when you do, he’s there.

I have watched almost two decades of this organization pounding square pegs into round holes. I have enjoyed watching this team play actual PGs at PG.

Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:52 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

It’s because people hate Australians.

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 12:56 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Watching. These. Comments. Try. To. Fit. In. The. Comment. Box. Is. Like. Watching. Me. Trying. To. Fit. Into. Skinny. Jeans. Just. Don’t. Do. It.

Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:57 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

waffles

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 1:05 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Flagged. For. Crikeyness.

RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 1:35 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

comment image

Last edited 1 year ago by RobHessing
Bluejohn
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March 7, 2023 5:55 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Delly playing something less than highly competent PG is far above my incompetent efforts to fit into skinny jeans of skinny anything else.

Jack
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March 7, 2023 1:13 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Your comment above shows why Monk should not play point but play the #2. I’m fine with Delly as 2nd. point but when possible give Ellis a shot.

Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:46 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

The ocaissional Delly Dagger is nice to see.

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RobHessing
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March 7, 2023 12:51 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Who doesn’t like a nice Delly trey?

Kosta
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March 7, 2023 12:54 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Kosher Koufos appreciates it.

Bluejohn
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March 7, 2023 5:58 pm
Reply to  Kosta

RFNH says you can’t learn anything from the post game threads but shoot I had no idea that Koufos was Kosher.

VladeRunner2049
March 8, 2023 10:41 am
Reply to  RobHessing

and many of those have been in blowouts.

MichaelMack
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March 7, 2023 10:20 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I feel like you are making a Bones Hyland reference here

Kingsguru21
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March 7, 2023 10:37 am
Reply to  MichaelMack

I was not Mike, but I think that demonstrates my point rather vividly.