The Kings’ bench was a ghost town. Malik Monk went down early with a calf injury, Keegan Murray missed his second straight game with back trouble, and Jake LaRavia is still sidelined with his thumb ailment. It wasn’t all bad news, though. Devin Carter had a brief but glorious stint in the second half, scoring seven points in a two-minute flurry that reminded everyone why Carter Island remains prime real estate. He showed increased patience and better decision-making, which is encouraging for those of us who’ve bought stock in his future. Meanwhile, Jonas Valančiūnas logged a neat double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in 13 minutes, using his veteran smarts (and considerable size) to outmaneuver Detroit’s young bigs.
On the other side of the court, the Pistons played a team-first brand of basketball that’s almost soothing to watch. They swung the ball unselfishly, shared the load, and made sure everyone got a touch. Tobias Harris missed the game with a sore foot, but Detroit was otherwise at full strength and largely impressive as a unit. Unfortunately, effort and cohesion don’t count for much when the opposing team’s All-Stars are channeling NBA Jam “he’s on fire” energy.
A major factor in Sacramento’s win was the veteran savvy of Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valančiūnas, who teamed up for 29 and 27 on the stat sheet. They bullied Detroit’s young centers, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, with a mix of craftiness, physicality, and sheer size. This led to a lopsided rebounding total (50 to 37 in favor of the Kings) and an early case of the grumps for the Pistons’ frontline. Sabonis notched a triple double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Despite Detroit’s ball security (just nine turnovers) and impressive assist tally (30 dimes), they ran into a buzzsaw in LaVine and DeRozan. Those two combined to make Sacramento’s often-clunky offense look functional enough to scrape together a win, earning the Kings another step closer to the illustrious ninth seed. Yes, that’s right, we’re in full play-in drama territory, with Sacramento holding a slim lead over Dallas while nudging Phoenix closer to flaming out entirely.
Looking ahead, the Kings face a Nuggets squad on the struggle Wednesday (they’ve lost four straight) in a matchup that feels like a coin flip. Are the Kings finally coming together at the perfect time, or is this just another seemingly random blip? And as a fan, do you even want the Kings to make the play-in? A few extra losses could help protect that top-12 pick, but a post-season berth might finally justify all the pain and chaos of another whirlwind season.
Four games left, Kings fans. What do you want? Play-in glory or a well-timed tank job?
Game Journal
Q1
11:45 – Cade Cunningham starts us off with an effortless drive to the basket. Like, not a defender in sight.
11:28 – Ausar Thompson strips DeMar DeRozan and racks up another uncontested layup. The Kings really came out on fire…
10:45 – Enter Trey Lyles with the revenge game three-pointer. Pistons up 6-5.
9:55 – Zach LaVine cuts to the rim and is rewarded with a slick dime from Domas. Good things happen when you actually cut and play off the ball. Pistons still lead 8-7.
8:59 – Defense doesn’t appear to be played tonight.. Jalen Duren walks in for another one. Pistons up 12-10.
7:26 – Tim Hardaway Jr. nails the and-one midrange jumper. The Pistons announcer calls it out, and suddenly I’m 13 again, hearing him shout “Chauncey Billups” on repeat. Nostalgia, man. Pistons 17-12.
5:50 – Detroit’s ball movement is almost poetic. Nine assists already, shooting 80%. Meanwhile, the Kings are playing like defense is optional.
4:05 – Ausar strikes again! He nabs another steal and delivers another dunk. Pistons lead grows to 31-23. Side note, these Pistons City Edition jerseys are clean AF.
3:15 – Jonas Valančiūnas cleans up Malik Monk’s ill-advised three-point chuck. Kings down 31-25, surviving solely on isolation plays and putbacks.
2:07 – JV is on cleanup duty and heads to the line, cutting the deficit to 31-29. Miraculously, the Kings are somehow in this game.
1:11 – DeMar pump-fakes his way to two free throws, and just like that, the Kings snag the lead, 33-31.
Q2
11:43 – The Pistons open the second quarter strong, thanks to Ron Holland stripping JV and finishing with an and-one slam. Pistons reclaim the lead, 40-38.
11:02 – Malik Beasley is automatic tonight. Nails his second three, Pistons up four.
10:37 – Beef Stew alert! Isaiah Stewart casually strolls into a wide-open triple. Pistons up seven, 46-39. This might spiral soon.
9:29 – DeMar answers with yet another pump fake for the and-one. Kings are still alive thanks to every bit of DeRozan and LaVine’s one-on-one brilliance.
8:12 – Zach LaVine unaware of the shot clock? Sounds about right. Turns into a mindless pass and a shot clock violation. Peak Kangz.
7:25 – Beasley just hit another uncontested three. Shocking how good shooters get open shots. Pistons stretch it to 14.
7:04 – On the bright side, at least the Kings are feeding Domas. He’s got the clear vet advantage in the post against Duren and Stewart. Not sure if it matters at this point, though.
4:49 – Just checked the assist ledger, and wow. Pistons 19, Kings 8. Oh, and Detroit still has zero turnovers. Kings are lucky it’s only 66-48.
1:26 – DeMar is dragging this team on his back. He’s 7-10 from the field and has 22 points after another silky iso turnaround. He single handedly cuts the lead to ten.
Q3
11:40 – LaVine cuts to the rim again and gets rewarded. Starting to notice a theme here. Kings chip it to 72-64, on a 16-6 run that spilled over from the first half.
10:52 – Trey Lyles cleans up his own miss and finds LaVine cutting to the basket. Zach slams it home.
9:54 – DeMar steps up with another textbook midrange jumper. Kings are suddenly within five.
7:50 – Domas is having a field day annoying Jalen Duren. Four fouls on both Duren and Ausar Thompson early in the third.
6:18 – DeMar drills a three. Kings are still in this, down five, 79-74.
4:52 – Devin Carter makes a couple hustle plays back-to-back, including a nice layup.
1:26 – DeMar continues his midrange masterclass, now at 26 points, dragging the Kings across the finish line of a close third quarter.
0:02 – LaVine caps the quarter with a ridiculous contested three-pointer. Kings head into the fourth with a 97-94 lead. Wild.
Q4
11:24 – LaVine stays hot, nailing his first shot of the quarter, a clean three off a perfect JV screen. Kings lead by four.
10:14 – LaVine’s heat check is official. He hits ANOTHER three, his fourth straight. Kings up 106-98.
8:58 – DeMar chips in with a fadeaway midranger. It’s painfully evident how reliant this team is on Chicago’s duo playing superhero ball.
7:37 – Cade Cunningham is out here grinding to keep Detroit alive. He’s got 32 points.
5:42 – Ron Holland gets an easy basket off a midrange miss from Domas, cutting the Kings’ lead to one.
5:05 – DeMar responds with another gorgeous contested midi. Kings lead 115-112.
3:33 – Actual team basketball happens. Trey Lyles converts off a Domas assist, stretching the lead to seven.
1:29 – Make it six threes for LaVine. He’s at 41 points. And yet, I’d still like to see him get traded this offseason.
1:07 – LaVine hits yet another contested jumper, because of course he does. Kings up 13. Ballgame.
Excellent write up. You were cooking with the Carter analysis!
I hope we make the playoffs and/or aren’t bottom 12. I want to FINALLY get rid of the pick protections on the ATL trade for Huerter so Monte can take a swing this offseason.
The pick is only owed through next season and Monte got two future picks in the Fox deal, so I’m not sure he’s currently hamstrung with the ATL protections.
Pick is pretty much gone at this point.
I hear you, and I wouldn’t be upset about another lottery player. At the same time the asset chest really opens up with removing the ATL pick protections because, I believe, all of our future firsts would be available, in addition to the SA and MIN future first from the Fox trade.
Maybe having all future firsst available for trade isn’t a good thing for this front office and ownership group. I’d rather have a bunch of future picks to be used in the draft rather than leveraging more of the future on an already old and middling roster.
Not going to defend ownership and the front office, just want to maximize the prime of Domas and rise of Keegan and Keon. Based on recent reports, it appears Domas will be gone unless major changes are made. Trading first rounders help with that type of swing.
I see your point. If the plan is to keep Saboins and build around him and Keegan, then moving picks may be a requirement. The problem is, I’m of the mindset moving those picks isn’t going to bring in ancillary talent, but instead will need to be used to get out of LaVine and/or DDR’s deal.
Now, if there is some windfall deal that removes DDR or LaVine with a pick or two attached and brings in a complimentary wing or PG then I’ll listen, but I’m just not sure it’s out there. I guess we could dream about something LaVine and 3 future firsts for Franz Wagner and Anthony Black, but that ain’t happening.
You don’t have to give up only one IMO to get a decent rebuild. Trade Monk for the Rockets Smith and Whitmore. Trade Derozan, Carter and a first for Johnson and Clowney. Pick up Ty Jerome( possibly mid level exemption) as you point guard. Starters: Jerome, Lavine, Johnson, Murray and Sabonis. Backups: Fultz, Ellis( our 6th. man and in next years running for 6th. man of the year) La Ravia if possible, Whitmore, Smith, Clowney and J.V. You have defense and offense and have gotten younger with rising young players.
Definitely seems like one of Lavine or DDR has to go. 4 of our 6 best players basically being SGs has been mostly tough to watch. One of those two players plus 3, or dare I say 4 to 5, future firsts is a fun hypothetical trade to dream about. Wagner would obviously be great.
With Wes jumping ship, wonder if Monte would even be the one to make those moves.
The rise of Keegon! I want to see it
Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis and Devin Carter
Like the Old 70s singer (who’s duet with Elton John was “Don’t go breakin’ my heart”)
KeKe De
(thrown in Jake LaRavia and it’s Keke La De)
Carter was +15 in 20 minutes I believe, I like his intangibles and knack for making winning plays. Not all the way sold on him having a lot of value but he could be a role player I guess.
Excited to see him with an injury free offseason (hopefully) and training camp and a regular season where we don’t fire our HC and trade arguably our best player. Tough season for the rook so I’m looking forward to year 2. He’s had some good stretches.
He needs a nickname. I vote for Flopps. It’s about the hair and his continuing effort to flop for fouls.
3 games remaining in the 82 game marathon known as the NBA season. There are teams that inclined up all year (OKC, Cleveland, Boston, New York, Houston) and others that have been down for the entirety (Utah, Washington, Charlotte) and the mess in the middle.
Sacramento had been mildly up for a month, starting 2-2 in October, then a 7-9 November, December’s 4-8, the impressive 7-0 start to 2025 with January’s 11-4, February’s 6-5, the March sadness of 6-11, and April’s 3-1 thus far. Rollercoaster!
Please correct me, I count poorly and my maths are messed up and my memory deals in mirages, but I believe the worst was 6 games below .500 and the best 4 games above.
Can you say middling? mediocre? Play-in Purgatory?
For Coach Christie to finish >.500
0-3 – he’s done it. He’s going to finish, at worst, 26-25, and is at 26-22.
For the Kings to finish >.500
3-0. Daunting is the polite way of saying, miraculous, or not impossible.
Predictably unpredictable. Your Sacramento Kings.
Prediction: 40-42, including a loss to Phoenix because, they aren’t just Kings, they’re Kangz. The helium of hope combined with the deflation of a punctured balloon.
“The Kings really came out on fire… ” Calling RikSmits
I think what fans need to understand that when you look at what has been happening that is just goes to show you…oh I need to quit Kayte-ring before the next article drops and I am still commenting on this one.
I think if the Kings could perhaps move DDR (whilst one of my five favorite players in the NBA but..) for a stopgap starting guard who can at least nominally be a PG while Carter matures into Kirkland Brand Fat Lever, and with Triano reorienting the offense around Domas being the hub; Keegan getting some of DDR’s touches and leveling up into Dan Roundfield with range, Keon’s Alvin Robertson-esque defense getting 35 minutes a game, veterans LaVine, Monk, & JV, a craftily “injured” LaRavia signed this summer to a 1yr + option to get his Bird rights, Trey brought back on a bargain, and some filler around the edges, they might have something.
I bet the growth of Keegan, Keon, & Carter, and the continued vet play of Domas, Monk, JV, et al, and whatever DDR’s contract can bring back, well, thats a team that is much more a 7-8 seed and we all can be pulling for them the next few years to finish sixth rather than worry they are slipping out of the play-in, and maybe even make it to the first round before losing. Vivek could ride that wave of adequacy and not even risk his chunk of dough from the luxury tax teams at seasons end.
I dunno, DoubleM. I look at the impressive records post ASB of LAC, GSW, MIN and the staying power of DEN and MEM with their myriad of injuries (and an interim Coach), the hard to explain elevation of the darned LAL and I can’t see where Sacramento hangs with those 5 or 6 if you include the Rox. OKC is in a class by itself.
The Kings are on par with whom? DAL with healthy AD and Kyrie? Hard to say.
I am not buying into Portland, and Phoenix is an even more disappointing mess than Sacramento, which is saying something. Utah is floundering and their hopes are tied to this year’s draft. New Orleans? – how do you describe them? Yikes? Sheesh?
As I read your comments, it seems you are resigned or approve of keeping Coach Christie. It seems a fait accompli, but I am not impressed enough to give a nod.
Let’s see what the next 3 games brings and what follows that and then re-discuss.
Interesting point, I had not thought about the HC. Perhaps I just assumed it was gonna be DC. In all honesty, I would be fine with that. Vivek won’t stop meddling and at least DC understands the situation in Sacramento.
I also think he has done fine. He was given a team that very publicly lost its coach, who had lost the team, then lost its best player & only point guard (which I think is an under discussed topic when we see the offense get clunky). That is a lot to navigate. I would be very interested to see what DC could do with a summer to instill a plan rather than be the duct tape on a broken season.
The point guard thing is somewhat sketchy in my mind. Sabonis is the Kings’ point guard. He’s just not bringing the ball up and is not a backcourt player in size or position (see: Nuggets, Denver).
Is he Jokic? That’s unfair. He is not, and the comparison undermines his very goodness, which is not greatness (andmuch better than okayness). De’Aaron Fox is a point guard? Sorta. Jamal Murray? around the same amount. We can name many: Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, Ja Morant. Not a Chris Paul, Not a Steve Nash, not a John Stockton, not a Magic Johnson in any of them.
Who’s the Lakers point guard? I’d say used to be Lebron, and now Lebron and Luka.
Well, this is a fun conversation to have for the long dog days of Summer, after the season and VSL.
You need a guy that can handle and move the ball up top. Fox was perfect in this regard – he could play off ball but could also handle and push. A ball dominant PG diminishes Sabonis a bit.
The wha??? idea for me is Russell Westbrook. He has re-invented himself in Denver, can handle, is no longer ball dominant, and is still capable of plus defense.
Good points. If only Russ could hit the 3. But the D and ability to push along with his ability to be the initiator when Domas sits would be perfect.
And we’re kind of seeing what happens when there is not a ball handler up top – the ball is not getting to Domas. His assists and scoring are down since Fox left. Heck, a Tyus Jones would be an improvement over Monk, LaVine or Ellis as the PG.
I know I am repeating myself a lot today, but I think the lack of a PG has really hurt the team. Perhaps not as much right at the beginning, but now teams have tape on the Kings and seem able to shut down their offense way more often, and that leading to easy points on the other end.
That is why I wondered if it was feasible to bring in a Point Forward in the Paul Pressey sense like Barrett who is able to initiate and get it to Sabonis.
Keon’s off season chores are obvious, ball handling and passing. Zach is a curious player in that he is a good passer and poor playmaker. My hesitation with starting a more traditional point gaurd would be Zach playing the three, so I was trying to think outside the box a bit.
Your Sacramento Kings: What’s the point?
I think that could be corrected by the coach. It’s about Zach and DeMar being willing to and becoming used to playing off Domas instead of initiating themselves. He has had 17 assists over the last 2 games. Offense has looked better as well.
Have you ever considered Ty Jerome as our point guard? Reminds me a little of Jalen Btunson.
The Kings are capped and Jerome may be the best UFA PG on the market. If they can move contract, great. The challenge is moving contract without taking contract back. The Kings are currently about $14m over the cap. Would Jerome take a full MLE? Perhaps. Would he take it from the Kings over an MLE from other teams? I guess it depends on the opportunity.
Westie has always been a favorite of mine. There’s always a lot of talk about what he can’t do (like shoot a jumper/3 pointer). Of what he brings – I am with you: he plays his damn ass off, he defends, he rebounds, he delivers assists. The guy does not take any plays off.
Sac can have Jokic-lite and Westbrook-old. It has worked for Denver, and I believe it can work here, but not with the current line up (you are starting Zach and Keon) and I don’t think he would want to be in Sacramento as a back up.
Yep. You are either shrugging your shoulders and putting Zach at SF (after jettisoning DDR), or you are returning Ellis to the bench. But that happens no matter who you bring in to run point.
That said, perhaps launching DDR frees the ball up enough for Domas to return to being Domas. But he was still Domas when DDR was here with Fox. The issue is that LaVine is a very different player than Fox, and it has left a ball movement hole on the perimeter, one that I do not believe will be filled by anyone on the current roster.
Additionally, there is no back up.
When Domas sits or is out. We know that Pizza Guy Monk has pizzazz, but NaPG.
It continues to be my biggest grind about the Fox trade. You didn’t fill the asset cabinet, and you didn’t address a position of need (SF/PF), all while creating a new hole (PG).
From the shenanigans that are currently unfolding in Denver, it wouldn’t surprise me if they move to re-sign Westbrook on a fair deal and instead look to move Jamal Murray with his fat extension kicking in. That dude is on the hook for $208M for the next four years.
Jamal Murray would fit for Bradley Beal! (or KD or Booker, but the injury history made me think of Beal, first)
or the Clippers, because they can afford anything
Yes. I think Keon and Zach can get the ball up court and into Domas.
When I see full court pressure – I cringe. Zach is a surprisingly inadequate ball handler, and Keon isn’t better.
Often we see DeRozan bringing the ball up, but that tends to not promote the offense to run through a Sabonis high post.
IMO all you guys are missing the point. Neither of anybody we have are not point guards. Have any of you looked at Jerome”s stats ( in the game the other night he played 23 minutes and had 20 points. He can play defense and can shoot the 3 at over 40%. He is a playmaker and could really involve Sabonis to back where he should be. He woun’t cost you an arm or legs like Westbrook( over the hill and can’t shoot threes). Probably could get him this summer(unrestricted free agent) for our MLE. Just look at some highlights. You will be impressed.
I cancelled my YouTube TV, and Streameast was crap last night, but what I saw did not look promising. The Kings played the kind of basketball that can win a few regular season games—spectacular offense, limited defense—but gets you nowhere in the postseason when defensive intensity ramps up. Do Demar and Zack score 80 against the postseason defense of OKC or the Dubs? ‘Nuff said.
Appreciate the shoot for the stars mentality (how do we win a Championship?), but how ’bout — can we build a roster than can win 50 games and possibly win a playoff round?
It’s been 20 years, so unless we’re hoping to luck into an All-NBA player like Luka D in the lottery, I think right now we’re just trying to escape the mushy middle of 42-45 win mediocrity, which is what we had with Fox and after Fox.
I agree. It find it quite astounding how us fans can fall into the trap over and over again, when much of their recent victories come from the usual excessive over-reliance on Zach and DeMar’s ISO play. If you watch Zach’s highlights, hardly any of his fun points were assisted. He was just on a tear, and an unsustainable one at that. But what happens when he and DeMar inevitably combine for 12 of 38 when the defenses clamp down come playoff time, once more revealing that the Kings really have no winning offensive flow. I’m getting weary of how excited we become, when in a week’s time we resort to “blow it up…we lost that trade by a mile…Zach is TERRIBLE…”etc. etc. etc.
We are consistently inconsistent.
Weirdest team in the league!
Phoenix loss tonight locks us in the play-in, couple that with a Kings W or Mavs loss on Wednesday locks us into the 9th seed.
Could then rest people the last 2 games.
The funniest moment of the game for me was DeMar backing down Dennis Schroder, hitting the midrange over him, and running back down the court doing the “too small” celebration. Meanwhile, as the shot went in, Beef Stew had tossed Sabonis to the group and a foul was called. DeMar finished his celebration, oblivious to any of it, and eventually turned around to see Sabonis on the ground. I laughed a lot.
That was funny. Several moments like that last night from the vets. Domas clearly enjoys showing young centers what grown man strength is, and JV piled on as well knowing exactly how to frustrate Stewart.
I kept laughing every time DDR iso’d. There is as much tape on him as anyone in the league, the Pistons knew what he was gonna do, the whole arena knew what he was gonna do, and he just kept doing it anyway. When he is in rhythm it is an absolute treat to watch.
I enjoyed that moment also, I actually kinda felt bad for Schroeder because he got bullied by Deebo but I do see Schroder always talking a lot so that’s probably why DeMar did that.
The LaVine we saw last night is the one I hope for next year, and likely beyond. I’m still of the mindset that his shooting abilities can work well with Sabonis. I just hope that whoever is coaching next year makes the most of their skillsets. In a perfect world, a healthy chunk of Sabonis’ assists should come of catch and shoot opportunities by LaVine.
That all being said, this whole play-in thing is getting me more upset with each passing game. In any normal NBA season before the play-in the Kings would already be eliminated from the playoffs and sitting the very uncomfortable last spot in the lottery. Instead, Vivek is going to get butts in the seats for the last 3 games and a bit more revenue for a play-in game or two. It’s become such a grift, IMO. I long for the NBA before we had a half dozen different jersey’s being marketed to us, played on 4 different court designs, with an in season tourney that’s all a cash grab by the league.
I get that it is a for profit business, and people continue to shell out the dollars, but seeing how Vivek bought this team 12 years ago for $535M and now the team is likely worth over $1B, can we just stop with all gimmicky shit with this league now? Just give us normal basketball and fuck on off with the play-in.
I agree with your assessment with Zach. Trading the only PG on the roster and then expecting the fit on offense to make sense was, um, very optimistic. But an offseason of turning Domas back into the distributor (of which I am heavily in favor of), with Zach & Keegan & Keon being shooters for him to find is the base of a good offense, I think.
I have been pondering for a few weeks what a fifth starter should look like in a Domas, Keegan, LaVine, & Keon group. With JV on the team, it has allowed Keegan to play more minutes next to another forward (Jake, Trey) rather than three guards, and he has looked great in those minutes, so I thought a “point” forward like Deni or Giddey or Barnett would work. Chicago is keeping Giddey after this run of his, and I don’t think anyone could get Deni from Portland with out taking Domin-Ayton’s contract back as well.
Perhaps RJ Barrett? Toronto is in a funky salary situation with Scottie on a max, Quickly at 32.5 over the next five, Poeltl @ 20m and now they gave Temu Durant an extension of 40m. Barrett put up a Grant Hill-lite-ish 21pts, 6.4 reb, and 5.4 assists this year sharing playmaking duties, and he costs 27.7 and 29.6 the next two seasons, and only 25 years old.
I could see a DDR for Barrett trade this offseason. DDR gets a homecoming with only 1.5 seasons left on his deal and the bloat that is the Raptors payroll. DDR gets to finish where he started, great fan service to one of the very few franchise legends, great vet for Scottie, and gets them away from worrying about extending Barret when his skill set is just duplicative of Scottie and Ingram.
Domas a hub with Keegan, Barrett, LaVine, & Keon? It is interesting at least. Monk, JV, Carter, & Jake as a bench mob? The height of adequacy perhaps.
You’re missing two valuable pieces — a true PG who can create for the starting 5 and a 4/5 who can defend the rim, run the floor and rebound. The team has plenty of offensive firepower with Lavine, Sabonis and Murray (with Monk off bench) — need a PG and more D.
In my trade ideas you get Jerome at point guard. Look at his stats and play making. Really stands out and could get him rather someone who would cost you a lot more in picks etc. I have the Kings using Monk to get Smith and Whitmore. Smith is young and can still improve but right now starting or coming off the bench next to Sabonis would be great.
I don’t see the Rockets moving 2 sing/forwards for an undersized combo guard that doesn’t play defense. They have Reed Shepherd waiting to get more minutes, too.
As for Jerome, I think the Kings would need to get under the cap to sign him? Maybe they have an exception they could use? I just think they move DDR and Monk for an upgrade at a Forward spot, and let Carter get the minutes Monk was getting. Doesn’t solve the PG issue, but the roster would probably be better.
I like the idea of trying to get Barrett for Derozan and ?. I have Derozan for Cam Johnson but either one could work.
I was trying to think of a forward that also has some skill/experience running an offense if Zach & Keon were gaurds, using Domas as a Point Center.
Nice to see you posting Jack, I have missed your comments lately.
With you on the first paragraph. Completely disagree with the rest.
Play-in has been a success. It isn’t going anywhere. With no play-in Sac, Dal & Pho would have been tanking for weeks. Maybe we would have kept our pick, but I think as far as the organization’s state of mind, DC has done enough and the direction will continue next season.
With the play-in the 6 team west fight is much better. Not just positioning and 2 teams looking for home court, but 2 teams also going to have to win to get in. It’s just better.
As for the In Season Tourney. I think it’s fine, adds some interest in the early season. I do think the Tourney playoffs and final should be part of the All-Star break.
I don’t understand the cash grab complaints. Who are they grabbing cash from? The networks and their advertisers? That only works if more people are watching, thus it’s a success.
Fair assessment there Kfan.
By cash grab I mean the league and owners are finding other way to pilfer money from the pockets of fans without any change to what their product is, which is basketball. I know that some like the varied jerseys, or the flashy courts of the in-season tourney, or the glimmer of hope of winning in the play-in, but to me it’s all bells and whistles. I’m in it for the game, not the flash.
As to the play-in being a method to discourage tanking, I think that’s a farce. Tanking hasn’t stopped, in fact this year is one of the worst to capture the Flagg. To me the play-in is just a ruse. I’d much rather be watching a team like the Kings play young guys or 2-ways this time of year when they have no business fooling anyone they are a playoff team.
But, you are right, it’s not going away. They only thing that may make the league second guess it is when one of their media darling teams, like the Lakers, gets bounced as a 7th seed by some small market 10th seed that hits them in the pocket books come playoff time.
I actually like when LaVine plays hero ball, I feel like he is uniquely built to just be a ruthless and unashamed chucker like Kobe. The Kings need that version of him. I’m not as big a fan when DeRozan and Monk do it. I just feel it’s less efficient and effective and we already have Zach for the role.
If the team could surround LaVine with the right players, there’s a lot to like about having a guy who can go nuclear and just shoot the s**t out of the ball and win a game by himself. Won’t happen every night, but how many players can score like that ….. and he’s done it 4-5x in the short time he’s been with Kangz.
Keon – .660 TS% – 5.7 FGA – Not qualified, but would be 6th.
Domas – .652 TS% – 12.8 FGA – 8th in the league
Zach – .647 TS% – 15.8 FGA – 14th in the league (season total .641 TS%)
All need to shoot more.
Then DDR and Monk need to shoot less, or be moved.
Yes!
IMO move both.
Nobody can really explain the Kings. They have a lot of offensive talent, even with Murray sidelined. Somehow they have 3 guards standing 6’2″ or 6’3″ in Monk, Ellis and Carter, but no true PG. Could the team move from 40W territory to 50 wins next season by doing nothing more than adding a true PG and a 4 who’s good enough to be in 8-9 man rotation who can run the floor, defend the rim, block shots & rebound?
Seems reasonable, but who knows?
I think it is reasonable. I keep looking at rosters though, and the fit/availability of a point guard just sent obvious. Will be interesting to see how the playoffs go and what teams decide to shake it up.
A nice game where the team found the hot hand and let it ride, mixed it up when the hot hand cooled down and didn’t stay dependent on one guy / hero ball. Let their defense be the catalyst in the 2nd and not let the opponent’s length and athleticism distract them from being focused in their attack. I’m also seeing where these guys are getting a little more comfortable with how they want to play when they run their “freestyle” offense. If they’re going to run that garbage they definitely need to figure out how to be successful with it and they finally appear to be on the right track. Zack going nuclear obviously helps.
The rotation was a little tighter tonight. Fultz didn’t see the floor much in a game I thought he could’ve contributed more. Credit to Carter, most likely. Kid had a good game. Jones played a nice handful of minutes. Which is all I want to see him play barring a blowout.
A little concerning the team is so banged up right before the second season begins. Obviously every team has to deal with that to an extent, I’m just hopeful these guys can shed their ailments before we head into the first play in game. Wouldn’t suck to be the first play in team to win a playoff series. I’d feel a lot better about this group moving forward after that, certainly. I’m not sure we won’t be seeing close to this exact same group next season….lol
Good point about the defense. They were genuinely scrambling to close out on 3pt shooters in the fourth, l kept rewinding and watching again, because it is such a rarity. Overall I thought it was one of the four or five most entertaining games of the season.
You all will shoot me for this but use Carter in a trade and keep Fultz.
Carter’s defense was a pleasant surprise. I can’t stand watching the Monk poor play on both ends any longer. I don’t know if the Kings win this game with Monk playing 25-30 minutes.
Keep the defensive guys on the roster and in the rotation.
Defense has been underrated far too long on this team/franchise.
The franchise forgot that stopping the other team from scoring is just as important as scoring for their own team.
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.
Vivek playing that 5D chess or 4 defenders or whatever it is.
We are winning! And at least we aren’t the Nuggets!
(Bring Mike Malone home!)
I guess a 2023 NBA title gets you 3 1/2 months more than a 2023 Coach of the Year.
People can try, but they are not gonna beat this comment. Well played.
Thanks
The balls and class we deserve but that bridge is dust.
https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1909659154756841864?s=46
This League is going nuts
No class, no balls.
(Both, simultaneously): “See you in the playoffs. … Jinx!”
Damn, so not just Michael Malone getting fired, but also the Nuggets GM Calvin Booth too.
Wow! Cold World!
Yes, the full JT experience.
That’s insane.
I’ve mentioned a few times that Denver is not going to go all in on the massive contracts of Jokic, Murray, Porter Jr, and Gordon. Their ownership has proven they don’t want to spend deep into the tax for years to come. Monte needs to go after Porter Jr or Gordon this summer.
This news is going viral like menginitis!
The Brown firing will just be an afterthought of this season. Profit!
Lol! I can’t recall a team firing both their GM and Coach at the same time, let alone one of them this late in the season while also being a title contender.
Booth I get, since he’s at the end of his deal and the team might want a fresh start before the offseason begins, but Malone? That’s just wild.
Side thought, I’ve often thought the best time to fire a GM was not long after the trade deadline, since much of their leg work on the season would be done and it gave time for a new front office to prep from the offseason. (draft, free agency, etc).
Yes. Right after the trade deadline. By far the best time. Worst time? Right after the finals?
WOW.
Jenkins fired with weeks left in the season.
Malone AND Booth fired with a ring in their recent history.
Owners really flexing.
If Vivek asks any of you to hold his masala chai JUST SAY NO.
The day before you play the 3 game winning streak Sacramento Kings, that’s when!
Nice
Say what you will about the Mike Brown firing but at least it happened at an appropriate time of the season.
Appropriate in-season months in which to fire your coach on a playoff(hopeful) NBA team, ranked:
December
January
February (pre-deadline)
November
February (post-deadline)
October
March
Smarch
Kangz
April
Welcome to the crazy train Nuggets fans, I might have to hop over to one of their blogs just to witness the carnage.
Porter Jr. or Gordon would slot in very well with Keegan and Domas.
We’ll see what’s available after Denver trades Jokic to the Lakers for Rui, DFS, Kleber, Knecht, Milton and a pair of 2nds.
The minute this season is over, the content creators (which is what reporting has turned into, sans Zach Lowe and very few others) are going to have so much fun talking about Jokic & Giannis on the move.
Which might be fine, though it will be interesting what stunt LeBron pulls if he isn’t the center of the conversation.
My first thought upon hearing this was “the league is setting something up for the L*kers (again…)”. Interesting that nba.com’s headline says that the Nuggets “parted ways” with Malone and Booth, almost sounding like Malone and Booth agreed to leave, rather than saying the Nuggets fired them. Perhaps the league is trying to calm down the waters for a subsequent L*ker-favoring move.
Should we kick the tires on a retread? I’m sure Mike would love a second chance.
Lol, the bridge between Malone and Vivek is forever burned.
There’s going to be more than a few coach openings this summer. My guess is the Kings will get the left over scraps or are just going to hire Christie on the cheap full time. Would it surprise anyone if Christie is the cheapest head coach in the league next season?
I think they keep him. Both because he’ll be cheap and what top coach is going to want to come here?
What coach wouldn’t want to come here? Get hired for four years, coach two years, get two paid years off!
Just my opinion:
Michael Malone would rather clean truck stop bathrooms than coach for Vivek Ranadive.
With GM Booth out – and with Petey D there – how about a little Vlade Divac reunion tour?
When Michael Malone got the news – do you think he reacted like this?
because, and I am surprised it has taken this long, isn’t he going to be
Home Malone?
And Kevin eventually grew up, but sequels are rarely as good as the original –
If he comes back to the Kings because the offer was so much $, he’ll be Ho Malone!
Post Malone 2 – Malone comes home
“Congratulations on becoming the official head coach of the Kings, Doug! How does it feel to get a guaranteed two years paid vacation time?”
Westbrick curse strikes again
I don’t in any way understand how you fire coach and GM simultaneously right before playoffs, never seen anything like it in any sport, and the team was winning! Like what in the actual F is going on here, Kangz looking mildly sane rn.
The Tank has left the building. It is what it is. Might as well root for wins now.
No Class. No Balls. 2.0
It depends. Did they fire him as he was going to the airport for the flight to SAC (oh the irony) or after he landed in SAC (oh the irony 2.0)?
Early reports suggesting things were getting heated between Malone and Booth last few weeks.
So I guess Kreonke says F it and cans them both lol.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Kreonke and Vivek are besties.
Nove win, but definitely not sustainable. Hoping Zach to go nuclear during the play-in and *1st round* is fool’s gold as he tends to come crashing down hard the next couple of games. Loss vs pissed off Nuggets is almost inevitable.
Between Gordon and MPJ, i’d rather have AG. Denver Stiffs has been calling out MPJ for his lack of defense and for being very inconsistent offensively (can have 30 pts tonight, then 5 pts then next). It would be fun to have AG and ZL on the same team and have a behind the scenes vid of them reliving their dunk-offs.
Malone and Booth apparently havent been talking for weeks and keep butting heada over Denver’s direction. Fans were angry that Malone was grinding Jokic with heavy mins and responsibilities, and that Jokic’s management team met with the FO, presumably to give them a “nudge.” (Wait…didn’t we just have something like this happen?) The blown Westbrook lay-up and him fouling a 3 pt attempt to seal the game (i sense a recurring theme here), seemed to be the straw that broke the FO’s back. On a side note, someone from the Stiffs suggested trading Murray to the Kings because we don’t have a PG. Hmmm…
Don’t want JM. Will be too expensive and has injury issues. I agree AG > MPJ
Yeah, JM will command a near-max contract. Stiffs saying that he doesnt get in shape in the off season too, leading to in-season injuries, like this season. In fairness to JM, he is banged up due to coming back from injury last year and then playing in the Olympics this past summer. But then, SGA also played with him and look where he is now.
Nove.
Well done.
If rumblings of a Jokic trade in the future have any tread on them, i could see Boston do a Brown plus 2nd rd pick for Jokic. Jokic is UFA in 2028 with $276M, while Brown is UFA in 2029 guaranteed for $282M. Jokic, Zinger, and Tatum in one team? OMG.
Isn’t Jokic extension eligible this summer? That could be an interesting wrinkle if he turns down a max extension.
If he is, i have not seen any mention of it factoring into his management team’s meeting with their FO. Jokic was informed of the firings before it was announced. He also allegedly also did not oppose it or openly agree with it.
Badge Legend