Tyrese Haliburton returned to the Sacramento Kings lineup after a two-game absence, and it was no coincidence that the Kings regained their footing in the process, defeating the Chicago Bulls 128-124 to get to 4-4 on the season. Haliburton finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block, with most of that coming in the crucial fourth quarter.
TYRESE HALIBURTON. GAME. pic.twitter.com/aMuUUIVQuY
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 7, 2021
De’Aaron Fox left the game after just five minutes after tweaking his hamstring and did not return to action. In his stead, the Kings relied on steady doses from Haliburton, Richaun Holmes, Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley III. Holmes finished with a team-high 24 points on 10-11 shooting to go with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Holmes also had a couple of huge defensive plays towards the end of the game when he was switched onto Bulls star Zach LaVine.
Harrison Barnes continued his strong season by chipping in 20 points of his own on 7 of 10 from the field and also dished out 5 assists. The Kings as a whole were very unselfish with the basketball, dishing out 30 assists to just 7 turnovers, a stark contrast from their last two games. Part of that definitely has to be attributed to Haliburton’s return, as the rookie continually moved the ball and did a great job running the offense in Fox’s absence.
Marvin Bagley III had his best game of the young season, scoring 21 points to go with 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Bagley was also showcasing his outside range, making 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. It was a good bounce back game after a few duds, and hopefully a sign of more to come.
Neither the Bulls or the Kings should be proud of their defensive effort. Both teams shot over 50% from the field and at times the game looked like a layup line on either end of the floor. Coby White and Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 36 and 32 points respectively, both gashing the Kings interior defense seemingly at will for most of the night.
Buddy Hield shot just 3-15 from the field and 2-9 from three as his shooting struggles continued, but he also hit perhaps the biggest shot of the game when he hit a three and was fouled with 38.3 seconds left to put the Kings up 124-119.
Big time shot by Buddy Hield! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/LCqKNBbKP9
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 7, 2021
For the Kings, the victory showed that the team still had a lot to work on, particularly defensively, but it also showed that the team can still win when they play for each other and not just for themselves. The Kings will be back in action on Friday as they take on the Toronto Raptors.
Random Observations:
- Have any of you seen Ted Lasso? If so, Tyrese Haliburton is our Dani Rojas. He’s got such a love for the game and it shows in how he plays. I also loved how he was the first one over to congratulate Buddy after his big shot.
- Glenn Robinson III played some really solid bench minutes for the Kings tonight. It seems he has supplanted Hassan Whiteside in the rotation. It feels nice actually having some depth on the wing for once.
- At some point you have to start considering Richaun Holmes a core piece right? The guy is so efficient and lays it all out on the floor every night. He’s also just turned 27 years old and entering his prime.
Tyrese Haliburton
That is all. Good night!
Dude is special, so fun to watch. Makes the team so much better on both ends of the court, and brings poise, leadership, and smart decision making in the 4th quarter. Just a straight baller.
The basketball gods must be smiling when he’s on the court.
With Fox injured he’ll take up his minutes and possibly earn his ROY title. Kid deserves it.
We need Fox and Haliburton to have a chance in most games. Hamstring strains seem to run the gamut from a few days to a few weeks to get right.
Oh, also 0 f*%@ing turnovers.
Tyrese is very special, does everything well. Love it when he steals the ball, harkens me back to (can I say) “Clyde” Frazier? Showing my age here, I know, but he was my favorite.
Tyrese is a baller, totally agree.
Ballerburton.
Our expectations of him keep rising, and still he exceeds them.
I haven’t been as excited about a prospect since the Tyreke/Omri class.
We were so young then. The world full of possibilities.
This franchise has been looking for a finisher for 15 years… go figure its a kid who’s played 6 total games.
I like wins!
Great article as usual. More importantly, great game!!! Loved the play from HB, Homes, and Tyrese.
The idea of trading Holmes hurts my basketball soul.
Hopefully Vlonty McDivac is smart enough to realize both the tangible and intangible impact Holmes has on this team and re-signs him.
Agreed. He’s so easy to root for.
You would basically trade away his mother too. That would hurt as well.
Fox, Haliburton, & Holmes are the pieces to build around.
Get trade value out of Buddy, Bagley, & the rest.
Great game on a crazy day. Thanks TKH staff for hanging in there for us. And you mention Richaun potentially being a part of the core at age 26. What will it take to keep him next year and if we let him go what are our prospects for C next year outside of Bagley?
The only way we trade Holmes or not re-sign him next year is if we have a better replacement for him.
Agree, it would be nice to have him stay around. But 26 isn’t young, and he fits the parameters for a good deadline trade chip (solid veteran, expiring deal). I think he probably gets moved.
What’s your threshold for trading him?
As far as return? Probably a youngish player with some upside. His annual salary is so low though, I wonder if he gets packaged with Buddy to get something better or maybe with Barnes to move that deal off the books.
I was hoping for specificity on this one, actually. I’ll give you time, I’m just really hoping for a ballpark. Like, Anthony Davis or LeBron James. Obviously.
Lebron doesn’t fit timeline. Pass!
Tyrese Haliburton = ROY
What a stat line.
Nice game Bagley, now have that type of showing on more a consistent basis.
Buuuuuuuuurt!!!!
A lot to like tonight. Tyrese is absolutely a terrific player, obviously. It was great to see Marvin play well, he seemed calmer tonight, changes the dynamic of the team when he is playing like that. I have been waiting for some good minutes from GRIII, he needs to be in the rotation. I hope he keeps playing well. 30 assists, 7 players in double figures. Another good team game.
Needed this game after this horrific day.
Agreed. That’s why I love sports. The worst thing that happens is that one team loses, and there’s always another game. Have a thumb.
It looked as if someone sat down with Bagley and told him exactly what he needed to do to have a shot at crunch time minutes.
If he actually understands and buys in to team ball that would be fantastic. Hope springs eternal.
Yes, Bagley was a changed man last night, actually showed some of his potential. He’s really under the microscope now, big year for him obviously.
I hope he can keep it up.
Haliburton is simply a winner. Everything he does out on the court contributes to winning basketball. Start Hali and bring Buddy off the bench. Buddy’s been struggling to start this season.
Also want to give some kudos to Bagley for his great game. Hope he can start playing with some consistency. Having Haliburton on the court with him really seemed to help.
I love that the kid is always smiling. He is genuinely enjoying what he is doing.
I said the same tonight about switching Burton for Buddy. Hali would gladly be our 6th Man Winner.
That would be cool, I remember Ben Gordon did that his rookie year.
Haliburton is one of those guys that you can just tell is a winner. Losing is not part of their DNA and their good vibes (and great play) rub off on everyone else.
Should move Fox off the ball and let Tyrese run the team ! Fox is a scorer but not a leader or true playmaker !
Big ups to Burt, Holmes, HB, Bags, and Bjelly; they all had nice games tonight. When I wasn’t cursing at the Kings for the lack of defense, it was a fun game to watch.
Good to see Koz back too
Agree to disagree
Really? Care to elaborate?
Speaking to your last bullet point. Can we get a breakdown of Holmes’ contract restrictions and what the Kings do about him this coming offseason. Basically, can he be retained or are the Kings hamstrung by his contract?
Would there be any abnormal resurrections? I think it would just be about if he would be worth the amount that he wants, and if the Kings are willing to pay it. If there’s enough mutual interest, they’ll strike a deal.
The simplest answer is the most amount of money the Kings could pay Richaun Holmes next offseason is the MLE Adam. Well, as the current situation stands that is. The Kings are projected to be over the cap next year regardless of where their 1st round pick lands.
Holmes was signed with the room exception, that’s why he’s such a good bargain.
Edited.
Yes, but they are worth less than what the Kings could pay him with the full MLE.
Actually, I take that back. The issue with the early Bird rights is that there’s two ways to pay a player: One is 175% of the previous season salary which would start at 8.759 million. The other is to take the average salary (which the league computes), and this year is 10 million (this is the part I’ve forgotten about).
The MLE is likely to be the same next year as this season at 9.258 million.
So, yes, I guess the Kings could sign Holmes to a deal starting at 10 million due to that being the average salary (or whatever the league puts it at). But at the very least he could get 9.258 million assuming the cap doesn’t go up in 21-22.
However you slice it, assume that the most the Kings will be able to likely pay Holmes about 10 million unless they carve out a lot of cap space.
Actually, I take that back. The issue with the early Bird rights is that there’s two ways to pay a player: One is 175% of the previous season salary which would start at 8.759 million. The other is to take the average salary (which the league computes), and this year is 10 million (this is the part I’ve forgotten about).
The MLE is likely to be the same next year as this season at 9.258 million.
So, yes, I guess the Kings could sign Holmes to a deal starting at 10 million due to that being the average salary (or whatever the league puts it at). But at the very least he could get 9.258 million assuming the cap doesn’t go up in 21-22.
However you slice it, assume that the most the Kings will be able to likely pay Holmes about 10 million unless they carve out a lot of cap space.
Thanks for that breakdown, Nate. From that, I’m not sure the Kings can afford him. He may very well get more than $10M per year with the way he is currently playing. I mean, Mason Plumlee just signed for $8m per year!
The Kings could re-sign him for basically a season, and then get full Bird rights from there. It really depends on who around the league wants to really overpay, like Ben Wallace overpay like the Bulls did many moons ago in ’06, to get him. I’m not sure anyone does that.
Holmes is great in his role, no doubt, but that role is how valuable at how many dollars? And that’s where I think the Kings could justify not trading him (as Otis mentions) because of his long term benefits over the next 3-ish years maybe?
The Bulls managed to lose even though they made the same number of threes, and actually made 2 additional FGs than the Kings this game. The Kings just made 8 more FTs.
I don’t think a lot of people realize just how crazy it is that the Kings are getting to the line at a league leading 27.8 times per game. In Fox’s rookie year the Kings had the lowest FtR in modern NBA history. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to draw fouls at a high rate throughout the season. When listening to Fox’s interviews it seems like getting into the paint to put pressure on opposing defenses is a point of emphasis this season.
Excellent point on the FT’s. No pun intended, but it’s been a game changer.
Don’t tell him this. Then he’ll insist on making good basketball points in the future, and we won’t have time to make fun of his 3am tendencies at the church of demagoguery giving the sermon of holy food injustice.
It is definitely something I’ve noticed this season.
It makes sense. We have been winning by having a lot of points in the paint. And Fox in particular has been more savvy at catching defenders with their hands in the cookie jar on his drives.
Haliburton looking better than Wiseman, and was picked 10 picks later!
ooooooooooooh yeah!
Start to a nice 3, 4 maybe more winning streak here! No 3rd quarter slump was great. Gutsy win
Big contributions from the young guys!
Hali and Bags!
And Bags needed that one, so that was nice to see.
-Tyrese is better than Dani Rojas-he’s probably the combo of Jamie Tartt and Roy Kent
-Is Buddy still being mis-coached? I don’t understand how he is always shooting highly contested threes
-imagining what tyrese and doncic can do on the same floor? Glad we got a sweet revenge on the 2018 draft
-it’s nice to see Bagley rebounded. Though I still don’t buy how it didn’t change the mood between players
-can we just get a contract extension with Holmes now?
We wouldn’t have been in the lottery with Doncic … we would have been in the Western Conference playoffs. But I know what you mean … and if Michael Malone could have been their head coach …
Though the mavs were rumored to try to get Halliburton. I am sure if McNair was here in 2018 he would’ve picked doncic and subsequently tried to get a pick to get Halliburton. But I get you, one shoe can’t drop if the other didn’t.
Or Dave Joerger
Holmes, to me, should be a core piece. I would try to get an extension done as soon as possible. I see his value going up before FA
This team desperately needs Holmes’ energy, hustle, and energy…he gives you everything he got whenever he stepped on the floor…
Also, He has great chemistry with Hali…
Please re-sign Holmes ASAP
What he said!
That was a fun game! GR3 looked good and I hope Guy gets some minutes this season. I cringe watching Corey Joseph.
Nice.
https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1347064252519993344
I’ve given Bags a hard time, and deservedly so for the most part, but after having a nice game like that, and then to go and put up some extra shots…well, it adds a little hope that he actually understands how much more he needs to improve and it also helps assuage my concerns that he just didn’t care for the game anymore.
Good to hear. It shows his passion to get better. He needs to build up his touch. Was good to see things slow down a little for him tonight. Hopefully it will all come together for the young man.
Today he was visibly having fun out there and supporting his teammates even in that closing quarter he was cheering them on. I know Doncic will always hang over our heads but its not the kids fault, gotta give it up for his resilience through this years I for one am rooting for him and still believe he can be a 20-10 guy once the game slows down for him
Great job MBIII. Hang in there and let the game come to you
#ReseHavoc
#Resespect
#ReseROY
Fun game. From the beginning of the game, you could see a better energy level from the entire team.
McNair took Haliburton at 12. Vlade took Papagiannis at 13. It’s nice to have a qualified GM running things again
Still baffling how PapaG pick even happened. I don’t think a single mock draft had him going in the first round. I still wonder if that pick made Vlade skittish about drafting another Euro, leading to passing on Luka.
I remember there was some rumor that the Spurs may try and trade up to get him. Vlade probably heard that and decided to draft him because the Spurs can do no wrong.
They had the 29th pick though, and Vlade had the 28th.
In the 2016 draft instead of all of the trades they could have just drafted Sabonis?
Bagley has a flawless game overall, except below play.
Hope he can learn from it, and look for the guard first………..
ugly play, but I am glad he at least tried to go right for a change
Tunnel vision at its finest. Pleased with his game today overall. He can only go up with how his season started.
Not trying to nitpick the kid but 0 assist……
He did try to look for teammate, BJelly was wide open in one possession, and Bagley passed him the ball, however, it unfortunately out of bound…
Also, this may be the first time I saw Bagley by his own wish and so willingly to actively set a high pick for his teammate……which resulted in a made basket… (below Gif)
I would say Bagley would benefits a lot from playing along with Hali…aka just don’t bring the ball up the court, and just let Hali run the offense.
I was thinking close to that myself last night. Bagley benefitted at least 3 times from a Hali assist, maybe more?
Tyrese Haliburton is that dude. After all these years, he’s that guy. Is he a number one scoring option? Probably not but who the hell cares. I think he’s already the best prospect we’ve had since the glory days. Already. It’s just so damn obvious and unlike guys like Cousins or Evans back in the day, EVERYONE in the basketball world sees it. We FINALLY got picked the right guy. I don’t care that it’s only 6 games. It took me 6 quarters to realize Stauskas couldn’t play. He’s the real deal and damn this feels good.
LOL, Sauce Castillo … I’m a Michigan fan (born there) and when they drafted Sauce I was like WTF
I thought at least he’d be able to shoot but he couldn’t even do that.
LOL, Ben Mac
You like Tyrese? 🙂
Hey man after so many years of not being convinced any of the dudes we’ve drafted weren’t really going to change anything, it’s great to feel the other way. I always tried to explain to folks at the old site that I’m not really that negative I’m just a realist. If I just don’t see it with a player I’m not going to try convince myself otherwise. I truly believe Haliburton is different and that has me excited about the Kings future (along with a new front office) in a way I haven’t been in a long time.
In a way a decent game from Marv just because I’m so biased against him. Gotta him give credit where credit is due and he deserves credit tonight. I’m still not a fan but I’m willing to put my prejudice aside if he continue to play like this. One possible dime that rimmed out is not anywhere close to being good with Belli, Rishaun, HB and Hali getting at least 5.
There’s just something about Marv that sets my teeth on edge. He always seems to have this smug little smile on his face and I can’t despite looking really closely recognize any sign of interaction with his team mates for most parts.
Axis, good to see you wrapping things up tonight. And BTW I really prefer Kos at half time and at the end of the game show and the new guy is very good I just prefer Jim more. I’m sure that this sounds lame but Kosis just more Sacramento and fits better than the new guy.
Nothing else to say other than what I posted in the game thread, Hali, Hali, Hali….you just amaze me man.
With as bad as Bagley’s touch has been, the one thing that came to mind is maybe he’s taking longer to get back from Covid than other people have taken–hopefully he’s not a long hauler.
His touch is not something that ever seemed to be a concern.
I was lied to! Coby White scored more than 1 point!
Haliburton is our King, and he’s here to stay!
Holmes was balling out there as well. Might have to get a jersey for both of them.
That was an encouraging game for a bunch of reasons, but especially Bagley. Not even the points, rebs and outside shot (which were great to see), but he mostly played within the offense tonight. He moved the ball and though no assists, had a couple nice passes/or almost passes that at least showed he had the right idea. I can’t remember hardly any iso post ups either. I also felt that he at least competed on defense, which if he does that he will improve at. He won’t have that stat line every game, but if he can start attempting to play within the team more like that then there is hope.
The pick and roll he ran with Hali several times had real gravity to it and completely opened up the lane for Hali a couple times. He and Hali could eventually be super dangerous out of the roll.
What’s there to say about Hali, holy crap I love that guy. That’s one of the best 4th quarters I’ve ever seen a rookie play…especially a Kings rookie.
This is great, wish I wrote it. Have a thumb.
I have to say too, I am really enjoying watching Bagley and Holmes compete on the boards. Definitely puts pressure on the opposition the way they both hit the offensive glass.
Admitted hot take; are the Kings better with Hali without Fox, rather than Woth fox without Hali?
I can see the appeal in this statement but Fox took on western conference playoff teams while Hali went against an eastern conference non playoff team.
I will say it’s too soon to know, but for sure Hali is such a glue player. Even if the assists aren’t there you know the playmaking and ball movement and effort will be.
Maybe I would say more definitively that team basketball might be better with Hali. But if you go up against a good defensive team and shots aren’t falling, Fox can put you on his back more than Hali can at this point. And it’s not like Fox can’t set up his teammates.
So against the same team, which version is better- no Hali or no Fox? Interesting debate for sure.
Better all around player sure, but Fox is still a better scorer. They are a perfect fit next to each other with their skillsets. Looking forward to Fox/Hali backcourt moving forward. Gonna allow both players to play to the best of each of their abilities
I think they’ll be better with both guys on the court and that’s good because they’re probably going to be here for awhile.
Hali!!! What a game and especially 4th quarter. Way to go rookie.
Props to good games for Holmes and Barnes.
And shout-out to Bagley, nice to see him get a double double and hit 3-5 from deep. I also really want him to succeed and root for him and give props for good play.
I really hope he and Holmes can succeed together. Maybe they can if he can 1) consistently hit the outside j and 2) learn to play interior defense (Holmes does well enough on the perimeter).
I wish Giles was still around because his passing seemed to make Marvin try harder to play make for his teammates.
Great game by the Kings without our leader in Fox!
I read that Giles sentence so wrong.
that would have been so 2020
You sure Fox is the leader ? Fox is more scorer than leader or playmaker !
Leader in the sense of go to player/scorer. I think Hali is a better playmaker/passer and possibly vocal leader.
I suppose by leader I meant leading scorer lol but I do think he’s trying to be a vocal leader too.
All my Holmes hate losing to the Bulls
Man, this Halliburton kid is something. He’s like a Magic/Pippen clone . Insanely talented passer. So on the money. Rarely turns the ball over. Effects the game positively even when his shots aren’t falling. Is an awesome defender. Can pick your pocket in the open court, contests midrange jumpers and disrupts midrange ball movement playing passing lanes. Is always around lose ball opportunities. This kid can be special. I think he pairs well with Bagley too. The pick and roll with them did look pretty nice. Gets them both space, he can oop or dump to Bagley or put in those slick lay-ins. Bagley had much improved game. Specifically defensively. He looked much better with his off the ball positioning, as well as challenging shots at the rim. He had couple blocks, some deflections, and steals. He was snatching boards. His jumper is actually looking real nice, but he’s still having trouble converting some easy close range shots. Once those start falling he can put up numbers quick. His passing was much better as well, even with zero assists. One of his TO’s was trying to hit a cutter. He hit Barnes in the post and he missed the lay-in. I think he hit someone else to that missed a rhythm shot. He was moving the ball well. Much better from Bagley. I hope to see a lot more of that. Man Buddy is just in a slump. Right as I was saying to the room how little sense there is to play him when he can’t score, he hits that 3pt And One. He has not been playing well though. His defense has improved overall, and he’s a solid rebounder for a guard. But his shot selection is suspect. Holmes was beastin. Barnes too. Hope Fox gets better soon. Great win. This team is so fun to watch when Halliburton is running the point.
Although Buddy has been doing some good things this season, is it me, or does Buddy look out of shape this year? He doesn’t look as sleek as he normally does. Maybe I’m wrong.
Hopefully Buddy comes around, but he hasn’t had a breakout game this season. I’m a big Buddy fan, so hopefully his shots will start falling. He had a couple of in and outs, so maybe he’s close. We really need him.
Great team win! Hali makes the team better.
Like what I’ve said in the last game, maybe the good game of Bags is a result of him playing with Hali. I saw a couple of defensive possessions that Hali is directing Bagley on defense.
Hali is one of those guys that makes other players better, for sure. If Bagley can do this consistently it may not be a total waste of a #2 pick.
I saw that as well, I think this is a good take.
I just want to see one game in which Tyrese, Buddy, Fox, Barnes, Bagley and Holmes all have good games. The most they scored last season in a game is 140. I think they could beat that at least once this season.
Agreed. Buddy getting his shot back is going to make this a much more dangerous offense.
Some where Stephen A. Smith is crying knowing that his Knicks passed on Haliburton 😉
If the Knicks were playing bad basketball for sure crying. Right now hes probably just moping.
With Randle and Barrett playing so well they would have looked a lot better with Haliburton. Elfrid Payton would be better as a backup.
To me Hali is the evolutionary Shaun Livingston with 3 pt range.
Or what Livingston could have been without the knee. At the time he was drafted they were comping him to Magic, just like they have with Haliburton.
Holy crap how did 11 teams pass on Haliburton? When it got closer to our pick on draft night I started getting excited, but was pretty sure a smart team like the Spurs was going to take him at 11.
I couldn’t believe when they took Vassell and Haliburton fell in our laps … I was like please, Vlonty McDivac, don’t fuck this up … and they didn’t.
Haliburton is special, for sure.
And hey, credit where it’s due, Marvin played the kind of game that shows me he can also be special … the key is striving for 21 and 12 every night, and being healthy and engaged enough to do so.
Hamstrings are tricky, though, I hope De’Aaron’s is pretty mild.
Otherwise, a great night and fun to see what these guys can be.
Kings really should look at extending Holmes. Still young enough to fit with the current core and Haliburton just brings out the best in his skillset
Bagley might shoot +40% from three if defenses give him this much room all season.
It seems like he shoots a lot better when he’s allowed to take his time to casually shoot a jumper. I wish Fox would realize he doesn’t need to jack up a shot when the opposing team dares him to shoot.
HB wants this ball, Buddy knows it won’t get passed
Yeah, I like Fox’s aggressiveness, but he doesn’t need to drive into the teeth of the defense so much, he needs to look for his guys more.
Alright, I know we played it pretty conservatively with Hali’s ceiling. But how many more games like this before we upgrade him to star potential? mean the guy controlled the game in clutch time. Looks to me like he can get a open basket, either for himself or his teammate, every time the ball is in his hand with ridiculous efficiency and his defense might actually be even better than his offense. I don’t care about him being the best player on the team, can he be the guy that can drag you to playoffs every year just by elevating everyone around him?
I’ve been wondering this as well. I think a lot of people have assumed that a low usage just means he’ll be a role player. But what if that’s just not accurate? What if he’s the guard version of Draymond Green with a great three point shot? Or what if over the next couple years he starts increasing his usage? I think if you assume normal development for a player with his BBIQ then maybe his ceiling is much higher than people realize.
My God, do the Kings have something incredible to build around?
Haliburton, only a handful of games into the NBA, is already our best PG. You can realize that now, or realize it later.
I’m not saying he’s a better player than Fox (yet). But he’s a better PG, if you define PGs as the facilitator, the QB who makes smart plays and makes the other players better. He was absolutely sensational in the fourth on both ends of court. Incredible future for this guy.
I agree. That’s why I like him coming off the bench for this year but getting starter minutes. He get’s his own bench squad to lead the point and can also play with the starters in other roles. Fox may have to give up the point and play off ball in the future…
Just watched NBA Game time and Channing Frye said “Richaun Holmes had a really good game off the bench.”
Fantastic insight – who started at center?
Fantastic insight and Channing Frye are antonyms.
more like Channing Freeze
Now I LOVE Vlade Divac (the player), I want/wanted nothing but good things for Vlade. But for those saying that this is the same team as Vlades last year….
Tyrese is the big difference and it showed tonight. I am not convinced Vlade would have taken him at 12. I’m actually convinced he wouldnt based off what he has said in previous drafts. So all hail Monte.
BTW I dont think anyone is serious when they are praising Vlade. But im up and wanted to type something.
Nice win.
Especially great to Marvin moving the ball in rhythm. Zero assists don’t do justice to his willingness to pass tonight. Even when he put up three he was mostly wide open. He is still young enough to be an excellent player in the league. With his natural skill set this should be the game that looks average for him in 3 years. When the announcing crew kept saying the game looked like it was slowing down for Marvin they were 100% right. A very encouraging game.
Fox-Hali-Holmes should be our core moving forward. Trade Buddy and Bagley then move Barnes, Cojo and Bjelica. Give Woodard, Jeffries, Ramsey, Metu and Guy their minutes so as to see who will take the next step.
Lastly, MAX HALIBURTON ASAP!!!
Tyrese runs the team better than Fox already ! He actually does make others better !
Haliburton is transforming the culture of this team similar the way J-Will transformed the team. You can see the infectious pass first mentality throughout, and it’s fun to watch. The guy is a stud.
Richaun is an interesting center. He might be a better perimeter defender than rim protector. I’ve noticed that he has consistently guarded, or willingly switched out on, the opposing teams best perimeter player throughout the season and has done well. Whether it’s James Harden, Zach Levine, or Steph Curry Holmes has been a willing on ball defender. He really has nice feet and athleticism in that role.
I love Richaun and if we can keep him in the 8-9M/yr range (comp Montezl Harrell), we absolutely should.
I have been MBIII’s biggest critics since being drafted but he had a really nice game. I’m not sure why he didn’t get minutes at the end of the game, other than you are always waiting for MBIII to start doing stupid stuff when he’s on the floor. But they could have easily replaced GRIII with MBIII. It’s just a couple of letters. This was MBIII’s best game I can remember. I hope he keeps it up.
Please Fox, get better soon.
Yes this is what I love about Hali. His play is so influential. I could see it in the first preseason game with Fox and Buddy’s defensive effort picking up, after Tyrese checked in.
But the game looks so much smoother with him in it.
Good game and a great team win without Fox. Re-sign Holmes ASAP. Haliburton is a godsend.
Bagley playing with more effort which was awesome to see but he needs to muscle his way around more. He’s a big guy. Use your body.
We absolutely do not win this game without Hali. For a rookie to shake off 1-7 shooting and a couple tough turnovers through most of 3 quarters, is incredible. He got us points when the game was tight in the end but without looking like it was luck that he got those points, whether by his passing or own scoring. This kid deserves the hype and looks like the best rookie since Demarcus, except far more seasoned.
Besides the playmaking and the scoring, which have been remarkable, I love how Hali rebounds. Not only he’s tall for his position, he has an above avarege reading of the ball while in the air. Dude is a Jedi.
If Hield is shopped for good value, McNair can draft a scoring/shooting combo guard next draft. I can see Fox, Hali and one other guard working like CP3, Schroder and SGA in last year’s OKC. I also think that Billy Donovan would make our young core thrive, Colby White was impressive yeasterday.
Badge Legend