Update: 9:45 pm
Don’t look now, but the Sacramento Kings have won three in a row. Sacramento defeated New York 112-101 Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center. Mike Brown got a nice applause at the beginning of the game from Kings fans. Jalen Brunson injured his ankle early and left the game. The Kings won the first quarter 32-17 and really never looked back. At halftime, the Knicks were shooting just 5% from three. The Knicks never really climbed back into the game and the Kings cruised for the rest of the way.
It was a Precious Achiuwa revenge game as he finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds in 39 minutes. He was aggressive and clearly wanted to show out. DeMar DeRozan again led the Kings in scoring with 27 points. Zach LaVine added 25 points. Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points and 11 assists. The Knicks ended up shooting just 20% from three and 39% from the field.
Vivek Ranadive and Brown seemed to have a friendly exchange before the game. Brown had some nice things to say about Sacramento before the game.
From Earlier Preview:
The Knicks are in Sacramento tonight, marking the first time Mike Brown will return to G1C since he was unceremoniously fired last season. Let’s get into it.
Who: Sacramento Kings (10-30) vs. New York Knicks (25-14)
When: 7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
Mike Brown is back in Sac, and while I also thought the team was ready for a new voice at the time of his removal, you cannot support how the organization did it. The embarrassing lack of accountability and leadership from Vivek Ranadive, Monte McNair, Wes Wilcox, and the entire organization following his firing still hangs over the team like a dark cloud. To this day, I don’t think the Kings have recovered from the perception hit they took when the Mike Brown situational all fell apart.
The asinine De’Aaron Fox trade materialized shortly after, triggered to some extent by the fact that Fox took a lot of the heat for Brown’s firing, and then the entire regime was let go at the end of the season. Well, aside from Doug Christie, who Scott Perry totally wanted to retain the entire time, and had nothing to do with the fact that he was one of Vivek’s favorites.
Maybe Fox would have asked out regardless, but firing Brown was the first significant public domino that ended the Beam Team era for good. The brilliant minds in charge not only fumbled whatever success the Kings had, but that wasn’t enough. They also had to set the rebuild back by failing to land any significant prospects from the Spurs, and pursued Zach LaVine’s contract everyone else in the league was terrified of. On purpose.
I hope Mike Brown receives a standing ovation tonight. I hope the fans chant for him all game. Not because I think he deserves that level of praise, maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t, I don’t really care – I just want the organization to feel uncomfortable.
Prediction: Kings 117, Knicks 109
2022-2023 season seems like decades ago.
Mike Brown’s reaction if the Knicks lose to Doug Christie’s Kings
Not only do I hope this does not happen, I fully agree with Tony’s take on this one, especially cheering Mike Brown vigorously, but it shouldn’t happen for all of the reasons we re-hash, including we fans don’t want this to happen. But it was a good pic on giphy of Mike Brown.
Reminiscing of that long ago time, two seasons ago was it?, that The Beam Team was in it’s glory and we fans were celebrating (remember the 40 wins guys at Summer League?) and we see the how and why of Monte & Wes – why did they stand pat that Summer after? Why did they not trade Huerter the following trade deadline? Why didn’t they sign Siakam?
As for today: how can we believe anything that GM 6 Pillar Perry says when that same owner and COO lurk behind every action and non-action remain?
Having said that: 24 hours until 15 January and Kuminga season opens. I think Kuminga ends up somewhere other than Sac only because I don’t think Dunleavy/Lacob will allow it to happen.
One thing I can guarantee is that Coach Brown will get a lot more COY votes at the end of this season than will Doug. Wild to think Brown is still cashing some Vivek checks.
Pure Vivek – hire a guy. He’s successful! Finally! Unanimous Coach of the Year. UNAMINOUS. sign him to an additional 3 year deal at $10M(!)/season. Wait 31 games into the new contract of at least 246 games, and fire him! On the phone on the way to the airport for goodness sake. Place your guy (Matina) directly in charge bypassing other assistants with more experience.
Clown franchise.
100%. Fired 31 games into a new 3 year deal is just bonkers. Brown is getting paid some this year and next by Vivek to likely take the Knicks deep into the playoffs. I’m not sure how much of his deal is offset by the Kings and Knicks, but he’s still getting some by Vivek.
The Knicks coming here to Sactown
Bring with them our former coach Brown.
While they’re high achieving,
We’re low and grieving.
Vivek’s tenure has brought us all down!
+1 Who’s getting the last laugh?
I sincerely hope so. Nothing would make me happier than for the Knicks to kick the Kings collective ass up and down the court all night long. This clown franchise deserves it and I hope Vivek is courtside all 48 minutes to witness it.
Kings Win!
&ct=g
Statue of Liberty dance! And it’s got a beam in it.
Kayte’s mic is broken. Happy late Christmas from your Sacramento Kings.
Dude they killed her!
That was hilarious!
Embarrassing basketball from the usual suspects but the Knicks couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn
I had expected to be more impressed by the Knicks. They’re taking a ton of ill-advised threes.
No Brunson is definitely putting a wrench in things, plus there’s some good looks that just aren’t falling. I’m sure they’ll get their feet back under them once they realize Russ is only gonna defend Kat whenever they run a double big lineup
More Cardwell, less Russ, Max please box out Robinson sometimes
Lol, Vivek and Mike Brown hugging pregame.
”I know play is going on Kayte, but please continue.”
Kayte just referred to the Knicks as “udderless”. Bad news for Josh Hart
This team never was able to tank properly, I’m not sure why I thought they would now. They’ll win enough games to get a pick in that 8-14 range.
You beat me to it by about 90 seconds!
Exactly. Kangz always start to win at the very end of the season without fail. Vivek really loves those end of lottery picks.
Everyone: There are a legit 5 players at the top of this draft that can potentially alter the course of this franchise.
Kangz: Hold my beer, let’s pick someone between 6-12.
Don’t worry. Schroder is coming back and Monk will go back to DNP-CD’s.
Erratic Monk. What can Perry get back from him?
Really weird that the ref didn’t let Max into the game just now.
“With the 8th pick of the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings draft Braylon Mullins, shooting guard, UConn.”
Destiny awaits LOL…
Even if the Kings somehow got to the playoffs, I wouldn’t care because Westbrook/DeRozan are at the end of their careers and LaVine wants out. This does nothing for the future.
There is zero chance this team makes the playoffs.
You have to admit though , let’s say just by pure amazing dumb luck they made it to the finals and won.
how perfect would it be for this team to win a championship with players we don’t care about and have zero connection to this city.
really truly.. best kangz
To no one’s surprise, Kuminga has asked for a trade after his 13th straight DNP/CD. Kings are rumored to NOT be including a pick in their latest offers.
It is January 15th. The day has arrived. Trade news in 1, 2…. ???
Well, we’re finally looking somewhat like a team out there. Make some trades and fix this tank please
There is a better than 0% chance that Vivek is saying (at least to Gentry), “We’re starting to come together. Let’s not do anything right now. We’re only 7 games out of the play-in!”
The tank will be under fire for the rest of this home stand. Next up are the Wizards; and for the following three games (Blazers, Heat, Raptors), the visitors will be on a SEGABABA here. We should also be getting an update on Domas any day now; he could be back for the Heat and/or the Raptors.
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