I’m, umm, not doing this today.
Let’s not talk Kings basketball.
When: Monday, November 25th, 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBCSCA
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Kill or Be Killed: I legitimately cannot muster the will to write a preview about my two favorite teams in the NBA playing each other because of what I saw at G1C last night. I’m not even pissed about it, just, emotionally void of the things that usually make me a fan. This team is poorly managed, poorly coached, poorly played by a majority of those involved with the franchise right now. One built a roster without length and expected it to survive in the modern NBA. One is clinging to his favorites, running schemes that don’t fit the personnel (especially on defense). As a result of the decision makers in management and coaching, the players are tired, in a prolonged shooting slump and sinking fast in a Western Conference that truly requires every win possible to survive… all while playing the second easiest schedule to start the season.
I don’t pretend to be a heavy stats guy but this team is so predictable in their shortcomings that I literally said last game: “They attempt the fewest shots in the NBA, running at the slowest pace as well, but they attempt the 7th most threes, and hit them at the 8th best percentage. Nearly half of their shots are from deep and they hit them at a 37.6% clip. This is the ball game here. Kings don’t guard it well, Nets love taking them. Guard the line or die.”
The Kings died and are killing any enthusiasm left for this season along with it.
OKC is a great team, built with intention and purpose by a great GM, empowered by good ownership and with a great coach that’s on the exact same page as management. What the Kings talk about being, the Thunder ARE. Doesn’t bode well for tonight.
I’m done for today: go read Tim Maxwell’s piece later today, I’ll cosign all he has to say there, and I’ve only read the title.
Prediction
Kings shock their opponents and fans alike and play competent basketball against a team littered with injuries.
Kings:121, Thunder:120
OKC had been playing quite small—
They weren’t using a center at all.
But Hartenstein’s back
To pick up Chet’s lack,
While our season’s now in free fall!
+1 Still hoping we can turn things around?!
Fire up the tank baby!!! Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey would probably help this roster!
They are too tall!
With the first overall pick the Kings select Nolan Traore, a 6’3″ combo guard!
If he’s not a junior or senior, I don’t want him.
Is that you, Monte?
Dare we start-up Operation M.C.N.A.I.R. again?
Oh… oh no. OH NO.
This one’s gonna be brutal, especially since once again the starters played somewhat heavy minutes. First time this team is playing against a top tier team this season.
Yeah, this. Maybe this roster is imbalanced, but still it has too much individual talent for the team to be playing this poorly.
It looks like the fire-breathing giraffe may make a return this season after a two-ish-year hiatus.
Should the Kings lose tonight (which is most likely) and lose at Minny on Wednesday (also likely) it will be their first 5 game losing streak of the Mike Brown era.
Non-Sequetor incoming…
Vlade was named Kings Ambassador in November 2023, and things haven’t been the same since then. Supposed to be a non-basketball role, but I highly doubt he isn’t being asked questions or offering ideas to Vivek.
After that last game I think I’ll hate-watch tonight.
Somebody should probably warn the broadcast team.
Uh oh, Marty is hotter than fish grease under the collar.
I’m anticipating everything but the bucket
BUTTER
Put ’em in the weight room, Marty!
First name Marty…
I’m just going to say this because it’s important, fans don’t understand this comment made me laugh out loud.
Listen…
Seems Monk will be back tonight. I guess I’ll tune in after all
OKC is apt to thunder into G1C and rain down a win, with the leading (tied at 11-4) Western Conf. team a +4.5 on odds.
It’s a 3 Point League:
OKC is shooting 13.6/42.8 for 32.3 3FG% on away games. Surprisingly, Sac is 12./33.6 for a decent looking 37.4 3FG% at home (and that includes the 3/26 LAC game from a couple of weeks ago). Perhaps there is a some home light at the end of that bleak shooting tunnel (Could it be a purple beam?)
OKC is averaging 114 ppg away, Sac is averaging 114.6 at home – so right there on paper, the Kings are winning by 0.6 points. The narrowest of margins, but I’ll take the 0.6 points, though it might not show up in the box score. Has anyone noticed that the FT% is starting to drop? Kings now are 4th (from 1st), OKC is now 2nd. Kings are also now only 26th from 29th in 3FG% and up to 33.2% though for the life of me, having watched games these last two weeks it sure doesn’t seem like there was any reason to increase their percentages from beyond.
We keep waiting for the team to click, and it just ain’t there. Maybe Malik Monk will provide a lift, I expect him to jack up at least 3 ridiculous shots as the clock runs down (his specialty). Maybe he breaths new life in them, in which case, he can be the Pizza Guy and his game won’t annoy me so much. I’d like to see a 4th Quarter with good stops and smart shots. I’d like to see a first quarter with 30+ points and 3 or less turnovers. I’d like to see Huerter go better than 40%. Same for Keegan. I’d like to see JMac as I am not big Colby Jones fan, and I don’t mind Dougie McBuckets, but apparently, I am alone there.
Light that Beam! Go Kings!
If Keon starts, he could guard Shai while Keegan guards JDub and Fox stays out of foul trouble.
just saying.
Mayne we need another billboard campaign to get Keon in the starting unit.
I am a fan of the idea that Kev should earn his minutes from a bench role. If he can prove that he can space the floor in limited limits, play him. Otherwise, stick with keons defense and whatever offensive game he gives every night(in a sort of andre robertson role but keon be a little better spot up shooter)
If Kev gives 9-12 points per game, well then atleast our bench box score wouldnt show all zeros all the time.
I just hope this game isn’t over by the end of the first half (or *gulp* the first quarter).
Badge Legend