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Kings vs Thunder Preview: More than OK, See?

The Thunder have won seven of nine. The Kings have won five straight. Something has to give.
By | 37 Comments | Jan 20, 2023

The Sacramento Kings have won five straight games and are headed home to take on the only other team I can claim to truly love – the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yes, yes, I apologize to all of my regulars here for the embarrassing moment, but my basketball wife and basketball mistress have finally come head to head to fight it out, and folks, the only winner (outside of, you know, the winner of the game) is me. Can the Kings hope to contain the uncontainable Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Does Poku even know that I exist? You really think so? Do you think he would – ah, screw it, we can talk about this after the preview!

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Friday, January 20th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

For Your Consideration

Giddey for This Game: The Oklahoma City Thunder are not supposed to be here, at this spot in the West, at this point in the season, at this juncture in their rebuild – they just aren’t supposed to be here. Ask 99% of all arm-chair GMs and NBA talking heads alike, and they’d tell you: the Thunder WILL be tanking, the Thunder WILL be in the running for Victor Wembanyama. Hell, I love this team and if you’d have asked me prior to the season, if you’d have asked me prior to Christmas, I’d have told you the same thing. This is a development year for the Thunder, and boy howdy, have these kids been a-developin’.

Take this with a massive grain of OKC salt here, but the number of pearls clutched about the Oklahoma City Thunder rebuild could make a king-sized bed of clams blush and nothing in basketball Twitter (outside of rooting for the Lakers) has given me more second hand embarrassment than reading generally reasonable people ponder loudly about how long Adam Silver would allow the Thunder to do what they do before valiantly stepping in and saving the fans from the most egregious tank job since The Process – handwringing about a team that was the 5th seed in the West in the ’19-20 season because Sam Presti took a path that he knew maximized his chances of bringing a sustainable winner back to Chesapeake Energy Arena.

With half of the season still left to play, I don’t want you to mistake this as a victory-lap for those who have enjoyed seeing what the Thunder have done. With the parity in today’s Western Conference, there’s still plenty of time for a quick sink into some incredible odds at a franchise-altering player, but I will say this:

For those of you saying you could never support a tank job like the Thunder, boy do I have news for you!

The Thunder are good and the personal and national nightmare of basketball traditionalists might soon be over… permanently.

Currently led by All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the youngest team in the league is currently sitting at 9th in the West, just a win below .500 and sporting the easiest remaining schedule in the league according to Tankathon. This Thunder squad sits above the incredibly expensive, incredibly volatile Timberwolves, above the much hyped and suddenly misaligned Blazers, above the bad vibes and badly injured Suns and above the Lakers squad that the Kings just went down to the wire against. Is it likely that someone in that group below them swings a trade, or gets it together after the All-Star Break and pushes the Thunder out of that spot? Oh sure. I’ll probably praise Sam Presti for giving the NBA a preview of the devastation of what’s to come when Poku and Chet Holmgren are playing together next season. But it won’t stop the fact that the Thunder are going to be here, be true players in the West and for a good long while, much sooner than some had anticipated.

Okay let’s talk about the game for a second. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is absolutely an All-Star lock in my mind, taking his knack for scoring and turning it into a full blown obsession with it. The kid feels absolutely inevitable most nights at this point, jumping his scoring six points a game higher this season to 30.5 a night, while averaging basically 5 rebounds and 5.5 assists to go along with it. His running mate, Josh Giddey, is averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5.9 absolute dimes night in and night out. The kid is absolutely clicked into his role in the NBA and it’s fantastic basketball to watch when he’s on. This backcourt is 6’6 and 6’8 respectively. We give Orlando a long of hardy-hars about being long bois, but Shai and Giddey are absolutely terrifying with their size. I’ve got so many words to write about this team and so little time to do it now, so take solace in knowing I’ll have at least a couple more opportunities to gush about them this year. Special “keep your eyes on” shout out to Jalen Williams, the 6’6 shooting guard rookie that is should definitely wind up on the first team All-Rookie squad by season’s end.

This is going to be a very fun game to watch. The Thunder at 7th in the NBA is scoring and 5th in the NBA in pace so the Kings should be in for a high scoring affair, especially if Domas can get over what is ailing him.  They’re 20th in the NBA in opposition’s points per game but 10th in defensive rating so, just know, these kids are bought into Mark Daigneault’s designs for them and working their asses off to execute. They’re a top ten rebounding team, top five in steals, seventh in blocks, but on the other hand they’re bottom five in fouls which gives way to being the second worst team in opponent free throw attempts. They’re young, they get out there for steals and blocks and wind up fouling – a tale as old as time.

Okay, I’m out of here.

Goddamn, I’m excited to watch this game.

Prediction

No game is played this night. They meet at center court, they shake hands, they sit in the marketplace of ideals and talk out there differences and the Kings agree to be the winners of the match because OKC argues they’ve had the longer playoff drought and deserve the best shot possible at ending it. Peace in our time.

Kings: 1, Thunder: 0

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Kosta
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January 20, 2023 12:40 pm

Damn. I read all the way to the end before I realized there wasn’t any Kings coverage.

Not even one word about Richaun Harris!

rockbottom
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January 20, 2023 5:48 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Harris seems to have a Holmes like body and game . Big game against Westbrook’s Lakers .

Daydreamer
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January 20, 2023 12:40 pm

Bravo! Great preview and wonderful prediction!

Jman1949
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January 20, 2023 12:42 pm

The Thunder is truly a threat
To get an untimely upset.
A team on the rise—
Our Kings must be wise.
Overlooking them’s not a good bet!

Kosta
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January 20, 2023 12:52 pm

Trap game.

BUT NOT FOR THE KINGS!

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 3:30 pm
Reply to  Kosta

This ain’t a trap game, this is a young team with a lot of talent. It’ll be just straight up tough. I think the Kings are better, but they are going to have to earn it.

andy_sims
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January 20, 2023 12:59 pm

1-0, a real pitchers’ battle.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 20, 2023 1:02 pm

Do the Thunder really not start anyone over 6’6″. They have only once center on their roster! Who the hell is gonna guard Sabonis? The dude should go off tonight! Just feed him in the post where he can either punish them down low or kick it out after they inevitably have to double him.

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 3:31 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

This game would be more interesting if Poku and Chet were involved, even though they lack the girth to stop Domas.

RobHessing
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January 20, 2023 1:04 pm

Philly tomorrow, Memphis a couple of days after that. I would like this game, please.

RobHessing
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January 20, 2023 2:17 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Also, how fun is it to be scoreboard watching, and not for lottery position?

Kosta
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January 20, 2023 2:27 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Poor L*kers fans.

Scoreboard watching isn’t very promising, and they owe their 1st round pick to New Orleans.

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andy_sims
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January 20, 2023 2:49 pm
Reply to  Kosta

That particular knife is one that I love to twist. There’s no upside to being crap.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 20, 2023 2:57 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Same dudes just finally jaded a few years older, perhaps?

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murraytant
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January 20, 2023 3:13 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

it is going to be a long decade for these fools.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 20, 2023 4:49 pm
Reply to  murraytant

I remember when they were complaining in 2020 that it was ten years since their last title. They seriously had the ego to complain about not being champs more often than once a decade!

murraytant
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January 20, 2023 3:12 pm
Reply to  Kosta

light the beam, mofos!

rockbottom
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January 20, 2023 5:51 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Will they be happy when Westbrook gets resigned ?

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 20, 2023 2:54 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Know what I don’t miss? Checking Tankathon after every game and seeing who might be a steal around pick #7. This is the longest I haven’t visited that site in probably a decade.

BuffaloDiaspora
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January 20, 2023 3:00 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I go to Tankathon, but mostly to check in on the Sharks’ pursuit of Connor Bedard. Also, the NBA remaining schedule strength is always worth a peek.

RobHessing
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January 20, 2023 3:37 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Taylor Hendricks of UCF intrigues me.

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 4:31 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Rim protecting stretch 4 potentially at the NBA level? (I haven’t seen him play, I’m guessing that based on numbers, measurables and that sort of thing.)

I’m guessing Monte McNair wanted to keep the ’23 pick for precisely that reason. See if there’s a player they can develop (because I doubt that guy can be acquired from another team) that is a long term fit next to Domas.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kingsguru21
Adamsite
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January 20, 2023 4:54 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I really wouldn’t mind if Monte were to kick the tires on Zach Collins. I bet he could be had for cheap and his deal is partially guaranteed for next year. He’s by no means ideal but could be an interesting frontcourt combo with Sabonis. Plus, there is the Gonzaga connection!

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 6:15 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

That’s what makes this year intriguing for me Adam. You have a core group of players, what you are talking about is an ancillary pieces being added to a team already winning.

It’s been too long since that was the case.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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January 20, 2023 6:48 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

So, you’re in favor of bringing Zach Collins back to the team that originally drafted him (10)?

You don’t care for Justin Jackson (15) or Harry Giles (20)?

Some of the names from 11-18:
Luke Kennard, Malik Monk, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adabeyo (11,12,13) John Collins (19)

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 20, 2023 4:50 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Dammit, you are gonna make me want to go to Tankathon now.

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 3:34 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Also, how fun is it to be scoreboard watching, and not for lottery position?

This is my favorite season ever, honestly. It’s not the best year I’ve seen from this org, but it’s been a blast watching this team begin something that seems like it’s got a real shot at lasting a half decade or more. I missed the 99 season due to the inconvenience of being on the other side of the country after enlisting in the Navy. This time around, I’ve gotten a chance to watch every minute and I’m loving it. Even the losses don’t feel nearly as dire, and the wins, for me, seem very sustainable moving forward.

This homestand is tough, but if the Kings can pull out tonight/Toronto and 1 of the next 2 (and Memphis is on a SEGABABA Monday after playing in Phoenix Sunday).

The Kings have a real opportunity to make hay here.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kingsguru21
Want2win
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January 20, 2023 4:07 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Kings are tied with the most B2B games and up there on 3 in 4 nights ../ oh well would like to see them go 3-3 in next 6

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 6:25 pm
Reply to  Want2win

Yeah but this 3 in 4 is in your building. That’s not like you are traveling waking up in a different city every day. Different scenario as opposed to what you see on the road.

murraytant
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January 20, 2023 3:11 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Kings have not done well vs. Memphis and Philly (Adams and Joel are just too big) so this is an important game not to get trapped into.
SGA is good. Is he good because he is on a lousy team? actually no.
Giddey is the real deal, and they have a bunch of “other guys.”
No center though. Muscala ??
Pound the heck out of them. The anti- Memphis games.

SierraSpartan
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January 20, 2023 2:14 pm

Everybody get your Thunder Buddy!

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Want2win
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January 20, 2023 3:17 pm

Holy Hell, OKC has 2 1st rounder in 23, 4 1sts in 24, 4 1sts in 25. And 3 in 26

wow

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 3:27 pm
Reply to  Want2win

They’ve got a treasure trove, but if I were them I’d be emptying it for a star on their front line at one of the F spots. Siakam is one guy I’d go after. Even though I don’t think they would do it (or the Knicks), Julius Randle is the type of guy I’d go after were I OKC.

The list of young talent they have playing is pretty long. Shai, Giddey, Poku, Jalen of Santa Clara (not to be confused with Jaylen of Arkansas), Chet when he comes back, Lu Dort is really good, Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins (he is not Andrew’s brother or Canadian), Darius Bazley, and even Isaiah Joe.

At some point, Presti will have to consolidate all that talent into a bigger time star. KAT might be a guy he goes after, too. There’s some talent worth going after with his treasure trove of cheap talent and a humungous amount of picks. It’ll be interesting to see how they go about things out there.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 20, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

If they are still flirting with the playin by the deadline, I could see them swinging big. They are going to have to something with all those picks because they just won’t have the roster space for them.

I agree with you, if Toronto, Chicago, or whoever ends up selling, OKC has the picks to get some nice talent. They could make some noise if at the deadline they swing for someone like Pascal to pair with SGA and Giddey

Kingsguru21
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January 20, 2023 4:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m interested to see what Minnesota, Chicago and Toronto do. I’m also interested to see where Holmes ends up because I do think he’ll end up being traded to a team that’s willing to roll the dice. Not because of the game the other night, but just because he can help you if you use him the way he’s most valuable.

Should be an interesting deadline any way you slice it.

Want2win
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January 20, 2023 4:02 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

They are definitely sitting pretty and should be able to get an all sta level forward for a team ready to reset

RobHessing
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January 20, 2023 3:43 pm
Reply to  Want2win

That’s 11% of NBA 1st round picks over that period for those of you playing at home. Better than 3x the average. Wowsers!

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