Much like the Kings had two Summer League teams so Golden State could *also* host the California Classic, the Kings are traveling to the Bay so Golden State can *also* host a Kings/Warriors preseason game. Let’s do it again.
When: Friday, October 11th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV: NBATV, Kings.com (locals only)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
We’re back for more preseason action, and due to the current lack of depth I suspect the starters will get a similar amount of playing time. The injury list will probably be the same too, so no Jordan McLaughlin, no Trey Lyles, no Orlando Robinson, and no Kevin Huerter. No word yet on Malik Monk’s status, but he was expected to join the team in San Francisco according to an update Sean Cunningham shared on Thursday. We’ll be watching to see how the starters continue to mesh with DeMar DeRozan, and how the deep bench guys handle their opportunities.
While you’re here, I’ll also mention that we added a bunch of new designs to our store. Grab yourself a new shirt or mug for the start of the season. You’ll look dashing and it helps us keep the lights on.
Since it’s preseason, this post will serve as both the preview and the game thread.
Go Kings!
It’s the Dubs once again at the Chase
To challenge them down at their place.
It would not be a crime
To try defense this time—
On their threes get a hand in their face!
That California Classic debacle was ridiculous. 2023 was SO much better. G1C > Chase times a billion.
I’ve only ever been to Chase for a rock concert. But that arena is boring as hell, especially considering how great its location is. It’s like a playground for the wealthy with absolutely no soul to it at all. And for a team with serious championship hardware, you can hardly tell that a basketball team plays there when you walk the concourse. In fact, walking the concourse, there really wasn’t much interesting to see, aside from the entrance. I was prepared to be jealous but I ended up being quite content with how Golden 1 compares.
Have you seen a basketball game there?
I love going to see the Kings play there! There is definitely GSW basketball vibe in that building. The energy is awesome.
I’ve only seen Jane’s Addiction / Smashing Pumpkins there. No basketball.
Check out a game when you get a chance. Different vibe. Like G1 for basketball but not great at all for music. Like comparing an octopus to a brontosaurus.
My comments were quite specific to the concourse, which was unremarkable. Of course it will have a different vibe during a basketball game. But I feel I got a fairly good measure of the place. I’m sure I’ll catch a game there eventually.
I read the first few sentences where you referenced Chase, the arena, and playground. No big deal though.
GO Kings!
Another data point in the decades long experimental process.
Does a team that does not play defense beat a team that can score at will?
The GSW took 52 3PA, with 3PM at 28 (3FG% 53.8%). They made more 3 pointers than the number that Sacramento took (Sac 3PA at 27, and made only 7 (!) for 25.9%.
I expect Golden State to take within 10% of that number again tonight, and for Sac to attempt >35 – come hell or high water (likely 40 or more as their season average last year was 39.3) I expect the Kings 3fg% to go up, and GSW to go down. Rebounding will therefore also go up. (Sac 41, GSW 33).
I guess we’ll see the starters (and Monk if he plays) for another first half and the hopefuls the second half – because Mike Brown still has to pare down the roster to 15 standard and 3 TWC by October 19. As mentioned above – of the first bench 5: Monk, Huerter, McLaughlin, Len, Lyles – only Len for sure, and possibly Monk, will be available. Throw in Devin Carter, out until perhaps the ASG February and hopeful 12th man Orlando Robinson – and that leaves
Isaac Jones (TWC) ($579K)
Mason Jones (TWC) ($579K)
Isaiah Crawford (TWC) ($579K)
Colby Jones (no guaranteed money 2025/2026) ($2.121M)
Boogie Ellis ($1.157M)
Terry Taylor ($2.208M)
Brodric Thomas ($2.208M)
Skal Labissiere ($2.237M)
So the Kings have 11 guys pretty set, and can only hold no more than 15, and no less than 14. Reminder: Tax Level $170.814M, First Apron $178.132M
I believe Brown said after practice yesterday that the starters will play into the 3rd tonight.
Lost in the voluminous detail but I am guessing spray threes are the answer?
Like spray statistics? Love it though.
New drinking game: drink every time Kevon Looney sets an illegal/moving screen and it doesn’t get called. There was one last game where he was literally stepping backwards while sticking his rear end out to prevent the Kings player from getting around the screen and the ref couldn’t have been more than 5-6 feet away. No whistle. I can’t stand it when that type of stuff isn’t called.
Tbf it is preseason for the refs too
Draymond was doing that a lot too.
That’s how you build a dynasty
For 27 years the Kings have been the only team in the NBA to play a clean game of basketball. All of the other teams cheat and the referees are corrupted by the La*ker* with money from Jeanie’s Playboy shoot.
What are you looking for tonight? I’d say better 3 point defense, the starters to look as good as last game on offense, and maybe a flash out of Issac or Mason Jones.
Agreed. I want to see the bench start to take shape a little bit. Who’s going to step up and secure a role? There are spots open to start the season, so you hope a player or two snatches the opportunity. I’m also thinking Isaac and/or Mason are the likely candidates.
That three point defense was atrocious on Wednesday. I know Keegan was impressive in that one little sequence vs. Curry. I want to see him and Keon close out on the perimeter much more effectively tonight. Hoping Wednesday was more about getting their sea legs than a preview of the season to come. I suspect that to be the case, to be honest.
Three point defense, if there is an actual measurement for it, likely depends on the defense played by the guards on the perimeter. Based on the last few years of reality that has not been a prowess or a true intentional behavior of this team.
Malik out again for personal reasons. Hopefully everything ends up alright for him and his family.
I absolutely hate this drone camera coverage.
It’s terrible for live action
I love seeing something new!
A birds eye view of the action!
Keegan has a lil swagger this season. Looks like he belongs.
Ellis is getting 3pt shots that aren’t his type of shot. Off movement ain’t his thing.
Scoring is not his thing. Dribble the ball a few times and pass it. Be the invisible man.
Set 3s, that’s his offensive game, which is fine with the starters.
Hopefully he has an offensive game?
He is in the lineup because he can play defense and everyone is hurt. Just be Keon.
41% from 3 last season
Cool. Keep playing defense and pass the ball. Be the invisible man and try to stay in the rotation.
Isaac Jones is intriguing.
What are you seeing in him?
Lengthy
I hope he ends up being something good for this team but more than anything I hope this team never needs him.
Really can tell how much the Kings need Monk, KH, and Lyles. 3 of their best shooters
The end of the bench has looked pretty rough. I suppose if your team is gonna have a flaw, it’s a good one to have.
Consistency through extended periods of time.
DeRozan had regressed to a paltry 50% shooting.
We need him and have him! Demar is the difference for this team.
The Joneses are collectively yet to make a three
Set them free!
Is it me or is Len wearing Fox Force 1s?
Every time Sabonis takes and misses a wide open 3 I wonder what it would of been like to have Lauri taking that shot. Of course, no KH, Monk, or Lyles tonight and that would help with shooting also.
I hope he is just trying it out in the pre season to see what happens.
His midrange shot has looked more comfortable through 2 games at least, so I would take that.
Definitely! Derozan is unlocking parts of Sabonis we have never conceived in our wildest fantasies.
Keon is statistically equal to Curry at this point in time. We should trade Murray and Fox for a power forward.
Keon is it!
Is this the next iteration of Anybodybutbagley?
Who is that?
I have a sense of humor and I enjoy basketball, especially the Kings. Keon is keeping up with Curry. That is both funny and good basketball.
Not anymore. Curry is rebounding and getting assists.
Yup.
Will it ever stop?
Who are you talking about?
Not Marvin Bagley. I do not have the money or musical talent he has been blessed with.
Sabonis and Derozan seem to have developed some chemistry. The flow of the game is actually smooth between the two of them.
Ellis building on the lead!
Maybe he is an offensive beast?
Keon and Keegan fit like gloves in their roles.
A no name undrafted shooting guard and a small forward forced into a power forward role.
LETS GO!
The NBA is changing. PFs are lither, quicker, and play on the perimeter more than ever. Keegan can guard 1-4, rebound, hit the 3, and attack the rim. Keon disrupts the perimeter and makes open shot. They are a perfect fit for this team’s needs.
Keegan is not lither but he is playing power forward. Keon is this team. Take away his points and we are losing.
Is this the rise of Keon?
Would love to know the starting 5s +/- in this two game stretch
Keon has to be setting the bar for the rest of the NBA.
Huerter is cleared to play. Is Brown letting Keon play the entire game to give him one last hoorah?
Colby has looked embarrassingly bad out there
It’s been a recurring theme for his Sacramento minutes up to this point in his career. That said, he was a 2nd round pick, so it’s not exactly a surprise. Nice player for Stockton, though.
I was a big believer in him in the draft. Big whiff on my evaluation. Not enough explosiveness, decisiveness, touch, or craftiness to survive.
I was hopeful he’d be a diamond in the rough. However, the 2nd round seems to be the one area Monte can’t figure out. Solid 1sts, one homer on a UDFA with a couple other possibilities pending.
Colby has never looked good on the floor in an NBA game or pre season game. He is a summer league tease.
I’ve seen enough of Colby Jones. Dude’s shot is broken.
Lol was about to say the same thing. He looks like he doesn’t even belong with end of bench players.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a little Boogie Ellis
To the Kings credit, Alex and the G’s haven’t given up the lead yet against starters and rotation players
Boogie should get the last roster spot. Make him a two way and convert one of the Joneses.
Colby is afraid to shoot the basketball. If his money wasn’t already guaranteed I’d say cut him.
That flying camera that moves is terrible. It’s hard to watch the live play with the camera moving. Greetings to all! Go Kings!
I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the starters in these two games. Hopefully our bench will heal up quickly, so our second unit isn’t Malik, Alex and the G-league guys.
Who was responsible for Moody and Kuminga? Buddy with the easiest 10 points in his career?
Crawford, Ellis, and Len appeared to be the only nba-ready talent playing for the Kings bench tonight. I’m afraid Colby, Isaac, and Mason cannot keep up with the Joneses.
Can Ellis keep up with Ellis?
Well, at least Kevin Huerter got cleared yesterday for full contact. Hopefully he can be back on the floor soonish to help that bench.
Mason and Colby look to be G-League material, so getting Huerter back will be nice.
I think once the bench is healthy, this team will look pretty good. Starters play well together, and adding Huerter, Lyles and McLaughlin (who is a major upgrade over the Jones’), will be much better 7-10 players.
There is doubt that the Jones crew are G league?
I need J-Mac…..
Any update on him so far ?
Isiah Crawford seems to have something that might stick. I really liked his intensity on defense, he seemed to be guarding well one on one and was helping teammates, getting his hands in the passing lanes and hustled for rebounds. Only 2 of 6 from the field, 1 of 2 from deep. Nothing good or bad about his offensive stats. His shooting stroke looks smooth though. I’m feeling positive about him.
I like how boogie Ellis moves around out there and it’s documented that the dude is a very good shooter. You can see the potential.
Jaylen McDaniels only played 4 minutes. That’s not good. He looked bad in pre season game 1 and then gets 4 minutes in pre season game 2. Wow. Just wow. I was hoping he’d get 30 minutes and show the F up, show something. Show anything worthy of a bit of positivity, a glimmer of hope. That did not happen clearly. At this point I don’t see how he keeps a roster spot except for the fact that he’s making 4.7 million this year. Crazy. Also sad. Is it possible that he remains on the big boy roster all the way to the all star break until his salary can be used in a potential trade? At the moment that appears to be the only positive thing that could come from him as far as the Kings perspective goes.
The Jones’s were collectively 0-13 from 3pt land. That ain’t good for any of them. Colby Jones is destined for the G league team. His shot looks horrible at the moment. Somehow he was better at everything last season as a rookie. Which… is concerning to say the least. Mason and Isaac jones both play with intensity, Mason is a better shooter than he’s shown in these last two games. I think there’s still a possibility for either of them to find their way onto the big boy roster. I think Mike Brown likes Mason Jones tenacity.
No Monk, no Lyles, no Huerter, no McLaughlin. That’s essentially the entire 2nd unit out for this game (minus Len). Considering that, the team did pretty good in their absence. Watching Kuminga, Heild and Podz go against the Jones’s left a lot to be desired. Understandably.
Boogie’s a baller.
And his teammates know it – it seemed to me that they were looking for him in stretches
Looking foreward to part three.
Same!
Where is it? Here or in SF?
Here against Trailblazers.
Part three of GSW vs Kings is here against the Trailblazers?
Badge Legend