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Knicks 143, Kings 120: Bad defense and bad Fox doom the Kings

This one was pretty ugly.
By | 118 Comments | Jan 25, 2025

Jan 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) shoots the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings had a tough time in New York, falling behind early, climbing back into the game before the half, but ultimately unraveling in the fourth quarter and losing 143-120 to the New York Knicks. It’s hard to find silver linings in this one, as the Kings looked completely outmatched in the final quarter, despite a solid effort in the second quarter and most of the third. Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 15 rebounds in this one, and he was the lowest-scoring starter for the Knicks. It’s hard to point to depth issues with the Kings when Thibs doesn’t believe in depth and the Knicks basically beat the Kings with five players. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 33 points, Jalen Brunson had 25, Mikal Bridges had 27, and Josh Hart had 20.

The Good

Domantas Sabonis: 25 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists. A tremendous effort, wasted.
Malik Monk: 31 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Monk played a great game and was a huge reason the Kings closed the gap in the second quarter.
Keegan and DeMar: Keegan Murray had a solid outing, with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. DeMar DeRozan added 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Not DeMar’s best outing, but he was solid.

The Bad

Keon Ellis’ Minutes: Keon was limited to 17 minutes in this one. He had 6 points on 4 shots, plus a rebound and steal. But Ellis is simply too important to this team to be limited to so few minutes. I haven’t had many issues with Doug Christie’s rotations this season, but this was a bad game for the rotation management.
An offense without a plan: Sacramento’s offense was too stagnant too often in this game. Doug has talked about a free-flowing offense rather than set plays, and there are times that works (obviously), but it failed tonight. A small example was that, following his explosion at the end of the Nuggets game, Doug McDermott saw early minutes in this game. He played 9 minutes overall. And yet nobody found him for a shot. He had zero FGAs in 9 minutes. Shooting is the whole reason you have McDermott in the game and on this roster. And yet there were no plays run to get him a look, and no effort to get him the ball in a shooting situation.

The Ugly

De’Aaron Fox: Fox was bad tonight. Really bad. Fox entered this game on the injury report due to a thumb injury suffered in the Denver game. That’s a thumb injury on the opposite hand of the pinky injury Fox has played through all season. I appreciate Fox’s toughness and willingness to play through injuries, but he hurt the Kings by playing tonight. Fox was 6-for-20 from the field in this game. He finished with 14 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 rebound. He played 34 minutes. Remember my complaint about Keon’s minutes? Yeah. Fox should have played less, Keon should have played more. The coaching staff, training staff, whoever, needs to make that adjustment when Fox is playing this poorly and is clearly injured. I’m sure that 65 game mark is looming large in Fox’s mind as he attempts to reach All-NBA this season, but pulling a Haliburton and playing like crap for 30 games through injury only works when you’re the media’s golden child. Fox shouldn’t have played in this one, and he probably should sit out the next game. Heal up and come back. Again, I appreciate the toughness and the willingness to fight through injury, nobody will ever accuse Fox of being soft, but he also needs to recognize when his presence is making the team worse.
Defense: Truly a terrible defensive showing in this one. Just bad, bad, bad defense.
Something askew: The stanchion on the Knicks basket got turned slightly by an OG Anunoby dunk. Mikal Bridges pointed it out to the officials before shooting a free throw. It resulted in a lengthy stoppage as the refs wasted time bringing out a level to ensure the rim wasn’t titled (nobody said it was), and didn’t really fix the fact that the basket was off center. The stoppage seemed to impact the Kings a lot more than the Knicks, and New York ran away with the game.

Up Next

The Kings get Sunday off to regroup, and with no real travel as they’ll face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

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Hobby916
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January 25, 2025 7:36 pm

Outside of Monk in the 2nd quarter, and some decent play in the 3rd, Kings were just completely outmatched.
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TerzoM
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January 25, 2025 7:50 pm

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ForKingsandCountry
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January 25, 2025 7:55 pm

If this is all Fox is capable of right now, then Fox needs to sit for awhile. I think he’s blown about 27 layups in the last two games by my unofficial count. If he can’t finish at the rim or hit a shot to save his life, then what are we doing here?

I also think these last couple games are a good reminder that the Kings are a solid mid level team but they aren’t competing for anything other than the play-in. The roster still doesn’t fit regardless of how we played post Mike Brown firing.

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 7:58 pm

team/roster looks a shit ton better when Fox isn’t doing what he is doing right now, that’s the biggest issue along woth dc not playing keon in starting group

Last edited 23 days ago by MidtownMike
Amonk81
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January 25, 2025 8:24 pm

Agree. The Kings aren’t close to being a contender or a team that will win a couple series……and yet, this owner seems to think so.

And pretty much nobody should be off
limits in trade. The Kings need a big trade or two, not this tweak shit. They are no better/maybe worse/ than two years ago.

Heurter is now useless. No value. DDR has made them exactly 0% better and taken away from Keegs in the process. They run a free flowing O when guys like Keegan need plays. Could be argued end of game needs plays too.

All this beCause Kings (owner) dilution that what they have is good. I don’t like or trust this owner and he’s holding this team back.

-it’s also tied up in Vivwreck being cheap

Sacto_J
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January 26, 2025 9:47 am
Reply to  Amonk81

Delusion is what you think the owner has. Dilution is what you think has happened to the talent level.
That’s the most positive response I can give you.
+1, I disagree that this team isn’t close to being a team that will win a couple of series.

Klam
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Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
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Nostradumbass 19
January 25, 2025 8:52 pm

Yeah. I’d say as of now this is a .500ish team.

ForKingsandCountry
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January 25, 2025 10:55 pm
Reply to  Klam

Yep I think that’s right,

RikSmits
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January 25, 2025 10:13 pm

Opposing defenders to Fox right now

comment image&ct=g

ForKingsandCountry
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January 25, 2025 10:57 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

I actually feel bad for him at this point. He’s trying but he has zero touch on anything. The blown layups are just alarming. A couple weren’t even close. They just slammed off the backboard way too hard. I get he wants to tough it out but he’s actively hurting the team playing like this.

RikSmits
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January 25, 2025 11:09 pm

Oh yeah, I was making fun of the situation and continuing a series of gifs from the pregame thread.

I’m not trying to make fun of Fox personally. He’s in an impossible situation and trying to battle through it.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 26, 2025 7:59 am

THIS blown layup caught my eye. Those are usually easy for him, but this was ugly.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 8:03 am
Reply to  Adamsite

It’s like he can’t control the ball right now or something.

I did a quick glance at the box scores of recent games. Fox and Monk rarely seem to have games where they are both really good at the same time. It’s either Monk is on or Fox is on. More evidence why Keon should be starting, but that dead horse has been beaten enough this season.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 26, 2025 8:12 am
Reply to  Hobby916

It’s more than his ability to handle the ball. He is off everywhere right now. The one play that really upset me is when Fox, on the break, slowed for a running pull up 3pt shot. He missed badly. It used to be the kind of play where he’d kick it into another gear and attack the rim. If he is going to start settling for casual pull up threes off the dribble, the Kings are in trouble.

HERE is the shot

There there is this next one. It’s an off the dribble 3pt attempt from top of the 3pt line with a Brunson’s hand in his face. The fastest man in the league who shoots 31% from deep should not be taking off the dribble shots like this. It’s Westbrook level poor shot selection. These have nothing to do with the health of his hands.

HERE is the contested three

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 8:17 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Wonder what he’s thinking right now. He ain’t “that guy” right now, or maybe ever, to do that type of stuff.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 26, 2025 8:26 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Just my impression, but I feel he is forcing things a bit and is just kind of present on the team at the moment

Meanwhile, Monk and Sabonis have solid 2 man chemistry, Keegan is picking up the opponents best player and crashing the offensive glass, Keon is as disruptive as any player in the league, DDR consistently does his consistent midrange consistency.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 8:58 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I haven’t noticed Fox fitting in well with the starters offensively. He tends to get a lot of run with some bench guys, and he forces the issue because the bench isn’t good.

MidtownMike
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January 26, 2025 10:07 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Bbbbbbbingo

ForKingsandCountry
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January 27, 2025 9:19 am
Reply to  Adamsite

That’s exactly the one I had in my head.

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 8:01 pm

Please quit quadrupling down on offense in the starting group and just put keon in it. Current starting group +\- on the season is barely positive

SMF-PDXConnection
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January 25, 2025 8:02 pm

Fox needs to rest and heal. This team clearly showed that, even with bad defense, they could find a way to come back and keep it close for a while with a legit contender who are genuinely more talented top to bottom.

Take Brooklyn, maybe even Philly, off and just try and heal up. I once made the mistake of trying to play tennis through a sprained wrist. You don’t want to screw up your hands/fingers.

Amonk81
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January 25, 2025 8:25 pm

Fox isn’t getting all nba this year. Or ever probably. Just sit. Ridiculous

RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 12:14 am

The thing is, resting probably isn’t going to heal his pinky. He’ll need surgery for that.

Maybe it would help for his thumb sprain on his right hand, but that isn’t the main issue.

But apparently Fox isn’t resting and his shooting slump is not due to the injury…

https://x.com/ChrisBiderman/status/1883377843608109220

Last edited 22 days ago by RikSmits
Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 4:09 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Fox has never blamed the injury, its not who he is, at least publicly. He will play until its so bad that they tell him to go get surgery.

And if it’s not the finger, then likely is mechanical (does that affect making layups?), or mental. Either way, he isn’t playing well, despite the “gravity” that he is supposed to have offensively.

Another squandered season is tough to watch.

Hamlet1989
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January 26, 2025 7:30 am
Reply to  Hobby916

I’m not sure the first two game slide of DC’s coaching equals “another squandered season,” but I did see it as the first time he was clearly out-coached. I loved his challenge of the lame-ass call against Keegan. The refs seem to feel like a High-5 from a Kings player equals a foul, while other teams are allowed to High-5 Kings with their elbows and shoulders.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 10:44 am
Reply to  Hamlet1989

With Fox being injured, the team has basically no room for error if they want to make the actual playoffs and get past the 1st round. That’s what u meant by “another squandered season”.

It sucks because when minimal moves are made in the offseason, the justification will be “because of injuries and the coaching change, we didn’t get to the product like we wanted” – Monte McNair.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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January 26, 2025 10:55 am
Reply to  Hobby916

I get a disgusted chuckle when Kayte mentions that it takes time to integrate new players, when she is referring to DDR.

I then think of the Knicks who added Bridges and KAT (just days before camp) and I wonder what she is talking about?

Hamlet1989
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January 26, 2025 7:10 am
Reply to  RikSmits

If there is one way i agree with the common narrative which paints the Kings as dysfunctional, it’s the way they become victims of their own success by allowing their star player(s) to bully the franchise. Webber was the worst offender ever. Sabonis did it last year to pad his stats while his lack of defense hurt the team, and this isn’t the first time Fox has flexed his juice refusing to sit when the team is playing better without him on the floor. We all know how Klutch would respond if Fox came off the bench for a game. No one in the organization would EVER have the stones to suggest that kind of blasphemy!
It sure seems like one of Fox, Monk, or DeRozan coming off the bench would help the bench, and the starters. In Miami the descision would likely have already been made. In Sacramento the decision is likely to be made by someone’s agent. How can you honestly evaluate the coaching, or even management trying to punch above their weight against NBA forces of nature like Klutch?

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 4:29 am

To heal, he needs surgery on that pinky. That’s probably 4-6 weeks post-op (based on what Fox said earlier in the season). That would be a mid-March return (?), which would be about 20 games or so…that would leave 14ish games before season’s end.

He’s going to tough it out until the season ends, probably to the detriment of the team. A healthy Fox, which we haven’t seen this season, might have changed the outcome of many games, but we can’t really know that.

Inthestarz
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January 25, 2025 8:14 pm

The really bad is that we aren’t going to be able to move Fox for value due to his play, which needs to happen

fine, we can credit some of the recent play with injury, but it’s always something why he can’t do his job (shoulder last year), and the team is better with Monk/Keon starting at this point and Fox for the second season in a row is a sub average ts% volume scorer – no playmaking and non notable D and no spacing

and that ignores his ultimatum nonsense which should take away fandom from the base and leave his long term in doubt

Last edited 23 days ago by Inthestarz
Amonk81
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January 25, 2025 8:27 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Fox still huge value. He can’t lose that. But that owner will never let Fox go-unless
forced.

Inthestarz
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January 25, 2025 8:49 pm
Reply to  Amonk81

Yes, he can lose it

your a GM and your livelihood depends on this… I offer you a player playing like booty… recency bias is real to humans

Amonk81
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January 25, 2025 9:10 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Every GM in the league would want Fox (essentially). Just because he’s injured-they wouldn’t? I don’t think so.

ForKingsandCountry
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January 25, 2025 10:59 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Everyone knows he’s hurt so I don’t buy that at all. I’ve been arguing for trading Fox or DDR since the preseason but these last few games haven’t changed his value.

Inthestarz
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January 26, 2025 5:08 am

You guys want to believe it, as your kings fans and want value. Rockets fans or Spurs fans would read his recent game log and pinch their noses.

Its akin to putting crap wrapping paper on a present (recency bias). The recent spate of games may/may not be reflective of what’s to come (the present may be in tact), but it tempers enthusiasm

DDR isn’t a problem on/off the court, but you’ve been arguing to trade him literally as he got here?

Last edited 22 days ago by Inthestarz
RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 5:53 am
Reply to  Inthestarz

Rockets fans or Spurs fans would read his recent game log and pinch their noses.

These fans can pinch their whole face, but they aren’t the ones in charge of trades.

Inthestarz
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January 26, 2025 6:56 am
Reply to  RikSmits

I know, the person whose livelihoods and reputations nationally are, they are more reticent and over analyze everything, which is why trades rarely happen as opposed to on social media

Last edited 22 days ago by Inthestarz
TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 7:46 am
Reply to  Inthestarz

I have friends that are Rockets and Spurs fans and they would love to acquire Fox. A healthy Fox is exactly what those two teams need. And trading Fox and obtaining a boat load of assets makes a ton of sense for the Kings.
But our FO won’t do it.

Hamlet1989
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January 26, 2025 8:42 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Sacramento can get the same boatload trading Fox to the East. Why would they trade him to one of their fiercest competitors?

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 8:55 am
Reply to  Hamlet1989

What teams in the east can offer that much and might need the services of Fox?

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
January 26, 2025 9:03 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Brooklyn

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 9:15 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Do the rebuilding Nets want a 27 year old Fox with a roster of players left after the trade?

Adamsite
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January 26, 2025 9:24 am
Reply to  Hobby916

I don’t know, but they currently don’t have a PG for next season and have more picks then they know what to do with.

It ain’t flashy and I’m not advocating for it, but Fox for Cam, Clowney, Whitehead and a couple of firsts works.

Jack
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January 27, 2025 6:52 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Miami

SelecaoKOJ
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January 26, 2025 9:12 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Magic come to mind. Nice young players picks

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 9:14 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

I thought of the Magic, too. Just not sure what they think of Suggs and his future with the Magic.

Jack
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January 26, 2025 3:47 pm
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

How about Fox to the Heat for Herro, Jovic and Ware and 2 firsts. Herro scores close to Fox and is younger, Jovic at 6’10” can help Murray and also play small forward. Ware young up and coming 7’0″ can spell Sabonis. One good thing is Fox now playing in the east not the west. Won’t see him as much.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 4:18 pm
Reply to  Jack

Heat probably say no. Herro is about as good as Fox, plus they give up 2 young players and 2 firsts?

You might need to reassess your thinking of Fox. Good player, but that deal is not good for the Heat, imo.

TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 11:20 am
Reply to  Hamlet1989

Fiercest competitors?
we have no rivals. You trade fox to whichever team offers the best return.

Sacto_J
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January 26, 2025 10:17 am
Reply to  Inthestarz

Right, because he hasn’t been considered at or near an all-star level for the last 3 years and every coach, player and GM has Fox’s name at the top of their scouting reports going back to his 3rd season. This take is goofy af.

RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 10:26 am
Reply to  Sacto_J

every coach (…) has Fox’s name at the top of their scouting reports 

I don’t disagree with the rest, but IMO has been pretty clear that opposing coaches have been mainly focused on disrupting the DHO and doubling Domas in the paint, while letting Fox cook (with the exception of end of game situations).

Ruben
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January 26, 2025 12:56 pm
Reply to  Inthestarz

Rockets fans or Spurs fans would read his recent game log and pinch their noses

Fans don´t pull the trigger on trades you know

HongKongKingsFan
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January 25, 2025 8:19 pm

This loss is on Doug Christie…..

He knew Fox had injury and he witnessed how bad Fox played on the court…
but still play him over 30 mins is just a really bad idea….

Fox need to get limit his 3 pts shots……….he just hurting this team in too many ways…

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 8:21 pm

Dc coaching for his job, he isn’t going to bench the “franchise” piece even if it’s the right decision

RikSmits
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January 25, 2025 10:17 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

There’s a big gap between benching him and letting him have more minutes than Monk, who is outplaying him at the moment.

Bring down his minutes to about 31 per game and increase those of Monk and Keegan. Especially if you’re coaching for your job.

MillersCornrows
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January 26, 2025 12:57 am

Maybe Doug was forcing Fox’s hand, no pun intended, to convince him to sit out a few and take a break. A scheduled L at this very moment costs a lot to get Fox to accept this message, but that might be what’s up. Kings can still go 500 on the road trip.

Convoy
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January 25, 2025 8:42 pm

Dumbest owner is NBA winner making Fox more important than the rest of the team combined. Pretty sure he is in coach DC’s ear making sure Fox gets his minutes. Owner really out of touch with reality. It’s a clown ass move to keep playing Fox in his condition when it is clearly affecting the win-loss column and the team can play more effectively without an injured Fox. Go ahead keep playing him, see if he doesn’t get injured even worse for the rest of the season given his injury history.

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 8:52 pm
Reply to  Convoy

Not to mention it would actually be in the owners best interest if he didn’t have to pay Fox the supermax…

MillersCornrows
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January 26, 2025 1:01 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

I think Fox is going to have to accept the reality that he’s not a max player and adjust accordingly from a mental standpoint.

Last edited 22 days ago by MillersCornrows
Amonk81
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January 25, 2025 9:13 pm
Reply to  Convoy

I hate to say it but this shitty/overly involved owner is what is gonna keep the Kings in middle of nowhere’sville (unless somehow he’s forced to back off).

I don’t like him/how he does things. His ego and the way he treats employees/runs his biz is the weight keeping this all
down.

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 9:58 pm
Reply to  Amonk81

Coming from a commanders fan, i can attest to the importance of high quality ownership

MillersCornrows
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January 26, 2025 1:00 am
Reply to  Convoy

IDK about this. Seems somewhat far-fetched. So Vivek is forcing Doug to play Fox? I’m critical as hell on Fox, but Fox has also helped the Kings win some recent games in different ways.

Sacto_J
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January 26, 2025 10:25 am

Vivek may be an easy target but I really don’t see a single benefit for Vivek and that is 95-99% of the motivation for the ultra rich. His star player playing like shit does nothing for him, his franchise, Fox’s trade value, or his wallet if Fox somehow makes it to all-nba running full tilt without his steering wheels. Which he won’t. I’m fairly convinced this is Fox trying his damnedest to meet his obligations to earn that supermax. Which I get. But someone is going to have to tell him…

Convoy
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January 26, 2025 12:31 pm

I’m not sure honestly either. But the Kings beat 3 perennial powerhouses in a row in their victories over the Warriors, Heat, and Celtics without Fox, and were arguably distributing the ball better. More touches per possession, crisper ball movement across all parts of the key, and less drive to the basket (or drive and kick) mishaps.

Doug Christie had been slowly re-integrating Fox back into the mix when Fox returned, but the last 2 games have seen even more Fox. The guy is shooting 29% over the last two games and the evidence is obvious that he is hurting the team. Just using deductive logic here, if Fox is not helping the team win games, why else would a fairly successful new coach use him anyway? No proof, but this reeks of a management/ownership move.

Klam
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January 25, 2025 8:50 pm

Welp, the Kings better win their next two against Brooklyn and Philly, and split one of Minnesota and OKC to have a .500 road trip.

And yeah, I definitely would not mind seeing Fox rest up if his hands are bothering him this much.

SavageBeast
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January 25, 2025 8:56 pm

Back to back ugly games. Hopefully the next two games pull us out of this

SelecaoKOJ
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January 25, 2025 8:56 pm

It won’t happen. But trading Fox for Sheppard, Whitmore, Smith and a few first rounders exponentially raises the ceiling of the team moving forward.

The team will still be competitive maybe even better instantly. Carter will get slot morE minutes. The Kings may have their future pg in Number 3 pick Sheppard.
Smith automatically slides into the 4 and Whitmore can eventually be a starting 3.

A temporary starting lineup of Monk, Carter, Derozen, Smith and Sabonis is still going to be competitive and the bench also gets improved.

Keegan comes off the bench with Reed and Whitmore.

You could see a future lineup that gets a lot younger and lot more exciting with room to grow and compete for years.

Sheppard, Monk, Whitmore, Smtih and Boner.

This current core is no better than a first round exit:

Jack
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January 26, 2025 7:30 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Really? I wouldn’t do this. You still haven’t addressed the backup center issue.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 7:45 am
Reply to  Jack

They could do that trade, and then do something like Huerter for Nurkic and a 2nd from Phoenix.

Not saying I would do it, but there are ways for that to happen.

Jack
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January 27, 2025 6:59 am
Reply to  Hobby916

If they do the trade then I would replace Ellis for Carter in the starting lineup.

TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 7:49 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

I would love this trade for both teams.
I think Vivek and MM don’t have the balls to make a Fox trade.

TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 7:50 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Additionally, the next two drafts are loaded, obtaining some firsts in either draft would be good asset mgmt.

Adamsite
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January 26, 2025 8:47 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

What’s so frustrating is that currently the Kings are 10th in the West and would be 13th in the lottery. If the season ended today, the’d be last in the play-in AND lose their pick to ATL. I really can’t think of a worse situation.

Sacto_J
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January 26, 2025 10:35 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I think its better to get that pick conveyed and out of the way and move on. It’s not what I would call Monte’s strength, the draft. Mid tier picks, especially. We could’ve had Trace Jackson Davis as our backup to Domas, for example. We got Colby Jones and the other guy who isn’t even here anymore.
I’d much rather see us compete than go for draft position. We suck at the draft.

RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 10:56 am
Reply to  Sacto_J

But we’re good at competing?

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 11:41 am
Reply to  Sacto_J

Kel’el Ware was right there last year, too. He has looked pretty good.

Carter might end up being good, he just hasn’t had the minutes after injury, and there is a logjam at Guard.

Jack
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January 27, 2025 6:59 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I agree here.

Sacto_J
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January 26, 2025 10:32 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Keegan coming off the bench is where you lost me. Neither of those guys in his place are better than him, no thanks. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a team trading their best player for a couple of prospects and a draft pick ever winning a chip soon after. If the trade is Fox I trust Monte to come up with much better than that. I’d be surprised if the team goes that route, tho.

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January 26, 2025 10:52 am
Reply to  Sacto_J

Boston go the picks that landed them Tatum and Brown by trading away Garnett and Pierce.

OKC, looking like a championship contender this year, landed SGA and picks by trading away PG13. One of those picks turned into Jalen Williams

TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 11:19 am
Reply to  Adamsite

At a certain point, the FO has to put their big boy pants on, swallow their pride and trade Fox for the betterment of the future.
And you wouldn’t have to bottom out, you can still build around domas, mm, km, dc and keon in addition to everything you get for fox.

Adamsite
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January 26, 2025 11:59 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

I went down the rabbit hole to see which players in the league have a longer or equal tenure with their current team than Fox has with the Kings. Fox is in his 8th straight season with the Kings.

Here’s the list:

Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Giannis, Khris Middleton, Devin Booker, and Johnathan Isaac.

With the exception of Isaac (who has missed damn near 3 seasons of play), everyone else is a tier or two above Fox and/or has won tiles. It really begs the question, is Fox the kind of guy you want to had another 5 year contract to to be the longest tenured cornerstone Sacramento King ever?

RikSmits
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January 25, 2025 10:26 pm

With all the discussions about Fox’s injury, the defense needs some more attention. It seems to be trending downward significantly, these last few games.

Our zone gets exploited in the soft spots, and it also made it easier for the Knicks to crash the offensive boards. Also, IMO we switch too much on screens, giving our opponents the matchups they want.

HongKongKingsFan
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January 25, 2025 10:40 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

particularly Fox…
Fox is on Bruson, but easily and willingly switched, and Bruson then guarded by Monk…

Really poor poor job by Fox and the Coach………..

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 10:55 pm

I found it weird to watch murray guard brunson and not keon when they were both on the floor

MidtownMike
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January 25, 2025 10:54 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

It’s also coincided with Keon getting way less minutes than the early win streak. I do not understand what nba coaches don’t see with him

RikSmits
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January 25, 2025 10:58 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

Sam Amick is suggesting that it is a mandate from Vivek.

ForKingsandCountry
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January 25, 2025 11:01 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Sam has been saying everything we’re seeing is a mandate from Vivek this season. Zach Lowe said something similar a few years ago. If that’s true l, the Kings are screwed and nothing they do matters.

MillersCornrows
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January 26, 2025 1:05 am
Reply to  RikSmits

What exactly is a mandate from Vivek?

RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 2:05 am

Apparently an order to play Fox and other starters as much as possible.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 4:21 am
Reply to  MidtownMike

Brown and DC give Keon loads of praise, same with his teammates. But there has to be something Keon does/doesn’t do that costs him minutes.

He is a fan favorite and brings what the team needs desperately (3 and D). He has growth areas (transition offense is fairly poor, for example), but all these players have some area they can improve.

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January 26, 2025 5:44 am

Next two games are must win. At this rate, Kings are on a path to play the #1 seed Thunder and get swept. Maybe 4-1 at best. This franchise has to either move on from Fox or actually make a deal to get a needle moving player. This no man’s land past couple years is infuriating. The entire bench is unplayable other than Ellis and in certain games, Lyles. Wake up front office and owner.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 5:59 am
Reply to  Dorde34

I don’t see a Fox trade happening mid-season, especially to a contending team that needs a bump this season. That finger injury is a detriment to teams wanting to improve right now.

I suspect if a Fox trade happens, it happens in the off-season.

I also don’t think the Kimgs will cough up any decent draft capital for an impact full upgrade this season. Think we are basically stuck with this roster for the rest of the season.

Huerter is just a bad asset at this point, and the other bench guys won’t fetch much in a trade

Marty
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January 26, 2025 8:22 am

Couple things.

Fox is not an All-NBA player.

Fox needs a few weeks off.

The history of this ownership suggests there is no way in hell they ever flip Fox for assets so I don’t see the point in discussing it.

The tilted backboard last night shined a light on the ad-lib skills of our broadcast team. I’m not sure how many of you are aware but Kayte is LITERALLY just making shit up as she goes and it is really, really bad. Pay attention sometime and you’ll discover just how often she makes shit up just to make the silence go away. It’s not noticeable at first, but once you do notice it, you can’t look away. Emotional maturity includes embracing you don’t know much about something, which allows you to have fun with the “not-knowing.”

Or you can just make shit up to pretend you’re an expert, and back yourself into corners as your bullshit continues.

They desperately need a change.

Last edited 22 days ago by Marty Marty
Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 8:37 am
Reply to  Marty

She needs to quit her jibba jabba.

TheGrantNapear
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January 26, 2025 11:16 am
Reply to  Marty

I watch the games on mute. That’s how bad our commentators are.

As much as I despise Grant, I miss the days of Jerry and Grant.

RikSmits
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January 26, 2025 11:23 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Username does not check out.

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 11:37 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Play-by-play Grant: B+
Radio host Grant: D-

Current Kings TV crew as a whole: D

SelecaoKOJ
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January 26, 2025 3:04 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Miss Grant massive. He was no filter. Loved it. Met him when he was in Miami. I told him he was irreplaceable. He was flattered.

Jack
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January 26, 2025 4:01 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Really like Katie.Knows basketball.

Hobby916
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January 27, 2025 10:06 am
Reply to  Jack

She might know basketball, but her style is getting in the way of sharing that knowledge with the general public in a meaningful way.

Ruben
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January 26, 2025 1:02 pm
Reply to  Marty

Our team never ever provides anything at all that a layman such as myself could´t just read on a stat site, that is just not good enough. Some of the other broadcasting teams actually deliver interesting insights on what happens on the court, all the lame catchphrases and boring banter do absolutely nothing for me.

Marty
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January 26, 2025 2:02 pm
Reply to  Ruben

I keep hoping it’s going to get better, but after last night it’s clear that isn’t happening.

When you don’t know what you’re talking about and you continue to talk, you end up backing yourself into a corner.

We all know someone like this.

Jack
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January 26, 2025 4:06 pm
Reply to  Marty

OK Marty this is enough. Since reading all your comments I respectively disagree, Katie knows more in her little finger than all your comments combined. That’s it from me.

SelecaoKOJ
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January 26, 2025 3:05 pm
Reply to  Marty

Thank God for league pass. Always listen to the opposing broadcast. I find her fandom too much for me.

Jack
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January 26, 2025 4:00 pm
Reply to  Marty

Hey Marty call up Katie and propose a one on one game for say a thousand dollars.Bring your check book.She knows a lot about basketball and shows it as a member of the broadcast team. If you do it get me in on the action I could use the money.

SelecaoKOJ
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January 26, 2025 9:07 am

This Eliis situation has to be a directive from this brilliant owner. Christie took over. Ellis was getting far more burn.Team was playing well. A lot of the wins were certainly facing teams gutted with a lot of injuries. But the Kings were winning regardless. Now all of a sudden in the past 4 games Ellis is stuck in the bench again? Brown doesn’t look so bad now. And the gleam in Christie is starting to fade.Playing Fox max minutes thru an injury is just plain idiotic if this is what’s going on with ownership. If Fox is demanding to play to help his All NBA chase,
it’s pointless. Last 8 games he’s looked mediocre at best.

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January 26, 2025 9:19 am
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Last 8 games he’s looked mediocre at best.

Through the month of January, Fox has averaged 20,6,5 while shooting 39% from the field and just 28% from three.

Now compare that to Monk’s January: 23,7,3 while shooting 46% from the field and 32% from three.

How about DDR’s January: 24,3,4 while shooting 47% from the field and 34% from three.

Mediocre at best for Fox might be an understatement. It could be argued that he is the worst of the staring 5 right now. The dude is currently not right, and at the moment is on the docket to get paid 3X the amount that Monk makes.

MidtownMike
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January 26, 2025 10:18 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Monk probably has the highest trade value on the team with his play and contract

SaltySlug
January 26, 2025 10:25 am

A few quick thoughts:

-on Fox…the thumb seems to have really effected him, but my suspicion is the quad contusion is the biggest issue. Those don’t go away quickly, and my experience with leg injuries is they literally impact everything on the court. (Don’t mistake that comment to mean I was ever a great athlete) I agree Fox needs rest, but more for his rear end than his pinky…my eyeball test says his current slump coincides with that injury, despite a good first game when coming back from that injury.

-a two game slide, with the first a scheduling loss, both on the road is not a reason to panic, in my opinion. Both good teams. Not sure the kings really should have been expected to win either one.

-that said,New York sure demonstrates what it looks like to have a real power forward. Love Keegan, but in my mind he’s a 3…

-last, and I know, everybody should fan the way they want, but for me the conspiracies around Vivek with any loosing streak seem far fetched. I don’t love him, but he’s not going away, and he seems to be a pretty busy dude. It’s unlikely to me that he’s dictating minutes for certain players. It’s just not the way organizations function. And, I remain grateful that I still have a pro team to root for. I know many of you are past that, and I respect that.

Adamsite
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January 26, 2025 10:34 am
Reply to  SaltySlug

Who is the “real power forward” on the Knicks?

Hobby916
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January 26, 2025 10:58 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Bunch of SFs (OG and Bridges)and an undersized Center (Precious), and Towns is the actual Center (I think that’s his best position).

Adamsite
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January 26, 2025 11:01 am
Reply to  Hobby916

And very similar to OKC and Boston who also don’t have a “real power forward.”

SelecaoKOJ
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January 26, 2025 3:10 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

And where’s Carter? No reason to play Huerter at all. I know they are trying to raise his trade value. But no one wants his deal and he’s Just not worth anything but filler on a deal. Giving Carter 15 min a night would be ideal

Rickyflip
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January 27, 2025 2:09 am

Not wanting to add to any Fox hunting… but I seem to recall seeing him lose the ball in the lane A LOT this season. Anyone else notice this?

BuiltToSpill
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January 27, 2025 8:47 am
Reply to  Rickyflip

He loses the ball in the lane a lot every season. As much as I love Foxy, he frustrates the heck out of me for how much he telegraphs it when he’s going to force his way into the paint – aside from transition offense. I’m personally ready for the team to move on from him this offseason while acknowledging that many here are not and understanding the reasons why.

Hobby916
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January 27, 2025 10:04 am
Reply to  BuiltToSpill

Whatever make the Kings better. Fox or no Fox.

Adamsite
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January 27, 2025 8:52 am
Reply to  Rickyflip

You are not wrong, and the numbers prove it. His TO% is the highest since his 3rd year in the league, he is on pace to set a career high in total TOs in a season, and his A/TO% is at a career high by quite a healthy margin.

Another interesting stat is that the percentage of his shots at the rim is the lowest it’s been in 5 years. This would indicate he’s just not getting there as frequently. To boot, over the last two years his percentage of shots from 3 has taken an “unhealthy” jump. His career percentage of attempts from three is at 27%, but this year he’s attempting 31% of his shots from deep.

Of course I’m damn near 100% positive this has to do with his pinky finger, but last 2 years have followed this trend.

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January 27, 2025 8:20 am

Fox needs to rest. We look fine without him. Bring up Isaac Jones. Make a trade.

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