The Sacramento Kings had an opportunity to show up strong, play hard from the opening tip, play smart basketball, and silence the roaring concerns of the fans and media. The Kings did not do that. Sacramento once again came out flat, fell into an early hole, came back, but ultimately fell short due to poor decisions and poor execution, and lost to the Lakers 103-99. You can sense the anger giving way to apathy and resignation, both among the fans and the players, although I question if the players have ever been angry about their play this season. We’re entering a dark stretch of this season that reminds me of the drought days, and it’s hard to see a path out when every key party involved seem intent on maintaining status quo.
A few thoughts and observations from this one:
Another Slow Start
The Kings are seemingly incapable of starting a game well. Sacramento once again surrendered an early lead in this one. 2 minutes passed before the Kings made their first basket, and they already trailed 7-2. LA expanded that lead to 11-4. The Kings cut it to 11-7 before allowing the Lakers to go on another run, pushing the lead to 17-7 with less than 5 minutes left in the first quarter. The Kings finally woke up and cut the lead to 31-26 at the end of the first, but it underscores the same thing we’ve seen all year. This team is capable of good basketball, but they are not capable of playing with consistency. They can’t play with a lead, can’t maintain a lead, and can’t seem to give a shit until they’re deep in a hole. I don’t know if Mike Brown has lost the locker room, but he certainly has no ability to light a fire under these guys.
Fox Folds
De’Aaron Fox had a really impressive game overall. 31 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 3/5 from 3, 4/4 from the line, 12/17 overall. The big negative in the stat line is 4 turnovers. But despite that great stat line, I felt like Fox completely disappeared in the fourth quarter. He missed a wide open three that would have cut the Lakers lead to 2 with 1:39 left, and missed another clean look in the paint with 37 seconds left. It also felt like Fox was deferring too often, where I would go a few minutes not realizing he was even on the floor. Perhaps I’m being nitpicky given how good a game Fox had overall, perhaps I’m putting a harsher eye on Fox as he and his agent are pressuring the organization, but I feel like we’re a long ways away from the Fourth Quarter Fox that struck fear into the hearts of opposing defenses.
Domantas Sabonis is consistent beyond belief
Domas finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal. Sabonis is seemingly at his best when going up against other elite big men, and Sabonis absolutely took it to Anthony Davis tonight. Davis had a solid game, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. It was a really fun aspect of the game watching those two battle. It’s crazy that a 19/19 game is going to be under the radar even among Kings fans due to the outcome of this game.
Refs You Suck
I’m going to address the refs in the middle of this recap because I didn’t want to lead with it and I didn’t want to close with it. The Kings lost for a lot of reasons, and I don’t want to pin it on the refs, but the zebras went out of their way to give the Lakers some extra chances down the stretch. With 12 seconds remaining, the ball went out of bounds off Anthony Davis’ arm. It was very clear on replay. It was called Lakers ball. On the inbounds, Anthony Davis went up for a shot an Malik Monk was called for a foul. I was watching the Lakers broadcast for this game and they said, both live and upon watching the replay, that the refs had bailed out the Lakers on that call. Davis missed both free throws, but the Lakers recovered the rebound. Upon replay, Rui Hachimura, who ended up with the replay, got away with a hard foul into Sabonis’ back on the play. As the game ended, Sabonis appeared in pain. It’s too early for injury reports, but I won’t be shocked if Sabonis is listed on it for Sunday’s game against the Pacers.
Let’s talk about Mike Brown
You may have wondered, “Greg, if that replay was so clear on the out of bounds, why didn’t Mike Brown challenge it?” Great question. It’s because Mike Brown used his second challenge with over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to challenge a foul called on Keon Ellis. Mike Brown, the master of not picking his battles, challenged a foul call on Ellis who ended the game with just 3 fouls, and who Brown only played 14 minutes. In those 14 minutes, Ellis was electric. 5 points, 2 steals, 2 rebounds, and an assist. He was part of what sparked that first quarter run to get the Kings back in the game. On a team that isn’t showing consistent intensity, Brown continues to limit the minutes of one of the few guys willing to bust his ass and play balls to the wall the whole time he’s on the floor.
Let’s talk some more about Brown and the rotations
Malik Monk had a bad game. 7 points on 14 shots. 1/8 from 3. 5 turnovers. To his credit, he did have 8 assists, 4 rebounds, a steal and a block. But Monk was not good in this one. And yet Brown rode Monk for 36 goddamn minutes. DeMar DeRozan was also having a rough night, going 4/10 from the field and scoring just 12 points. He did have a big shot in the fourth that helped the Kings in their last minute attempt, but Brown played DeRozan 37 minutes. Kevin Huerter had 9 points on 10 shots. He was 1/7 from 3. He played 23 minutes. I could maybe understand Ellis not playing as much if the other guards were having a hot night, but outside of Fox there were no other guards earning their heavy workload in this game. At least the Colby Jones era seems to have momentarily ended.
Fourth Quarter Failures
The Kings actually kept this game really close throughout much of the game. After the first quarter neither team could establish a significant lead for most of the game. It was back and forth, it was competitive. After the Lakers built a small lead to start the fourth, the Kings fought back and tied the game at 89 with 7:15 remaining. The energy in G1C was high, and fans were ready to watch this team put away the Lakers and provide some relief from the stress of the past few days. And then the Kings allows the Lakers to go on a 12-2 run. The Lakers led 101-91 with 2:54 left. The Kings fought back, yet again, but fell short, only getting the gap as small as two points. Some key misses, some questionable calls, and that was all she wrote. It was another example of the Kings not being able to hold onto momentum, not being able to execute a game plan, and the team seeming completely incapable of handling a big moment.
Up Next
The Kings host the Indiana Pacers this afternoon at 3 PM PT. Tyrese Haliburton comes to town as the Pacers have won their last three games and have had two days rest.
I swear this never happens to me
When will fans start showing up to G1C with a brown bag on their head?
Or signs reading, “Vivek, sell the team”.
I think Vivek is so absorbed with his image, that sending a public message would irk him in many ways.
The Fox trade news seems to be Western Conf teams. What about the East? Any options there? It will be easier to make All Star team there, with the bonus of supermax contract.
I think he needs to be All-NBA to qualify for the supermax.
Correct.
Ah ok, All-NBA not All-Star. Thanks
I put some thought into it and it’s almost as long as a Fanpost, so I’ll shamelessly copy-paste my post from the post-game thread here:
I keep mulling over the Fox situation.
Despite all the framing and careful wording, the recent statements by Fox and actions by Rich Paul are meant to accomplish one thing and one thing only: to get Fox the Supermax.
Do I begrudge Fox that? No, of course not.
Do I think that Fox does not like it here in Sacramento? I am sure he does and I am sure there is sincerity in his statements that he wants to win here. But there is a “but” to that. And that “but” is that Fox is mainly interested in getting an All-NBA selection.
In the fall of 2022, Fox left his longtime agent Chris Gastoin and signed with Klutch Sports and Rich Paul. You don’t do that if you are focusing on staying with your current team and if you see money as a secondary matter.
He didn’t extend his contract earlier, which everyone recognized as a logical move because he had a shot at the Supermax.
If the Kings are not good enough, Fox has a lesser chance at getting an All-NBA nod and therefore the Supermax.
So what do Fox and Klutch want from Monte? To empty out the asset cupboard and get players that can help immediately so Fox can have a good shot at All-NBA. Their main focus lies not with the longterm plan for the Kings, the ability to maintain flexibility and outlook to be an actual contender for a title. Which from their perspective is totally understandable.
But that is the exact reason why Monte should trade Fox. Because it is very likely that if we empty the cupboard for win-now players (veterans), in a few years time we will be stuck with bad, untradeable contracts and very little flexibility and chances for improvement.
We all know that offering Huerter, Lyles and some dross will not get us a guy who will sufficiently move the needle. You may have to add Keegan and a pick, or more. Rich Paul is smart enough to know that Grant and Kuzma won’t improve this team a lot.
But worse, if we sent Keegan and multiple picks away for a good player that fills most holes (a volume 3 and D, while also providing weakside shotblocking unicorn), will that be enough? People here keep saying that it takes time to integrate DDR into the team. Why would that be different with another high quality player?
If the next steps by Monte are not satisfying Paul, he may leak a list of teams that he wants Fox traded to. Teams that can help Fox get that All-NBA selection. And that will likely surpress Fox’s trade value.
And finally, say that you manage to trade for an impact player and convince Fox to stay here? What’s next? Do you really think that a team with Fox as your number 1 guy and with very few future assets is good enough to get you a title? To contend for a WC finals?
The chances of success in this situation are so slim.
I’ve been thinking that if Fox were sent to a playoff bound Eastern Conference team he’d have a very solid chance of getting on an All-NBA team, especially with East coast media bias. Miami or Orlando make a lot of sense and both have the assets to pull of a trade.
Personally I hope that isn’t the case. Not all that intrigued by what the atlantic ocean rosters could offer compared to his lonestar homecoming teams who’ve been said to be interested. The Spurs and Rockets I think have a fair bit more to get excited about comparatively.
Heat would likely need to add Herro or Rozier for salary. Jaime, Ware, and Jovic would be decent consolation, but Herro and Rozier aren’t amazing.
My thought was:
Kings get: Rozier, Jamie, Jovic, Robinson, picks
Heat get: Fox, Huerter, McLaughlin
You might be right but it’s a two way deal. The other team has to want Fox. It seems the Spurs do as much as I have read. They do have the assets with really good players and a ton of picks.
Mentioned some of this on the other thread but I think even if we didnt want to face this discussion right now it may be way more pragmatic to do so for both parties. As I see it this team likely can’t make the trades or additions to see them win a playoff series, and in even such a hypothetical I doubt that changes Fox’s calculus. I also think the inherit questions of if Fox can be that franchise player linger regardless. Let’s say we can offer the boat, i’m not sure the capology and his play really assure us all that different of outcomes in the standings. I bring that up yes only in lieu of the noise but its relevant regardless.
So maybe this pressure with a bit of a runway to the deadline is beneficial than having this conversation with a year left on his deal and in turn likely worse returns. I guess I say that this turn of events is also worth discussion on our end as well. I don’t want us in a Bradley Beal/Wizards east dilemma that frankly we currently are comparable to regardless of caveats.
The issue is, is that it’s not just Deaaron, if he moves the whole roster likely should be sent out as well. We commit to an arduous rebuild. But again I think its helpful to play out hypotheticals. Even in a Fox retention what is our runway, and conversely is that a better path than leveraging an in their prime roster that has individual talents that could all fetch good building block returns.
In a league landscape that has many trying to be competitive, many of the recent bad teams trying to be respectable, I see the logic of building a cupboard from a team thats ceiling if we’re honest, was questionable to begin with.
Kings kept it close most of the game, but the outcome never felt in doubt to me. Played out pretty much as expected.
I’d like to see us start Ellis and bring DeMar off the bench.
Brown won’t do that. I’m now in the opinion he just doesn’t or trust Keon at all. Keon should have played the last 4 or 5 minutes of last night’s game but do you think Brown would play him? No way.
It’s almost statistically impossible to be +2 point differential and 45% win percentage. Either the record evens out or the +- plummets.
A couple of massive blow out wins (140-113 vs Spurs, 141-97 vs Utah) and a bunch of close losses are to explain for the +2 point differential.
This is exactly it. That said, point differential is usually a stronger indicator of how good a team is early in the year than team record. Sadly, we’re getting further and further into the year and it’s hard to talk myself into believing in the point differential.
if this were the injury report for indiana, it would be a guaranteed win for them against the kangz.
If so who you going to play the 5. Here in itself is one of the reasons this team is flawed. Len plays 30 minutes Robinson 12. Combines score 10 points. Great. Monte you are mostly responsible for this. Go Issac Jones. Have a 20 point night.
It’s the yearly game against the Hoosier state and the return of the beloved (by Kings fans, no longer, it appears from the player) Tyrese Halliburton.
Lots of parallels between these two teams. Rick Carlisle is a well respected coach who’s teams do well enough to make him a desirable Head Coach, and yet, he moves to many and various teams. It would be interesting to compare Western Conf. records vs. Eastern Conf records for many of these well respected, not top of the top, Head Coaches. Like Rick Carlisle, Mike Brown, Doc Rivers, Terry Stotts, Scott Brooks, Frank Vogel, Jason Kidd, Quin Snyder, Thibs and maybe Tyronn Lue and put Mike Bodenholzer and Nick Nurse separately? . I don’t know where to put Michael Malone, because it’s Jokic. In my mind, Erik Spoelstra, Greg Popovich, and Steve Kerr are the creme de la creme presently. The young guns (Daigenault, Jordi, Willie Green, Kenny Atkinson, Chris Finch, Taylor Jenkins, Udoka, Joe Mazzulla) are tough to figure out.
Whew – that was a long side paragraph. Apologies.
It’s a 3 Point League:
Sac is 23rd in 3FG%, the Pacers are 8th. Expect many threes. If you’re paying attention and Rick Carlisle pays attention, you are shooting 40+ threes. On the charity stripe, Sac has improved a bit, and is not over the 80% line, and 4th in the League. So there is that.
This is either a nice win or a terrible loss. Because that is who the Sacramento Kings have become. It’s easy to say that they could pull off an 8 game win streak and save the season, the talent is there, but not with any degree of sanity behind it. It’s a shame – all so under: underpinnings or a good team that is underperforming in their shooting and end of game decision making that is underwinning and now under the gun. They may be forcing themselves to react to this and underwrite another poor management decision under the scrutiny of the fans and media.
I have been a Vivek disliker since he introduced his falsehoods, mistruths and half-truths in his early days, and robbed the franchise of many of the opportunities to turn the tide from the Maloofian past of clowniness and ineptitude to being inept in new ways that his ego wouldn’t allow him to correct or step away from. It is why any attempts to correct the current path seem to remain on shaking footings. Is Vivek still involved? He’s denied it in the past, but lied about it, so we just don’t know. Is Anand (his son) the substitute for him? We don’t know. Is it Matina? Again, same answer. This has eroded my confidence that any new choices are Vlade-Vivekian and thus more likely than not, to fail. Maybe saying that just makes me feel better about the disappointment of this season, thus far.
Light that Beam! Go Kings!
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