The idea of Sasha Vezenkov and what his elite shooting could do for the Sacramento Kings has had fans salivating all summer, but before Vezenkov can become the best shooter the NBA has ever seen (Steph who?), he’ll first need to actually crack the Kings rotation. And based on comments today from Kings coach Mike Brown, that rotation role is not a guarantee or a given.
Mike Brown on the Sasha Vezenkov situation. He was non-committal on whether Vezenkov will be in the rotation when the season begins. pic.twitter.com/inuJdzWPIV
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) October 10, 2023
Now, before we get into a panic about how Brown is going to use (or not use) Vezenkov, it’s worth noting that Mike Brown has already proven a willingness to play with different lineup combinations and give players different opportunities to shine. As our friend Jill Adge points out, Sacramento’s lineup varied dramatically throughout last season.
KZ started, Holmes had a role and Lyles wasn’t in the rotation to start last season. Metu, TD, and Len ended up being used. Kessler came over and had some big minutes.
It’s a long ass season. Everyone be ready because you will be needed eventually
— Jillian Adge (@JillAdge) October 10, 2023
KZ Okpala was a starter for the Kings at the beginning of last season. Alex Len rode the bench much of the year and then got an opportunity at the very end of the season. Mike Brown is willing to make changes.
Based on preseason, it’s quite apparent that Sasha is a sniper and a great cutter off the ball. But he will need to demonstrate better defensive acumen and commitment to rebounding if he wants a shot to play for Coach Brown. Having a coach set standards and then hold players accountable to those standards is not something we’re used to in Sacramento, but I’m not mad about it!
I’m sure he’ll get a chance to work his way into the rotation, but that’s true of anyone on the team.
He should be non-committal to the media about pretty much everything. He’s watched his team for a week, and is expected to answer questions about a six-month season.
It’s basketball, there isn’t a need-to-know factor. Want-to-know is a pretty easy pest to swat away.
Fire Mike Brown immediately.
Trade Cousins!
So make a new player on the team earn his minutes and spot in the rotation. Yup, sounds like Coach Brown knows what he is doing. (no snark)
In the clip he said he might put Vezenkov in the 2nd 5 over Duarte for the next preseason game. would be cool to see that.
Sasha-mento
Clap-clap-clapclapclap.
For me, I see all this early use/non use of Sasha as our coach making a ROOKIE earn his spot. Challenging his new player not handing him the keys on a team full of returning players who just set a record for the most efficient offense to ever exist.
it’s not that Sasha isn’t ready or isn’t good enough, it’s that Mike brown is managing his team. He’s managing the roster, the vibes of team and what he believes (and I have to agree) is best for the entire squad with an eye/nose on how to get the best out of his team.
think about it for a minute instead of just reacting to: “Sasha isn’t in the rotation?!”
For example, how would it look and more importantly feel to Trey Lyles if on day one a rookie is automatically part of the 10 man rotation? Forget whether he is or isn’t a top 10 player on this roster for a moment and think about the effect of Sasha coming off the bench in the first pre season game before Lyles, before Kessler Edwards and before even Duarte for that matter. It’s psychological and I have no doubt that mike brown knows this and is handling Sasha like this with that in mind.
This is the best way in a short amount of time for Sasha TO BECOME PART OF THE TEAM. To really be part of the team. It’s better for Sasha in the long run and it’s better for every other guy on the roster for things to go like this.
If I had to guess
(and I don’t have to, but you know, I want to really really bad)
I would bet that if Vezenkov is as good a shooter as Fox et. al have claimed, that the other players on the squad will be asking Coach Brown to put Sasha in the rotation and that will push his playing time. Then he will have to take it from there.
A team so talented that the reigning EuroLeague MVP can’t crack the top 10? And that’s in Sacramento?
Howe and Watt is going on?
Arco you and I have rarely agreed and you have pissed me off many times but I have to mostly agree with you here. Lyles has been solid in his role and while I don’t care about his feelings I think he and Sasha are not going to be playing similar roles. Lyles for the most part is a back up 5 while Sasha is going to be coming off the bench as a back up 4.
The thing I agree with you on is that Coach Brown is without proof going to assign any player in any position, without the players showing out that he can be a solid contributor in his role. Coach Brown is not hoping for anything. You either do or don’t show out and if you do you’ll get minutes and if you don’t you sit on the bench til garbage time.
I don’t expect Sasha to be playing many garbage time minutes.
Badge Legend