The Sacramento Kings will host the Golden State Warriors tonight in win-or-go-home game as the Play-In Tournament kicks off. This, of course, is a rematch of sorts of the first-round series last season that ended with the Warriors winning in Sacramento in a Game 7. Given the connection between Mike Brown and Steve Kerr, and the history of last season, these teams know each other well.
On Monday, both coaches shared thoughts with media that gives a little glimpse into how they are approaching the matchup.
Domantas Sabonis
In the playoff series last season, the Warriors were begging Sabonis to shoot the ball from midrange. Brown wants him to have the green light Tuesday night, speaking about how hard he has worked on his jumper.
“He’s worked extremely hard on his game and that’s part of what he and Doug [Christie] have been working on is the little jump shot from 10 to 12 feet. Because as we all know, that’s one of the things that the Warriors gave him last year and he didn’t shoot. So, if he’s open, you know, we have confidence in his ability to shoot the ball. We want him to shoot the ball,” Brown said.
Threes
Likewise, Brown doesn’t want his team to be shy about letting shots fly, including three-pointers.
“During this situation, or the playoffs, especially, the further you move along, you have to, you have to take any open shot that comes your way. Because if you don’t, especially as you advance, you know, these are the better teams in the league, and usually the better teams in the league are better defensively. So, if you turn down open shots, you’re going to probably get a worse shot in that possession. So, if that means we take 30 threes, then we take 30 threes. If it means we take 50 threes, then we take 50 threes. And we will have to be OK with it no matter what the result is at the end of the day,” Brown said.
Physicality
This is something Brown stressed going into the playoff series last season. He wants his team to be physical both defensively and offensively.
“The biggest thing, in my opinion, is we have to be physical with these guys. You know, they’re just so good, so talented offensively. They can put up 140 points in the blink of an eye. Steph can put up a 40 or 50 piece in the blank of an eye. And if we let them get comfortable, it can be a long night for us. And so, the physicality has to be there, especially defensively, but even offensively, too, with us trying to get our fellow teammate open when it comes to setting the pick and roll or setting pin downs or anything like that,” he said.
Rotation
Brown said he will probably stay with an eight-man rotation, but said he could deviate: “We obviously went to eight. I’m not afraid to stay with eight. And if we have to go to nine, nine and a half, however you want to call it, probably won’t go to ten, but we have that already mapped out.”
That eight-man rotation is something Kerr is expecting, and brought up Alex Len as a potential threat.
“They’re playing eight guys, coming off the bench with [Trey] Lyles, and Len and [Davion] Mitchell. So, a very tight, consistent rotation. They run a million pick and rolls with Len, he gave us some problems last year in the playoffs, so I am sure he is part of the plan,” he said.
Keon Ellis
Things are a bit different with these two teams since they played all of those games earlier this season, but a huge difference with the Kings is that Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter are out, and Keon Ellis is starting. Ellis was a big topic of conversation for both coaches. Kerr is aware of the ball pressure Steph Curry will phase against Ellis and Davion Mitchell.
“Davion played a big role in that [playoff] series and [Terence] Davis played the Ellis role, and those guys did a really good job on Steph. So, we’re prepared for their ball pressure, and I think Mitchell is an excellent on-ball defender and Ellis is really good too. We know they’ll be all over Steph. We’ve got be ready for everything. They’ve blitzed Steph in the past, they’ll hit him in the half court, double team. We’ve got to have our spacing right and make sure we’re executing against all that,” Kerr said.
Kerr continued to compliment Ellis and the Kings for finding him: “It’s different without Monk and Huerter, both guys are great shooters, and Monk has got the speed to get to the rim that has caused us problems, but Ellis I think has been one of the best finds in the league by any team. … He’s a really good player, so the rotation is different, it’s tighter, guys will play more minutes but it’s still the duo of [De’Aaron] Fox and Sabonis that their team is based on.”
For Brown, he shared some advice for his young shooting guard: “First of all, embrace the moment and go out and have fun and just be who you are. He doesn’t need to try to do too much. Just keep being who you are and don’t be afraid of the moment. … I think that if I know those guys [Warriors], I think they would respect the shooting [Ellis’ three-point shot], but they may give him an opportunity to see if he can make one or two to start because of the moment. But I don’t think Keon’s afraid, so I think he’ll be great.”
Here. We. Go.
If Sabonis has really been working in his shot then why hasn’t Brown ordered him to shoot it more in the regular season? You can’t just do things solely in practice and hope it will work out in a play-in game.
I hope this post will look foolish tomorrow morning.
I sa him in the Blazers game shoot some really good midrange shots, Hope thatncontinues. Could bt a defenite deciding factor. Would also open up themiddle.
It doesn’t seem like MB runs an actual half court O. That’s kind of on Sabonis to take them in a “shoot it if ya want” offense
Brown does not run 1/2 court or sets and that’s a problem.
He shot 33.6% more mid-range shots this year.
Exactly my question. And why didn’t Brown order Sabs to shoot it during these last few eeeks-playoff tyoe hoops?
What the F is Brown waiting for?
And if Brown can indeed order/encourage players to play a certain way, then why not tell Fox to shoot less 3s and get in lane/mid range etc-where he’s more successful.
It feels like this whole organization/team is slow to react to the need for adjustments and change. Like all damn season slow.
“During this situation, or the playoffs, especially, the further you move along, you have to, you have to take any open shot that comes your way. Because if you don’t, especially as you advance, you know, these are the better teams in the league, and usually the better teams in the league are better defensively. So, if you turn down open shots, you’re going to probably get a worse shot in that possession.”
Can we apply this to open layups and midrange too? Pls and thanks
OT: Jordi Fernandez to the Nets?
TKH article here
Who would you rather have on the roster now: Jalen Slawson or Trayce Jackson-Davis? Because Monte could have taken him at 54. Wasn’t pleased with that pick.
Trayce wanted to be a lottery pick and when that didn’t happen, he picked his destination. The story line of everyone passing on him, blah blah blah, is only credible for the teams picking in the lottery.
late 1st round, about where the Kings were picking, was where most people slotted him, including most if not all of us on this site.
but no worries. TJD also told the Pacers not to draft him (after playing for the Hoosiers) and then the Pacers ended up getting Siakam.
Pels playing better but who do we want? 😁. I would like to see Keon owning Dlo again
At this point I’m just hoping not to get eliminated by the damn Curry’s.
Lakers up 18 halfway through 3rd.
The Lakers, unlike the Kings, have played well when it matters-diwn the stretch . A system/style that works/can work in playoffs.
Badge Legend