The Sacramento Kings are finally home. After a seven-day, four-game road trip that saw victories against the bottom-feeder New Orleans Pelicans and the floundering Phoenix Suns, as well as a pair of losses to the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz, the Kings are back in the Golden 1 Center. They’ll face what may be their easiest on-paper matchup of the season, as the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans are in town and ripe for a blowout.
When: Wednesday, November 3rd, 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBCSCA – Mark Jones (play-by-play)
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Remember at the beginning of the greatest film of all time, Hook, when Mrs. Peter Pan is sitting in the stands at the baseball game with her son up to bat? Jack can’t hit a curveball to save his life (until he enters Neverland and suddenly can knock the ball into the literal atmosphere, and that’s only after Captain Hook’s encouragement, which probably says something about young Jack, but we digress). Moira Banning sits in the stands and chants over and over: “Please, not a curveball. Please, not a curveball. Please, not a curveball.”
After last night’s close loss to a Finals contender that saw just eight players hit the floor, I can’t help but chant in my head: Please, not a trap game. Please, not a trap game. Please, not a trap game. Because if the Kings should absolutely win one game on their calendar this season, it’s tonight’s contest against the Pelicans.
Through their first eight games of the year, New Orleans has posted the worst record in the NBA, currently sitting at 1-7, and they have yet to find success in any particular area. The Pelicans rank 23rd in offensive rating, 26th in defensive rating, and 27th in net rating. They’re not going to challenge you on defense, and their offense isn’t going to run anyone off of the court either. They just haven’t been very good, and that’s been with All-Star Brandon Ingram on the floor, who is likely out for tonight’s matchup. The Kings need to win this one.
Prediction
Luke Walton goes deeper into his bench on the second night of a back-to-back, Terence Davis finally hits more than 50% of his field goals, and the Kings use a balanced attack to blow out a bad team and get some of their heavy-minutes starters some much-needed rest.
Kings 119, Pelicans 94
Fox for Simmons, please.
Thank you.
Active player for absent player with no timetable for return, please.
You’re welcome.
Negative player for better absent player with immediate return, following trade. (Hopefully).
If Simmons’ camp has made it clear he wouldn’t play for Kings, then that changes the equation, obviously.
Talent for talent, it’s a no-brainer.
This isn’t hard.
“Hopefully” doing a ton of heavy lifting, tho.
I’m not a fan of locker room cancers, with zero work ethic.
So according to you, Simmons is done playing all together?
Have any receipts?
That is a lot of nothing. Empty thoughts. No need for any lifting.
Fox, Woodard (or Ramsey) and a top ten protected 1st for Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
(Boston says no.)
That would work for me too!
Cheers, mate.
Fox has certainly been better, and I expect a breakout game from him tonight against little resistance. I know I’m late to the game on this, but I’m starting to have genuine questions about whether Fox and Simmons can play together, especially if you have 40% three point shooters going out the door for Simmons to come in. You run a real danger of a team with Simmons, Fox, Holmes, Len/Thompson in their rotation flat out not being able to score points, because half (or more) of your rotation can’t shoot.
There’s some recency bias here because Barnes and Hield have been holding this team together over the first 7 games. Without them, the Kings might be 1-6. I’m not advocating for doing nothing. This team needs talent. And I haven’t really come down for or against Simmons. I just wonder about a Fox/Simmons mix with shooters moving out in the process.
The idea is to get rid of Fox for Simmons. They don’t work together.
Actually, I see the opposite. I see a team, The Pelicans desperate for a win.
Players that have some pride. I expect the Pels to throw the house at Fox.
Someone else will have to beat the Pels. Sometimes, When teams are desperate for a win, they will play harder, more focused, and more disciplined.
If the Kings move any guard, I think it will be Fox. I see Mitchell leading this team at the point. Move Buddy back to starting 2. Hali off the bench.
Unless you can get Reddish and Galinari for Buddy, Bags and a pick
A good game for Fox to turn it around, or later is fine as well in time for Feb 2022 trade deadline
P.S. Sorry, epileptics!
Tim, I was really hoping you’d just copy and paste the preview from the last game, but with updated records. I’m trying to save you a fortune on electrons.
This next stretch should tell us all we need to know about this team. 3-4 against best talent, I get it, that’s good but they have played good against good teams in the past. If they take care of business in this up coming stretch, then we can remove the caution sign from optimistic.
Good stretches has meant nothing in years past, as Kangz will follow right after. It may be better this year, we’ll see. I like Monte McNair, and I am wishing for big movements come Feb 2022.
Not a doctor, but regularly get all my medical advice from WebMD: Fox has the yips. Cant catch the ball clean, dribbling is all over the place, etc.. We could be looking at Markelle Fultz-type stuff here.
Hopefully not, but if it’s something serious I bet Kings Medical Staff will be on top on it
I’m really wondering if it’s the added weight…? Fox’s speed is a big part of his game.
You have to give up something to get something. In boxing, you usually lose speed if you go up in weight. Anecdotally, I have experienced returned quickness when I slimmed down. (even in hand-speed, not just running)
I don’t think I’ve seen Fox exhibit the burst of speed to the basket this season that he has possessed in the past. I don’t feel like I’m seeing an elite-speed Fox out there. More like a normal NBA player speed-wise out there.
Could be, so you have to wonder why he did it? Shouldn’t the Kings be involved in a decision like this with your cornerstone player and know better? If it ain’t broke…
Something else is at play here. We focus on the kings but this slow start is not just fox. Beal is shooting 37% from the field and 22% from 3. Tatum is 39% and 27%. Mpj is 34% and 23%. Booker is 40% and 27%. We already know about Dame and Harden.
not making excuses for fox but I think there is more going on here.
Disagree, Players that can adjust are flourishing. Playing more off ball and enjoying more success than years past. Jaylen Brown 49%,Miles Bridges 47%, Levine 47%, Morant 52%, George 49%, DeRozen 49%, Butler 51%, Herro 47%.
Alot of those players you mention are high percentage ISO players. With the exception of Harden.
Until Fox can up his pct on the Mid range, 3s,and Ft’s, he’s actually a liability.
I wouldn’t rule it out. Just the look on his face out there isn’t right. There’s something going on inside his head, even if it’s the pain of an injury.
Plus, he’s human, and maybe the added pressure of the expectations that come with a max contract is weighing on him. Athletes suffer from anxiety too.
Wait, back-to-back Mark Jones as the announcer? I’m so glad!
You don’t like Draper laughing uncontrollably for no apparent reason?
He literally said that someone was “hot like fine wine” a couple of games ago. He seems like a nice dude, but man, not great as an announcer.
You have a problem with gluhwein?
This made me chuckle. Sehr witzig, ja!
I’m getting tired of the Dad jokes he tells just before he laughs uncontrollably.
Thinking about attending the game tonight. Do you need to bring your actual vaccine card or can you bring a copy? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I use the electronic card when going in. I don’t know if that’s an option for you. They’ll check your license against your vaccination card to make sure the names match.
Gotcha! Thank you!
What Android app are people using for proof of vaccine?
photo on phone is fine. Photo copy is fine, QR code from the department of public health- any aligned with Drivers license. ( unless you are Henry Ruggs who doe not have a license.)
Interesting game tonight. A winnable game for sure. Will the Kings or the Kangz show up tonight.. We shall find out
Tonight as we come home to Sac,
Both teams will compete back-to-back.
With the Pels coming in,
The Kings must again win
To put the team right back on track!
This is the type of Kings/Kangz game that worries me.
Don’t be that guy who gets pissed when the Kings lose to the Pelicans. You got this.
Pick your favorite Fox excuse:
1 New basketball
2 Fat
3. Looking over his shoulder at Davion.
4 Tyrese slept with his sister.
Dude, don’t go full Napear.
It’s just an avatar, right? RIGHT?
Dude, get a sense of humor. RIGHT?
Get it right man! SexyNapear is an oxymoron.
On the one hand…
On the other hand…
sure sign of over confidence and a trap game. NOP with a bunch of bench guys were leading the Suns last night/ until well into second half.
Pels are going to come out firing. Kings just need to play smart and in control.
This game will be close. I will not be surprised if Fox is stifled tonite.
It will the Barnes/Hield connection if we win.
Here’s to hoping that Ramsey gets some of TD’s minutes. He played well in Summer League. It be nice to see if any of that translates to the regular season. While TD is struggling let’s give some time to the next man up.
Kings always seem to catch teams on a bad losing streak. NBA players are professionals and have some pride. These teams come out against the Kings with Max effort and grit. Pels almost beat the Suns last night. Without Zion and Ingram.
I fully expect the same tonite. Teams get tired of losing. That terrible team the Kings play has a great night. Everyone is hitting 3s, the team is chasing after loose boards, and the other team ramps up the Defensive intensity. I expect the Pels to throw 2-3 guys at Fox tonite. Continuing to make it difficult for him. Will Fox adjust or Cave in?
I have an extra lower bowl seat for tonight if anyone is thinking about coming tonight. FREE
Best Kings pass seats ever LOL
RIP to the lady killed by the dumb mistake of Henry Ruggs III
Ummm, yeah, no.
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