In case you haven’t heard by now, Ben Simmons is back in the NBA as a member of the Sacramento Kings. He made his season debut on Saturday in a preseason loss against the Golden State Warriors. He started and scored 7 points in 9 minutes.
The ongoing speculation is how the Kings will end up using Simmons in the rotation during the regular season and at which position. Well, according to a new report from Marc Spears, we have a little bit of insight:
“Simmons is expected to remain in the starting lineup alongside rookie guard Darius Acuff for the Oct. 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.”
Regardless of staring or coming off the bench, the 30-year-old Simmons offers position flexibility across the board – something that will help reduce some pressure on Darius Acuff Jr. at point guard and Keegan Murray at the forward spot. Possibly even at the center rotation with Maxime Raynaud expected to be out for a while. That is the benefit of having Simmons in the rotation.
The Kings take on the Portland Trail Blazers in Sacramento Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Love it. They will most likely be terrible, but I really enjoy Simmons, a cup and Keegan together.
I think they got so lucky getting Ben Simmons. Other than a new owner, he’s exactly what they need.
We will have to wait and see how this plays out but if and right now it’s an if Simmons will have an impact this year for the Kings. IMO Ben will help Acuff if he wants it and I am getting the vibe that he does but IMO the bigger picture on who he can help is Keegan Murray. Up until now Keegan has to do so much of everything for the Kings his offense has slowed down a lot. With Ben who can defend and rebound this will take the pressure off Keegan so he can get back on track with his offense. How you have 2 really good defenders instead of 1. Don’t forget Sharpe as a really good defender. Put him on someone like Curry and see what happens. Murray doesn’t have to do that either. Just have to wait and see.
Now one other thing. IMO Clifford should start at shooting guard with Sharpe as the backup or sometimes Sharpe could come in early if a player like Curry starts to get hot. Nique is a far better defender and rebounder than Lavine and is part of the rebuild not Lavine. He needs to play. IMO Plowden should play more than Lavine. I watched Zach the other night and his attitude on defense just doesn’t make it for me and he won’t be here next year.
Kings are going to need the very best of LaVine’s shooting and slashing if Simmons and Sabonis are starting. There is no way he’s coming off the bench.
I think it would be reasonable to start Lavine at first and see how it goes. Sharp would probably be my choice to play with Acuff, Simmons, Keegan, and Domas. But if it’s Lavine at first I’m not complaining.
I’m not even sure just yet if Sharp is going to dress most nights. There are a lot of dudes ahead of him.
If I were the Kings, I’d give LaVine all the minutes and shots he can handle. Get those numbers up so maybe, just maybe, some contender comes asking for his services.
He’s probably the team’s best defender at 1 and 2, with ability to guard bigger dudes. Shoots threes. That’s a good fit next to Acuff and Simmons. IMO best fit.
I don’t really get all the Clifford love. I mean, he is fine so far for where he was drafted but I just don’t see an impact player yet.
Same. I’d love for him to be a Francisco Garcia type bench piece, but he’s not even there yet. I feel we need to temper the expectations on the kid.
Seems a bit premature to announce this but it’s a better news cycle than Vivek “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Ranadive roasting his own employees at least.
To be fair, the Kings haven’t announced anything. It is from Marc Spears, who has also been tooting Ben’s horn for weeks now. He also was talking about a Simmons comeback long before he signed with the Kings. I’m guessing Spears and the Simmons camp have relationship.
I did a quick search of Marc Spears on Simmons and if I didn’t know any better I’d assume he was his agent.
Good call. Maybe they’re fishing buddies!
makes the Kings better … and more fun to watch.
Does anyome honestly think this team can win 30 games?
I think the path is extremely narrow. Everything would have to go perfect, imo.
Yes, but that is in large part to the Pacific being so bad this year. PHX, Dubs, and Clips don’t have starting centers and the Lakers have no one beyond Luka and Reeves.
IMO, the Pacific is the worst division in the NBA right now and the Kings have 16 games with them.
But don’t count out that the Kings have a bottom 3 coach/staff, and these teams that tanked last season aren’t doing that this year.
I do.
They would definitely need to stay healthy. Domas and Zach are good NBA players. Neither is a guy you want to anchor a franchise around, but they are exactly the type of dudes to get you 32 wins! lol
Why does this have a shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic vibe, Ben Simmons is the saviour now
Its going to be a long year me thinks
I think Marc Spears is involved with some documentary on Ben Simmons, just what we need a doco on this guy
Sabonis, Murray, Acuff, Lavine, Simmons starting 5? Keep one of Simmons or Acuff on the floor at all times as PG.
I think in a perfect scenario where everyone plays their “A” game it is the best lineup possible. If Monk can play some spot PG minutes, Hunter at the bench 3/4, and Precoius/Maxi at the bench 4/5 you potentially have a decent 9 man rotation.
I think you can start both Acuff and Simmons and then have one of them be the first to sub out so you also for the most part have one or the other in at all times. If both are out, Monk and Sabonis should be in.
So what are we thinking the starting lineup is? I’m assuming it would have to be Acuff at PG. Then Simmons, Lavine, and Keegan with Sabonis at center? Acuff, Keegan, and Lavine provide outside shooting. Keegan and Simmons guard the two best players. Keegan, Simmons, and Sabonis rebound. Nobody really guards the rim. Acuff and Summons bring the ball up?
I can almost see that working.
From the defensive side, you have Keegan and Simmons as your defensive anchors used as OG/Bridges type wing defenders. You don’t necessarily need rim protection if you have good shot prevention. See: Warriors title teams.
It ain’t great, but it’s a start.
At their peaks, our team is amazing. Lavine? Simmons? Woah. Bench of Hunter, Monk and youth?
Unforunately, this is reality, years later, and even in their primes, Christie can’t coach this team to any semblance of cohesion.
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