We got our first look at the Sacramento Kings with DeMar DeRozan Wednesday night, and boy was it a good indication of what is to come, as Akis pointed out.
The offense didn’t appear to be struggling to figure out how to get him incorporated. Though the starters only played in the first half, here is the shots taken breakdown:
- De’Aaron Fox: 10 shots
- Domantas Sabonis: 7 shots
- DeMar DeRozan: 6 shots
- Keegan Murray: 6 shots
- Malik Monk (off the bench): 7 shots
That right there is an excellent balance of how this offense can distribute the shots taken. Every starter also had at least one assist, with four coming from Keon Ellis and four coming from Sabonis. And we got to see some stellar defense from Murray, which is a great sign as he can focus more on that side of the ball now with less pressure on him to be the third offensive option in the starting unit.
Now, getting back to DeRozan, let’s take a look at his six shots, of which he made all six!
Here, DeRozan gets a double screen and DHO. Murray sets the first screen and Sabonis sets the second one after the hand off. DeRozan fakes going over the screen and steps back, keeping Draymond Green guessing.
Below, DeRozan takes the pass from Ellis and accepts the screen from Sabonis, which causes the switch onto Kevon Looney. He’s at his spot and there isn’t anything Looney can do. Even with the height advantage, DeRozan is able to elevate well over Looney’s hands.
Almost the exact same play. Once again, over Looney’s hands.
This is just talent. A good glimpse at what we might be seeing in crunch times of games this season.
De’Aaron Fox getting into the screening action here for DeRozan, and Alex Len with a nice little pass.
A promising sight here considering DeRozan isn’t known for his three-pointer.
Sabonis Mid-Range
We all remember the playoff series with the Golden State Warriors when they were leaving Sabonis wide open at the elbow to take shots. Since then, he has tried to work on his shot and there is talk this season of him trying more three-point attempts. Wednesday, we got a preview of how the shot is looking.
That’s the dynamic that DeRozan brings. Barnes could not do what DeRozan did in that game.
Sabonis hitting middies is music to me ears
I believe that Domas in the mid-range high post is a smoother transition for the Ox than spraying and praying from 3 point land.
Yes, it is “less efficient” shot, but if Sabonis becomes reliable from the mid-range he accomplishes a lot towards the Kings stretching the floor and it does not leave him as out of position for offensive rebounds.
If he, or once he, show consistency, he can then move out further to be a full stretch and not a mid-stretch Ox and thus a spicier version of Lithuanian Lasagna.
It could be a very interesting test to have three top players who thrive inside the arc. Fox obviously improved his accuracy and increased his volume last season, but historically he’s been at his best in the mid range and at the rim.
Joe Mazzulla had the World Champ Celts lead the NBA in 3PA (42.5) and 3PM last season whilst 2nd in 3FG% (at 38.8%, behind OKC’s 38.9%).
Kings were 3rd in 3PA (39.3), 3rd in 3PM, but 16th in 3FG% (36.6%).
If we look at Barnes specifically last season – he accounted for exactly 5.3 3PA/game and then let’s add Vezenkov (2.9), Davion (2.2) and Chris Duarte (2.2) – that’s another 7.3 3PA/game for a total of 12.6 3PA of that 39.3 team total or close to 1/3. Deebo had the most 3PA at 2.8 in the last 6 seasons, last year with the Bulls (he averaged a Domas-like 1.2 3PA the 5 seasons previously).
My point – looking at these numbers, it doesn’t look like Sacramento will be in the top 5 for 3PA this season unless they move the 3 Mid-range Musketeers out past the 23′ 9″ foot arc line. Could be – but maybe that shoe just don’t fit.
As a side note – it’s one pre-season game, but it sure as spit appears that Steve Kerr is going to challenge, if not surpass, Mike D’Antoni’s pre-COVID James Harden Rockets (2018-19, 2019-2020) who have the record for most 3PA/game with 45.38, 45.29 respectively. (I mean, what other weapons do they have? No interior presence whatsoever). And given that the NBA record for 3PM is 29 (Bucks, 2020) and they made 28 two days ago at G1C, we should expect more of the same tonight, and every other night from here on out.
I was day dreaming today about the Ox and those three mid range buckets. Each one looked so smooth and confident which was seriously great to see. If that’s the #11 version of Sabonis we are in for a real treat.
Got Padres trying to destroy LA’s dreams on after work and then the Kings. It’s a good Friday!
I sure hope those Padres are successful.
Everyone is excited about DeRozan and rightfully so. But if Domas can consistently hit that middie with confidence, that opens up a new level of the offense itself. You could tell the GSW still had their game plan of sagging of Sabonis and if they can’t do that anymore – watch out.
I loved him getting his work in on the middy. This is what preseason is all about. The NBA will have to adjust and that will result in wide open shots down low for Keegan, DeMar, and Fox. It also probably means a lot of good looks from three for Huerter, Keegan, and Keon. I’m definitely not stressing about this offense. If the defense can sniff the top ten and the team stays mostly healthy, this is going to be a delightful season for us Kings fans!
Derozan is a dynamic player that will be of immense help to Sabonis. Sabonis will have another option to dish the ball to successfully and spend less time being pounded in the paint as an undersized center.
Sabonis x Derozan is going to be a factor in the NBA!
OT: Could be relevant. Ham is reporting Stockton Kings have acquired Drew Timme. If there was a guy to potentially backup Sabonis and fit with the high post passing system, it could be Timme. This may also be an inclining to Orlando Robinson’s future if his injury is longterm. Timme also played for the Kings in Vegas this past summer.
https://x.com/James_HamNBA/status/1844771157750223200
I like the idea of a young up and coming forward taking a roster spot away from Jones (either one) or Thomas.
If you are talking about Issac Jones IMO we ought to keep him.
How many can we keep on a roster?
How about mcdaniels instead? Trying to not be too judgmental on the guy but it was a horrible horrible season for him followed by a horrible first pre season game in a Kings uniform. This two things together don’t project any amount of confidence in him finding a groove and being a contributing NBA player. I hope he gets 30 minutes tonight. Bounce back game. One can hope.
In all honesty I know very little and have very little concern for the bottom of the roster guys. In simple terms I understand we need a forward more than we need a guard.
This is so weird – this post says Adamsite, but it reads Will Griffith.
Go Zags!
What was this guy’s game at Gonzaga? He shot 76 3s total in 4 years, so he clearly wasn’t that type of threat as a Zag. Just thinking in terms of potential fit next to Domas, but I have no clue about his game and how he got buckets for the Zags.
Well, I looked around a bit and it seems like he was mostly a back to the bucket dude/low post dude with not much of a perimeter game to speak of.
I watched Gonzaga games quite a lot when Chet Holmgren was playing and the year after. Timme’s style looks a lot like Sabonis’: good to excellent passing, very crafty around the basket with his McHale moves (up and under), decent mid-range shot, with once in a while a 3 point attempt. In my humble (limited basketball knowledge) opinion, he could be a great backup for Sabonis.
I didn’t do too much digging, but this scouting report seems to jive with the comments here.
Some Zags zig I suppose. I dunno.
Crafty low post scorer. Kind of a throw back player. I don’t see him playing next to Sabonis, but as a backup system guy who could step into that elbow cog of the offense type of role Sabonis has. Kind of a Mason Plumlee type of guy.
Yeah, I was hoping he could be a potential fit next to Sabonis, but looking at his shot chart, it looks like he’d be working the same real estate as Sabonis, so I don’t think the fit is there. I was hoping he had more perimeter game, but it doesn’t appear that’s the case.
IMO a very very very poor man’s Sabonis. If an NBA player at all, Timme is 3rd C … so possible replacement for Robinson for a month or two, but without the (little) upside of Robinson and no role next to Sabonis (squinting one might see Robinson also play next to Sabonis).
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