Well, the Kings are 0-2 and have rolled into San Fran for their first road game of the season. It’s a Sunday game after a work day for me, folks – this one is going to be bone dry.
When: Sunday, October 23rd, 5:30 PM PST
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Mur-ray of Sunshine: So I guess I should start off by dropping that these have been a rather frustrating, difficult first few games for the Kings but less because of over-hyped expectations and rather because the Kings have nearly pulled out victories in each of their first two contests with half of the core roster playing like absolutely garbage. Harrison Barnes through two games has looked like an absolute shell of himself. Is it adjusting to being a lesser option on offense? Is it tired legs from admittedly long practices and having to guard, smaller quicker perimeter players? Is he old and the frustration of last season rotted into a malaise in the off-season that sapped what was left of his motivation to improve? I don’t know. You could challenge the man to hit the broad side of some barns and he’d swing at his own stomach and miss right now. The man’s been messy. Hey speaking of shooters not being able to shoot: the dynamic bench duo of Davion Mitchell and Malik Monk have been… well… bad. Tim Maxwell pointed this out in a tweet last night so I’m going to steal it and get away with it (Tim ain’t gonna read this far and Greg the check with your bribe money is in the mail) – Through two games, Sacramento’s backup guards, Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell, have combined to shoot 5/26 (19%) from the field and 2/14 (14%) from deep. Now, I was never a good at math, but that level of incompetence on the offensive end just isn’t going to work. The Kings need punches off the bench, something that at least Terrence Davis has been able to provide in spurts these first two games, and Davion/Monk’s struggles are absolute difference makers in the Kings current record.
The silver lining here is, of course, it’s incredibly early in the season. We’re 96 minutes into the Kings schedule, a schedule that most of us cautiously predicted the Kings could go 0-5 in to start. It’s brutal, expectations are heavy and the scheming is still brand-new in Sacramento. Things like this take time, or at least, take longer than two games to settle. I mentioned last night on Twitter that the Pelicans started 1-12 and still made the play-in, then playoffs last season. Is it ideal for the Kings to start this season slow? No. It definitely makes for more tension later on down the road. Are the Pelicans a much more talented team than the Kings at this point? Absolutely. They were at this point last season, then they went out and traded for CJ McCollum to lock in that play-in spot at the deadline. The Kings players, coaches and management all have work to do if they want to accomplish their stated goals.
I’m just saying they’ve got some time to do it.
Pretend I criticized Sabonis at some point up there in the previous paragraphs and that I praised Keegan Murray’s opening performance. Just say I wrote those things and they were great. Okay? Happy Sunday you beautiful souls.
Prediction
Steph does something corny, Klay does something wholesome, Draymond does something dirty and the young kids on the Warriors are the only thing that half the Kings Herald staff will want to talk about. Oh and Keegan scores like 25 and barely cracks a smile.
Kings: 119, Warriors:117
The once was a team from the bay,
that knew how to play (and to pay).
Meanwhile down the road
the constant suck mode
reminds the fanbase the lottery is in May.
I thought that Barnes should have been traded last season. I don’t think we can get much, maybe a second rounder now. If he doesn’t improve in the next three games then put him on the bench and start TD. That brings me to the backups. What backups? Other than Davis they are non exsistant except TD. I would play TD tonight instead of Barnes. You play him 34 minutes like Barnes and see what happens. Lastly what has happened to Sabonis. Not playing defense as I watched last night that my grandmother could have driven past him. As a professional NBA player he couldn’t make free throws. We could have won both games so far. A lot of loosing had to due to a very weak bench and Barnes and Sabonis missing free throws and Monk missing one on a T. Very disappointing.
SEGABABA tonight at the Chase—
It’s a challenge we’ll have to embrace.
Got to motivate Dray
Every time that we play,
But beware of his swings to the face!
Kings should win this game because Draymond won’t be playing
(due to, uh…not getting up to play)
“…It’s the nights I show up, and we playing against the sorry motherf**kers like the Kings.”
Second game of a back to back makes me hope to see Moneke get some playing time.
An unproven and borderline NBA talent against the Warriors.
Well, yeah, he’s an unproven and borderline NBA talent on an unproven and borderline NBA team.
But I still want to see him play a bit.
That makes sense.
Glad you are not full KaNGZ and assuming he is the next MJ.
Watching Sabonis reminds me a lot of David Lee in his Warriors days.
Was hoping the narrative this season would be about a team contending for a playoff spot.
The narrative has already been determined as the hope of a rookie who has only played in one game determining the next era.
I see about five or six ongoing stories about the Kings this year that I’m following. Playoff/in. Keegan. How quickly the team adapts to the defensive schemes. Whether Fox is an All Star. How the new additions fit in.
Talking about one doesn’t negate the others.
Very true. So far the only one that is relative to reality is Keegan as the fantasy savior.
Phillies started this season 22-29. Anything is possible.
I’m choosing to believe Murray fills some important gaps and their trajectory does indeed, rise.
Badge Legend