Welcome back to Chainmail! This week, we’ll have a special guest, as Will is out of town. Who might that be, you ask? I’ll let you know as soon as Greg allows me back into the Slack channel! [Editor’s Note: Tim knows what he did. -Greg]
Here’s a quick review of the Kings last few days:
- The Kings have lost three games in a row, once to the 4-8 Pacers, once to the 7-3 Suns, and once to the 4-7 Spurs. Not exactly a great look for a team talking quite loudly about the postseason
- De’Aaron Fox has looked much better over his last five games, as he’s put up an average of 23.6 points and 5.4 assists on 48/40/80 shooting splits. He’s also averaging six free throw attempts per game in that stretch, a key element of his game that was missing in the early parts of the season.
- Richaun Holmes was semi-benched in Wednesday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, recording only seven first-half minutes and ending the game at 18 minutes, having taken only four shots.
- Jahmi’us Ramsey has gotten the call over Louis King and Robert Woodard while Tyrese Haliburton has been out with a sore back. In Monday’s loss to the Suns, he played just a few minutes, but with Terence Davis also out on Wednesday, Ramsey saw his first real action of the season, scoring seven points on five shots in 21 minutes on the floor.
- Marvin Bagley refused to enter the game against the Phoenix Suns, an impressive anti-tank stance for such a young player.
Now, get to asking, so we can get to answering!
Do the Kings guards practice pounding the ball incessantly while ignoring their teammates in practice because that’s seems like the only offensive game plan for Fox, Davion and Hield. I’m assuming Tyrese just ignores the game plan.
If a playmaker (eg., Haliburton) gets injured, shouldn’t the next guy on the depth chart be another playmaker? In football if a quarterback gets injured, the replacement is not determined by approximate height but rather by the skills they have. A playmaker can usually dribble, pass, and shoot, right? So wouldn’t that mean King or Coleman should be in the rotation when Haliburton is injured?
Why can’t we have nice things?
Because Andy Sims is always lurking somewhere.
I’ll accept part of that, but some responsibility must be borne by the fact that we can’t block annoying .gif files in threads.
Am I wrong for feeling strongly about this? I’m super tired of guys like Luke, Keith Smart, Ty Corbin.. The Kings should someday actually get one of those great coaches whose teams set screens, run clever plays, and have defensive schemes. Also, I would love a coach who holds his players accountable…isn’t just “the nice guy.” We had one with Adelman, and I think we had another with Malone. Other teams get the Rick Carlisles, Erik Spoelstras, and Quin Snyders. I want my Kings to get one…soon. Am I supposed to just keep being patient with Luke? Does that really work out?
When Luke is replaced it will be a Woke hire ! See Broadcast team !
What’s a woke hire? Be specific, say what you mean.
Grabbing popcorn now.
I don’t know, I think what he means is clear as day.
Wut
What? Because Kayte is a woman? yeah broadcast team aren’t my favorite, but everyone has bonafides to get those roles. It’s not random people off the street to check those boxes.
What’s the term when a white guy automatically gets hired to a job? Serious question.
By my count, 2/3 of the Sacramento Kings 18 head coaches have been white dudes, and they’ve had one non-white GM. 53% of NBA head coaches are white guys, and that’s a record low. 27 of 32 NFL head coaches are white guys. 2/3 of NBA GMs are white guys. 84% of NFL GMs are white guys.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with hiring a qualified white guy (not you, Luke Walton.)
I would love for you to explain to me why when a white guy gets hired, as has been the case for almost all NBA and NFL coaching and front office jobs, there’s no special term, and you have no complaints, I guess because it must be based on “merit,” and not let’s say, “affirmative action.” But when anyone else gets hired, it’s “woke,” and presumably a problem.
Please do explain your reasoning.
I’m a minority but I completely agree with you Carl!
Get ’em, Spangler.
I’d like Monte to look into Darvin Ham this summer. The dude has been the lead assistant under Coach Bud for some time now in both ATL and now Milwaukee. He seems poised to take the next step as a head coach.
Ham and Hammon are both strong candidates. Maybe Jay Larranaga. From college, I’d be really interested to see Tony Bennett (no, not that one) get a look. Guys like Jay Wright and Mark Few are interesting but it’s really hard for me to see them leave their gigs for the Kings. Chris Beard probably deserves a look as well.
Jay Wright would be outstanding. Probably top of my list, but I think you are right, why would he leave Villanova to come to this shit show.
But maybe even the other Tony Bennett instead of Walton
Becky Hammon, long-time assistant to one of the greats?
I’m not a huge fan of Joerger, but he did make significant positive adjustments between season 2-3, showed an aptitude for drawing up plays, and seemed to try to hold players accountable.
But Joerger wasn’t a players coach. He hurt Buddy’s feelings and wouldn’t start Marvin from day 1!
Seriously….look back on it now…we may have let him go because of the way he dealt with Marvin’s pick and his play….what a mistake…
For the most part he played to the player’s strengths and used them that way. I remember Buddy being used so much more efficiently than he is now.
I read it was because of his non-relationship with assistant gm Brandon williams.
Joerger is an ass but he knows his stuff. Buddy and Marvin had their best seasons under him.
If the Kings’ wheels continue to fall off but Holmes continues his great play, do they trade him?
Seems like as much as we all love Holmes, he is far from the ideal 5 to start with Fox. Fox needs a 5 that stretches the floor to allow Fox to get in the paint. Again, I love Holmes. But if he doesn’t stretch the floor and we keep Fox long term, is he the best option going forward?
So, sort of like Fox with Embiid?
Embiid the center who shot 37.7% from deep last year and over 39% so far this year?
Yes, I’m suggesting Fox go play him in return for Simmons.
Well then I’m in agreement.
I’ve been pitching Holmes + stuff for Turner for a couple years now. But honestly, Holmes seems like better value than Turner at this point. Not that fit doesn’t play a role, but it is something to consider.
IMO, Turner’s ability to both shoot the 3 and excel at shot blocking make his value better than Holmes’s. Depending on the stuff, I’d make that trade quickly.
I don’t know. Turner is 3 years younger, only gets paid $5MM more, and has been exceptional so far this season. If you can get Turner for “Holmes + stuff” I think you have to jump at it. The problem is I don’t see any reason IND would do that unless that “stuff” is worth at least, if not more, than Holmes.
On the podcasts, you have mentioned the king’s need a power forward type player to be able to stretch the floor/run pick and rolls. It seems that most teams in the recent NBA have shifted away from using the power forward position, so who are the examples you would point to that have this kind of player anymore that are being successful? It looks like most teams have gone toward a double wing starting lineup rather than double big, so what does having a power forward on the court even mean anymore and how would it benefit the offense?
Great question. Aykis mentioned yesterday that Barnes currently might just be the best PF in the western conference (AD plays more a center). I like your observation of a double wing lineup. Looking at the West, the good teams are rolling out guys like Crowder, Royce O’neal, Covington, etc. Look at what Bridges is doing for the Hornets! It does seem the idea of playing someone like Barnes at the 4 is the new trend in the league. From that it seems the Kings would be better suited to find another 3/4 wing as opposed to a big PF. Harkless just ain’t cutting it.
I was thinking about it, and wondered if Philly might be willing to discuss getting Hield/Bagley/picks for Tobias Harris. He certainly checks a lot of boxes in Sacramento, even with his max deal. He’s got two years left after this season. Hell, even Fox & Bagley with fewer or no picks might be worth considering. They might covet Buddy’s excellent volume shooting, but Fox would excel playing with someone who has the kind of on-court gravity like Embiid.
Random thoughts, nothing more.
I have a question, and I’ll take the answer off air:
Being a fan of this team…
Me watching the game last night:
Luke Walton. Why? Just why?
Why not Murray coach the Kings instead?
At this point should the Kings just tell Bagley to go home to Arizona and wait for either a trade or cut him post deadline if one fails to materialize? Why even dress him, bring him on road games or keep him around the team?
Why Jahmi’us Ramsey has gotten the call over Louis King ?
I mean, I like both of them, but King fit a positional need…he got handle, size, and plenty of shooting and scoring………
I think more firepower is needed for current rotation, either put in Louis King in rotation or feed Barnes down the paint..(which mean a sure basket) is one of the adjustment should be made.
Is it possible to send Bagley down and send Louis King up?
Kings can’t send Bagley down without his permission because of his tenure in the league. I believe only 1st and 2nd year players can be sent down to the G-League under team orders. Even veteran players recovering from injury have to grant permission to be sent down.
ah, thanks, Adam.
even not sending Bagley down, isn’t Louis King is on 2-ways contract, and can play with the main team ?
I just very curious why he got zero playing time.
Exactly. If Haliburton, Fox or Mitchell miss a game due to injury, the next guy up is King.
Is Kings a playmaker, though? I’d think the next guy up would be Ramsey.
They are both young prospects, but at this point King has better handles, a better shot, a larger repertoire of moves, and can pass a bit too. Ramsey is better at drawing contact at the rim and finishing through contact, maybe a better rebounder, and although he has not shot particularly well he is known as a shooter from Texas Tech where he shot 40% or higher. Right now, I see one as a combo guard and the other as a wing, but they are both young prospects.
Neither of them are really playmakers. But King moreso than Ramsey.
I like Coleman on the roster instead of Woodard.
There are two injured guards, and Ramsey is a guard. King is a wing, he said lyrically.
I want to see LK get some run, too, but he’s not the next man up for guard duty.
Because the FO is bad in assessing skills and talents.
All theyndo is Jack & Poy!
While I’ll concede that thendo Jack & Poy, I’d say that the front office has been rather astute in assessing the skill and talent level of players.
It’s game 7 of the NBA Finals and the Kings are tied with their opponents in the final minute of double overtime.
As luck would have it, you have 4 players on the floor as the 5th just fouled out. On the bench you have two players to choose from to insert into the game because everyone else has either fouled out or got injured.
The two you have to choose from are:
Derrick Williams
Marvin Bagley
Who do you ask to get into the game?
(note: you’re trying to win the game)
Depends on which 4 players left on court………
Also, don’t under-estimate D-Will, he played okay for the Kings……..he got great motor, run the floor well, he did move without the ball, and play both inside and outside….he can catch the ball much better than Bagley. I believe the BBIQ of D-Will is higher than Bagley, also D-Will plays better defense.
Most importantly, Vivek love him..
Thanks for the well-thought out answer, HHKF!
So then I wonder if Derrick Williams will have the better career of the two…
Fun fact: DWill is still just 30 years old and has been out of the league for 4 years.
I actually do wonder if Bagley will be in the league still when he’s 26.
I see a Euro Championship in his very near future. DWill is a Bundesliga champion.
Mentally, he never entered the league.
Derrick Williams sighting…
The Kings can’t win if they have more than one opponents! lol
Are they playing against 2 teams in one game?
I WAS TOLD DOUG CHRISTIE WOULD SAVE US!?
And he, together with TT and Davion would transfer our D into a juggernaut (=middle of the pack).
Why hasn’t that happened yet? When will it happen? Will it ever happen as long as Fox can dick around on D to his heart’s content?
I think the main problem is there is no “Snake Head” in the starting lineup without Tyrese.
Fox does not looks like a leader, and he is not inspiring other teammate to play better (both defensively and offensively)
Barnes is vocal, but he just cannot do much all by himself….
Seriously, I would consider putting Mitchell into starting PG to set a good tone to start the game, and let Fox come off the bench as a spark..(also, he can drive in the lane easier against the 2nd unit of the opponent)
More and more, Fox is reminding me of Jrue Holiday (without the defensive chops). Both are billed as PGs with good slashing abilities but are really better suited off the ball, with a playmaker sharing the back court with them. Jrue had some of his best years playing next to Ball in N.O. Fox may be of the same mold.
Fox would be a much better off ball defender too.
Agreed. He could use his quickness to defend the passing lanes.
Going into this season, I believed that the Kings roster was the most talented it has been in quite a few years. Was I right? If so, then is this start to be blamed mostly on Walton or execution by the players?
If you disagree with the initial statement, then is Monte the one to blame?
But who am I kidding? My real question is – WHEN ARE WE GOING TO FIRE WALTON????????
If a Kings roster with three 20 point scorers in DMC, IT and Gay couldn’t crack 30 wins, why would this one top 40?
Yeah and Mike Malone was the head coach for those years. Perhaps the Kings really are cursed.
To be fair, as impressive as three 20ppg scorers is on paper, the rest of that team was shit. JT and BMac were the other starters.
Yeah, this team might have a higher average talent level, but probably not the higher end talent. Currently, we have a couple-few Gay-level guys. Perhaps an IT level guy. But no one in the Cousins talent-tier.
Of course, that team wasn’t very good either. Being the most talented Kings team in the past decade+ is a depressingly low bar.
Is there any universe where this team plays that awful 3Q against Phoenix, then goes on the road and lays a rotten egg in San Antonio, if it were coached by Dave Joerger? Or Greg Popovich? Or Nick Nurse? Or Steve Kerr? Or Mike Budenholzer? Or Doc Rivers? Or the local high school English teacher who led that team of upstart pubescent acne-faces to the JV league title last winter? Or… Or… Or… ?
What are you thankful for in 2021 that helps keep you grounded and sane as fans of this team?
I’m thankful that none of these ass clowns are involved in the SF Giants organization.
Man, I’m gonna miss seeing Buster Posey out there. Was always my favorite player.
Clowns they may be, but they don’t donate millions to virulently racist groups. Giants fans should be mortified and raising hell.
Still think they should build around Fox?
Nope.
Nah, never did. Much like the Cousins era, this is a situation where the “feature” player is a passable 2nd fiddle in a middling playoff team, but really much more suited as a 3rd option.
Fox was always a No. 2 on a contender. I’ve been saving the No. 1 spot we build around for someone special…
Mock Expansion Draft Scenario: You get to choose one of Fox or Dejounte Murray to be your point guard of the future, however, you have to decide now with all each of the players contract obligations and Fox’s current slump being applicable. Who do you choose? Coming from a Fox supporter who acknowledges his faults and skills…It’s an interesting decision to make.
Ohhhhh…that’s a good one. Pretty wild to think Murray is basically being paid half of what Fox is.
He had real injury concerns when he signed his deal. No injuries, and I guarantee he’d be making the same as fox now.
If and/or when Walton is fired or not renewed why not give Bobby Jackson a shot at head coach?
Darvin Ham, David Vanterpool. With Wes Unseld Jr. off the market, these would be the top two on my wish list.
They should definitely give a player from the golden era with no head coaching experience a shot, definitely.
Seriously Marty, why not? Jackson has been around the NBA for at least the 25 years and has been an assistant for the last few year’s and is the current G-League head coach. Just because he never been an NBA head coach doesn’t mean he can’t be an NBA head coach. Becky Hammon and a few other assistants have never been NBA head coaches and their names are touted every time an opening comes up.
Like I said, they should definitely give him a shot. He’s an ex-player from the Kings golden era, that means he totally checks off Vivek’s boxes.
I’m here for all the dysfunction now, I can’t be turned from stone back into flesh.
It sure worked when they were looking for a GM a few years ago.
I agree with you, I don’t think Jax is remotely qualified to be an NBA head coach yet, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever be. Those clamoring for Doug Christie, I’d reply the same way, but it would be based primarily on lack of experience.
We sure as hell don’t want a retread, but there are a not inconsiderable number of people out there who may be ready for the big chair.
And yes, I’m aware that being a completely unqualified person is not a dealbreaker when hiring head coaches.
I’m not trying to argue or troll or anything like that, but what makes Hammon, Ham, or Vanterpool more qualified than say, a Bobby Jackson. There are current head coaches that were hired with no previous coaching experience (Kidd, Nash, Kerr). Spoelstra wasn’t the number one assistant in Miami but was promoted to head coach when Riley stepped down. What makes one person qualified and another person unqualified?
Question of the season:
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE KINGS? (part XVI)
The anawer should always start with an A (as in A LOT!)
If we had drafted Luka, what would our team look like this year? Are we a lock to make the playoffs or hoping for the play-in?
It looks the same. Vlade trades Luka at the deadline during his rookie year for Bagley + protected future first. “Marvin has higher ceiling,” Divac tells the media. “And he can touch ceiling two jumps in row! Luka has stupid daddy. Marvin’s daddy is not problem.”
Considering the Mavs have made the playoffs pretty easily with a worse supporting cast than the Kings, I think the answer is pretty clear. Obviously, butterfly wings and all, if they drafted Doncic then they probably:
But yes, Doncic is among the surest playoff tickets in the NBA.
The flipside is that if he had picked Luka, Vlade Divac is still the GM of this team.
What do you think about adding Metu to the starting lineup and sliding Barnes to the 3. Metu clearly spreads the floor better than Harkless, Rebounds better then Harkless as well as protects the basket at a higher rate. He’s seemingly a equal-ish defender to Harkless on the perimeter. I don’t mind Harkless in the starting lineup but it seems obvious that there’s a better option currently on the roster that helps in all facets of the teams needs. A floor spacing 4 that allows Barnes to start at the 3 which would be huge. It allows the kings to start big and transition into small ball when needed. Your thoughts…
Harkless is pretty terrible. He was terrible last year as well. I don’t know if Metu is the answer, but if Barnes gets hurt, this team is going to have problems.
Has there been any discussion of when the broadcast team will travel with the team again? The road crowd is muted, the call is delayed, and they sometimes miss calls because they can’t see the refs. I’m other words, it’s not ideal.
I fear that teams now view this as cost cutting and the new normal, but the television product is noticeably worse
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