Saramento Kings basketball is back! The 2021-22 NBA (pre)season debuted last night with a showing against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were without Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Jae Crowder, and Dario Saric for their opener at the Golden 1 Center, while the Kings had no players listed on their injury report.
117-106 was the final tally in favor of Sacramento, but there is not much stock to be placed in that considering it was the preseason and the aforementioned missing Suns’ players. On top of that, Monty Williams elected to not play either of Mikal Bridges or Deandre Ayton after halftime while the Kings ran their primary players through the third.
No matter, there is plenty to take aside from the scoreboard in preseason games. Here are my takeaways from game one against the Phoenix Suns.
# 1 – The lineups
I know, I know. We were specifically told by Luke Walton to not read too much into preseason lineups as preseason is a time to test things but I can’t help myself.
Luke Walton said that his starting lineup on Monday is just one of many looks he is testing out and that we shouldn’t read too much into it.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) October 3, 2021
The starting five featured De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley, and Richaun Holmes. I tend to think that Tyrese Haliburton is deserving of the starting spot over Buddy Hield, and it’s nice to see that is at least being taken into consideration.
Staggering Bagley and Buddy, the two worst defenders on the roster by a notable margin, also seems like a solid strategy. That duo only played together for one stretch late in the second quarter.
There were a handful of three-guard lineups thrown out there in game one. Including the one that everyone was waiting for.
- Fox, Mitchell, Hield, Barnes, Holmes
- Haliburton, Mitchell, Hield, Harkless, Thompson
- Haliburton, Mitchell, Davis, Harkless, Len
- Fox, Hield, Davis, Barnes, Len
- Fox, Haliburton, Mitchell, Barnes, Holmes
- Fox, Mitchell, Hield, Barnes, Thompson
- Mitchell, Hield, Davis, Bagley, Len
Harrison Barnes is the only talent on the roster who can fill the more traditional small-forward role, so expect a large majority of Sacramento basketball this season to be three-guard lineups such as those listed above.
One other small note is that Tristan Thompson was the first big off the bench over Alex Len. We will see if that remains the case moving forward.
#2 – The transition game
With three-guard lineups being more prevalent, an increased pace will naturally follow with additional faster and smaller players on the floor. The added playmaking from two to three players who could be labeled as point guards alongside one another also feels undermentioned at times.
Three guard lineups are expected to be a staple for the 2021-22 Sacramento Kings.
The guard-heavy roster's variety of speed, playmaking, driving, and shooting was on display in transition last night. pic.twitter.com/sr9cRIXL3S
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 5, 2021
Defense leading to offense was a welcome sight in Golden 1 Center and the offensive versatility of guard-heavy lineups led to success there. Tyrese Haliburton is a certified wizard with the ball in his hands, and I continue to find myself in awe at some of the passes he is able to make.
Sacramento managed to secure 29 of their 117 points in transition last night, and 25 of those were off Phoenix turnovers. Again, the Suns were without their primary initiators for the entire 48 minutes and it showed.
#3 – Davion Mitchell was as advertised
Davion Mitchell was the defensive pest that we all expected heading into the game. Bits and pieces of various aspects were on display throughout the night. His on-ball defensive pressure disrupted the opposing offensive flow and led to some turnovers. He impressed the crowd with off-ball rotations and relentless effort.
Davion Mitchell was as advertised on defense in his debut.
He caused havoc and turnovers multiple times. pic.twitter.com/H8WhoMktGR
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 5, 2021
Some of the included clips are repeats from above but take note of how Mitchell is defending and creating transition opportunities. Saving the ball after disrupting the pick-and-roll in the last clip was easily my favorite Davion moment from night one. These are the type of impact defensive plays Sacramento has been missing on a consistent basis.
He is undoubtedly going to bother opposing guards in his rookie campaign. It would have been great to see him challenge Booker or Paul, but we can celebrate him affecting Cameron Payne and Elfrid Payton for now.
As for his offensive game, growing pains are expected. He looked most comfortable when initiating the offense through the pick-and-roll and shooting in rhythm off the bounce. Here he is isolating in a mismatch situation against Jalen Smith.
With his slightly underwhelming playmaking, he will need to become more comfortable playing off of other creators which should come with time.
Again, it’s preseason game one and I’m certainly reading a bit too deep into things. Overall, it was a promising debut for the Kings rookie.
Other Notes
- Buddy Hield showed potential growth as a playmaker making cross-court reads and slinging a pass or two off the bounce with his left hand
- Tyrese Haliburton is a magician and deserves so much love from the Sacramento crowd he didn’t fully experience last season
- Harrison Barnes is already in midseason form – 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 23 minutes
- Not much new from Bagley… there was one righty hook
- They were icing empty side pick-and-rolls, but still showed a willingness to switch Holmes & Thompson onto guards
Actually, Mitchell was only credited with 2 steals! 😉
As I said in other thread- like Hali- the first time I watched Davion could tell he’s legit. He’s already good and he’s just starting.
I think they’ve nailed 2 picks.
He will get steals but his value will come more from pressuring the ball, forcing the the opponent to pick up the dribble and throw a lazy or off-balance pass.
Something the Kings have not done in a decade.
A move in the correct direction.
Agree totally, he’s gonna make the other guards look good in the passing lane
Terrible crowd even for a first preseason game !
Sadly, I totally felt the same. Unusual for Sacramento
I blame COVID. A lot of people aren’t going to risk going to a big, populated, enclosed area just for a preseason game. Can’t blame them, either. If the crowd on opening night is weak, that’s concerning, but for preseason? No worries, IMHO.
Giants attendance hasn’t been great either and that’s outside, with a team who have had a historically great season.
Also, there were absolutely fans in the arena not wearing masks, so pretty clearly that’s not being enforced.
I know I’m not going until my youngest can get the vaccine.
This. I was offered a ticket to last night’s game but declined. I’m vaxxed, but not really ready for a closed arena full of people.
Kings fans mostly sold out the California Classic. I wouldn’t take much of Monday’s attendance as a sign of what’s to come. I agree, it’s likely covid related
I skipped it. It’s really early in the schedule, it’s preseason and it was on a Monday – it just didn’t feel like a basketball kind of day.
I expect a lot more people (myself included) to show up for the redacteds next Thursday.
There was also a fatal accident on West Bound 80 that completely shut down traffic.
It’s always take, take, takeaways with you people! How about some giveaways once in a while?
(That’s right. I said “you people.”)
It sure is fun watching Mitchell play defense! He’ll get beat up as he learns the ins and outs, but so much of great defense is being willing to actually do the work: Being where you need to be, anticipating, understanding the angles, and knowing when to attack, and when to lay in wait. His effort is tremendous, and will make up for his lack of experience as he finds holes in the games of offensive players. Cameron Payne is no slouch
(pauses for Greg to insert Caddyshack dialogue)
and our kid Mitchell was in his jersey. I think that he’s going to become an offensive threat, and make bank in the mid-range because he’s so quick, but even if he never becomes a guy that defenses have to sit on, his defense will make him invaluable. He will disrupt offenses, and prevent them from getting in the kind of flow where it looks like an avalanche is falling on the Kings’ defense. He will inspire effort in his teammates.
Don’t sell Cameron Payne short – He’s a tremendous slouch.
I can’t help but be concerned about defensive rebounding with these three guard lineups. The Kings were 30th in defensive rebounds per 100 possessions last year and 29th in defensive rebounding percentage. The centers they have in the three-guard lineups are not in the top 50 from last year in defensive rebounding percentage. Of the power forwards, Bagley is in the top 100 while Barnes and Harkless are not. It’s probably another year for a lot of second chance FGAs from Kings opponents.
The issue with not really having a true wing or stretch 4 on the roster. Having both preferably. Barnes is solid. But, he doesn’t move the needle either way. Balance and Star power will keep the Kings out of the playoffs for the 16th year.
Yep. You can’t be a good defensive team without being a good rebounding team. You’re generally going to get about twice as many defensive rebounds as turnovers, so it’s the most reliable way to end an opponent’s possession.
This is why I think we’ll see Bagley start instead of 3 guards, Barnes and Holmes.
The 3 guard line up will work for stretches against some teams. They will have serious issues dealing with the likes of the CLips, Philly, Lakers, Atlanta, etc.
I can’t take anything away froma game where Crowder was out(He would have shut down Barnes) Paul and Booker also out.
This is a preseason game that you can’t read into too much.
IF you did, Then Fox shows regression in this first game. Bagley looks the same, and the team has their way with the Suns second and third unit most of the night.
Suns are where the Kings wish they were at. Fine coaching, Solid balanced lineup and plenty of Star power.
Haliburton is everything you want and then some. He makes the team better every time he steps on the floor. Magic passer-Best PG on team. Dead eye 3 pointers. Very good D. I’d rather build around him then Fox if I had to.
People-talent evaluators overlook skill every time it seems. They value speed/size/jumping ability but are blind to qualities that make great players. Probably Why, thank god, Haliburton dropped.
I agree. The issue with trading Fox is Mitchell can’t handle the 2. I could see moving Fox to 2, supplanting him with Hali. Trading Mitchell as part of a package.
Hali running the offense would be more effective. Unfortunately, Walton would nver do anything that makes sense.
Watching the Knicks/Indiana: Knicks look like a Top 4 team in the east. Deep, great D, and their running a much faster offense. Adding Fournier and Walker. Sneaky good pick ups. Knicks have a number of exciting youngsters, as well. Quickly, Toppin. etc
An example of what can happen if your stupid fucking owner backs off. Hint, hint Vivek.
Got a real front office. They picked the coach, Off to the races.
I only wish that could happen here. I really dislike Vivek. He’s so blinded by his ego he doesn’t see or care that he’s screwing a whole community.
After what we saw this summer and last night, you want to include Mitchell in some kind of a hair brain trade is unbelievable.
Mitchell can’t handle the 2? Really? He switched onto 3s and 4s almost every possession and kept them in check, too. If Marcus Smart can play 2 and 3, Dave’s got nothing to worry about.
DO you realize Mitchell was playing the Suns 2nd and third team. You think he’s shutting down Booker ot Crowder all they have to do is shoot over him. Easily.MArcus Smart also has about 3 inches on Mitchell.
He’ll be playing half his time at the 2 this year. Better get used to it. And yes, I do think both Booker and Crowder will hate it when he picks them up on the perimeter. Good luck extending your elbow to shoot when Dave’s inside your jersey. Do you watch the games?
Davion could guard Fort Knox!
Ideally Fox and Haliburton share-run O like Hali amd Mitchell.
But I’m not sure if Fox will learn that role. I think he could be really good off ball. Set shot 3s better for him etc. But he has to become a shooter and alter his style. We’ll see.
What universe would I need to be in so that I could be a talent evaluator whose job duties didn’t include taking skills into account?
Obviously the NBA GM universe where Vlade Divac is orbited by Isiah Thomas, Wes Unseld and David Kahn …it’s quite apparent Andy!
You must be one of those people to blind to see it.
I was exaggerating for effect. I just think NBA GMs overemphasize athleticism over skill.
Elite second jump bias.
Figured you’d figure out I was being extreme l….because it was obvious. But you and Wizzsox seem to like giving people shit
One in the same they are.
Flagged for insulting Wiz.
Wiz is Sims. Sims is Einhorn. WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE.
I might be doing this wrong….
“Giving people shit” is a bit different than calling nonsense and exaggerations out. But I digress…I’ll leave you to it.
Enjoy the board how you please.
You only evaluate receipts.
Still waiting for my first opportunity to actually do it.
Mitchell’s intensity on defense is insane. He plays defense on every possession as if the score is tied in game 7 of the championship with 6 seconds left on the clock! Jeez, dude is sooo fun to watch.
It is so hard to choose between Hali and Davion for my favorite player in the NBA. I am stoked to watch every second of their season, playoffs or not, this team is fun. Thank you Monte. You might not have been able to dump Buddy and Bags, or even Luke, but you did make a couple of good lottery picks.
I am feeling unconscionably optimistic about the season after one preseason victory over a team missing its best players. I’m sure reality will soon impinge on my fantasyland.
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