After a short two-game homestand, the Kings are heading back out on the road for what will be a season long seven game trip. The trip starts close to home, a couple hours down I-80 with a final visit to the Golden State Warriors this season.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Thursday, January 25th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings came back from a 24 point deficit to win it on an absolutely crazy game winner by Malik Monk.
Three in the Key
Bigger than Basketball
I want to take a brief moment to acknowledge the tragic loss the Warriors suffered this month in the passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. Steve Kerr and the Warriors offered a beautiful tribute to him before last night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
"(Deki) is a part of our soul." pic.twitter.com/u3Og4TwoV5
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 25, 2024
Rest in Peace, coach Milojevic.
Get some Momentum
The Kings really could use a bit of momentum heading into this trip. Before Monday’s win against the Hawks, the Kings were struggling, losing four straight for the first time since the start of last season. The last three of those losses were all there for the taking for the Kings too, but they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory anyway. The Kings and Warriors always seem to play each other close, regardless of record, and these two teams know each other better than most. Both teams have won on last second game-winners already this season, and the Warriors hold the season series 2-1. A win tonight would be a good confidence boost heading into the rest of the road trip and more importantly create some more ground the struggling Warriors would have to make up by the end of the season.
Battle of the Benches
So far this season between these two teams, the team who has had the most help from their bench has won each game. The Warriors are a bit more short-handed than the Kings will be (Moses Moody, Chris Paul and Gary Payton II are out for Golden State, while only Sasha Vezenkov will be out for Sacramento), so the Kings need to take advantage and win those secondary minutes.
Prediction
It’s another nailbiter against the Warriors but in the end the Kings pull away and win to even up the season series and hopefully not see the Warriors again until next season.
Kings 126, Warriors 121
The Dubs have Dray back in the fold;
Claim his tantrums will now be controlled.
Their best days are behind;
Their talent’s declined.
This year…maybe left in the cold!
+1 I think it was Prince who wrote…
…No more Golden State dynasty,
So change your attitude…
Can we just call them the San Francisco Warriors now?
That would not mesh with their value of inclusivity…
Aside: Growing up, I thought the Golden State Warriors were a team in Southern California. But then I also thought the California Angels played in San Jose. It wrecked my brain when the near opposite was true…
Relieved the game is on TNT.
My apologies to the group. A few weeks ago I posted that I thought Kayte had improved. Boy was I wrong. The last several games have been some of the worst.
She has some decent moments, but they are few and far between. Draper is also really bad.
I’m ok with Draper but sometimes Kayte drives me nuts.
He comes off as unauthentic to me. I usually have the volume low anyway, lol.
I’m OK with Katie but sometimes Draper drives me nuts.
I can barely listen to Jones. I like Draper except when he tries to sound like Jones. Kayte is better than Christie or Walton imo. Low bar is low.
I really like Chelsie Gray on the pregame/half-time shows. Last time I saw her she actually made Bibby acceptable.
For me, the secret sauce is Jones on pbp, Kings playing well. That is a relatively benign / enjoyable listen.
Plug Draper in and/or try listening when the Kings are scuffling, and the excuses and ref whining is untenable.
Game on mute and music is my default setting. I turn on the sound to the broadcast just long enough to affirm my decision.
May I help you with that? Game on mute and listening to Gary Gerould.
It’s a great idea. but my Hulu feed never matches up with GG’s call.
Plus Draper is the king of going crazy over a negative play- IE- shouts about the amazing dribble and move a player made even though he misses the basket.
Great dribble by Fox…. off his knee OB etc. He’s terrible. Rarely describes what’s actually going on either.
He does the Jones thing, to a lesser degree (because who could do it more than Jones) of packing in as many catch phrases, terrible sayings as he can.
How about call the game? Like Gman
Katie is mostly not good. About 25% she good.
I find it pretty weak, organizationally, that they have this as their play-by-play and hoops announcers. It’s terrible. Something a bottom of the barrel team does.
What happened to Jim Kozimor. Did he retire.
Gotta win this one tonight and Memphis, and then 2 of the remaining 5 on this road trip if you wanna come back with a 4-3 road trip. This seven game trip may be the make or break moment for this season. Hoping Fox breaks out of his playing slump; we’re gonna need it for this road trip.
This 7 game trip also ends just 3 days before the trade deadline. It’s entirely possible that some of the current roster have already played their last game in Sac as a member of the Kings.
Thats a crazy thought.
This is the hope.
Can’t wait for this version of GSW to be gone from the NBA.
OT: Amick has the Kings linked to Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neal.
Both are nice athletic wings. Not sure their timelines line up for the long-term with both being 30. However, I would be happy if either landed in Sac. They are pretty known commodities and I think either have a little more hustle and grit than most on this roster.
I honestly don’t think either of them move the needle all that much. Finney-Smith is known for he defense, but is he that much better than Barnes to make a difference.
If the trade is for DFS only, then they do some combination of Duarte/Davion/Sasha/Ellis/Jones and 2nds while retaining Barnes. DFS slots in as the backup 3/4 for a more defensive look.
Why does Brooklyn give up their starting PF for the Kings trash and 2nds?
Because they aren’t going anywhere with him and their current roster. So might as well grt something for him? Maybe they like some of those guys?
Then go get Thybulee and Grant with that kind of philosophy PDX isn’t going anywhere either.
Might as well.
Exactly, I think we are mostly overrating Barnes and underrating DFS. He’s got a 7 foot wingspan and can actually guard most 1-5’s. Other then the brand name of Barnes, DFS fits exactly what we need, a legit 3 and D who can actually do both at an elite level. I’d send a 1st for him in a Heartbeat plus salary filler and Move Barnes for future assets elsewhere. I’d do the same package for Alex Caruso, a future first plus salary filler. Dream scenerio is if we somehow end up with both Caruso and DFS. We’d be all in for to contend in the next 3 years.
I’m in the camp that feels Barnes is still a solid NBA player. He may not be a starter on a good team anymore, but he is by no means washed. I could totally see him playing through his mid to late 30’s in a Jeff Green or Rudy Gay type role. Barnes understands the game and brings his lunch box to work everyday. Any contender would love to have him coming off of their bench.
In terms of DFS, I wouldn’t send a first for him. He’s not that much on an impactful player and he’s about to turn 31. He’s approaching PJ Tucker like value. I’d offer a couple of 2nds with matching salary, but that is about it.
Who would be your matching salary on the Kings?
I don’t think so.
My concern is that Brooklyn’s asking price is 2 FRPs, I think there are better fits/players that could be had for 1 FRP much less 2.
For DFS? Haha!! 2 first rounders is laughable
Will the Kings be Road Warriors, or roadkill tonight…
insert your favorite Mad Max gif.
As long as they don’t play mediocre.
The Warrior v. Kings is always a fun contest. I am looking forward to a good game tonight.
Go Kings! Light The Beam
So the Kings aren’t broadcasting this game? Cheap skates gonna cheap skate!
Badge Legend