The Sacramento Kings fell to 0-2 on the season as Paul George and the Clippers came into town and won 111-109 despite resting Kawhi Leonard and John Wall. George led all scorers with 40 points.
The Kings likely have felt they have let two games slip away from them that were both winnable in the final minutes. Against the Blazers, it was a lack of execution down the final stretch. Tonight against the Clippers, it was more of a few bad stretches, particularly towards the end of the 3rd and start of the 4th quarter, as well as an infuriating inability to hit a free throw. The Kings shot just 15-26 from the line as a team, making only one more free throw than three pointer.
De’Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with 36 points on a very efficient 15-23 from the field. Fox definitely came out to play to start this season, but he needed a little bit more help from his supporting cast. Domantas Sabonis had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, but shot just 4-12 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts. Several of his misses came at the rim. Harrison Barnes was also disappointing offensively, shooting just 2-9 in 34 minutes.
One player who did not disappoint was Keegan Murray. In his NBA debut the rookie looked like a seasoned vet and was Sacramento’s second best player overall. Murray came off the bench and scored 19 points on 7-10 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He also did his damnedest to try to stay in front of Paul George and did an admirable job for the most part.
The Kings and Clippers were going back and forth for most of the game until the Clippers went small in the second half and started taking advantage of various mismatches and poor defensive switches by the Kings. De’Aaron Fox left the game with 3:32 left in the 3rd quarter and the Kings down 77-73. When he came back in with 8:42 left in the final quarter, the Kings found themselves down 95-85 and with all the momentum going towards the Clippers. Perhaps most frustrating is that Los Angeles was able to extend that lead with Paul George also on the bench for most of that time.
The schedule makers did no favors to the Kings for the start of this season, but the Kings probably should have had at least one of those games. It doesn’t get any easier going forward either, as they face the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco tomorrow. They’ll need a more complete team performance than we saw tonight if they hope to steal that game.
Operation M.C.N.A.I.R. Update:
Tonight’s Operation: M.C.N.A.I.R. donation of $10 goes to @WEAVEinc and their work to create a safer, more supportive Sacramento!
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— Will Griffith (@WillofThaPeople) October 23, 2022
Random Observations:
- Kevin Huerter had another good game, scoring 18 points on 5-9 shooting to go with 5 assists. Giving up only a lottery protected first round pick feels like a steal for him. Well done Monte.
- Sacramento’s bench aside from Murray was fairly disappointing. Richaun Holmes doesn’t look like the same player that he used to be, and I can’t remember the last time he took one of his patented push shots. Davion Mitchell is struggling with his shot and isn’t doing a particularly good job of running the offense for the second unit. Malik Monk didn’t score a single point in 13 minutes, and his primary purpose is as a bench scorer. The Kings needs their bench to step up.
- One guy who has done fairly well off the bench in the first couple of games is Terence Davis. Defensively he’s still a bit of a mess, but he’s at least providing a nice scoring punch in his limited minutes.
- I like the new “👌” the broadcast does on the score when a player makes a three. I was at the first game so this was my first telecast of the season.
- The Kings did a much better job of taking care of the ball tonight, only turning it over 12 times. The defense clearly still needs a lot of work however, as the Clippers as a team met the coveted 50/40/90 mark (50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the line). Mike Brown knows his stuff, but we’ll see if his team can fully buy in.
- The biggest question mark for me before this season was how Fox would play. So far, he’s exceeded my expectations. If his outside shot is for real (he’s 8-15 through two games), that’s a difference maker. He’s also showing marked improvement in his effort on the defensive end. If he keeps this up, I think he’ll be an All-Star this season.
KaNGZ spoiled the debut. Paul George simply took what was in front of him as any other player of his caliber will do every night. kANGZ did nothing about it.
It’s just not gonna work, they have to try this hard just to be in the conversation of making the play in? Once again we should be talking about them tanking (especially this year) for that number one pick and stacking assets for the future
The brutal conference might just tank for us.
Maybe what’s best is getting a good core ready to compete for the future but getting one last good pick
That would make way too much sense.
winning 38 games and getting beat in the play in. Is really the ceiling. This team does not have a foundation to ever be championship caliber. Everyone knows that.
If your core is Fox, Sabonis and Murray. It’s not terrible. But that core is no better than 7-8
at best. Unless, Murray turns into the next Kawhi.
The West is fierce. While, the Kings do look improved. That doesn’t mean a lot in the West.
Do they look improved though? They look similar to last year in many ways. If they manage to win the games they’re supposed to win this year then I guess u can say they’ve improved
I think the improvement is at best equal to the improvement that every team in the West made.
That is not winning. That is barely maintaining.
That foul by Mitchell on Reggie Jackson in late shot clock also hurt……….
I think Monk need to be in starting SG….as to make Huerter 2nd unit, to balance the roster……
Huerter is drastically the better player, and Monk is showing he needs less minutes, not more currently
Huerter is everything we wanted Buddy Hield to be.
Fox is shooting well from 3 and averaging nearly 35 ppg.
Rookie is a stud.
Now, only 80 games to go to see what really happens, may be even win some games.
If anything, Terrence Davis is going to take Monk’s spot. Monk has terrible thus far.
Yeah, Monk’s play has been head scratching. Weird turnovers that you normally only see from spazzes.
The biggest issue right now is that Sabonis looks pretty bad. If that continues it’s not going to matter what the rest of the team does. It’s weird stuff too like blowing layups and missing free throws like crazy. He needs to step it way up or we have a huge problem.
Sabonis looks bad, but I am not concern as he most likely will be better as the season goes on. I am more concern about Monk and the bench unit. Monk needs to hit 1 freaky shot if he is supposed to be our microwave scorer. Basically we need Keegan or Fox out there at all times since Barnes has been highly ineffective.
I’m hoping Sabonis is off because he/they are learning the O?
And why aren’t we seeing the O utilize Sabs high post passing? His greatest asset to the O is his passing amd directing the O .
But maybe the team
is learning that?
Liked what I saw from Fox. D effort. TO non existent. Shooting.
Loved Keegan.
Herter can play-legit
Did not like how old And meh Barnes looks.
Davions shot. Gross dude. Go back to your old crap. Not loving his trajectory at the moment.
Monk is too selfish -and kinda not useful unless he’s shooting well, which he apparently only does on occasion.
Sabonis needs to show his “O” face. Get it?
Somehow I don’t feel that they let the games slip away. I think they’re simply unable to effectively execute against good or even decent competition, especially late in the game, so these aren’t really winnable games.
Agreed. The argument could be made for the Portland game. But last night’s felt much more like a failed desperation attempt to claw-back in the final 2 min; and not a game that slipped away from them.
Queue the Wilson floating away from Tom Hanks gif…
I’ve finally realized the “Off Night” nickname for Davion Mitchell describes his own shooting, not the opponent.
Far from a perfect game by Keegan. Three missed shots, three fouls and two TO’s.
You just got to hope that he learns from it and keeps improving.
Is this sarcasm? I can’t tell but I will take the bait – 3 missed shots out of 10 is pretty damn good for anyone, especially a rook in their first game. 3 fouls and 2 TOs is also normal for any caliber of NBA player who plays 33+ minutes – although one less TO would have been nice (the one from the top of the key where he raised his hand “my bad” rings a bell). Keegan played a phenomenal game. One thing that really stands out to me is that he lets the game come to him. If he senses the situation is not to his favor, he passes it out. That leads to low usage (17% this game) but it also leads to extremely efficient play. The kid is an extremely smart hooper. It sucks to be 0-2 but I am beyond excited for Keegan. From SL to preseason to game 1, he has absolutely showed out. Let’s go
Haha….
I’m expecting you to post under the “AnybodybutKeegan” screen name from now on!
He’s the best Kings draft pick since …
…
Tyrese Haliburton.
But seriously, love Keegan. his maturity, his unhuried style of play, maturity and BBIQ.
Yeah, I’m pleased to see it in his first regular season game, against good defenders.
He had 19 points and 5 rebounds in his first NBA game. Of course he is going to learn from it.
he had a very good game. 2 of his 3 misses were three pointers in last 2.5 minutes where he rushed it.
He does not have a good handle- T. Mann flustered him by getting up in his grill and almost forced a TO. One of his TO’s was also late in game.
I would like him to be a George type player but PG can get a shot, make a tough shot and can control the play. KM is more reactive- at this point. Maybe in 3 years.
Keegan looks great. Fox is playing his heart out these first 2.
But the end result is the same old Kangz.
And That’s without Kawhi and Wall. George did what all All Stars do to the Kings…
Take over and as usual. The Kings have Zero answers.
Poor D, Mental lapses, terrible half time adjustments. Mediocre bench and a new wrinkle 40
percent of your starting lineup looks hideous.
The First 20 games are not forgiving.
Don’t forget free throws. All of those mistakes you mentioned can be kicked down the road if the Kings would just hit free throws.
“free throws”
jitters in crunch time
missed dunk by Barnes followed by a rush 3 by KM
LAC were almost trying to give it back.
oh yes, a few free throws including 2 technical- how do you miss a FT on a tech?
Next time I would like to see Davion on Paul George.
Next time Kawhi and Wall will be playing. Kings will have bigger issues to deal
with
Paul George is actually a pretty tough cover for Davion because he has a mid-range game and can just shoot over him. The problem was, we either overreacted or underreacted to his play. George is actually the type of player that we don’t have. I absolutely believe Fox has superstar potential, but he is more of the explosive end-to-end athlete rather than a black hole with half-court gravity like George.
It looked like George was usually defended by Davion, KZ or Keegan. It seemed like there were times where George had to work harder to score.
They switched Fox on him quite a bit. Fox did his best. But, George was fried chicken. Kings had 2-3 defenders on him and he was bulldozing guys. George played like A Pit last night
he got some easy ones on switches and at the charity stripe. The tough shots – whatever. Davion and KZ did alright on him, but maybe KZ should fight through the screen if it’s Sabonis’ man.
Davion was on him- seemed to do ok. Have to look at stats but PG made a ton of tough shots on all of them
Early returns on this new emphasis on defense don’t look so good. Brown is a defensive-minded coach? I’m curious when we should expect to see an oopponent held under 110 points.
I think the team is trying hard on defense. Much better effort than the past. I think we need more than 2 games to see.
The “defense is all about effort”-takes need to be dead and buried.
Defense is much more than effort, it is also skill, awareness and ability to execute (defensive) schemes.
Some of our players are decent on-ball defenders but below-average team defenders.
Bringing in a defensive coach is nice, but he needs players wh can play his schemes too.
Based on the crrent small sample size, I think we have serious issues with containing penetration, rebounding and rim protection. And these issues will be difficult to solve with the current roster, IMO. We may fix one of them, but not all three.
This is kind of my fear – even after all the roster changes that Monte pulled off during the offseason, we’re still a few players away from being even average on defense.
The lack of a true small forward with the size, strength and lateral quickness to defend was a gaping chest wound that should have been adressed long ago.
The postionless basketball-retort to that problem was as dumb as Divac.
If Monte really believed that Barnes could hold the fort in that respect, you have one of the reasons for not giving him an extension.
Yet another season that we went into with an unbalanced roster.
Popular similes…
“As strong as steel”
“As right as rain”
“As dumb as Divac”
I agree. I wanted to trade Barnes last season. Last night he was terrible on defense and his offense wasn’t much better. It’s only two games but he has not produced on both. You might try playing TD instead of Barnes. He is the only bench player right now who can score and play some defense. Maybe if Brown wants defense then play KZ for Barnes and start Murray, Back to Barnes. If he doesn’t come through then his trade value is non-exsistant. What a waste. Right now the bench, who were to be great this year aren’t good either. Holmes 1 for 2 and bad defense. His trade value is also going down. Mitchell 2 for 7 and 0 for 2 from 3. Monk just 0 for 4. You can’t win with a bench like that. I am really disappointed in all of them.
Holmes and Barnes are playing so bad right now. They are going to be difficult to trade.
But someone had to want Barnes, I’m not sure anyone did, at least not at the price Monte asked.
Then maybe he asked the wrong price?
Agree. Barnes ain’t cutting it. Think they wanted to trade him? They need to. Get younger and more athletic.
I also don’t love Davion’s inability to shoot. He’s gonna be a bit if a wasted pick if he can’t. Just a bench guy -defender.
Barnes, Sabonis and Holmes are not good on ball defenders. Players can almost walk by them for layups.
Sabonis looked bad in the Preseason. It’s definitely spilled over into the regular season
I agree with all this. A coach needs a roster that can effectively implement what he coaches the players to do. With no rim protector, the Kings will struggle defensively.
yeah, the only criticism I have of last night’s game is defense. Surprisingly Holmes gave up some easy buckets with poor awareness/ communication when that’s supposed to be his strength. Just overall, they have to be grittier on D.
Offensively, Fox, Huerter and Keegan were all impressive. This loss didn’t leave a bitter taste.
Defense is 90 percent effort 10 percent coaching. If your core players are not buying into defensive consistency every single night, it’s going to be another long season.
Sad I had to miss the second half… what happened? “Anybody”
George dominated the Kings & the Kings missed too many FTs.
I’m not worried, yet.. They still look better IMO, and it’s a long season. Nice to see Keegan get solid minutes and produce. Surprised to see Sabonis struggling like this off the bat. Not surprised to see Barnes struggle. We lost the opportunity to trade him for something. Can’t believe how much I like Huerter.
Keegan Murray’s debut was not spoiled by Paul George.
Actually 50/40/90.
Kings got annihilated by George. But, the Kings allowed the Clips to do whatever they wanted.
Kawhi and Wall did not play as well.
Fts we’re one part of the reason they lost. But, the sole reason. Take a closer look at the analytics. Clips are a well oiled machine and they showed it last night.
If this is how horrendous were going to be at the line all season, my TV will eventually break. Much like 2002…hit free throws, win the game.
Through two games, the King are dead last in FT% at 62.2%. They are also 20th in attempts. So not only are they missing their free throws, they are also not getting too many of them. That’s a trend that won’t win many games.
I think Davis is earning himself a bigger role this season. I’d be curious to see how a starting lineup with him and Murray replacing KZ and Barnes would do
I don’t think Coach Brown will hesitate with shuffling the starting lineup. There’s too much on the line. The fact that Barnes has been a fixture in the starting lineup needs to change, for one. He’s not going to be resigned, so bring him off the bench.
Unfortunately we’re still working with an unbalanced roster, but Brown need to work quickly to find the right combinations before the Kings spiral to 2-10.
I’m not worried yet, still seeing some good signs. I like Huerter, TD, Murray. Sabonis will turn it around.
And Fox is playing the heck out of the game. Playing some defense too.
I agree!
The schedule has been cruise, kings are once again just a bad basketball team. We should have beaten blazers. We definitely should have beaten clippers sans kawhi and wall. New good coach, same shit team, fox still gunnna drop 30 per night, kangz still gunna lose
Malik Monk has played 28 minutes and has a plus minus of -31 in that time. He and Davion have combined to shoot 5/26 off the bench. Sabonis is 8 points and 5 rebounds off of his averages over the past 3 years. Barnes is also well below his normal scoring output while barely making half of his FTs. All of that and the Kings were close in both games late in the 4th. I don’t know if it’s time to blow it up yet, maybe after game 5 of 82.
Barnes looks old out there. He can no longer defend the opposing 3’s and at this point is a small ball 4. It’s time to swap him and Murray in the starting lineup.
The Kings desperately need a rim protecting big. Once opposing players get by the first line of defense, it’s an automatic bucket.
Monk so far has been disappointing to say the least. Davion couldn’t hit water if he fell off a boat right now.
Ahhhh, to be a Kings fan is getting your bubble burst after the first week.
Saboner’s haircut cost us the game.
He should have copied Gordon Hayward’s hairdo?
Not sure what’s up with the Davion hate. He’s not shooting well, but he’s creating tons of space for himself off his dribble moves, finding open shooters, limiting turnovers, and playing tenacious defense. I’m pretty satisfied with him and I’m sure that he’ll get more shots to fall as the season goes on.
Monk is the guy I’m really worried about. Him and TD have overlapping skillsets, and TD has simply been much better. Really would’ve liked TD in the microwave role, and Divincenzo as the backup clamps/playmaker – oh well.
Holmes looks bad, but he’s in an entirely new role and clearly facing a learning curve. So what’s Barnes and Sabonis’ excuse? Complete non-factors to start the season. Absolutely inexcusable from both of them. Sabonis has the look of a guy who the game comes too easily to, and has gotten too comfortable. He’s been lackadaisical with the ball. Needs to focus and finish his shots, or find kickouts on the double teams. Barnes needs to be more aggressive rebounding and scoring.
The good news is that Murray and Huerter are super reliable shooters and role players. Fox is also perhaps ascending into the All-Star I always suspected he could be. The three ball is looking good from him, and he’s been bringing intensity on defense. Love to see it.
I don’t see why KZ is getting minutes. His defense hasn’t been good, he adds next to nothing on offense, and commits defensive fouls way out on the perimeter. I get being aggressive, but I think there is a reason he was traded by the Heat and cut by OKC 2 days later. Dudes likes him just aren’t long for this league anymore.
Same. I think that experiment should end. To be honest, I never understood it from the beginning. He couldn’t crack the rotation on a diamond prospect mining franchise in Miami, then was cut by OKC who is bereft of talent. That’s two very good GM’s who cut bait on him and the Kings are supposed to make him a starter? It never made sense other than Brown has experience with him on the Nigerian team.
If he wasn’t with Brown on the Nigerian team, he would probably be in the G-League or overseas.
They just have a some pooh pooh options with KZ, Lyles, Moneke, and Metu. An upgrade their would really help.
Not sure I am too excited about Monte getting Mike’s guys to take up roster spots.
Like Mike wanting to show the world his GM chops.
It does have a Sim Bhullar or Duje Dukan smell to it.
My thoughts, exactly. Getting in someone’s grill can be effective on players who don’t have a great handle on the ball or not a quick first step. But on premier players like Lillard and George, they know how to overcome the pressure. Their intelligent coaches design plays for them to be isolated so that when they blow by their “tough defender” the floor is wide open for layup, pull-up jumper, or kick-out when other defenders rotate or collapse on them.
Clippers 111, Kings 109: Keegan Murray’s debut spoiled by Missed Free Throws.
Kings could use someone with a little fight and nastiness in the game. Metu comes to mind if he wasn’t such a black hole on offense.
Trade a couple of these ultra nice guys for someone with some grit.
If Metu is the answer, it must be a trick question.
Suns are still trying to move Jae Crowder. He’d fit that “little fight and nastiness” you mentioned, but he also appears to be a locker room problem in not wanting to come off the bench.
I’d trade Holmes for him right now, and look to deal Barnes.
As would I, but I’d think the Suns would want more for Jae and have zero interest in Holmes or his deal.
I’ll add Barnes for Crowder and Torrey Craig works. Kings would need to waive someone like Moneke to make it work.
Make 75% of your FTs & win the game.
That said, losing the first two at home against a mediocre-at-best team and a team playing without two of its key starters is less than pristine. A couple more weeks of this and we’ll be studying up on 7-10 range draft picks.
I had a thought experiment the other day in regards to this. If, by the end of the calendar year, the Kings are looking like the Kings of the past 16 years and are on pace for 33ish wins, is Monte done and the Fox experiment over?
By over I mean, what if the Lakers offered Westbrook, and their 2027 and 2029 unprotected firsts for Fox and Barnes, would you take it? Just send Westbrook home and “play” for a top pick in 2023. Clear the books and go full rebuild.
If the Kings have another low 30ish win (or worse) season, the front office gets flushed & the new front office comes in. But unless ownership changes its short & long term goals, nothing really changes.
Dealing Hali for Sabonis instead of Fox for whatever picks & young prospects / expirings was the organization’s version of shoving all-in, albeit with a pair of eights. Maybe they drew an ace in Murray, but it will take another ace to make it a playable hand. The eights are going to have to play up to Jacks or better, too. Long odds hand to play, but Monte’s playing the last of his stack.
Agree. If McNair goes we’re probably in for years more of pathetic because Vivek seems to have allowed McNair to run show? It’ll go back to pathetic.
And though I understand why they couldn’t trade Fox, I’d rather have Haliburton, Mathurin and Keegan to build around.
I just don’t love building w non shooters in Fox and Sabonis, unless they start running high post O or Fox learns to shoot. Which he seems a tad better at thus far.
it’s early, obviously
I would like to see more of Metu in place of Ozpala. Metu is very athletic, always works hard, has shown he can produce on offense, and is a solid defender. Just needs more coaching and practice on reading situations on both ends of the floor.
IMO, neither should be getting significant minutes on a competitive NBA roster.
I would like what your smoking
If they let Barnes value continue to depreciate, they’ll be nothing left.
It’s almost like Indiana knew what they were doing when they traded Sabonis. Totally not surprised at all at his game, and neither should you.
KANGZ
I just know it’s gonna make me sick to my stomach every time I check Indy’s boxscore and see what Hali did each night. Through 3 games: 25.7, 9.7, 3.7 while shooting 50, 40, 90. Sigh…
Damn. I finally got to see him play last night against Pistons. Definitely playing like a lead guard. Impressive
Of course, he wasn’t going to put up those numbers here with Fox present. And the job-on-the-line GM wasn’t going to deal Fox for a rebuild that he would not be present for.
To me it’s not so much his numbers, it’s that his game is EXACTLY WHAT YOU BUILD AROUND.
Kangz
Exactly. Vivek is a dumbass. The insistence in building around Fox has cost them Doncic and Haliburton. You don’t build around non shooters or players who’s best quality is speed. Ala John Wall-Westbrook.
The only hope is Fox shooting like he has to start and running the O through Sabonis a lot
Dallas definitely knew what they were doing when they unloaded Barnes, in my opinion. Although it looked good in the beginning for the Kings and the fans, player for player, for me personally, it never moved the needle from the get go.
Ironically, trading Barnes has not really benefitted the Mavs. It cleared space for Porzingis, which was a fail, and later was the space for Hardaway Jr., also a meh.
Barnes is neither cause nor cure. He’s a decent piece when you have at least three better players on the floor with him. He’s Rudy Gay Light.
Having Hali will solve a lot of issues but then also create new ones. Holmes is unplayable right now. Our interior rebounding and defense will really be non-existent.
As I stated earlier, would rather have Hali, Mathurin to build around.
The Kings are trying to thread a needle w Fox/Sabonis top 2. Who builds with non shooters other than Greek Freak? And they surround him with shooters.
It could work if they utilize Sabonis’ best quality-running the O. Ala Jokic. Why haven’t they yet?
Monk and Mitchell are killing us, not sure how much value either has really. Murray and Huerter look good. Fox is good if unspectacular to me and Sabonis needs to do way more though he’s been solid. This team just doesn’t have enough but the coaching looks a lot better. It’s early just going to see how things develop.
1) All Stars in the East are merely ok players in the West. Lebron and PG13 are the only exceptions, but they are super stars. Sabonis is just ok.
2) Mike Brown is not an offensive coach therefore the offense will be vanilla pick and roll, which is good for low turnovers, but will not utilize Sabonis’ strengths as a passer.
3) Sabonis is not a defensive player and never will be. A majority of the team are not defensive players (Davion aside) and therefore the ceiling will be limited at best no matter the “effort” and Mike Brown “scheme/accountability”.
Barring major injuries to other West teams and full healthy for the Kangz, the best case scenario is a playin/8th seed with a first round sweep to the Dubs/Nuggets.
If they hit free throws at 75% they win…
Fox shot 3 of 5 from three and they looked good. He is 8 of 14 through two games. Looking promising; I certainly hope it sticks. Sabonis shot three 3PA though one was at the end of the clock and all missed. I still want to see him shoot two 3PA/game for a while to see if he can hit some.
The Kings had 4 box outs in this game which is very low. The Clippers only had 9 offensive boards, so it worked out okay.
I thought they didn’t include Richaun enough again, but when I re-watched the game I saw that they tried to get the ball to him three times at the end of the 1st from Fox and Monk. It just didn’t work. The first pass to Holmes missed but found Keegan for his first NBA make. Still Richaun had 13 touches in that game. I have to look at prior seasons but it seems low.
Honestly, Keegan had a few defensive lapses towards the end of the 1st and into the start of the second.
Davion hit the elbow pull up jumper twice. He’s quick enough to make space on it. I know analytics would say that’s a bad shot but if he can make it, take it.
3PA fell to 36 times. We’ll see if it settles somewhere below 40.
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