That was a stinker.
After an inspiring performance earlier this week against the Warriors, albeit in a heartbreaking loss, the Kings looked like a completely different team tonight in Houston. Even from the start, the Rockets looked to be a step better on both ends, and the Kings struggled to get into their offense all night. Houston jumped out to a 17 point first quarter lead, and while the Kings were able to come back and re-take the lead in the 3rd quarter, they couldn’t get enough of a rhythm going and once again fell into a deep deficit, eventually losing by double digits after Dillon Brooks caught fire in the 4th quarter. The 89 points scored by Sacramento are the lowest of the Mike Brown era so far.
This was definitely a night in which the Kings missed their dynamic star guard De’Aaron Fox. Without Fox, the Kings struggled to get good looks or baskets when needed, and their shooting woes from three point range continued as they shot just 11 for 41 for 26.8% from distance. Keegan Murray had another incredibly rough shooting night, scoring just 7 points on 3-12 from the field, including just 1-8 from three. Unlike some other games where he had been shooting more threes on the move, most of these attempts were simple wide open catch and shoot shots that he routinely made last season. Hopefully he’ll be able to shake out of that slump sooner rather than later.
Malik Monk was the only Kings player who really had a decent offensive game. Monk came in along with the rest of Sacramento’s bench and helped engineer the comeback that eventually got the Kings the lead briefly, but he didn’t get much help when the starters came back in. Monk’s 18 points and 7 assists led the Kings in both categories. JaVale McGee also provided a nice spark off the bench, scoring 12 points in just 14 minutes, and being one of the only Kings with a positive +/- overall at +7. He did have a couple of very questionable decisions at times, including a three point attempt that he badly missed, but overall he played well and was one of the few Kings that was able to reliably score inside.
The Rockets clearly had a good gameplan to both attack Sacramento inside and also to pack the paint on the other end. The early part of the game saw the Rockets just getting whatever they wanted when they walked into the paint, while on the other end they swarmed the inside whenever the Kings came near, especially when Domantas Sabonis would post up. Sabonis finished with just 11 points in 30 minutes and was a game worst -26. He did have 15 rebounds and 4 assists but also turned the ball over 5 times and generally wasn’t able to step up enough and take over the game as Sacramento’s best player with Fox out.
The third quarter was one of the ugliest quarters of basketball I’ve ever seen. Sacramento outscored the Rockets 15 to 12 and there were long stretches where neither team could buy a bucket. The Rockets themselves went just over seven minutes of game action without scoring a single point, and the Kings responded by scoring only 10 points over that stretch. After Harrison Barnes made a three pointer with 5 minutes to go to give the Kings their first and only lead of the game at 65-64, the Kings wouldn’t score again until Malik Monk made a three just before the quarter ended.
Houston didn't score a single point for a seven-minute stretch during the third quarter, yet they still hold a 71-68 lead heading to the fourth.
The Kings scored 15 points on 6/23 (26%) shooting, while the Rockets scored 12 points on 3/23 (13%) from the field during the third 🤢
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 5, 2023
Despite the ugliness, the Kings were still in a good position to win the game. It was still a one possession game with 8:25 left after Malik Monk sank another three pointer to make it 80-77, but then the Rockets offense finally came back to life. Houston would go on a 19-5 run over the next five minutes, with 12 of those points coming from Dillon Brooks alone, who finished with a game-high 26 points. At that point the game was pretty much over and both teams emptied their benches.
The Kings are now 2-3 on the season, their first time back under .500 since the early part of last season, and they’ll face this same Houston Rockets squad on Monday. With or without De’Aaron Fox, it’s hard to imagine the Kings playing much worse than they did tonight, so hopefully they’ll come back with some energy and look to redeem themselves. If they hope to be contenders in the West, these are not games that they can afford to drop.
Random Observations
- Davion hasn’t been completely awful as a starter in Fox’s absence but I feel like the only player that brings a similar sort of energy and playstyle as Fox on the team is Malik Monk, and I would probably look at moving him into the starting lineup if Fox is going to miss some time. I know he provides a nice spark off the bench and Coach Brown doesn’t want to mess with the rotation too much, but the starting lineup just doesn’t have anyone who is particularly great at creating their own looks. Sabonis is best at making plays for others, and Keegan is still in the rough part of his learning curve as he adjusts to being more of a creator. Malik at least could provide a similar dimension if Fox can’t come back soon.
- Rougher night for Colby Jones after his first game against Golden State. The Rockets did a good job of pressuring him as a ballhandler and he struggled with it, losing the ball a couple of times, and he also wasn’t able to find his shot, going 2-7. He needs court time though.
- Sasha Vezenkov apparently played 10 minutes and was a +3 but he was really pretty much a non-factor tonight.
- Chris Duarte played with some nice energy off the bench tonight, but he is a little erratic on the offensive end of the floor for my liking. If he can be a bit more consistent on that end, that would be huge for Sacramento.
- Alperen Sengun more than held his own against Domantas Sabonis. He’s stronger than he was last year and I think he’s also a little bit taller than Domas. He finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and did a good job of not being pushed around down low when Sabonis would get the ball down there.
- This version of Dillon Brooks is the one that’s worth the headaches. He played tremendous defense (he blew up several Kings offensive possessions by himself simply putting pressure on the ballhandler) and he was also very efficient offensively, shooting 64.3% from the field and making 2-4 from three to go with 9 rebounds.
- Jalen Green is a guy who has torched the Kings in the past and should theoretically be Houston’s biggest scoring threat but he had a really quiet night, scoring just 10 points. Jabari Smith was hot early, scoring 8 of his 21 points in the 1st quarter alone. He also had 11 rebounds and was another big body the Kings had to deal with when they went inside the paint.
kings are team that depends on threes to win and terrible tonite . Need a win Monday and maybe some offense .
All of the sudden this team looks like they’ve forgotten how to play basketball. I don’t get it. They look like they’re playing to the level of their competition. They need a collective kick in the ass.
I’m hoping last year was not an incredible stroke of luck, and as of now I’m not entirely convinced that it wasn’t.
Ugly play in both Warriors games, and now against the Rockets….it’s becoming a trend. Somebody on the coaching staff better figure out how to stop it.
This was a must-win, right?
Time for a fans only meeting behind closed doors!
Call me crazy, but I’m not happy they lost by 19 to the Rockets. All while playing poor defense and looking lost on offense….again.
Sure. I just think people use the ‘must-win’ qualification a bit too much.
Based on how we’ve played this season (including preseason) I like Houston’s chances on Monday too.
The team’s lack of execution on both sides of the ball is a problem, even though it’s November. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see them looking down at only Memphis come Friday. That’s not a good place to be at any point in the season, when you look absolutely nothing Iike the team that went to the playoffs last season. We have a very good shot at being the 22-23 Mavs.
Agreed. We tend to have these hardened expectations, attach ourselves to them, and then react to them accordingly, while negating all the many variables at play.
1.) it’s still crazy early in the season.
2.) Like it or not, the Kings are a lesser team without Fox, and they need to figure some things out.
3.) Rockets have some pieces, don’t be fooled by their front office and history – Sengun, FVV, Jabari Jr. are gonna be a dangerous Big 3 if/when they continue to develop.
4.) Shit happens.
meet me in Hot-Take City
i don’t blame this on coaching. You have a Max player on the Floor. This said player cannot space the floor, can’t rim protect, and is a below average defender.
This max player would not be a 1st or 2nd option on any contending team.
This said player cannot put a team on his back. He’s a great regular season player, though. Fills up the stat sheet nightly.
Plenty of teams and their front offices watched the playoff series between the Dubs and Kings last year.
Those said teams have now exposed this said player and his inherent weaknesses.
Without Fox. This is a bottom 10 club. That’s the reality. It’s time to wake up.
Let’s get real. With Fox, and without Sabonis, this WAS a bottom 10 club.
We lost because guys couldn’t hit from deep despite being open and because we got slaughtered on the boards. Both not Sabonis’ fault.
D is an issue too and he’s not an ideal defender, but how much can he do when guys can just dribble into the paint unimpeded? He’s one of the few that plays hard every possession on D.
This.
This occurs to me: I believe I am seeing a defensive intensity from Keegan and KH that they had not shown before. They are focused on trying to learn new habits defensively. It occurred to me that perhaps that focus on developing new habits is affecting their shooting. Is that a possibility?
If so, we can expect their former efficiency to return when these new habits are ingrained.
Could be. Smits has been saying something similar. Perhaps they’ve been focusing so much on the weaknesses that they’ve lapsed on their strengths.
I thought Rik was more pessimistic, saying that focusing on weaknesses is an error. I am supposing that defensive intensity can be learned and become habitual. When it does, it does not require the same focus to perform. Then I was supposing that shooting would return to historic averages.
And I may be full of it. I don’t know nearly as much about basketball as most of you. That’s why I was asking.
I was quoting a coach and wondering if it was part of the issue.
I’m a glass is half full and it’s filled with jenever kind of guy.
Well stated Rik.
That really the crux of the problem. We’re missing a true #1 player on this roster.
Our #1 (Fox) would be a #2 on a contender, and our #2 (Sabonis) would be a #3 on a contender.
Domas is not Jokic but even he would have a tough time leading a bunch of ice cold shooters to a win . This is supposed to be a great 3 pt and fast paced offense team . Saturday not so much .
First, Sabonis is not on a Max contract. It’s close but not max. He probably could have gotten a max but took less money. IMO, he’s getting paid his value. Every single player in the NBA is limited in some way. Sabonis brings elite rebounding, playmaking, and a unique ability to bring the ball up the court after pulling down a board. He’s a decent positional defender and while he’s not an elite rim protector he’s about average. His durability shouldn’t be undervalued either.
I think his lack of a mid range game is more of a willingness issue than an ability issue.
He just got done leading the most efficient offense in the NBA. That is elite ability and the Kings were not playing anywhere near this level when you replace him with Haliburton.
In short, he’s the 3rd or 4th best center in the league.
The early season struggles are primarily a symptom of the shooters inability to shoot than any limitation of Domas. Domas’ weaknesses are highlighted when the floor isn’t spaced.
I tend to agree but last night he was part of the problem. First and foremost is he is unselfish but needs to be more so. Almost everyone would like him to shoot more from midrange including myself. Either he forgets or doesn’t want to during games. Scoring 8 points in 30 minutes has to tell us something.Also last night missed a lot of free throws. Sabonis IMO isn,t the biggest concern but more on this team can,t hit a 3 to save their lives.In the last 2 games Murray is 1 for 17.I wonder if the coaching and possibly the fans are asking to much in too short of time for a second year player to do everything they want him to do.I sure don,t want to ruin a possible very good player. Huerter is another problem. Almost everyone tells me not to worry this is just a short slump and he will get going soon. I,m waiting. If these two don,t wake up soon goodbye playoffs. The only other thing that bothers me right now is some of you say we can,t win without Fox in the lineup.If we are going to rely on one player to get us in the playoffs then we might as well start tanking right now.Mitchell is not the answer at point guard. I wish he were but it isn,t going to happen. Where is Barnes the experienced player. Except game 1 has been non exsistent. What about Vezenkov. Doesn,t play enough to be effective. What about interior defense. Sabonis is helpless without some players stepping up. Maybe we doin,t have anybody.IMO the second unit out played the first especially on defense.There are others but that’t it for now.
Even Jerry mentioned in the recent pod how Domas is to unselfish. I don’t think that changes, it’s who he is.
The biggest red flag with Domas for me was how he let DrayMoron punk him, the guy literally stomped on him and Domas shit the bed after that in the series and never had strong words directed at Draymoron or the duds. Domas is a passive dude and always will be. Joker felt slight disrespect from one of the Morris twins and shoved him. That’s not Domas. Domas is too passive but that’s just who he is.
He was a low key MVP candidate last year, yet, no one believes you’re winning a title with him as your first or second best player, because his weaknesses are glaring weaknesses in the playoffs and that won’t change.
It is what it is.
KOJ,
As you can see by the responses to your comment, you’re not allowed to criticize Domas around these parts.
You are allowed to criticize Domas, but the points should be valid. Case in point:
This team was a bottom 10 club WITH Fox for the five seasons before Sabonis got here, and only became a top 10 club once Sabonis arrived. Thems the facts.
To me the Kings are good because of both Fox and Sabonis and they would likely be bottom ten without one of the two.
The two are attached at the hip and will be Kings for a long time. Fox proved a lot in the playoffs last year in a positive way and Domas proved a lot in a negative way. Assuminy we make the playoffs (the west is loaded af), Domas will have a lot to prove imo.
You do remember that the Warriors defensive gameplan was focused on disrupting the play of Sabonis and his DHO’s and just let Fox do his thing, right?
And his injury, and getting stomped on during that series?
Yup. Fox’s FGA attempts greatly increased during that series, including doubling his 3PTA. Their game plan was to let Fox shoot as much as he wanted and shut down everyone else who feeds of Sabonis.
what an ass comment.
Have you noticed they stole your tag line, by the way? The real Grant could probably file a suit.
I just criticized the hell out of Domas. And I believe there is absolutely a path to him and Fox being the core of a team that makes it to the finals. And it starts with Domas figuring out how to be a dominant scorer as well as a fantastic passer.
At what point do Murray and Huerter start making shots? Right now neither guy can hit anything and I don’t really get it. Especially with Keegan. The defense still stinks which isn’t surprising but there’s no reason for the offense to be this pathetic.
Something just not right with Keegs’ 3 pt shooting. He’ll get it back at some point, but man, he’s just 4-26 (17%) in the last three games. I wonder if he’s got some sort of injury or something.
People are really surprised? I mentioned several times that development isn’t linear and that the sophomore slump is a real thing.
I hope it’s just a flunk but this could be a long season for Keegan. Maybe he made the classic mistake of working too much on his weaknesses instead of keeping the main focus on his strengths.
we got heavily outrebounded. Sabonis can’t grab them all. Barnes especially needs to elevate his game there.
It looks like the investment in offensive additions instead of defensive players hasn’t paid off yet. Really elite offense is erratic, elite defense is a constant.
I really agree on all your points. If we don,t wake up or can,t wake up then we need to do something else.
I wonder if the muscle he added in the offseason has affected his shot. I know it did every time Bibby bulked up in the offseason.
I was at this interesting speech by the ex-coach of the Dutch field hockey team. He brought them from 4th in the world to Olympic Championship and the Word Championship.
He told this story how his biggest mistake in coiaching for a long time was focusing on weaknesses of players instead of on their strengths. His star player was very fast and excellent when getting dep passes towards the goal. he worked with her on her weakness, playing with the back afaisnt the goal.
He said that forcing her to work on her weakness was (a) making her hesitant and insecure, and (b) taking time away from training her stronmg points.
I wonder if something similar is affecting Keegan.
Not a good night for Sacramento-based teams: Kings lost, FC Republic lost, Sac State Hornets lost!
Bro, really? FC Republic? Wake me up when the team is MLS. I went to Sac State undergrad and even took a grad course or two there and don’t even follow that
Meh, MLS is still minor league soccer on a global level.
You’ve offended all three Republic fans.
Who cares about the Hornets lol.
Wow, some real shitty Republic takes here from the “IMPAAAACT” troll and someone who has clearly never watched a game at sold-out HHP.
Fellow Kings fans act like this to each other after one loss? Gross.
These things happen.
In the grand scheme of things, this is just one game. How they respond in the next game will say a lot about who this team is – hopefully it’ll say something good.
The KANGZ are back, baby!
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Woof.
Credit the Rockets. They exploited a lot of the Kings’ weaknesses and were at times really physical with the Kings. Brooks in particular played some fantastic defense.
On to the next one.
Some of these players need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and do some soul searching. That was a pathetic performance.
Out-rebounded by 10, out-assisted by 8, just jacking up (and missing) 3’s. Wouldn’t you think someone would take the ball inside sooner or later to try to score or draw a foul?
Monk was the only one who did something like that.
Kings are still doing better than they did this point last year!
When your two best shooters can’t shoot, the offense struggles…who knew?
Keegan and Huerter have to get right, especially without Fox. Monk can kind of carry the offense in stretches, but there simply isn’t another guy on the roster that can create at a high level so when the shooters can’t shoot, teams can pack the paint and neutralize Sabonis.
It’s waaay too early to hit any panic button because we know those guys can shoot, and we know shooting is a streaky endeavor. They’ll get it together, lets just hope it’s sooner rather than later.
As I recalled, Mike Brown would review the line-up or what sort of progress currently the team is in every FIVE games…..
So, now, we stand at 2-3, two wins against the Jazz and the Fakers…three losses against Warriors and Rockets……….
Realistically, 3-2 is a reasonable results………..4-1 would be ideal
But if Mike Brown really want to review the team after five games…and perhaps make some changes….I think he’d better let Monk be the starting PG, and out Huerter in 2nd unit…..(or even put Sasha in starting unit…and sub Murray , until Murrary find his rythem)
We need a player that can create his own shots in the starting lineup
That rules out Sasha, IMO.
I am assuming Monk in the starting lineup already…
with a lineup be like
PG: Monk
SG: Huerter or Duarte
SF: Barnes
PF: Sasha
C: Sabonis
As Huerter and Murray struggle, add more shooting / change the scenario
Meanwhile, Monk for own shot creation…
Ah, gotcha.
Thanks.
To put Barnes instead of Murray in the starting lineup IMO won,t solve a thing.
I think what’s lacking in the starting 5 is another primary or secondary initiator who is a threat at all three levels to score or assist. Monk can do that.
Davion can create his own shot in the midrange, but it’s more ISO style. I also think he’s slowing the offense down too much. he waits for a run before he plays fast, and as a result, he is pulling the reins on the stallions. He need to play with more pace, a bit more like Delly. Be the guy who pushes everyone.
Agree. Watch what happens (or doesn’t happen) after he makes his first pass. I think that’s by design but defenses know they can slack off him because they know the ball will not be coming back to him unless he’s the fifth option.
Agreed, starting with the most obvious hole in Huerter. He refused to bench him in the playoffs and it cost us the series. He flirted with that idea in the preseason, it’s a shame Duarte got injured because that lineup played with a lot of movement and energy. Huerter isn’t anything more then an avarage 3 and D guy 8th or 9th on a contending rotation lineup. How much longer of a slump do we have to see?
Without Fox/Trey: With fox/Trey:
Monk. Fox
Duarte. Duarte
Barnes. Barnes
Murray. Murray
Sabonis. Sabonis
Davion. Monk
Colby. Davion/Ford
Huerter. Huerter/Colby
Sasha. Sasha/Kessler
Javale. Trey/Javale
This allows for always having 2 legitimate playmakers at all times and better defensensive energy to start the game. Duarte also has shown upside in taking over games and getting hot, something Huerter has never done. For as much as Brown gets credit for the fast timeouts and accountability, why not do the same with rotations and lack of energy. With how ugly our regular rotation played why not say ENOUGH of this trash and throw in Ford, Kessler and Alen and get some energy that way?
Zero fault on Sabonis. Without Fox, Kings need to figure out how to have their offense MOVING. Way too many guys looking to get theirs and not moving the ball around, cutting and shifting positions.
You see Sabonis basically yelling at guys to move. Looked completely different to Warriors and Lakers games with Fox.
Defenses have figured out how to predict the Kings offense. Sets are very predictable including 10 seconds to swing the ball to the opposite post with no threat of attack like Fox usually brings. The only other guard who shakes it up is Monk, that’s why he’s so effective creating for others and himself.
Notice the zero (0) passes get through to the first two cutters, which usually includes Huerter. That leaves either 1:1 dribble drive (on which they rely on Barnes to create something, often resulting in a foul) or outside shot. Latter aren’t falling and are leading to 1-and-done possessions.
With Davion now the starting point guard, I don’t think his ‘off night’ approach to high pressure defense is effective, and consumes alot of energy better spent now on offense moving without the ball or dialing in on his jump shot. On defense he is getting high screened on virtually every play, allowing his many to get down hill and forcing other defenders to collapse, leading to lots of offensive penetration into the paint or relatively easy jumpers including 3’s without pressure.
allowing his man
If Sabonis could learn to be as much of a scorer as he is a passer this team could easily handle some time without Fox. They lack a consistent scoring threat without him and Domas is entirely capable, I just don’t think he understands that he is. If we can’t get consistent scoring from Murray, Mitchell, & Huerter (have you been injured in a motorcycle hit & run? Call Murray, Mitchell, & Huerter for a no-fee consultation!) Sabonis has to be aware we can’t just keep feeding them for nothing and get to work his damn self. I’d rather see him get 35 and no assists in a W than 18 / 10 / 10 in an L.
He’s the next best player. He has to do a better job getting this team buckets, especially when he’s arguably just as good an option as anyone else.
Sabonis’ FGAs are right on par with where he’s been his whole career. He is who he is and this team is built around that. Huerter, Monk, Keegan, the retention of Barnes, and even bringing over Sasha were all brought to this team by Monte because of Sabonis and his game, not because of Fox. The team is built around Sabonis’ style of play.
Just my opinion, but if you are asking Sabonis to shot more then you are playing against the strengths of this roster. Also, for every midrange jumper that Sabonis takes, that one less opportunity for offensive rebounds, of which he was 4th in the league last year.
In essence, If you want Sabonis to tick up his attempts from around 12 to 18-20, then you might as well trade some of those shooters for defenders and rebounders, but that doesn’t appear to be Monte’s game plan.
I agree then we will live and die by the 3 ball. I would like to see a defensive player at the 4. One to help protect the rim, who can extend his defense, protect the weak side post. and shoot the three. A player I really like is Patrick Williams. He can do all those things. IMO the other need is a better backup point guard. One like Davion who can defend but is much more taller so guards just don,t shoot over him. Adamsite a while ago mentioned Dyson Daniels. I tend to agree.
If Chicago blows things up (I think they will by the deadline) I’d love for Monte to target both PWill and Caruso.
I am asking Domas to pick up his scoring when our #1 option is out of the lineup. And especially when the law firm of Murray, Mitchell, Huerter & Barnes (I forgot about Barnes) can’t hit more than 30% and are jacking terrible shots because they completely forget to take the ball into the paint 60% of the time, every time.
Yes.
I absolutely included those qualifiers in my original statement (using different words, sure, but mostly the same points.)
Time and place, balance, absolutely but why would anybody even play Domas close when he’s anywhere but 5′ away from the basket? There’s a 90-98% chance he won’t shoot it. He’s making the defense’s job easier when he isn’t a scoring threat.
And in general…
Yes. I want Sabonis to shoot the 15′ shot when Looney is sagged off of him so far he’s under the basket and Domas is wide open. Wide. Open. (Happened at least 5 times in the last Dubs game.)
Yes. I want Sabonis to take the 5′ turn around when he’s got Jae’Sean Tate sealed in the post.
Yes, I want Sabonis to make the defense have to respect that he can (and he absolutely CAN) score the ball as well as he passes. Because then they’ll have to play him tighter, and then the law firm will have even better looks from 3, cutters will have even more space in their lanes, and most importantly, Fox can miss a game and we’re not completely fked when the law firm can’t hit the broad side of a Texas barn.
I would agree that that Sabonis should take more shots “situationally,” as in when his teammates can’t hit their open looks…and they have been wide open.
That being said, I would disagree that Sabonis should be taking more shots every game. I feel the offense just isn’t built that way. Monte and Brown have created a team and system where the highest rated offense in NBA history functions with Sabonis as it’s offense creating cog. The offense is more efficient and lethal when he is kicking to open shooters, hitting cutters, or running the DHO. The simple fact is, he is the least efficient shooter outside of 5 feet, so why would you want him taking more of the shots when it’s just not the strength of his game. I feel comfortable with him shooting the open elbow shot, but only after all other offensive systems fail. I’d imagine Sabonis shooting jumpers is the last option in Brown’s system.
Why would your 7′ center’s only offensive option be shooting jumpers? He’s consistently down low on the block with the ball as much as he is in the high post. Webber used to start at the elbow, pump fake and dunk on people. There’s countless ways to score that don’t involve shooting jumpers from beyond the arc, I don’t see how this team is going to win if they don’t make a commitment to attacking the basket at some point.
The last 2 games haven’t really born out your comment about the offense being built that way. Sabonis being more aggressive getting to the basket has done exactly what I’ve suggested it would; results in easier looks for his teammates and makes his job easier on the offensive end all the way around. His rebounds are up, his points are up, his assists are up, and I think it has a lot to do with the number of shots he’s taking going up. No one is suffering at all, actually. Except the opponents.
I’m definitely not hitting panic button yet or making any judgements/predictions too early. Kings fans love to complain and get down in the dumps but I’m going to give this team some time. We started 1-4 last year and except this Houston game they have played pretty well but not great obviously. The Fox injury hurts a lot and will continue to make things tough, he’s clearly our leader and best player. It’s crazy to me that people think Domas is better and an MVP candidate, he’s neither IMO.
My only concern so far this season is the carry over I see in the performances of Sabonis and Huerter. Huerter is not nearly as important but I feel a regression when I watch Domas. He got exposed by Dubs in playoffs and still seems way less confident offensively. It doesn’t make sense because his shooting was fine majority of last year and previously in career.
He needs to snap out of his mental funk and be a big time scorer while Fox is gone and at some times after if the Kings have a chance to be as good as last year or better. That’s my only concern right now but it’s early and we just need to get in a groove.
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