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Kings Pulse: First games with Sabonis, DiVincenzo, Holiday, and the others

Notes from the new guys first showings plus audio clips from Sabonis, DiVincenzo, McNair, Gentry, and Fox.
By | 15 Comments | Feb 14, 2022

The Sacramento Kings did a massive overhaul of their roster at the trade deadline. I spent this episode of the Kings Pulse podcast talking about the six new additions to the roster, what they add, and the addition by subtraction factor that is very real as well.

Also included in this episode are audio clips from recent press conferences with Domantas Sabonis, Donte DiVincenzo, general manager Monte McNair, Alvin Gentry, and De’Aaron Fox about the changes that have taken place.

Hearing from the newest members of the Sacramento Kings themselves, I think, is a great introduction to their mindset coming in, what they think they can add to the team, and an initial peak into their personalities as individuals.

If you watch the episode on YouTube you can also see some of their facial reactions to notable questions. You can see the excitement on Sabonis’s face when he talks about finding a home in Sacramento, you can see McNair and DiVincenzo both chuckle when the previous sign-and-trade with Bogdan Bogdanovic fell through over a year ago. You can tell that Fox is excited about his new teammates.

All episodes of the Kings Pulse podcast now get uploaded to YouTube and I’m planning on doing other forms of video content there in the future, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out.

Some of the topics I dove into on episode 297 include:

  • The difference we’re seeing in ball movement since acquiring Sabonis
  • The massive improvement to perimeter containment on defense
  • Fox has got to feel good, but it’s time to rise to the occasion
  • Donte DiVincenzo’s recovery process with his ankle injury
  • Why I really like what Justin Holiday brings
  • Will any of Jeremy Lamb, Trey Lyles, or Josh Jackson be on the team next year?
  • And more!

It’s crazy how close we are getting to reaching 300 episodes on this podcast. I can’t express how much the continued support from all of you has meant to me.

The Kings Pulse podcast is available on all major listening platforms and now on YouTube as well!

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Gojira2021
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February 14, 2022 3:11 pm

I’ve read that Tyreke Evans has been reinstated. Would the Kings be able to sign him?

murraytant
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February 14, 2022 3:13 pm
Reply to  Gojira2021

do they need him?

Gojira2021
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February 14, 2022 3:47 pm
Reply to  murraytant

Do you think the current roster is talented enough to make it into the NBA Play-in tournament?

AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 9:59 am
Reply to  Gojira2021

Is it stupid to have the play in as a goal?

Gojira2021
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February 15, 2022 12:00 pm

Since you consider the “play in” goal as stupid, can you please enlighten me as to what the goal of this season is? Inquiring minds would like to know….

AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 12:30 pm
Reply to  Gojira2021

It is a question.

I think that pursuing the play in is pursuing mediocrity. With a rebuilt roster it is feasible that the team makes the play in but doubtful that it goes further.

Isn’t it better to position the team for the future with draft picks to trade or get a better player?

Or, can this rebuilt team do something in a play in game?

Two weeks ago the play in was clearly stupid. Is it now?

Kingsguru21
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February 15, 2022 2:41 pm

Two weeks ago the play in was clearly stupid. Is it now?

I’ll be your huckleberry. I don’t think it’s a stupid goal at all. Was it stupid for Memphis last year?

I wouldn’t bet on the Kings making the playin because of games like last night. The schedule is tough (and will have another very tough 5 game stretch coming up soon), the roster needs to be better optimized around Sabonis in particular, and there’s adjustments to be made with so many new players. It’d be pretty impressive if the Kings could make the play in unless that win total is like 32 games. Which I seriously doubt. I suspect the 10th seed ends up around 35-36 wins.

Now, as far as Vivek Ranadive is concerned, I can see him being impatient enough to expect that. The FO, though, knows the odds are long and this trade is really about the next half decade.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 3:39 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I just want to see this team set a goal of actual improvement instead of some false hope of being barely decent.

Last edited 2 years ago by AnybodyButBagley
Kingsguru21
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February 15, 2022 5:46 pm

I’m confused. How is getting Sabonis not actual improvement? This roster isn’t complete yet either. But the moves to upgrade around Domas and De’Aaron were never likely to come before summertime. I think they are targeting Patrick Williams, John Collins, guys who fit the TL.

I think the point of this is to build a 50 win team, and for years if possible.

Last edited 2 years ago by Kingsguru21
AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 10:00 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Getting Sabonis is an improvement. The goal of the play in after getting Sabonis is stupid. Use this season to build a team. Try different rotations…try out plays…build a team. Take the losses and get a draft pick to trade for another piece to help Sabonis.

Push for the play in and move back in the draft.

More importantly push for the play and once again establish the culture of mediocrity with all of the new players.

You and I generally agree. There is a possibility of building a wining team. Chasing the play in is detrimental to that in my opinion.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 10:04 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

I appreciate the discussion. This team has finally made an actual decision to change.

So what is the right thing to shoot for now? Who knows?

Gojira2021
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February 15, 2022 2:51 pm

Mediocrity is unavoidable for this team. I think that if we qualify for the “play in” (and lose), that we’ll be in the same draft position as if we didn’t qualify for the “play in”. That is why I see no harm in trying to qualify for the “play in”. I think fans just want something to cheer about even if it is just participating in a so called “play in” tournament.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 15, 2022 3:40 pm
Reply to  Gojira2021

Moving up in the draft needs to be the strategy. Spend the rest of the year working on the new roster. Lose the games and get a better pick.

Trade the pick for key player or draft someone that is an actual asset.

murraytant
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February 14, 2022 3:13 pm

Good podcast.
Solid analysis.
DS fit in well early. He and Fox seem to work together.
DDV was doing his Buddy imitation but stopped at 7, not at 13. I think this is the ankle recovery, a “shape” issue and a desire to make an impact.

Tonight’s game important- not as a win but as a potential loss- cannot lose this game and expect to get play-in results.
Mitchell has cut down on his dribbling.

andy_sims
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February 15, 2022 4:54 pm

Nice work, B!

I don’t know how you can talk for so long and remain coherent, focused, and easy to understand, but you’re killing it.

I’d get to about twenty-five seconds of hearing my own voice, and an alarm would go off in my head “JUST WRAP IT UP, CHUMP.”

A lot of listeners could hear it too, that’s the fascinating part.

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