No, he’s not going to be TRob or even Bagley. Shows an ability to pass, knocks down the catch and shoot 3….very easily at that. But is poor defensively fouling anything that moves and not sure about his handles. But to be fair, the Charlotte team suckssss. Everyone out to get theirs. It’s bad. I think he will be fine but I don’t see why they passed on Scoot. Gonna regret that one I think
[Game] California Classic 2023, Day 2 (7/5/2023): Kings vs. Heat 7pm Pacific, 10pm Eastern
- Thread starter Tetsujin
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Yeah, the fact that the Hornets have like no functional guards makes it too hard to take much from Miller’s performances but at the same time Keegan was putting up twenty a night with Frankie Ferrari running the point. I don’t think he’s gonna be a bust by any means but I don’t think he’s gonna be a star like Scoot or a couple of the other guys in the lotto.
Bulk Jovic is going to be a problem, he's massive at 6'11/skilled and very tough (draws fouls very well). I could not believe players like Dyson Daniels were drafted ahead of him last year, I thought he was a 13-18 pick at worst not 27.
Miami is better off trading for Rozier (could probably swap him for expiring Lowry) or Tyus Jones/similar level player and not giving up every single asset while signing Wood than 1-2 years of Dame.
Miami is better off trading for Rozier (could probably swap him for expiring Lowry) or Tyus Jones/similar level player and not giving up every single asset while signing Wood than 1-2 years of Dame.
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I didn't think Queta played as poorly as you'd think after reading this thread. I've kinda been the negative Nancy about him getting minutes in the NBA because I watched a few G League games and didn't think he was ready, despite being one of the best players on the court. He still isn't in position a lot of the time, plays like he has the strength of a SG and makes some poor decisions but you can't deny the impact that he has in the paint. Only 1 block this game but I thought he affected a ton of shots at the rim. He also has some sneaky good offensive moves.
Ellis is a wizard at getting his hands on the ball defensively. I wish his offense wasn't such a roll of the dice because he is an absolute pest on the defensive end. You could probably put together a 10 minute highlight video of his defense from last night's game alone.
This is going to be contrary to popular belief but I was more impressed with the types of threes that Keegan took last night than his driving in the paint and trips to the line. I think maybe a third of those drives would have been successful in an NBA game. Handle is still very loose and he gets knocked off balance easily and has trouble finishing through contact but I love that the team recognizes that this is something he needs to work on in order to take his game to the next level. What really popped for me were the dribble hand off 3s, step back 3s and 3s he took moving left or right. We saw some of that last season but it was on full display this game. Looking like he could easily take over the dribble hand off game that Huerter has with Sabonis if needed and may even be better at it.
I wasn't real enamored with the Colby Jones pick but he's impressed me so far. I wish he had more quickness off the dribble because I think he's going to really struggle in any type of iso situations in the NBA but so far he just seems to do everything at a nice average to above average level. Solid IQ, hustles, rebounds, passes, isn't a liability from outside and does the little things to help the team win.
Slawson looks like a solid defender and decent passer and I know it's only been two games but I think anyone is crazy who thinks he's going to be playing minutes on the NBA club. An NBA team wouldn't rush to close out on him past the 3 point line. He would have to prove he can shoot and so far he looks absolutely terrified to do anything other than drive and kick.
On a non Kings note, I think Podz looks way better than I ever imagined. This guy is going to be a problem in the very near future. Really hate that GS drafted him.
Ellis is a wizard at getting his hands on the ball defensively. I wish his offense wasn't such a roll of the dice because he is an absolute pest on the defensive end. You could probably put together a 10 minute highlight video of his defense from last night's game alone.
This is going to be contrary to popular belief but I was more impressed with the types of threes that Keegan took last night than his driving in the paint and trips to the line. I think maybe a third of those drives would have been successful in an NBA game. Handle is still very loose and he gets knocked off balance easily and has trouble finishing through contact but I love that the team recognizes that this is something he needs to work on in order to take his game to the next level. What really popped for me were the dribble hand off 3s, step back 3s and 3s he took moving left or right. We saw some of that last season but it was on full display this game. Looking like he could easily take over the dribble hand off game that Huerter has with Sabonis if needed and may even be better at it.
I wasn't real enamored with the Colby Jones pick but he's impressed me so far. I wish he had more quickness off the dribble because I think he's going to really struggle in any type of iso situations in the NBA but so far he just seems to do everything at a nice average to above average level. Solid IQ, hustles, rebounds, passes, isn't a liability from outside and does the little things to help the team win.
Slawson looks like a solid defender and decent passer and I know it's only been two games but I think anyone is crazy who thinks he's going to be playing minutes on the NBA club. An NBA team wouldn't rush to close out on him past the 3 point line. He would have to prove he can shoot and so far he looks absolutely terrified to do anything other than drive and kick.
On a non Kings note, I think Podz looks way better than I ever imagined. This guy is going to be a problem in the very near future. Really hate that GS drafted him.
Great game for Murray again. Even the six turnovers I like because it's the inevitable cost of handling the ball more, testing himself, and putting himself in some uncomfortable situations. I couldn't have come up with a better game for him if he was a video game character.
I'm really thinking that out of CJ, Ellis, Edwards, O'Connel, and J. Ford the Kings have something to work with. Edwards has already played with the big club, but I'd be surprised if one or two others out of the aforementioned group doesn't also find a place on the regular roster.
I'm really thinking that out of CJ, Ellis, Edwards, O'Connel, and J. Ford the Kings have something to work with. Edwards has already played with the big club, but I'd be surprised if one or two others out of the aforementioned group doesn't also find a place on the regular roster.
Totally agree! His size and agility are noteworthy, and I thought a couple of his offensive moves were borderline elite. He's not a player I'd want to have showing up on the opposing team, but if we don't make a commitment and push him to the next level I think there are plenty of other teams who will line up to try.
after summer league???
look I’m a huge Keegan fan and whee when others proposed trades that included him I said no way in hell.
that said Keegan does little to shore up our 2-3 wing defense nor rim protection. We still don’t have that 3 and D wing stopper that most Conference final caliber teams have. This year was the year to get one and so far Edwards has been less than stellar.
look I’m a huge Keegan fan and whee when others proposed trades that included him I said no way in hell.
that said Keegan does little to shore up our 2-3 wing defense nor rim protection. We still don’t have that 3 and D wing stopper that most Conference final caliber teams have. This year was the year to get one and so far Edwards has been less than stellar.
Agree with this grades but would be harder on Edwards who is 0 for California Classic from 3.
really does make you wonder why we spent money on Duarte. Between Huerter, Ellis, Jones and O’Connell (not to mention Monk) we have our share of 6’9 and under wingspan wings….
Ellis 6’ 8.5”
Jones 6’ 8”
Huerter 6’ 7.5”
Duarte 6’ 7”
O’Connell 6’ 4”
Monk 6’ 4”
Monte sure has a knack for stacking guys up in the same spot. Let’s hope we have a Haliburton / Sabonis 2.0 trade to get our 6’ 11” plus defensive wing. I continue to maintain Monk might be the most likely trade asset.
really does make you wonder why we spent money on Duarte. Between Huerter, Ellis, Jones and O’Connell (not to mention Monk) we have our share of 6’9 and under wingspan wings….
Ellis 6’ 8.5”
Jones 6’ 8”
Huerter 6’ 7.5”
Duarte 6’ 7”
O’Connell 6’ 4”
Monk 6’ 4”
Monte sure has a knack for stacking guys up in the same spot. Let’s hope we have a Haliburton / Sabonis 2.0 trade to get our 6’ 11” plus defensive wing. I continue to maintain Monk might be the most likely trade asset.
Two other things Monte has shown a propensity for:
(1) Taking low cost swings on wings
(2) Adding guys who have ties to key members of the current team.
For the second point, I certainly wouldn't say Metu, Okpala, & Moneke or Monk weren't worth adding for their own merit on the deals they signed, but their relationships with Brown and Fox respectively definitely played a part in why the team signed them as well as why they wanted to sign with the Kings.
Duarte may be a mix of both. For next season he costs a roster spot but little else. He'll be paid below the league average salary (and I believe below the median salary as well) but is an ending contract. So you see if he can look more like he did to start his rookie year. If so, great. If not, no huge harm.
And clearly he knows Sabonis and had good chemistry with him. I wouldn't be surprised if Monte ran the idea past Domas before pulling the trigger.
Outside of injuries to Huerter or Monk (or possibly Fox or Mitchell if Malik serves as the 3rd PG for this roster) there won't be many minutes at the SG spot.
But if Kessler can't be passable from outside there's the option to go small behind Keegan at SF and give those minutes to Duarte or Jones.
(1) Taking low cost swings on wings
(2) Adding guys who have ties to key members of the current team.
For the second point, I certainly wouldn't say Metu, Okpala, & Moneke or Monk weren't worth adding for their own merit on the deals they signed, but their relationships with Brown and Fox respectively definitely played a part in why the team signed them as well as why they wanted to sign with the Kings.
Duarte may be a mix of both. For next season he costs a roster spot but little else. He'll be paid below the league average salary (and I believe below the median salary as well) but is an ending contract. So you see if he can look more like he did to start his rookie year. If so, great. If not, no huge harm.
And clearly he knows Sabonis and had good chemistry with him. I wouldn't be surprised if Monte ran the idea past Domas before pulling the trigger.
Outside of injuries to Huerter or Monk (or possibly Fox or Mitchell if Malik serves as the 3rd PG for this roster) there won't be many minutes at the SG spot.
But if Kessler can't be passable from outside there's the option to go small behind Keegan at SF and give those minutes to Duarte or Jones.
I think what's most likely going is Monte is taking a long-term approach here. He knows we can't pay all of Davion/Huerter/Monk, so I think we're getting a head start on the fill-ins for when one (or maybe even 2) are shipped out next off-season. My guess is Monk is the most safe with his relationship with Fox.
The difference is that Haliburton had shown he was a starting level PG with the potential to be really, really good in that role. So far Monk has had two good seasons in a reserve role. There's no indication that would be a high level starting SG (especially given his size) and certainly no evidence that he could be a starting PG/lead guard.
And Capt Factorial can correct me if I'm wrong, but because the Kings signed him to a two year deal as a FA it means any team that would trade for him would have to be able to re-sign him next offseason and wouldn't have his Bird rights.
I love Monk and I hope the Kings find a way to keep him long term, but I can't see how another team would trade a starter level big wing who can mesh with the existing Kings team offensively and be a plus defender (ideally with rim protection and outside shooting) for him.
The Kings would be better off if Davion started for a stretch before the AS break and put up huge numbers that made teams believe he'd be a great starting PG. Because they'd have a team option on him for the following season and then full Bird rights to re-sign him after that.
And Capt Factorial can correct me if I'm wrong, but because the Kings signed him to a two year deal as a FA it means any team that would trade for him would have to be able to re-sign him next offseason and wouldn't have his Bird rights.
I love Monk and I hope the Kings find a way to keep him long term, but I can't see how another team would trade a starter level big wing who can mesh with the existing Kings team offensively and be a plus defender (ideally with rim protection and outside shooting) for him.
The Kings would be better off if Davion started for a stretch before the AS break and put up huge numbers that made teams believe he'd be a great starting PG. Because they'd have a team option on him for the following season and then full Bird rights to re-sign him after that.
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