Training Camp, October 2023

[Makaveli]

Will preseason games be streamed anywhere?

 

[iowamcnabb]

Xufkddudrurrurrrrrryettyrerurrrrurrryrreude D rr

 

[miltonap]

To that point, here’s some random security footage of Sasha nailing 98 out of 103 three pointers during a practice in 2020 (I.e. before he really hit his stride)

At attempt 53 he was like ****kkkk

 

[funkykingston]

Xufkddudrurrurrrrrryettyrerurrrrurrryrreude D rr

My thoughts exactly.

 

[See_Hanks]

To that point, here’s some random security footage of Sasha nailing 98 out of 103 three pointers during a practice in 2020 (I.e. before he really hit his stride)

Sasha is going to break Murrays 3pt record for rookies.. Wait and see. It's going to happen !

 

[See_Hanks]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1709282974074810845

Fox missed a free throw! We’re doooooooooooomed

They need to update that banner on the far right that shows the dates we won the Pacific Division. We need to add 2022-2023 to it

Whoever said earlier about winning a series before thinking about championships, we could have won it last year pretty easy. We were literally a last second make from beating the Ws and then of course we matchup REALLY well with the Lakers I would see us winning 4-2 or 4-1 so we were technically a buzzer beater from playing in the WCF against Denver. I don't think we would have beat Denver, (1-2 in reg season) but who knows! We could have!

Because of the massive leap we took last year with a team that has pretty much played only one year together this year I expect a championship, and we have a team that can deliver. We have the best 3pt team in the NBA, and the best scoring team. If we can learn TEAM DEFENSE (Which the Vlade/Webber era were known for) then we can easily win a championship.

The league is tying to say we haven't done much to improve, but to me adding Sasha, Duarte and McGee while keeping your entire core together is improvement in itself because like I said earlier, the team has literally only played one year together! We will win Pacific Division again this year and will be the 1 to 3 seed again, and we will beat the likes of a Minnesota or OKC pretty easily.

We addressed rebounding in the off season with McGee, We have improved team defense by keeping the core together, we improved 3pt shooting by a ton and I wouldn't be surprised if we take 40 3pt shots this year per game. We improved on our fg% with Sasha and McGee which was 2nd last year so look for the Kings to be #1 in scoring, #1 in FG% (up from #2), #1 in 3pt makes (up from #6), We should be in the top 15 rebounding with McGee coming from being #20, We should be in the top 5 again for assisted baskets. We were #3 last year. With McGee we will be in the top 20 for blocked shots from being #29 (depending on his minutes), Offensive rebounds should be up as well with McGee, but we will still hover around #20.

Anyhow, this team is set up to win now. We will win now, and this will be our championship team. I cannot wait for that parade in April or May!

First 10 games we should be 9-1 or 8-2..

 

[iowamcnabb]

My thoughts exactly.

haha to be fair, my toddler got ahold of the phone. I’ll be sure to let him know you agree

 

[kingsboi]

The great thing is for the first time they kind of have realistic expectations and thus better understanding of the road ahead. If this team isn't a contender then Monte knows what he has to do and he might have the tools to get there. Now, if Keegan steps up role wise, Sasha is for real, and the Kings keeps the flow then sky is the limit.

only concern I have about talking championship right now is that if the team exits in the first or second round again, who's on the chopping block?

 

[kingsboi]

teams that had a good season last year shouldn’t aspire for a championship the next year? I didn’t say they will win it; just that it is good that it is their goal. You seem to be saying their goal shouldn’t even be a championship.

goals are set every single season, some are achieved and some are not. to me, its a matter of putting such huge goals before becoming a consistent team first. one season doesn't make you a contender unless you acquire a top 5 player and even then, a lot has to fall into place at the right time.

 

[hrdboild]

only concern I have about talking championship right now is that if the team exits in the first or second round again, who's on the chopping block?

Hopefully not the coach or GM. I think the next move at that point would depend on how they lose. If we plateau as a high-powered offense that can't stop anybody it will be clear what we need to do next. If we find a more balanced mix of offense and defense but just get outclassed by top tier talent that opens up a much more difficult conversation but I don't see any point trying to figure that out now. We have a lot to build on and hopefully we continue to see progression now that the leadership has finally stabilized.

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

They need to update that banner on the far right that shows the dates we won the Pacific Division. We need to add 2022-2023 to it

Whoever said earlier about winning a series before thinking about championships, we could have won it last year pretty easy. We were literally a last second make from beating the Ws and then of course we matchup REALLY well with the Lakers I would see us winning 4-2 or 4-1 so we were technically a buzzer beater from playing in the WCF against Denver. I don't think we would have beat Denver, (1-2 in reg season) but who knows! We could have!

Because of the massive leap we took last year with a team that has pretty much played only one year together this year I expect a championship, and we have a team that can deliver. We have the best 3pt team in the NBA, and the best scoring team. If we can learn TEAM DEFENSE (Which the Vlade/Webber era were known for) then we can easily win a championship.

The league is tying to say we haven't done much to improve, but to me adding Sasha, Duarte and McGee while keeping your entire core together is improvement in itself because like I said earlier, the team has literally only played one year together! We will win Pacific Division again this year and will be the 1 to 3 seed again, and we will beat the likes of a Minnesota or OKC pretty easily.

We addressed rebounding in the off season with McGee, We have improved team defense by keeping the core together, we improved 3pt shooting by a ton and I wouldn't be surprised if we take 40 3pt shots this year per game. We improved on our fg% with Sasha and McGee which was 2nd last year so look for the Kings to be #1 in scoring, #1 in FG% (up from #2), #1 in 3pt makes (up from #6), We should be in the top 15 rebounding with McGee coming from being #20, We should be in the top 5 again for assisted baskets. We were #3 last year. With McGee we will be in the top 20 for blocked shots from being #29 (depending on his minutes), Offensive rebounds should be up as well with McGee, but we will still hover around #20.

Anyhow, this team is set up to win now. We will win now, and this will be our championship team. I cannot wait for that parade in April or May!

First 10 games we should be 9-1 or 8-2..

View attachment 12090

I agree. We are all the sudden in "win now" mode. There is no doubt about it!

 

[The_Jamal]

Hopefully not the coach or GM. I think the next move at that point would depend on how they lose. If we plateau as a high-powered offense that can't stop anybody it will be clear what we need to do next. If we find a more balanced mix of offense and defense but just get outclassed by top tier talent that opens up a much more difficult conversation but I don't see any point trying to figure that out now. We have a lot to build on and hopefully we continue to see progression now that the leadership has finally stabilized.

But the real interesting part was our defense (50 point Steph game 7 aside) was actually pretty good in the playoffs. It was the high-powered offense that stalled out. Now Domas with a broken finger/stomped on the chest/blackeye throughout the series and Fox breaking his thumb probably had a serious impact, but we just didn't have an answer when GS blew up our DHO sets. Took Huerter totally out of the series, who was a big reason we won so many games last year.

That's the exciting part to last year for me. We took the defending champs to game 7 with our 2 star players hurt and Huerter/HB, two key starting rotation players being virtually unplayable the entire series. I seriously doubt all those factors will be against us again heading into this year. And the beauty is we (hopefully) have another weapon in Vezenkov to turn to if some of the rotation guys get shut out again.

 

[206Fan]

I am really interested to see how the wing battle plays out. If you assume that there are a core nine players (Sabonis, Barnes, Keegan, Huerter, Fox, Monk, Davion, Lyles, Vezenkov) and three other guys who will be on the roster (Javale, Len, and Jones), then you have three roster spots to fill out with wings, including the Terrance Davis 10th rotation spot. The candidates include Duarte, Kessler, Nowell, Lamb, and Burton. Predictions on how this shakes out?

My best guess is that we keep Duarte, Kessler and Nowell, and end up cutting Lamb and Burton. I would love to see Nowell grab the 10th rotation spot, but I am guessing that Kessler (as the holdover who plays defense) or Duarte (as the guy we traded for) have the leg up. But I think this will be an interesting battle and think it might change as the season goes on.

It also appears that we are feeling good at point guard. It will be interesting to see what happens if Fox or Mitchell miss any time. I am guessing we call up Ford and Ellis, and also see some Monk and even Jones handle the ball, since it doesn't appear that we are all that interested in a veteran 3rd point guard.

I think Duarte gets that TD spot. I can see him getting a bit more PT depending on how consistent he plays. Consistency is going to be a big thing that'll separate the role players from one another. His experience puts him about the pack as well. Kessler's PT will come down to his 3pt shot.

 

[206Fan]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1709311112146235823

I think Javale is gonna play, and we'll see a lot of Sasha at the 3 to fit everyone in. Very very interested to see if it works.

Java seems to be a great addition to the team. Last year was very good, but it seemed like we missed someone who could be a vocal locker room leader. McGee instantly fills that role

 

[NiNetNiNe]

We showed we can play good team defense in the playoffs, Mike Brown has even mentioned it. We were even 8th in defense in the road, but we were 24th at home for some reason. If we can harness some of that road/playoff defense, combined with another 6’9” 40% shooter, we might be pretty dang good.

A combo of Huerter, Murray, and Sasha on the court would be pretty insane in the shooting department.

 

[TheMobb]

We showed we can play good team defense in the playoffs, Mike Brown has even mentioned it. We were even 8th in defense in the road, but we were 24th at home for some reason. If we can harness some of that road/playoff defense, combined with another 6’9” 40% shooter, we might be pretty dang good.

A combo of Huerter, Murray, and Sasha on the court would be pretty insane in the shooting department.

I wanna see these 3 a lot with Fox and Sabonis. Let Monk and HB lead the bench unit with Davion, Duarte, Lyles and McGee.

 

[Sac.Kings]

I wanna see these 3 a lot with Fox and Sabonis. Let Monk and HB lead the bench unit with Davion, Duarte, Lyles and McGee.

I think we will see this happen later on in the season as a permanent change, but I expect Brown will toss this lineup out early to gauge what it can be. This line up is my preference with the eventual goal of upgrading Huerter’s position down the line.

 

[joemama]

haha to be fair, my toddler got ahold of the phone. I’ll be sure to let him know you agree

Record post for youngest Kings fan?

 

[PorchSurfin]

Keegan looks SWOLE. Also, love seeing Vezenkov with his arm around Keegan. Those 2 could be DEADLY on the front line together!

 

[iowamcnabb]

Java seems to be a great addition to the team. Last year was very good, but it seemed like we missed someone who could be a vocal locker room leader. McGee instantly fills that role

Jerry said on Duece and Mo that this team needed a s**t bird. He might be that irritant we need.

 

[funkykingston]

Jerry said on Duece and Mo that this team needed a s**t bird. He might be that irritant we need.

I didn't hear Jerry on Deuce and Mo, but if he's talking about a Dillon Brooks type that gets under opponents' skin (and possibly his own teammates in practice), then JaVale isn't that guy. He's a vocal veteran who will help keep guys focused and on track, but he's not an irritant per se.

 

[iowamcnabb]

I didn't hear Jerry on Deuce and Mo, but if he's talking about a Dillon Brooks type that gets under opponents' skin (and possibly his own teammates in practice), then JaVale isn't that guy. He's a vocal veteran who will help keep guys focused and on track, but he's not an irritant per se.

I think it can be both. A guy that does what you say and also can be a bit of a jerk in the locker room (while remaining mostly professional). Just in the few interviews he gave as a king I can tell he has that in him.

 

[King Baller]

Keegan already in midseason interview form

Keegan looks bigger!

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1709669529033535924

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1709673353823633909

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1709674735561551905

 

[SacTownKid]

only concern I have about talking championship right now is that if the team exits in the first or second round again, who's on the chopping block?

I think Monte has been proactive enough to probably see that coming and if it's heading that way he's not going to sit and spin. Monte didn't make any huge moves but he already put his hat in the race with Beal according to Shams. Now the onus is on the team and coaches to make it work, if not, Monte has shown he's not settling for less. Not by a long shot. The chopping block will be determined based on what's out there to be had. We at least know Monte isn't going to bleed assets just to make a deal. Not yet anyway.

 

[iowamcnabb]

Probably no big deal but Matt George said Sasha was on the third team today behind Kessler Edwards

 

[CVKingsfan]

Kings Preseason TV Schedule (PST):

Sunday, October 8
Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors — 5 p.m. (NBA League Pass)

Wednesday, October 11
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 7 p.m. (NBA TV)

Sunday, October 15
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings — 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, October 18
Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors — 7:00 p.m. (NBA TV)

Thursday, October 19
Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings— 7:00 p.m. (not televised, as of this date)

The entire NBA preseason schedule:
https://x.com/NBAPR/status/1696917264908390552?s=20

 

[sactowndog]

Probably no big deal but Matt George said Sasha was on the third team today behind Kessler Edwards

not sure why that is a shock. Kessler is literally the only player on the roster who can be a plus defender at the 3. Matt George came across as a dufus expressing his absolute shock. If Kessler can be even close to average as a shooter he will be a lock.