Play-in games discussion
- Thread starter RoyalDiva
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I’m kinda torn on keeping our draft pick or playoffs too.
I think having a lottery pick will help strengthen us more for next year over trying to make a run this playoffs. However, seeing that OKC is #1 and they are very green in the playoff experience department, the Kings would have a chance to steal the series. If we were to play Denver in the first round, I’d probably lean keeping the pick.
So seeing we’d be playing an inexperienced OKC, I’m leaning towards us trying to make the playoffs. We could possibly extend that series with OKC long enough for Monk to make his come back.
I think having a lottery pick will help strengthen us more for next year over trying to make a run this playoffs. However, seeing that OKC is #1 and they are very green in the playoff experience department, the Kings would have a chance to steal the series. If we were to play Denver in the first round, I’d probably lean keeping the pick.
So seeing we’d be playing an inexperienced OKC, I’m leaning towards us trying to make the playoffs. We could possibly extend that series with OKC long enough for Monk to make his come back.
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We won 46 games, finished 10 over .500 for only the 7th time in 40 seasons in Sacramento history. If we miss the playoffs we will join a group of 5 other teams (2 more possible this season, for historical context) who won more than 45 games and missed the playoffs.
To call it a total failure is a complete lack of context.
If we want to talk expectations, who would have expected 10 out of 15 Western Conference teams to finish 10 games over .500 and an 11th to win 41 games for an even .500. It's unheard of. We made the playoffs in 85-86 as a 7 seed eight whole games under .500 with 37 wins and 10 years later in 95-96 as an 8 with a 39-43 record. 5 years ago this fanbase was shattered when we laid down the second half against this same Portland team to finish with 39 wins instead of the "accomplishment" of reaching 40 wins in a lost season.
To call it a total failure is a complete lack of context.
If we want to talk expectations, who would have expected 10 out of 15 Western Conference teams to finish 10 games over .500 and an 11th to win 41 games for an even .500. It's unheard of. We made the playoffs in 85-86 as a 7 seed eight whole games under .500 with 37 wins and 10 years later in 95-96 as an 8 with a 39-43 record. 5 years ago this fanbase was shattered when we laid down the second half against this same Portland team to finish with 39 wins instead of the "accomplishment" of reaching 40 wins in a lost season.
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I agree. At minimum this team will get the equivalent of a game 7 at home and possibly a game 7 on the road. Those win to advance or lose and go home games are genuine experience that the core of the team need and the reason you hope to make the playoffs even when you are below .500 and have an outside shot an an 8 seed under the old format.
If we lose, there's a silver lining. It's not ideal given we have to deal with that Atlanta pick at some point, but there are other ways to mitigate it including buying a 2025 FRP in this draft by something as innocuous as trading a second rounder and an about to expire contract for the pick next year, cash and a contract the team wants off.
If we lose, there's a silver lining. It's not ideal given we have to deal with that Atlanta pick at some point, but there are other ways to mitigate it including buying a 2025 FRP in this draft by something as innocuous as trading a second rounder and an about to expire contract for the pick next year, cash and a contract the team wants off.
it's only fitting that all things come full circle. Dubs 8-2 in their last 10, Kings not so hot down the stretch here and the Dubs have a better away record than home which is basically a recipe for a L. It still could be an entertaining conclusion to the season though since these two usually give the fans a fun game
I’m not saying nobody improved. Domas, Fox, Monk and Keegan all had their individual best seasons but collectively its probably not how Monte envisioned.
Their improvements weren’t enough to cover for the regressions from Huerter and Barnes.
Huerter especially was among the group that I think Monte expected to continue to trend upwards offensively. Young player who has gotten better every season in the league. Averaged 15 last season. His poor season was definitely a wrench in running it back. If he had even a similar season to last season the Kings probably would’ve won in the 50’s and nobody is complaining about running it back
Barnes was also expected to be more steady. He sort of regained his form in the second half of the season but Kings needed more.
I was excited for Sasha but I was expecting one of HB or Trey to be gone when I was excited about the prospect of the Kings bringing him over. He didn’t really make sense when they were both retained. He is somebody you bring to play with Domas. Not fight for minutes at backup…small forward. He would’ve been better left in Greece if the Kings didn’t envision a near 30 year old rookie as an immediate compliment to Domas.
Duarte just wasn’t the answer. TD was probably key to a couple of Kings wins last season. That can’t be said for Duarte.
I agree. I still love the foundation of the team. Just more balance with athleticism and size. Also another scorer who can get his.
Well anyway, this is all derailing post mortem discussion lol
Gotta beat the Dubs
Their improvements weren’t enough to cover for the regressions from Huerter and Barnes.
Huerter especially was among the group that I think Monte expected to continue to trend upwards offensively. Young player who has gotten better every season in the league. Averaged 15 last season. His poor season was definitely a wrench in running it back. If he had even a similar season to last season the Kings probably would’ve won in the 50’s and nobody is complaining about running it back
Barnes was also expected to be more steady. He sort of regained his form in the second half of the season but Kings needed more.
I was excited for Sasha but I was expecting one of HB or Trey to be gone when I was excited about the prospect of the Kings bringing him over. He didn’t really make sense when they were both retained. He is somebody you bring to play with Domas. Not fight for minutes at backup…small forward. He would’ve been better left in Greece if the Kings didn’t envision a near 30 year old rookie as an immediate compliment to Domas.
Duarte just wasn’t the answer. TD was probably key to a couple of Kings wins last season. That can’t be said for Duarte.
I agree. I still love the foundation of the team. Just more balance with athleticism and size. Also another scorer who can get his.
Well anyway, this is all derailing post mortem discussion lol
Gotta beat the Dubs
I cannot see us winning this. Look for something like a game 7 last year. I see the Kings going down by 20 early and playing catch-up the rest of the game while not really bringing it within 10. We are one and done folks 
So, I said we will be better this year, and clearly I was REALLY REALLY incorrect. I was looking for 50 wins and did not want to even get close to having to play in that stupid play-in game(s), but I guess we did. If we win on Tues GS is eliminated, and we will then have to beat the loser of the 7-8 game as well which will be Lakers or Pelicans, on the road. We actually do better on the road, but I don't want to play the Lakers in an elimination game, and they are hot enough that they will not lose two in a row. It would take a miracle to beat GS, and another to beat NO, or LAL.
Seems that Huerter and Monk play a big role on this team. Keon Ellis in the last month played decent 3 and D ball, but he's not really in tune with the starters. The chemistry with Ellis on the starting lineup is just garbage. We couldn't score anymore, and our offense took a huge hit. We need Monk and Huerter back. Clearly they meant more to us than Lyles and Sasha.
Anyhow, I would keep Sabonis, and Murray. Shop the rest to see if we could get something decent. If not, then keep Fox, and try to keep Monk. Start Sasha over Barnes next year. Give him a Huerter role where if he's playing bad then he will be a starter only getting 15mpg. Tell Huerter that if he does not improve he's gone. Coach played too much into defense this year, and I think that hurt this team.
So, I said we will be better this year, and clearly I was REALLY REALLY incorrect. I was looking for 50 wins and did not want to even get close to having to play in that stupid play-in game(s), but I guess we did. If we win on Tues GS is eliminated, and we will then have to beat the loser of the 7-8 game as well which will be Lakers or Pelicans, on the road. We actually do better on the road, but I don't want to play the Lakers in an elimination game, and they are hot enough that they will not lose two in a row. It would take a miracle to beat GS, and another to beat NO, or LAL.
Seems that Huerter and Monk play a big role on this team. Keon Ellis in the last month played decent 3 and D ball, but he's not really in tune with the starters. The chemistry with Ellis on the starting lineup is just garbage. We couldn't score anymore, and our offense took a huge hit. We need Monk and Huerter back. Clearly they meant more to us than Lyles and Sasha.
Anyhow, I would keep Sabonis, and Murray. Shop the rest to see if we could get something decent. If not, then keep Fox, and try to keep Monk. Start Sasha over Barnes next year. Give him a Huerter role where if he's playing bad then he will be a starter only getting 15mpg. Tell Huerter that if he does not improve he's gone. Coach played too much into defense this year, and I think that hurt this team.
With Kuminga and Chris Paul starting in place of Green and Curry, every single Golden State starter had zero or negative +- numbers against New Orleans. That tells me their team is not as deep as one might think. Kuminga had zero points and only two starters scored in double figures, led by Klay Thompson's 25.
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I see Fox and Sabonis having subpar games against the Warriors. The Warriors will probably lean in more on clogging the paint especially with monk and huerter out to nullify fox and sabonis making them jump shooters and making guys like barnes, ellis, murray, lyles, and mitchell beat them. Simply, if the kings make their 3's they will have a chance if not then not a chance.
Why has this become a thing lately and why does this matter? I’ve followed sports religiously for 30 plus years and the “games over .500” has always meant how many more wins than losses; or in other words how many losses in a row it would take to get you back to .500, which in the Kings case would be 10.
Guard by committee? Yes, they have tried that on multiple occasions this year, along with moving/sudden traps. Fox has improved significantly as a defender this year, and could also be tasked with guarding Steph. He is right there with Mitchell in Defensive Rating on both NBA and Basketball Reference. Steve Kerr is crafty, and you know he is going to try to put Curry in at times when there might be a weaker defender out there.
Ah, yes, the almighty Western Conference. Actually, who is over-under .500 doesn't really matter this season. The myth that the Western Conference is so much better this year is just not true. More teams reached .500 because there were more "punching bags" in both conferences so naturally the bar will be set higher for the others.
The evidence? Last year the bottom 4 teams in both conferences combined for 227 wins, this year - 176 wins. This year there are 7 teams with less than 30 wins, last year there were only 4.
It is almost a complete failure for the Kings, because nobody expected them to finish 9th at the end of the season
The evidence? Last year the bottom 4 teams in both conferences combined for 227 wins, this year - 176 wins. This year there are 7 teams with less than 30 wins, last year there were only 4.
It is almost a complete failure for the Kings, because nobody expected them to finish 9th at the end of the season
You can’t possibly think that the Western conference is not better than last year. 2 teams have made huge leaps from 40 ish wins to nearly 60. 46 wins would have been 4th in the West last season. The Rockets and Spurs were tanking for Wemby last year and now the Spurs have a generational talent (meaning they always have a shot) and the rockets are good now. Just like last year the Jazz were competitive until the last stretch. Blazers are about the same. The Grizz are the only team that has sunk. The west is stacked and it will likely be even more so next year.