THE KENTUCKY CONNECTION
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
Yeah, I mentioned this at draft time. I saw a few comparisons between Rob & Malik, which never made sense to me. Dillingham is 6'1" w/o shoes and was only 164 lbs. At the combine Monk measured at just over 6'2" w/o shoes and was 197 lbs. Malik is a bit undersized as a SG, but he's strong enough and obviously hugely athletic. Not to mention he has the playmaking to slide between both guard spots.
Dillingham is going to have to make his name as a PG in this league. And he doesn't offer any switchability defensively.
Dillingham is going to have to make his name as a PG in this league. And he doesn't offer any switchability defensively.
Monk had a career-high 12 assists last night, and Fox added another 7. The Kings usually win when Fox has 6 or more assists. It is no coincidence that the team had a season high in assists, 33, with Monk in the starting lineup. Monk has had 6 or more in four straight games now, since the Minnesota game: 9, 9, 6, 12. Look for it to continue.
It also helps that Monk has shot 50% or more from deep in the last four games, as well.
It also helps that Monk has shot 50% or more from deep in the last four games, as well.
Monk has played well as a starter so far, and his chemistry with Fox and Sabonis is obvious, but man, the first five played heavy minutes last night, and only two guys scored off the bench for a total of 25 points. With Monk in the starting lineup, bench production could be a serious problem, even if Huerter continues to look like an actual NBA player. Getting Lyles back may help as long as he also looks like an actual NBA player upon returning. And what we've seen from Isaac Jones is promising. But I'm guessing Mike Brown's a little nervous about his bench's long-term potential right now, because starting Monk is a bit of a "break glass in case of emergency" kind of move.
The bench is worrying but I'm not really worried about Monk starting anymore. Brown is going to stagger the guys enough to where we're not going to be looking at lineups that only consist of bench players. Sabonis, Monk, Fox and DDR are going to be mixed in there at all times.
Our issue for a while has just been bench production in general. You look at the box scores and other teams will have a couple guys scoring in the mid to high teens against us and our bench is scoring 0-4pts a piece on miserable efficiency. Jones has been a shot in the arm lately and Huerter getting back to his old ways will help tremendously but I'm not fully convinced of either at the moment.
Brown going full Thibs with the starters minutes is worrying for sure.
Our issue for a while has just been bench production in general. You look at the box scores and other teams will have a couple guys scoring in the mid to high teens against us and our bench is scoring 0-4pts a piece on miserable efficiency. Jones has been a shot in the arm lately and Huerter getting back to his old ways will help tremendously but I'm not fully convinced of either at the moment.
Brown going full Thibs with the starters minutes is worrying for sure.
I loved the Devin Carter pick. LOVED it. But I don't think it's reasonable to expect the rookie to provide a shot in the arm in his very first NBA minutes, upon returning to the court from an injury, no less. If he's a meaningful contributor immediately, then that's the kind of gravy we'll all happily lap up. But I just don't think his offense is going to amount to a whole lot in his first season. He'll play his ass off, though. That much I'm sure of.
