[Game] 51/82: Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers 06 FEB 2025, 7pm PT/10pm ET

[The_Jamal]

Here's the tough call then. If LaVine is actually this capable as a defender, you don't want to be benching him. The breakdowns almost always start with Monk and swing over to DeMar.

DDR was getting beat all night tonight. Was super noticeable.

Again, I know he basically said "no" when Brown asked. But he's the obvious choice here and you roll Keon-LaVine-Keegan as your wings. And at some point.. sorry DDR. I get your a legend, likely headed to the HOF. But Christie's got to put on the "I'm the boss" pants here if he wants to keep this job.

Not saying it's easy for Christie to have to navigate that, but I mean, how much more proof is needed that balance and defensive infusion is what this team needs? I also get we're basically rolling out an entire new squad mid-season without any practice time, but I think this is just going to be a prevailing problem, even when we get more comfortable.

 

[sactowndog]

Do we have a 5 game winning streak in us in the last 31 games. To me that is what is going to take. How about a few nights where we just can’t miss from 3? Our best case scenerio is around 43 wins imo, given the start we had and the remaining schedule. Do that and you likely make the play-in and then you can figure out the next step in the off season.

Being 9/10 isn’t really the best scenario is it. Lower probability of winning in the playin and you lose your draft pick. I would much rather be 11 or 12 than 9 or 10.

 

[Rob-The-Great]

Kings could have easily gotten blown out tonight like they did the last trip to Portland and instead it was a game until the final minute or so. I agree. Blazers are hot right now even if they aren't great, there are no moral victories but for a team that just moved in and out a half dozen guys vs. a team that stood pat this week I think it's a good sign.

We got our doors blown off with Fox, and nobody said a peep, now we got 3 new guys and lost 3 rotation pieces and we have no defense and the sky is falling. As if we had defense with Fox. At worst and I mean at worst we are even overall talent wise. We will be just fine. I cant wait till Lavine finds his way.

Ellis is a good 6th man. He's just not going yk get in that starting lineup with these starters. It's not happening.

Sharpe would come off the bench on our team too. He's not taking anyones spot. That should tell you we have a good team

 

[Rob-The-Great]

DDR was getting beat all night tonight. Was super noticeable.

Again, I know he basically said "no" when Brown asked. But he's the obvious choice here and you roll Keon-LaVine-Keegan as your wings. And at some point.. sorry DDR. I get your a legend, likely headed to the HOF. But Christie's got to put on the "I'm the boss" pants here and do what's best for wins. I'm not sure how much more proof we need that Keon balances this thing out nearly perfectly.

Not saying it's easy for Christie to have to navigate that, but I mean, how much more proof is needed that balance and defensive infusion is what this team needs? I also get we're basically rolling out an entire new squad mid-season without any practice time, but I think this is just going to be a prevailing problem, even when we get more comfortable.

We do that and I can guarantee you the season is over. Just wait till next year. He can come off bench then and we can get a real PF. It just won't happen this year.

 

[captain bill]

ZLV jacking up a 3 early in the shot clock in what felt like our last meaningful possession didn’t feel great. We went back to Deebo for a bucket the next trip but felt out of reach already. LaVine then flexing at the Blazers bench on a dunk to cut Portland’s lead to six with the game out of reach was…what??

Bigger issue tonight felt like Domas absence tho. 10 points on 6 attempts isn’t gonna do it. Felt like we went to him on first few possessions of the first Q but sorta disappeared after. Yes he was in foul trouble but he needs to be more aggressively looking to score. Mostly invisible before fouling out isn’t what you want from your franchise player.

 

[sactowndog]

We got our doors blown off with Fox, and nobody said a peep, now we got 3 new guys and lost 3 rotation pieces and we have no defense and the sky is falling. As if we had defense with Fox. At worst and I mean at worst we are even overall talent wise. We will be just fine. I cant wait till Lavine finds his way.

Ellis is a good 6th man. He's just not going yk get in that starting lineup with these starters. It's not happening.

Sharpe would come off the bench on our team too. He's not taking anyones spot. That should tell you we have a good team

wins tell you you have a good team.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

We got our doors blown off with Fox, and nobody said a peep, now we got 3 new guys and lost 3 rotation pieces and we have no defense and the sky is falling. As if we had defense with Fox. At worst and I mean at worst we are even overall talent wise. We will be just fine. I cant wait till Lavine finds his way.

Ellis is a good 6th man. He's just not going yk get in that starting lineup with these starters. It's not happening.

Sharpe would come off the bench on our team too. He's not taking anyones spot. That should tell you we have a good team

Last game I remember coming home and everyone raging on Keon even though he looked good from my seats. I dunno. We were much better tonight I agree, and that is where we're coming from vs. an opponent on a hot streak. I'll take it. Room to grow. Theoretically we should be fine with spacing but it was awfully crowded tonight. They'll figure it out. I hope Doug is the guy to do it.

 

[Rob-The-Great]

Being 9/10 isn’t really the best scenario is it. Lower probability of winning in the playin and you lose your draft pick. I would much rather be 11 or 12 than 9 or 10.

How about a play in where we knock the spurs out? Will that work?

 

[iowamcnabb]

DDR was getting beat all night tonight. Was super noticeable.

Again, I know he basically said "no" when Brown asked. But he's the obvious choice here and you roll Keon-LaVine-Keegan as your wings.

Not saying it's easy for Christie to have to navigate that, but I mean, how much more proof is needed that balance and defensive infusion is what this team needs? I also get we're basically rolling out an entire new squad mid-season without any practice time, but I think this is just going to be a prevailing problem, even when we get more comfortable.

or maybe you close with Deebo but the first 7/8 minutes of the 4th is heavy defense lineups. Let Deebo come in and do his clutch thing at the end.

 

[Rob-The-Great]

wins tell you you have a good team.

That's not fair sir. Team is too new to say such a thing. Unless your saying this team can't win a game. Record says we can't win a game 0-2. Not quite accurate

 

[pdxKingsFan]

How about a play in where we knock the spurs out? Will that work?

I do not think I am ready for Spurs in the play-in. Possible loss too much for my heart.

 

[The_Jamal]

Last game I remember coming home and everyone raging on Keon even though he looked good from my seats. I dunno. We were much better tonight I agree, and that is where we're coming from vs. an opponent on a hot streak. I'll take it. Room to grow. Theoretically we should be fine with spacing but it was awfully crowded tonight. They'll figure it out. I hope Doug is the guy to do it.

I'm harping on this Keon thing because watching Camara play in front of Sharpe and Scoot just clicked in my mind about how stupid our usage of Keon is because we don't want to hurt feelings. Politics are getting in the way of better play on the floor

I'm also pretty encouraged with the overall group. Especially when LaRavia gets in. JV is a glove fit from day 1; he won't shoot this poorly very often. The big test is how quickly the guys get comfortable offensively with each other; that was one of the prevailing thoughts for me this game.

 

[Rob-The-Great]

I do not think I am ready for Spurs in the play-in. Possible loss too much for my heart.

What if we win tho. (Evil smile)

 

[sactowndog]

Last game I remember coming home and everyone raging on Keon even though he looked good from my seats. I dunno. We were much better tonight I agree, and that is where we're coming from vs. an opponent on a hot streak. I'll take it. Room to grow. Theoretically we should be fine with spacing but it was awfully crowded tonight. They'll figure it out. I hope Doug is the guy to do it.

Doug without Keon starting is 2 games below .500. Just saying

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

What the heck does that have to do with the cost of eggs?

say what?

 

[captain bill]

Doug without Keon starting is 2 games below .500. Just saying

That starting lineup had some serious juice. I’d hate it if LaVine ends up being subtraction by addition but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been with the team long enough to even have a practice

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

If we want to keep Keon we will probably pay him this offseason.

Point is that this owner is not likely to support starting or closing with a 2.12 million dollar player over a 44 mil player

 

[SacTownKid]

Point is that this owner is not likely to support starting or closing with a 2.12 million dollar player over a 44 mil player

Maybe, if the owner is that dialed in of course. If it's an issue of defense, LaVine doesn't look to be the weak link in that unit. Not from what he showed tonight.

 

[SacTownKid]

That starting lineup had some serious juice. I’d hate it if LaVine ends up being subtraction by addition but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been with the team long enough to even have a practice

And the night to say Keon was the missing piece is probably not this one. He was a -11. Now, part of that is because again Christie changed up things while also adding Valanciunas to the bench guys. So like @The_Jamal mentioned, that's a ton of new faces all the same time yet again with no carryover even from last game because LaVine was the lead player. It's going to be up and down but it was actually kind of surprising how well that Keon, Carter, Lavine, and Jonas combo looked, but it was in spurts. If you looked close enough you could see the flame of some chemistry especially with Keon, Carter and Jonas.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Maybe, if the owner is that dialed in of course. If it's an issue of defense, LaVine doesn't look to be the weak link in that unit. Not from what he showed tonight.

Of course he's dialed in. He's got his hand in every major decision, whether McNair will say so, or not

 

[206Fan]

ZLV jacking up a 3 early in the shot clock in what felt like our last meaningful possession didn’t feel great. We went back to Deebo for a bucket the next trip but felt out of reach already. LaVine then flexing at the Blazers bench on a dunk to cut Portland’s lead to six with the game out of reach was…what??

Bigger issue tonight felt like Domas absence tho. 10 points on 6 attempts isn’t gonna do it. Felt like we went to him on first few possessions of the first Q but sorta disappeared after. Yes he was in foul trouble but he needs to be more aggressively looking to score. Mostly invisible before fouling out isn’t what you want from your franchise player.

for what it's worth, i don't think lavine was flexing on the portland bench. he was mad at the ref for not giving him an and one because he got fouled

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Blazers have Scoot and Sharpe off the bench, but start Camara because he's a defensive weapon to surround their offensive hubs. They have all the pedigree and draft capital tied to them, but Camara gets the start because he helps them win. I'm honestly kind of furious now that we refuse to use Keon properly and are seemingly purposefully tanking this season because we don't want to hurt any feelings.

I don't want to hear a damn thing anymore about roster construction until we maximize Keon on the floor, especially in crunch time. He was incredible again tonight defensively...and he didn't play the last 9:26 of a close contest. Devin Carter had one of his better defensive games...again less than 10 minutes and only 2 minutes in the second half.

It's on Doug at this point.

It must go higher than Doug this is the same thing we blamed Brown for how are both coaches doing it. Also if we start Keon who goes to the bench my answer would be Derozan, if we’re being honest he has no future here at his age unless it’s a sixth man role anyways. Can’t take monk out we need his playmaking and I just think Lavine will fit better with his shooting to spread the floor for everyone.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Austin Reaves had 16 freethrow attempts for the Lakers tonight LMAOOO NO ONE on the Kings will ever get a whistle like this. Unbelievable.

Probably earned 2 of them

 

[fansinceday1]

Oh man, after listening to Matt George’s post game show the conclusion is this team is totally screwed. Doug Christie is most screwed. What the hell is he gonna do? How do you make a team play defense when that just isn’t what the players on the floor do, with the exception of a couple guys? You need points so who do you sub out at the end of games when you need defense and you have to get Keon in? It’s gotta be either derozan or Lavine.
Matts conclusion was its bad roster construction. This roster is flawed and we are gonna see it going down the stretch of this season. I totally see MG’s complaints. I dont envy Doug one bit.

 

[serbiangoat]

The roster that plays consists of 5 SGs (Lavine, Monk, DDR, Ellis, Carter) 2 SFs (Keegan, Laravia) 1 PF (Lyle's) and two Cs (Lithuanian bros), the talent is there hopefully they can mesh together but yeah the construction is not good. I think next season they will have to move of DDR for a starting PF to balance it and a pass first PG.

I liked what Jonas did tonight despite his touch being a bit off but just the flow is bad to many me first guys and some need to take a step back and maybe let someone else be the man.

 

[GWD]

@The Jamal is on a roll (and without snarky comments as well). Coach Christie has a problem and, concurrently, is the problem. It would be interesting to know who he would play if he was completely free to do so. Benching highly paid All-Stars is apparently not an option. But there are other ways to deal with the issue.

Start the All-Stars and quickly sub one or two out. They retain their "starter" status while allowing the team to rebalance on the court. DeRosan would be the most obvious. He is older and, at times, his fatigue shows. His game is mainly focused on creating a shot for himself. If held out intermittently until closing time, he would be fresher and perhaps even more productive for those last few minutes.

Monk subbing out, if he falters early, would effectively make him a 6th man spark when he returns.

LaVine is too new to the roster to effectively evaluate how he interacts and where he fits best. It will become apparent shortly.

Back to the Coach Christie dilemma. His assistant coaches have his ear and are Brown retreads. Results are recently trending to the same results that ended in firing Brown. No effective 3-point defense and poor offensive opportunities and choices have returned. If Christie wants to return as permanent coach, he needs to have his own assistants that mirror his philosophy. The roster has significantly changed and the All-Star break is a perfect time to make some coaching changes. The resulting "rebuild on the fly" could be the turn around to go with the "Christie boost".

The Kings team is loaded with talent, playoff talent. Getting there is the issue. To do that Christie is going to have to turn goulash into lasagna. Not an easy task as Vinnie can attest to.

 

[The_Jamal]

@The Jamal is on a roll (and without snarky comments as well). Coach Christie has a problem and, concurrently, is the problem. It would be interesting to know who he would play if he was completely free to do so. Benching highly paid All-Stars is apparently not an option. But there are other ways to deal with the issue.

Start the All-Stars and quickly sub one or two out. They retain their "starter" status while allowing the team to rebalance on the court. DeRosan would be the most obvious. He is older and, at times, his fatigue shows. His game is mainly focused on creating a shot for himself. If held out intermittently until closing time, he would be fresher and perhaps even more productive for those last few minutes.

Monk subbing out, if he falters early, would effectively make him a 6th man spark when he returns.

LaVine is too new to the roster to effectively evaluate how he interacts and where he fits best. It will become apparent shortly.

Back to the Coach Christie dilemma. His assistant coaches have his ear and are Brown retreads. Results are recently trending to the same results that ended in firing Brown. No effective 3-point defense and poor offensive opportunities and choices have returned. If Christie wants to return as permanent coach, he needs to have his own assistants that mirror his philosophy. The roster has significantly changed and the All-Star break is a perfect time to make some coaching changes. The resulting "rebuild on the fly" could be the turn around to go with the "Christie boost".

The Kings team is loaded with talent, playoff talent. Getting there is the issue. To do that Christie is going to have to turn goulash into lasagna. Not an easy task as Vinnie can attest to.

Me? Snarky? no waaaay

But I think Christie's got to put the hand up here or he's got to take responsibility for what's going on. Sure, these are Brown's assistants, but he's the guy in charge. He's supposed to be the motivator, the "bring everyone together" coach that excels at getting everyone to buy in. To me, that's probably his strength as a leader. So use it!

Even if Keon doesn't start, effectively make him the "6th" starter and get him on the floor for 30+ MPG. Close with him, especially when there's a guy on the other team who had 8 3's and scored 16th in the fourth. Get Carter more than 2 minutes in the second half, especially when he probably had his best defensive performance in his 1H stint.

I also do understand this is incredibly difficult to put together on the fly. 3 new rotation players coming in, role adjustments everywhere. But the Keon stuff is just so obvious that I can't really use that as an excuse for not doing it.

 

[GWD]

Me? Snarky? no waaaay

But I think Christie's got to put the hand up here or he's got to take responsibility for what's going on. Sure, these are Brown's assistants, but he's the guy in charge. He's supposed to be the motivator, the "bring everyone together" coach that excels at getting everyone to buy in. To me, that's probably his strength as a leader. So use it!

Even if Keon doesn't start, effectively make him the "6th" starter and get him on the floor for 30+ MPG. Close with him, especially when there's a guy on the other team who had 8 3's and scored 16th in the fourth. Get Carter more than 2 minutes in the second half, especially when he probably had his best defensive performance in his 1H stint.

I also do understand this is incredibly difficult to put together on the fly. 3 new rotation players coming in, role adjustments everywhere. But the Keon stuff is just so obvious that I can't really use that as an excuse for not doing it.

All valid points.

The only question is, is Christie really the guy FULLY in charge. I would be more convinced if he had a complete and permanent head coach status.

I can visualize Monte and Vivek having input to impart to a newly hired rookie "interim" head coach. Some of the decisions being made seem contrary to the Christie manner which you accurately describe.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I'm harping on this Keon thing because watching Camara play in front of Sharpe and Scoot just clicked in my mind about how stupid our usage of Keon is because we don't want to hurt feelings. Politics are getting in the way of better play on the floor

Doug without Keon starting is 2 games below .500. Just saying

I brought up Keon's last game in Portland because the consensus was he sucked that night.

 

[Kingster]

That's exactly the player he is. Bulls where raving about his team attitude

It sounds promising, then. When I look at Lavine's game I see another higher level he could take if he really put his mind to it. Similar to Monk, who was primarily just a scorer before he came to his Kings and evolved into a more balanced score and assist point guard.