[Game] 54/82: Kings @ Pelicans 12 FEB 2025, 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET

[GWD]

Couple of thoughts after watching the game replay:

Does Devin Carter seem like a mirror of Alvarado? The energy, hopefully the shot someday, the size, the passing, and even the hair made me do a double-take several times.

Pity for Coach Christie. Now the Kings sign a pure point guard (Markelle Fultz) to go with the rest of the haphazard pieces. How does he put all of this together without spoiling the stew. Is it possible that the Kings have too much talent? What a task. Thank goodness for the All-Star break and a chance to make sense out of this roster. It may take massive changes in the offensive scheme to smooth the gameplay. Hope Christie is up to it and management allows it.

That mid-game steal by Keon at the top of the key was mind-boggling. You never see that in the NBA without a foul called. Keon just took the ball away like it was his all along. Watched it over and over and was amazed every time.

 

[Elektrik]

it's been his nickname

Didn’t know that

 

[The_Jamal]

The only category of consequence that Keegan has regressed in is 3-point shooting. His rebounding and defense have become exceptional qualities necessary to make the Kings a better team. I mean, they've loaded the starting unit with 20 PPG scorers, so of course Keegan's share of shots with the starters was going to decrease. The starting lineup is no longer designed with a need for Keegan to be a scorer. But when he and Keon share the floor, it's defensive havoc.

I never like being the "watch the damn film", guy but anyone who thinks Keegan has regressed needs to watch the damn film.

Kings are a better team when Keegan is on the floor. And pretty much only survive on defense because of him and Keon. DDR also isn't a longterm option for this team; so it could be very soon we need him offensively. Just isn't the current team structure or what's asked of him

 

[coolhandluke]

I love what coach Christie has to say. "Me over We" and "Us vs Them" always.

Keegan's assignment was Trey Murphy and he took care of an important weapon for the Pelicans.

 

[iowamcnabb]

How many games early in the season were we missing our main guys and Keegan didn’t step up calling him a 15-19ppg is fantasy at this point

he averaged 15 points a game last year.

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

I love what coach Christie has to say. "Me over We" and "Us vs Them" always.

Keegan's assignment was Trey Murphy and he took care of an important weapon for the Pelicans.

"I want them to play freely, but with a winning level of control."

This is an example of the high level at which Doug Christie thinks about the game of basketball, and his ability to subtly and accurately communicate it to his guys (and the media). After 22 games I am ready to pronounce Doug "Vinny Basketballerino's Officially Approved Next Coach".

As I've always said, Mike Brown was a a good coach, and right for what we needed at the time - a disciplinarian who brought structure and changed the culture. Brown was not capable of conceiving of, and importantly, communicating how to play basketball at a high high level - approaching art.

Doug has played and lived it, and is now fully qualified to teach it. And, he has this absolutely killer instinct he is imparting as well. I see greatness as a Coach in Doug's future.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I love what coach Christie has to say. "Me over We" and "Us vs Them" always.

Keegan's assignment was Trey Murphy and he took care of an important weapon for the Pelicans.

An important point I noticed here, is that Monk empowers Keon. That's what leaders do to help get the most out of their players

 

[SLAB]

When do you say that enough is enough with Keegan Murray? He has regressed in almost every category after that great rookie season. Do we just let him go for nothing and then sign someone to take his spot? Do we give him more time?

His defense makes him very needed, but the ceiling of this team is definitely hard-capped with him not being nearly the player we expected offensively.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I never like being the "watch the damn film", guy but anyone who thinks Keegan has regressed needs to watch the damn film.

Kings are a better team when Keegan is on the floor. And pretty much only survive on defense because of him and Keon. DDR also isn't a longterm option for this team; so it could be very soon we need him offensively. Just isn't the current team structure or what's asked of him

Might depend on one's definition of "long term". DeRozan could be an integral part of this team for two more years after this season, based on how elite his scoring and closing is

 

[kingsfan101]

Might depend on one's definition of "long term". DeRozan could be an integral part of this team for two more years after this season, based on how elite his scoring and closing is

I like him too. He's been great for us.

The roster is clearly imbalanced though. I think he has value and can help us balance out the roster. This has always been Monte's way. Collect assets, and trade when possible to balance it out.