[Game] 21/82: Kings vs. Grizzlies 30 NOV 2025, 6pm PT/9pm ET

[iowamcnabb]

All these years watching the NBA, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guard defend as effortlessly as LaVine. He simply doesn’t even care.

The guy had 3 steals and played pretty good defense as a whole. We’ve reached the point with him where fans are going to crap on his performance no matter what he does. We’ve done this with countless players before including Harrison Barnes.

 

[SacTownKid]

All these years watching the NBA, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guard defend as effortlessly as LaVine. He simply doesn’t even care.

It has to be said, Monk, LaVine, and DeMar out there together is a chefs kiss for the tank in a game where you need defensive stops. Monk is actually trying this year but at some point it's clear that you are a defender or not.

 

[SacTownKid]

The guy had 3 steals and played pretty good defense as a whole. We’ve reached the point with him where fans are going to crap on his performance no matter what he does. We’ve done this with countless players before including Harrison Barnes.

Yeah, again, we aren't seeing a lack of effort most of the time, it's pure lack of ability and some of the combos that Christie throws out there shows either there is a plan here or he even as a defensive role guy most of his career just doesn't get it.

 

[SacTownKid]

It's funny, "how do you stop Zach Edey?". You don't but what you don't want to have is a gaping hole defensively at PG/SG so that you can pressure any pass made over the top. Once the ball goes up, he's catching it. Make that pass tough. That's about it. Christies lineups get out what he's putting in.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It's funny, "how do you stop Zach Edey?". You don't but what you don't want to have is a gaping hole defensively at PG/SG so that you can pressure any pass made over the top. Once the ball goes up, he's catching it. Make that pass tough. That's about it. Christies lineups get out what he's putting in.

Ranadive's lineups

 

[SacTownKid]

Ranadive's lineups

Is this like being witness to a crime and not reporting it? Perry, Vivek, DC. All guilty.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Is this like being witness to a crime and not reporting it? Perry, Vivek, DC. All guilty.

It all starts at the top here

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I just don’t understand the logic. People will blame Vivek when it’s DC choosing to do these stupid hockey subs that completely destroy any momentum and fun everyone in the building is having. These coaches need to take some accountability

I am watching very carelessly and this is first game I had on in a while. Was Doug countering their coach with hockey subs? That's something that was supposedly part of what has Ja and JJJ upset with Iisalo?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I just don’t understand the logic. People will blame Vivek when it’s DC choosing to do these stupid hockey subs that completely destroy any momentum and fun everyone in the building is having. These coaches need to take some accountability

Certainly they should. Quick question: if we think that Christie is making these lineup decisions without the approval of his boss(es), why does he still have a job?

 

[NewArena]

I literally stopped watching in the 2nd quarter when Coach put in that same garbage lineup. I’m never ever wasting my time watching that group

 

[kingsboi]

All these years watching the NBA, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guard defend as effortlessly as LaVine. He simply doesn’t even care.

he knows he's not wanted, so he won't put forth much effort

 

[Kingster]

The first four offensive plays by the Kings in the 2nd half consisted of a turnover by Westbrook, an iso miss by DDR, an iso miss by Lavine, an iso miss by Westbrook. Perfect Kings basketball.

I liked the minutes that Max got and at least Clifford got more minutes than the last game. Beggars can't be choosers I guess.

 

[NewArena]

Certainly they should. Quick question: if we think that Christie is making these lineup decisions without the approval of his boss(es), why does he still have a job?

Because i think they trust him and respect him enough to figure it out. I think two or multiple things are true here - he has free reign to do as he pleases, but they also don’t want to scapegoat him because they know the roster is trash and they need to fix that before pointing fingers anywhere else.

IF they start feeling as if he’s not the right guy for the job, you won’t see me shedding tears over it though. I’m over the 2002 nostalgia if it’s just going to keep biting us in the butt. I say if because i don’t know how good he is or can be as a coach. Might as well see it through the end of the season i suppose.

 

[SLAB]

Didn’t lose by 40+,

#MORALVICTORY

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Because i think they trust him and respect him enough to figure it out. I think two or multiple things are true here - he has free reign to do as he pleases, but they also don’t want to scapegoat him because they know the roster is trash and they need to fix that before pointing fingers anywhere else.

Maybe. I don't believe that Doug Christie ordered the Code Red, is all I'm saying.

 

[Shaqfuey]

The guy had 3 steals and played pretty good defense as a whole. We’ve reached the point with him where fans are going to crap on his performance no matter what he does. We’ve done this with countless players before including Harrison Barnes.

Lavine is this season’s low hanging fruit. It was Barnes. Then Fox. Now Zach. It’s tiresome. Christie trying to scheme a defense with these guys is ridiculous. Lavine’s best defense is outscoring the other team’s guard. We’re sacrificing his offensive excellence with this poor coaching.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

he knows he's not wanted, so he won't put forth much effort

The story of his career I guess. No pride

 

[fansinceday1]

he knows he's not wanted, so he won't put forth much effort

He’s always played defense like he’s not wanted, or doesn’t care.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1995356293947883601

 

[SacTownKid]

Lavine is this season’s low hanging fruit. It was Barnes. Then Fox. Now Zach. It’s tiresome. Christie trying to scheme a defense with these guys is ridiculous. Lavine’s best defense is outscoring the other team’s guard. We’re sacrificing his offensive excellence with this poor coaching.

The Kings history is one of always trying to change the stripes on that dang Zebra. It's the definition of low IQ in full use. In order to use something you have to know what it is first and work accordingly. This better just be tanking/showcasing at this point. Which it probably is. Deep breath. lol.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Lavine is this season’s low hanging fruit. It was Barnes. Then Fox. Now Zach. It’s tiresome. Christie trying to scheme a defense with these guys is ridiculous. Lavine’s best defense is outscoring the other team’s guard. We’re sacrificing his offensive excellence with this poor coaching.

So lavine’s been a low hanging fruit for three different teams what an unfortunate coincidence for him

 

[Section 101]

Lavine is this season’s low hanging fruit. It was Barnes. Then Fox. Now Zach. It’s tiresome. Christie trying to scheme a defense with these guys is ridiculous. Lavine’s best defense is outscoring the other team’s guard. We’re sacrificing his offensive excellence with this poor coaching.

BS

This box score doesnt lie. Zack lead the way with -30 +/-. All the starters were negative. All the reserves were +, with Clifford +19.

Zach's defense to start the game and 3rd quarter caused the deficets.

 

[sactowndog]

I feel like Max has fouled a lot of three-point shooters in his young career

Max is generally a poor defender. Having him on the floor has helped the tank. I thought he would learn in the G League but apparently they are going to have him help the tank.

 

[serbiangoat]

It's crazy no Ja, Pippen or Jerome and the only ball handlers are shooters (Spencer or KCP) or a defender in Vince Williams bringing up the ball and at no point do you pressure them 94feet (yes the one team this would work against), this is either a masterful tank job or just some of the worst coaching ever.

It's mind blowing just how low IQ the coaching staff and team is in particular for a vet team.

 

[dude12]

I really liked Doug as a player and an announcer. I dislike him as a coach quite a bit.
Insane that Keon barely plays and that Devin Carter is racking up DNP-CD

 

[Srzly]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1995356293947883601

Monk is right. That bench unit that came in and got us a lead played the right way.

They played D, they passed the ball, and pushed.

I honestly think we’d be a better team running those guys and inserting Keegan with them vs playing the vets that refuse to pass the damn ball or play defense.

 

[Srzly]

I really liked Doug as a player and an announcer. I dislike him as a coach quite a bit.
Insane that Keon barely plays and that Devin Carter is racking up DNP-CD

He couldn’t give a logical answer when asked why second unit (that included Keon) that played well didn’t go back in.

He just says some BS like “the game dictates things sometimes. I’ll have to go watch the tape.” Huh?? It makes no sense.

You don’t play the young guys that were playing the right way so we can watch Russ, Zach and DDR take turns playing 1v1? Doug has been brutal so far.

 

[Spike]

He couldn’t give a logical answer when asked why second unit (that included Keon) that played well didn’t go back in.

There is a logical answer. Whether or not a front office will acknowledge that answer is another question altogether.

 

[The_Jamal]

He couldn’t give a logical answer when asked why second unit (that included Keon) that played well didn’t go back in.

He just says some BS like “the game dictates things sometimes. I’ll have to go watch the tape.” Huh?? It makes no sense.

You don’t play the young guys that were playing the right way so we can watch Russ, Zach and DDR take turns playing 1v1? Doug has been brutal so far.

Yeah, I don't understand it. His philosophy is just to keep going back to vets, no matter the game flow or whats happening on the floor. It's cost us quite a bit this year.

I'm not saying just bench the vets entirely either. But we've seen the bench several times throughout this year that got us back into the game, or at least we're playing far more competitive basketball... and just not get rewarded for it

 

[Tetsujin]

Yeah, I don't understand it. His philosophy is just to keep going back to vets, no matter the game flow or whats happening on the floor. It's cost us quite a bit this year.

I'm not saying just bench the vets entirely either. But we've seen the bench several times throughout this year that got us back into the game, or at least we're playing far more competitive basketball... and just not get rewarded for it

It’s rotation via payroll hit. At least with Domas out and Eubanks being pure cheeks, we’re seeing Max get a bunch of minutes to develop (and it’s already paying dividends).