[Game] 21/82: Kings vs. Spurs 01 DEC 2024, 6pm PT/9pm ET

[Srzly]

Definitely has to be an overreaction to helping Domas at the rim. I get why Brown was overboard with it tonight considering the paint points last game, but he's got to realize that the best defense is strong man to man even if he doesn't have strong man to man defenders outside of a few players. Prior to CP3 getting that big 3 as Domas cheated over off that switch (NEVER cheat over on a switch because what's the point of switching?), Domas came up, slid his feet, and trailed Paul into help on one key play. I still think Domas has potential as a mobile pressure big. If not, he's going to be a liability. It is what it is.

Domas has been bad on defense this season. I thought he showed signs of improvement last year but he just doesn’t seem interested in playing on that side of the ball consistently this year. Easy switches, not helping on screens at all, dropping into the paint and covering no one and not closing out on shooters.

If we are game planning to protect Sabonis (which I think we clearly are) then he should at least put in the effort. For anyone brave enough, just go back and watch Sabonis on each defensive possession last game. You’ll see things like this:

 

[Elektrik]

I don’t know Fox personally and maybe you do. But the only real disaster would be Fox walks for nothing. Also facilitating a trade to a place he wants to go is not going to be seen as a negative.

No, I don’t know him and never met him. I don’t know what he’s thinking. However, he is an elite player and whatever you get is not going to replace him. It’s not unlike when Chris Weber was here and he became a free agent. We had billboards by the Magoofs asking him sto stay and that they would cut his grass. Anyway, you commit to the player, show him the love. Make him feel like he’s part of the community and welcome here. It’s a big deal to uproot a family and start over. He has put roots down here. I think it’s too soon to be shopping Fox now. It wreaks of desperation and a lack of confidence in his ability to lead instead of striving for excellence with him at the helm. He is our best player and to give up on him now would be a Pete (the gerbil) D’Alessandro move.

 

[Folsomkingsfan]

I think it’s too soon to be shopping Fox now. It wreaks of desperation and a lack of confidence in his ability to lead instead of striving for excellence with him at the helm. He is our best player and to give up on him now would be a Pete (the gerbil) D’Alessandro move.

He's been here 8 years. He's been the face of the franchise since he arrived (even though we played him behind George Hill his rookie year for some reason). We've shown a huge commitment to him especially when you consider that at no point in his career has he been an elite shooter, facilitator, or defender. I think most people would consider it reasonable if we moved on from Fox at this point.

 

[Tizzy Flip]

He's been here 8 years. He's been the face of the franchise since he arrived (even though we played him behind George Hill his rookie year for some reason). We've shown a huge commitment to him especially when you consider that at no point in his career has he been an elite shooter, facilitator, or defender. I think most people would consider it reasonable if we moved on from Fox at this point.

I mentioned this the last few years and have had some debates: that Fox and Sabonis have some key flaws that made it hard for me to see us contending. I won’t rehash those takes as I’ve made peace with the makeup of our team. Last year, our thesis was we will be on a path to contending if Keegan follows the trajectory we mostly expected…. being an all-star or borderline star who puts up 20+ per game. It’s apparent our leadership thought the same way otherwise we would have pulled the trigger on some rumored deals involving Keegan last year. All of this said, there has to be urgency in the front office that we right the ship before the all star break and Keegan starts playing up to more than just a defensive hound. How we play through January could really determine the 3-5 year future of this team: whether we plan for postseason success, or plan for a rebuild/reload

 

[Tizzy Flip]

Interesting analysis. I would imagine that the poor refereeing commented on by several posters, including myself, had a hand in that 61.2% efficiency in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, NBA games for as long as I can remember tend to ramp up in intensity in the fourth, and San Antonio did that successfully.

Edit: I just watched Malik Monk's postgame comments. He blamed the loss in part to defensive miscommunication, which led to wide-open threes for the other team. That is definitely something that can be corrected. He and Fox can both be very vocal and that may help going forward.

The defensive communication or lack thereof is a major concern. I saw it first hand sitting a few rows right behind the bench during the Portland game. Players confused, Louks giving instruction, players still looking confused. It's hard to execute a defensive gameplan if plans don't understand what they're supposed to do, or there's not alignment to it. Brown in his press conference last night harped about the players not executing on defense. Again, I don't think it's for lack of effort, I think what the players are supposed to be doing is not being practiced or communicated well before and during the game. We look ill-prepared.

 

[est.1999]

If we go like 3-7 or 4-6 in the next 10 games might be time to throw in the towel

 

[pdxKingsFan]

The defensive communication or lack thereof is a major concern. I saw it first hand sitting a few rows right behind the bench during the Portland game. Players confused, Louks giving instruction, players still looking confused. It's hard to execute a defensive gameplan if plans don't understand what they're supposed to do, or there's not alignment to it. Brown in his press conference last night harped about the players not executing on defense. Again, I don't think it's for lack of effort, I think what the players are supposed to be doing is not being practiced or communicated well before and during the game. We look ill-prepared.

The players have had few real practices since the season began because I think it was just two weeks ago we got off the road and had a period of longer than 2 days between games. And for most of that time we've been rotating around a bunch of units due to the injuries.

I think the issue with Keegan wrt your prior post really hinges on him being the only player that can play his assigned role. That's a roster construction issue that goes beyond Keegan struggling on offense. If he misses playing time we're even more screwed.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

The players have had few real practices since the season began because I think it was just two weeks ago we got off the road and had a period of longer than 2 days between games. And for most of that time we've been rotating around a bunch of units due to the injuries.

I think the issue with Keegan wrt your prior post really hinges on him being the only player that can play his assigned role. That's a roster construction issue that goes beyond Keegan struggling on offense. If he misses playing time we're even more screwed.

They're probably screwed if any one of Fox, Sabonis, DeRozan, Monk, or Murray miss games. Nobody can semi fill their roles. So basically hoping for a lot of luck at this point, to even have a chance of making a run to the post season.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

They're probably screwed if any one of Fox, Sabonis, DeRozan, Monk, or Murray miss games. Nobody can semi fill their roles. So basically hoping for a lot of luck at this point, to even have a chance of making a run to the post season.

In theory I would think we could withstand short term absence of one of Fox/DDR/Monk (like 2-3 games) but you're right. We have somehow zero margin for injury despite our salary being a little more evenly distributed than that of the teams with 3 max guys.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

In theory I would think we could withstand short term absence of one of Fox/DDR/Monk (like 2-3 games) but you're right. We have somehow zero margin for injury despite our salary being a little more evenly distributed than that of the teams with 3 max guys.

One of the nice things with the 22/23 team, is they were not nearly as limited in this aspect. Sure, they were fortunate to avoid injures, but they could also plug in Terence Davis or Metu and still function as a good enough team to be .500 or better

 

[iowamcnabb]

The tough part about this year is there are only two bad teams (not counting injury ravaged teams-NO, Philly) Those teams are Utah and Washington. The rest of the lottery teams are stuffed with talent and have a chance to win on any given night. Hell we are in the lottery and have THREE all star level players

 

[Kingster]

The tough part about this year is there are only two bad teams (not counting injury ravaged teams-NO, Philly) Those teams are Utah and Washington. The rest of the lottery teams are stuffed with talent and have a chance to win on any given night. Hell we are in the lottery and have THREE all star level players

Just shows you how important chemistry is to a team. Heck, if the salaries could work and the Bucks would be amenable we could send Murray to the Bucks for Lillard and then we'd have four all star level players. That wouldn't work either.

 

[SacTownKid]

The Kings can still turn this around with this build but I think they should have followed the Nuggets blueprint in terms of building and as talented as he is I don't think they needed Demar. They needed an Aaron Gordon (Issac Jones showed some of that). It's a shame Jerami Grant was so expensive contract wise.

If Kings fans honestly believe that DeMar is junking up the offense then Zach LaVine would have been a better fit easily. His game was totally suited for the one the Kings had. That said, DeRozan at his contract and abilities is clearly the winner if you had to choose between the two.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

If Kings fans honestly believe that DeMar is junking up the offense then Zach LaVine would have been a better fit easily. His game was totally suited for the one the Kings had. That said, DeRozan at his contract and abilities is clearly the winner if you had to choose between the two.

Blows my mind that anyone is watching this close and trying to somehow blame DeRozan

 

[SacTownKid]

Domas has been bad on defense this season. I thought he showed signs of improvement last year but he just doesn’t seem interested in playing on that side of the ball consistently this year. Easy switches, not helping on screens at all, dropping into the paint and covering no one and not closing out on shooters.

If we are game planning to protect Sabonis (which I think we clearly are) then he should at least put in the effort. For anyone brave enough, just go back and watch Sabonis on each defensive possession last game. You’ll see things like this:

View attachment 12962

He's had bad moments and yeah, now that he's getting frustrated (and who wouldn't with all those knock out blows and elbows when he does press up, lol) he's starting to lose focus. However, that drop can't possibly be Domas' idea. That's direction because if it wasn't, it's either corrected or he's benched. One thing that's also notable is the Kings tend to play this kind of drop against lob threats. The Blazers are a team that sets up behind the defense and this year Domas has gotten tree topped more than a few times.

 

[SacTownKid]

And the key play where Domas cheated on the switch. You can't do it and certainly not like this. Domas isn't taking any passing lanes away, nor is he actually committing to digging down. This is kind of where I would have liked to see what Fox was able to do 1 v 1. Monk strugged defending the post in that position, but Fox is a lot stronger. We've seen over the years these tall skinny guys, Porzingis being another main, one thinking they can back him right down and then find themselves taking an off balance shot. Fox was doing his job, not giving up position. Domas definitely screwed the pooch on this one but the Kings knew enough to make sure Fox was involved in the switch. Also, this is another example where other teams might send up another player on those pick and rolls. Everyone knew a switch was going to be forced. The Spurs were riding it to hell and back. Sorry, that's on the coaches for them watching Monk get blasted plays prior and not switching other players sooner by changing the matchups or having a help defender come up and take the switch.

 

[iowamcnabb]

 

[BenchMob]

The defensive communication or lack thereof is a major concern. I saw it first hand sitting a few rows right behind the bench during the Portland game. Players confused, Louks giving instruction, players still looking confused. It's hard to execute a defensive gameplan if plans don't understand what they're supposed to do, or there's not alignment to it. Brown in his press conference last night harped about the players not executing on defense. Again, I don't think it's for lack of effort, I think what the players are supposed to be doing is not being practiced or communicated well before and during the game. We look ill-prepared.

So I ask this again, why cant we go back to the defense scheme last year, I dont remember all this defense communication issues even though we did stink until the 2nd half of last year. Is it because Jordi is gone and Louks put this new scheme in place? Same players (except for Demar) worse results.

 

[SacTownKid]

So I ask this again, why cant we go back to the defense scheme last year, I dont remember all this defense communication issues even though we did stink until the 2nd half of last year. Is it because Jordi is gone and Louks put this new scheme in place? Same players (except for Demar) worse results.

What part of the year? haha. The start of the season was this. The end, wasn't this. The Kings didn't win much because the offense fell off but the defense was pretty dang good.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

So I ask this again, why cant we go back to the defense scheme last year, I dont remember all this defense communication issues even though we did stink until the 2nd half of last year. Is it because Jordi is gone and Louks put this new scheme in place? Same players (except for Demar) worse results.

Fernandez was known to be good enough around the league, to earn team Canada's head coaching position and to be hired as an NBA head coach.

I can't imagine anyone trying to claim that Luke is as qualified

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1863704440303157565

frankly I’m not even surprised anymore.

 

[Tetsujin]

One thing about no longer having HB is that teams are no longer so intent on cooking him off the dribble that they’ve realized they can just shoot as many threes on the Kings as they want.

 

[iowamcnabb]

 

[SacTownKid]

So, Domas F'd up according to Brown. The thing is though this isn't something new to the Kings when they do switch. Frustrating. IMO letting Monk get stuck on Wembanyama for more than 1 play was a mistake too.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1863704440303157565

frankly I’m not even surprised anymore.

Absolute Clown League.

Argentum delendum est

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Fernandez was known to be good enough around the league, to earn team Canada's head coaching position and to be hired as an NBA head coach.

I can't imagine anyone trying to claim that Luke is as qualified

Do we actually have a new scheme? Our 3pt defense is equally bad teams have just adjusted for how bad we are by shooting more of them (or it's also equally possible that they just shoot more as a whole because that has been the non-stop trend of the league the last decade and a half).

I feel like personnel changes are at least as likely to blame as solely Jordi and some other back bench guys. And I like Jordi and hated to lose him but I don't know how you justify firing Brown to promote Jordi - like if I was Jordi I wouldn't even take the job under those conditions. Every player has one assistant tied to them so I think the focus that Luke was Fox's coach may also be overstated a bit. No easy answer tbh. I still think we blew it not drafting a guy to fill the front line. But Carter seems like a real talent, so the sooner he is back to at least see what we've got the better.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Do we actually have a new scheme? Our 3pt defense is equally bad teams have just adjusted for how bad we are by shooting more of them (or it's also equally possible that they just shoot more as a whole because that has been the non-stop trend of the league the last decade and a half).

I feel like personnel changes are at least as likely to blame as solely Jordi and some other back bench guys. And I like Jordi and hated to lose him but I don't know how you justify firing Brown to promote Jordi - like if I was Jordi I wouldn't even take the job under those conditions. Every player has one assistant tied to them so I think the focus that Luke was Fox's coach may also be overstated a bit. No easy answer tbh. I still think we blew it not drafting a guy to fill the front line. But Carter seems like a real talent, so the sooner he is back to at least see what we've got the better.

When you consider that Fox has brought Luke along with him on vacations so that he can train with him, I don't think it's overstated to say that he's "his coach". No other coach is personally as close to Fox.

Carter could definitely be a good NBA player, but he's going to have to be really good in order to be more valuable than Knecht....who is not even a front line guy.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

When you consider that Fox has brought Luke along with him on vacations so that he can train with him, I don't think it's overstated to say that he's "his coach". No other coach is personally as close to Fox.

Right what I am saying is the Kings have assigned one assistant to each player. The Kings assigned Luke to Fox, Fox didn't say "hire my personal guy" which seems to occasionally be the implication. Luke was highly regarded as part of Brown's initial hires.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Right what I am saying is the Kings have assigned one assistant to each player. The Kings assigned Luke to Fox, Fox didn't say "hire my personal guy" which seems to occasionally be the implication. Luke was highly regarded as part of Brown's initial hires.

I'm not sure what you're getting at here. That Luke is the best defensive coach they could have found to work with Brown and he's actually qualified for that position and doing a good job?

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I'm not sure what you're getting at here. That Luke is the best defensive coach they could have found to work with Brown and he's actually qualified for that position and doing a good job?

Brown brought him over and assigned him to Fox. He isn't Fox's Boy and untouchable, as some people have implied.