[Game] 28/82: Kings vs. Lakers 19 DEC 2024 7pm PT/10pm ET
- Thread starter QWERTYLICIOUS
- Start date
- Status
Too many times we play without that fire, that edge, that aggression, etc. We saw what that looked liked when we initially brought Crowder on board and gave him some minutes, but Crowder is, at best, a 10 mpg type of player. It's hard to generate that infectious energy when you're essentially out of the rotation.
I'm not completely sold on the fit, but I wonder what having a guy like Isaiah Stewart on this roster logging 20-25 minutes a night would do for this team. Stewart's energy and effort could be infectious, and he has that "never back down" mentality and isn't afraid to mix it up and protect his teammates.
Perhaps Stewart can be somewhat like Draymond is for the Warriors.
I'm not completely sold on the fit, but I wonder what having a guy like Isaiah Stewart on this roster logging 20-25 minutes a night would do for this team. Stewart's energy and effort could be infectious, and he has that "never back down" mentality and isn't afraid to mix it up and protect his teammates.
Perhaps Stewart can be somewhat like Draymond is for the Warriors.
Yeah. I think this starts with Fox, if we're being totally honest. Domas brings it every game. Monk may not always be effective, but he's never coasting when he's on the floor. He's always playing with energy.
Fox gets far too passive, way too often. He's fine going whole halves where he's not really involved; that just can never be the case. And you see it almost immediately when he decides to turn up and put his imprint on the game. We can talk about the ancillary guys till we're blue in the face, but it has to start with Fox being the SGA/Luka level talent that he possess... every single game. The Keegan Murray's/Huerter and even DDR/Monk types don't really matter if our top guy isn't playing like the top 10-15 guy he's supposed to be night in and night out.
I think Brown was 100% correct in his valuation of Fox. He can't wait for someone to pee him off to turn up. He has to be at that level, all the time. That's what's expected of him as a franchise player and someone who wants to be called a top 10 guy. You don't get "off nights" when you're that guy.
Fox gets far too passive, way too often. He's fine going whole halves where he's not really involved; that just can never be the case. And you see it almost immediately when he decides to turn up and put his imprint on the game. We can talk about the ancillary guys till we're blue in the face, but it has to start with Fox being the SGA/Luka level talent that he possess... every single game. The Keegan Murray's/Huerter and even DDR/Monk types don't really matter if our top guy isn't playing like the top 10-15 guy he's supposed to be night in and night out.
I think Brown was 100% correct in his valuation of Fox. He can't wait for someone to pee him off to turn up. He has to be at that level, all the time. That's what's expected of him as a franchise player and someone who wants to be called a top 10 guy. You don't get "off nights" when you're that guy.
IMO, this FO is gonna have to start with the one thing they didn’t want to do, moving Fox. Fox has stated twice recently that he wants to be on a winner. This team can’t go into the offseason hoping they can resign him. They gotta be proactive and move him now, which effectively signals total rebuild. It’s over with this core. It’s time to blow the whole thing up.
Tell me if I’m off base here, which I wouldn’t doubt cause I’ve been out of the kings game for so damn long.
I would keep Murray and Ellis, that’s it. Everyone else is available. Or should everyone be available? And does a total rebuild mean Brown has to go to?
Tell me if I’m off base here, which I wouldn’t doubt cause I’ve been out of the kings game for so damn long.
I would keep Murray and Ellis, that’s it. Everyone else is available. Or should everyone be available? And does a total rebuild mean Brown has to go to?
Last edited:
It's be pretty rare for a team to stick with Monte/Brown in a total blow-up/rebuild scenario. Probably only like Pop/Spo/Kerr would get that sort of trust from their team in the current NBA landscape.
And yeah, I'm not entirely sure what the deal with this team is. The 3pt defense/shooting has been well-noted. but for whatever reason, this team just isn't clicking the way it should be. It's shown signs of being a 50+ win juggernaut, but then they'll have these 3-8 minute stretches where they forget to play basketball. Or like that start to the DEN game where we spotted them like 20 points in the 1Q because we came out flat coming off 3+ days off. Is that on Brown? Is that on Fox for not setting the tone? Is that the supporting cast like Keegan/Huerter/Lyles underperforming offensively?
And yeah, I'm not entirely sure what the deal with this team is. The 3pt defense/shooting has been well-noted. but for whatever reason, this team just isn't clicking the way it should be. It's shown signs of being a 50+ win juggernaut, but then they'll have these 3-8 minute stretches where they forget to play basketball. Or like that start to the DEN game where we spotted them like 20 points in the 1Q because we came out flat coming off 3+ days off. Is that on Brown? Is that on Fox for not setting the tone? Is that the supporting cast like Keegan/Huerter/Lyles underperforming offensively?
Things could get messy pretty fast if we can’t turn this around. My fear is we struggle, fire Mike, promote Doug, he makes no difference, Fox asks for a trade in the offseason. Now you open up a coaching search with the best player leaving and the General manager on the hot seat. How attractive is that job going to be? Or are they both going to be fired? I assume the dude in San Antonio is the next man up as far as coaching prospects.
Gloom and doom to be sure.
Bottom line is that the team is not performing to their statistical potential. Slab noted how the team is loaded with talent. Blame the refs, the length, injuries, or whatever excuse and still the team is steeped in mediocrity when it should be otherwise (posters on here have pointed out statistical anomalies).
Three potential/actual All-Stars, sharp-shooters Murry and Huerter, even Fox, all underperforming. It is a trend that starts somewhere...one or two players having an off year is reasonable. But essentially the whole team, save Sabonis and Monk, being cooked is an indication that something deeper is going on that we don't know or won't accept.
Bottom line is that the team is not performing to their statistical potential. Slab noted how the team is loaded with talent. Blame the refs, the length, injuries, or whatever excuse and still the team is steeped in mediocrity when it should be otherwise (posters on here have pointed out statistical anomalies).
Three potential/actual All-Stars, sharp-shooters Murry and Huerter, even Fox, all underperforming. It is a trend that starts somewhere...one or two players having an off year is reasonable. But essentially the whole team, save Sabonis and Monk, being cooked is an indication that something deeper is going on that we don't know or won't accept.
I really hate to say this, but if we can find the right piece(s) it is probably time to look at moving Fox. He's our guy, we were lucky to get him, he's our dearest blood and most valuable commodity...but it isn't working. He has a dawg in him, but it sleeps really hard and only wakes up occasionally.
I hope I'm wrong but it's probably time to look at making a move while the value is there, building around a piece that compliments Sabonis as our centerpiece.
I hope I'm wrong but it's probably time to look at making a move while the value is there, building around a piece that compliments Sabonis as our centerpiece.
no sense in doing it now. He has a whole year left on his deal and max guys generally don’t go to free agency as it’s not in their best interest. Play out this year. Try to turn it around and then address the situation either in the off season or at next years deadline. His value is going to be there
for me I’d like to see what the team looks like with Devin Carter and a hypothetical deadline addition before making any further more drastic changes. If we were 10-18 I wouldn’t feel that way but we were .500 last week. The Bucks went from one of the worst teams in the league at the beginning of the season to the favorites to challenge Boston in the East. Things can change super fast in this league.
I was there, the energy from the fans was very dejected. The last keegan three, the "Murraaayyy" was like a groan.
Lebron, AD and Reaves had zero fouls combined with 4 minutes left in the game when Lebron got his first.
All that being said, the fouls that were called on the Kings were fouls. A lot of them dumb fouls, specifically fox and monk.
Keegan's offense has regressed and you can see him hesitate in real time...but, he should make an all defensive team this year. The problem is, he is having to guard 2-3 players. On a play in the 1st he was the primary defender on the pick and roll, fought through, hedged to the right corner then flew across the lane to contest the left corner. It was insane. Like he almost go there too. But regardless, that can't be how we defend as a team.
Lebron, AD and Reaves had zero fouls combined with 4 minutes left in the game when Lebron got his first.
All that being said, the fouls that were called on the Kings were fouls. A lot of them dumb fouls, specifically fox and monk.
Keegan's offense has regressed and you can see him hesitate in real time...but, he should make an all defensive team this year. The problem is, he is having to guard 2-3 players. On a play in the 1st he was the primary defender on the pick and roll, fought through, hedged to the right corner then flew across the lane to contest the left corner. It was insane. Like he almost go there too. But regardless, that can't be how we defend as a team.
I'm trading Keegan before I even entertain Fox. Keegans personality is gonna be useless as a leader in a rebuild so might as well try something different around Fox, Domas, Deebo, Monk before you blow it up. I've said this for a while, truly think this team needs a vocal leader... I feel everyone too placid, nice, ho-hum... What ever you want to call it. Trade KM for a PF with Monks personality. This team needs a Draymond Green type in the lockerroom in the worst way.
- Status