[Game] 59/82: Kings @ Grizzlies 23 FEB 2026, 5pm PT/8pm ET

[ShastaKingsFan]

Well, can't lose em all! I ain't mad. I can't imagine us picking higher than 5 either way.



How did he look? Those are super solid numbers

Didn't look any more impactful than Colby Jones would have, if given the same time and freedom on the floor

 

[KingsRUs]

Murphy happens to be one of the five.


Everything is relative: Murray is in the Top 25 percent of productivity in his salary range. That's as close to "very good" as makes no difference.

Illustrate how. I’m open to giving him more credit

 

[Joshyjosh31]

If Keegan had enough games played to be eligible for the leader boards, he would be in a three-way tie with Rudy Gobert and Scottie Barnes for 8th in the league at 1.6 blocks per game. It sure would be nice to see him knock down shots at the same clip he did in his rookie season, but that was in a functional offense where he was the 4th or 5th option not what we have now. And he has added a new skill to his repertoire every year. Three-point sniper, perimeter stopper, strong secondary rebounder, and now shot-blocking specialist. We need him to stay healthy and stay aggressive. If he can do that, I think his game will speak for itself.

No he may not be Kawhi Leonard but Kawhi has an argument for being the best player in the league. There are several levels of great below that which are still worthy of a 4th overall pick.

Crazy work

 

[SacTownKid]

Didn't look any more impactful than Colby Jones would have, if given the same time and freedom on the floor

Impact in a game like this is hard to judge. That was a glorified pick up game. haha.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Impact in a game like this is hard to judge. That was a glorified pick up game. haha.

Do you think he produces more impact than Colby Jones, if both had been given equal time in the same situation through a season?

 

[hrdboild]

Crazy work

I don't think you understood that sentence, or I could have phrased it better. I was correlating a different skill to each year of his career. In his rookie season he shot 41.1% on 501 3pt attempts. I have since gone back and edited for clarity.

 

[SacTownKid]

Do you think he produces more impact than Colby Jones, if both had been given equal time in the same situation through a season?

Ah, they're probably somewhat similar. Utility guys that can't really hang their hat on any one thing but do a little bit of everything somewhat well.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Illustrate how. I’m open to giving him more credit

I feel like, if you were open to giving Murray "more credit," you wouldn't need to have anything "illustrated" for you.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

I don't think you understood that sentence, or I could have phrased it better. I was correlating a different skill to each year of his career. In his rookie season he shot 41.1% on 501 3pt attempts.

We’re in year 4 he’s regressed every year shooing the three he’s not a sniper at what point is the rookie shooting gonna stop being brought up. He’s been under 35% for three straight seasons that’s a below average shooter with an outliner rookie season but cue the out of position nonsense

 

[SacTownKid]

If Keegan had enough games played to be eligible for the leader boards, he would be in a three-way tie with Rudy Gobert and Scottie Barnes for 8th in the league at 1.6 blocks per game. It sure would be nice to see him knock down shots at the same clip he did in his rookie season, but that was in a functional offense where he was the 4th or 5th option not what we have now. And he has added a new skill to his repertoire every year. Three-point sniper, perimeter stopper, strong secondary rebounder, and now shot-blocking specialist. We need him to stay healthy and stay aggressive. If he can do that, I think his game will speak for itself.

No he may not be Kawhi Leonard but Kawhi has an argument for being the best player in the league. There are several levels of great below that which are still worthy of a 4th overall pick.

These are all things he basically did in college too. His shot blocking was about like this in college. The issue for Keegan is now, unlike his rookie year, is that his 3's aren't being drawn up for him and assissted as much. I'd say he definitely needs at least a preseason where the staff is like OK, you're the man now. Him just going out there and being a teams Tatum isn't a good call because he simply isn't Tatum nor have they even developed him to be that. They wanted a 3 and D role guy and that's kind of what he is now and just like almost every other shooter on the team his 3 ball is suffering because the offense is trash. This game was the first in awhile that guys were hitting shots and part of it is because the Grizz were so bad defensively that they better hit those.

 

[NewArena]

No 30 game losing streaks over here, baby! Light it!!

 

[hrdboild]

We’re in year 4 he’s regressed every year shooing the three he’s not a sniper at what point is the rookie shooting gonna stop being brought up. He’s been under 35% for three straight seasons that’s a below average shooter with an outliner rookie season but cue the out of position nonsense

Well as long as we're dwelling on everything he does not do, maybe it's worth also pointing out the things he does do? The shooting has regressed from that first year, yes (though with the obvious caveat that this team had an elite offense in his rookie season where everyone had a role and now we have chaos) but the defense, rebounding, ballhandling, and playmaking have all improved.

 

[dude12]

Jesus Chriminy, Keegan Murray is the least of the Kings concerns.

 

[Spike]

Jesus Chriminy, Keegan Murray is the least of the Kings concerns.

It's what we do. We pick our best player and deem him worthless if he isn't prime Jordan.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It's what we do. We pick our best player and deem him worthless if he isn't prime Jordan.

It's the fans fault. That's what's really wrong with this organization

 

[Tetsujin]

Ah, they're probably somewhat similar. Utility guys that can't really hang their hat on any one thing but do a little bit of everything somewhat well.

I think Nique is better/more refined than Colby in almost every aspect thought. After a rough start to the year, Nique’s been a fairly competent shooter from the perimeter (need him to up his volume though), has midrange counters Colby never really showed in the NBA, and is a much better passer than him. Colby on the other hand sort of never really figured out how to become a passable offensive cog beyond putting up big numbers in the G-League with the ColSlaw Jones Stockton Kings.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

I think Nique is better/more refined than Colby in almost every aspect thought. After a rough start to the year, Nique’s been a fairly competent shooter from the perimeter (need him to up his volume though), has midrange counters Colby never really showed in the NBA, and is a much better passer than him. Colby on the other hand sort of never really figured out how to become a passable offensive cog beyond putting up big numbers in the G-League with the ColSlaw Jones Stockton Kings.

Jones didn't get nearly the time and opportunity to settle into any kind of rhythm, as he didn't play during a rebuild season. Most of us, including yourself, commented on the skill set and potential that was there

 

[NewArena]

Nice to see Nique filling up the stat sheet. 5 steals is crazy

 

[NewArena]

I'm perfectly fine giving him a pass for this season. Hurt all year and now stepping back into a complete crap-show with a team in disarray. I'd love to see a 40% finish from 3 like he did the last 40 games of last year, but I understand why if he doesn't.

I know yall are a prisoner of small sample sizes around here, but he gave real proof to close last season (270 attempts, 44 games at 38%) that his shot WAS indeed back. And unfortunately just had a lost year this season due to injuries.

This!

 

[KingsRUs]

It's what we do. We pick our best player and deem him worthless if he isn't prime Jordan.

Yes, Domas was being piled on a bit

I know some fans just wanted him shipped out but he wants to be here and maybe this will be a short rebuild if they don’t screw up this pick (Christie and the org not coaching for wins, and make the right top selection)

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026138244107084085

 

[dude12]

Killian Hayes can’t shoot. Meanwhile, Memphis had some guard that no one has heard of go for 20 points.
When Baldwin plays, I’m sure he’s also going to look like he belongs in the G League

 

[The_Jamal]

Y’all call him prime Kawhi when he has a good game but when he sucks for weeks on end it’s excuses

I'll rip $50 to a charity of your choice right now if you quote me saying Keegan is prime Kawhi (when we obviously weren't joking during a game thread because he probably had an awesome play)

 

[The_Jamal]

Killian Hayes can’t shoot. Meanwhile, Memphis had some guard that no one has heard of go for 20 points.
When Baldwin plays, I’m sure he’s also going to look like he belongs in the G League

Didn't catch the game, but I do like seeing the 4 assists and 0 TO. The 0-4 from 3 and 5 fouls, not so much

 

[Srzly]

I’ll never understand the hate Keegan gets from Kings fans.

 

[admira1]

Kings need to seriously get up to the 2nd worst slot. DO NOT WANT A 47% chance of PICK 5! Might as well have a slight chance of 6 because there probably isn't much of a difference at that point. Lets get some more W's!

So you don't want 47% chance at 5, but you DO want 47% chance at 5 OR 6? 2nd worst slot doesn't increase our chances at anything except falling a slot...

 

[GWD]

I’ll never understand the hate Keegan gets from Kings fans.

Not sure about the "hate" part. Maybe "disappointment" is a more accurate depiction.

After his impressive rookie year there was an expectation that Keegan would become the next Kawhi (as described above and at the time). That development didn't materialize so it could be argued that he now performs below expectations. However, the Kawhi hill is a steep climb for any player.

The bottom line is that he is a productive asset to this team and would be so for any team. There remains some development space that he could achieve if his role were differently defined here or on another team that could better develop his talents and uses.

Being a fan of Keegan is easy and, hopefully, he finds his calling either here or on a team that recognizes and further develops his strengths. As of now, he seems to be in a self-taught mode.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I'll rip $50 to a charity of your choice right now if you quote me saying Keegan is prime Kawhi (when we obviously weren't joking during a game thread because he probably had an awesome play)

Put me down for $100, and I won't even exclude the qualifier of "I was joking."

 

[hrdboild]

I’ll never understand the hate Keegan gets from Kings fans.

If you're not scoring, we don't want ya! Unless you're on a minimum contract, in which case you can do no wrong. (We being an imprecise term which doesn't necessarily include all Kings fans).

 

[hrdboild]

Not sure about the "hate" part. Maybe "disappointment" is a more accurate depiction.

After his impressive rookie year there was an expectation that Keegan would become the next Kawhi (as described above and at the time). That development didn't materialize so it could be argued that he now performs below expectations. However, the Kawhi hill is a steep climb for any player.

The bottom line is that he is a productive asset to this team and would be so for any team. There remains some development space that he could achieve if his role were differently defined here or on another team that could better develop his talents and uses.

Being a fan of Keegan is easy and, hopefully, he finds his calling either here or on a team that recognizes and further develops his strengths. As of now, he seems to be in a self-taught mode.

I agree with the overall intent and tone of your post, but...

At no time ever has there been an expectation that Keegan would become the next Kawhi. He was primarily looked at as a scorer coming out of college who could hopefully hold his own on defense. Him developing into a stopper in his second year shocked the hell out of pretty much everyone. That is maybe when the name Kawhi started to be invoked, whispered rather than shouted, as a kind of best-case scenario / euphoria induced delusion. Really we were all just happy to be watching winning Kings basketball again.