Keegan “KEEGAN MURRAY” Murray

I'm really excited to see what Keegan can do with his offseason. He made huge strides on defense from year one to year two so now its back to growing his offensive game. He actually made a lot of strides on that end as well but still has plenty to work on. His rookie year he got blocked at the rim a bunch and he drastically reduced that. He is a big body and strong, he must take it to the rack hard every time and he will get a few more trips to the line. I liked the midrange improvement but he can do more. Use that size. I don't have the numbers but he was below 30 percent from 3 for the first two months of the season, really dragging down his percentage. His final number was not bad considering that start. The handle is closer to Jimmer than Kyrie haha so that is the second biggest improvement we need from him other than consistent aggression. I actually think he has some playmaking skills buried in there, he doesn't turn the ball over and makes mostly sharp passes. If he can drive and kick for a mouth watering spray three, Mike will be thrilled. My target for him is 18 points a game and 38 percent or higher from 3 in this third year.
 
Let's keep the expectations higher. Keegan should be at least MPJ with defense. He should develop to be the #2 scorer with 20+ PPG 7+ RPG 2+ APG 1+ BPG 1+ SPG. He needs to develop an aggressive mindset and learn to use his strong body and length. He needs to understand that he can get a shot off anytime with his high release without worrying about getting blocked. It's a matter of identifying your spots on the floor and getting to it. Once you get to your spot, it's just a practice shot. He's sneaky athletic and has improved his vertical since getting to the league. He should be a lob threat and provide vertical spacing for the Kings offense.

There's a stark difference in his performance at home (17.5 PTS 5.8 RBS @ 47.5FG% 40.3 3PT%) vs the road (13 PTS 5.1 RBS @ 43.1FG% 30.9 3PT%). He needs to come out of his comfort zone with friendly crowds and embrace the hostility of an away crowd. He had good mental discipline but he needs to stop second guessing himself. When he does that, the turnovers and hurried shots come and he goes into a shell retreating to the corners instead of trying to get open. His lack of ball handling means he is dependent on others and play calls. Improved ballhandling and well designed play calls from the coaches should blow open his ceiling. Dare I say that we have underutilized Keegan. He would have been a 20+ PPG guy with the Warriors.

Overall, for a guy who was panned at the draft for having a "low ceiling", he has shown enough to support Monte's conviction. He needs to realize that being timid is doing a disservice to his talents. He has the pathway to become a legit two way Star but whether he will rise to it will come down to his mentality.
 
I'm really excited to see what Keegan can do with his offseason. He made huge strides on defense from year one to year two so now its back to growing his offensive game. He actually made a lot of strides on that end as well but still has plenty to work on. His rookie year he got blocked at the rim a bunch and he drastically reduced that. He is a big body and strong, he must take it to the rack hard every time and he will get a few more trips to the line. I liked the midrange improvement but he can do more. Use that size. I don't have the numbers but he was below 30 percent from 3 for the first two months of the season, really dragging down his percentage. His final number was not bad considering that start. The handle is closer to Jimmer than Kyrie haha so that is the second biggest improvement we need from him other than consistent aggression. I actually think he has some playmaking skills buried in there, he doesn't turn the ball over and makes mostly sharp passes. If he can drive and kick for a mouth watering spray three, Mike will be thrilled. My target for him is 18 points a game and 38 percent or higher from 3 in this third year.
He needs to learn the high post from Domas.
 
Let's keep the expectations higher. Keegan should be at least MPJ with defense. He should develop to be the #2 scorer with 20+ PPG 7+ RPG 2+ APG 1+ BPG 1+ SPG. He needs to develop an aggressive mindset and learn to use his strong body and length. He needs to understand that he can get a shot off anytime with his high release without worrying about getting blocked. It's a matter of identifying your spots on the floor and getting to it. Once you get to your spot, it's just a practice shot. He's sneaky athletic and has improved his vertical since getting to the league. He should be a lob threat and provide vertical spacing for the Kings offense.

There's a stark difference in his performance at home (17.5 PTS 5.8 RBS @ 47.5FG% 40.3 3PT%) vs the road (13 PTS 5.1 RBS @ 43.1FG% 30.9 3PT%). He needs to come out of his comfort zone with friendly crowds and embrace the hostility of an away crowd. He had good mental discipline but he needs to stop second guessing himself. When he does that, the turnovers and hurried shots come and he goes into a shell retreating to the corners instead of trying to get open. His lack of ball handling means he is dependent on others and play calls. Improved ballhandling and well designed play calls from the coaches should blow open his ceiling. Dare I say that we have underutilized Keegan. He would have been a 20+ PPG guy with the Warriors.

Overall, for a guy who was panned at the draft for having a "low ceiling", he has shown enough to support Monte's conviction. He needs to realize that being timid is doing a disservice to his talents. He has the pathway to become a legit two way Star but whether he will rise to it will come down to his mentality.
Agree with all of this. If we want to make a big leap next year, his year 3 trajectory needs to closely mirror Scottie Barnes
 
Let's keep the expectations higher. Keegan should be at least MPJ with defense. He should develop to be the #2 scorer with 20+ PPG 7+ RPG 2+ APG 1+ BPG 1+ SPG. He needs to develop an aggressive mindset and learn to use his strong body and length. He needs to understand that he can get a shot off anytime with his high release without worrying about getting blocked. It's a matter of identifying your spots on the floor and getting to it. Once you get to your spot, it's just a practice shot. He's sneaky athletic and has improved his vertical since getting to the league. He should be a lob threat and provide vertical spacing for the Kings offense.

There's a stark difference in his performance at home (17.5 PTS 5.8 RBS @ 47.5FG% 40.3 3PT%) vs the road (13 PTS 5.1 RBS @ 43.1FG% 30.9 3PT%). He needs to come out of his comfort zone with friendly crowds and embrace the hostility of an away crowd. He had good mental discipline but he needs to stop second guessing himself. When he does that, the turnovers and hurried shots come and he goes into a shell retreating to the corners instead of trying to get open. His lack of ball handling means he is dependent on others and play calls. Improved ballhandling and well designed play calls from the coaches should blow open his ceiling. Dare I say that we have underutilized Keegan. He would have been a 20+ PPG guy with the Warriors.

Overall, for a guy who was panned at the draft for having a "low ceiling", he has shown enough to support Monte's conviction. He needs to realize that being timid is doing a disservice to his talents. He has the pathway to become a legit two way Star but whether he will rise to it will come down to his mentality.
I agree that MPJ + is a really good outcome for him. Numbers wise he isn’t far off, MPJ averaged 16.7 this year to Keegan’s 15.2. 20 ppg is certainly possible but I think it’s tougher to get there than people think, Porter’s career high was 19 a game a few years ago. As you said aggression is the key and also not sucking from 3 for 2 months would help haha.
 
Good interview with Fox this morning and he had some interesting things to say about Murray's development: he needs to get better as a ball handler, especially with the pick and roll and he needs to be willing to "not give a damn" if he doesn't make shots and continue to be aggressive. Murray's game was affected when he wasn't making shots, per Fox.
I think that checks out. He had some absolutely monster games/stretches offensively this season, but if he struggled a bit, he went right back to being rookie defer everything version of Keegan.

I think what Fox is saying is it doesn't matter if he starts 0-7. Dude better still be firing and putting up shots because they need him to be that guy offensively (especially if we lose Monk) next season.
 

dude12

Hall of Famer
I’m going to bet that Monte is exploring trade ideas involving Keegan but with the stipulation that we would be getting a young borderline all-star in return that is already established…..like the Haliburton and Domas trade.

I don’t think it will happen but I think you need to look at it. The difference between trading Hali and Keegan is that we had Fox at the same position as Hali. Don’t really have a replacement on the roster as good as Keegan.
 
I’m going to bet that Monte is exploring trade ideas involving Keegan but with the stipulation that we would be getting a young borderline all-star in return that is already established…..like the Haliburton and Domas trade.

I don’t think it will happen but I think you need to look at it. The difference between trading Hali and Keegan is that we had Fox at the same position as Hali. Don’t really have a replacement on the roster as good as Keegan.
Gosh, I really hope Monte does not trade Keegan. It would be a Hali situation all over again where we send out a young upcoming stud for more immediate help. Trading Hali was bearable only because we had 2 stud PGs. I don’t think I could stand watching Keegan blossom somewhere else.

Monte needs to move anyone not named Fox, Sabonis, and Keegan to improve the roster.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
It would be foolish to trade Keegan because you'd have to trade a lot more salary to get equal value and presumably you want more immediate returns. You'd probably have to trade 3 contracts to get a guy whose current production matches Keegan's potential, then go and backfill those players. When we're already at risk of losing Monk.

If there is a godfather type deal ok sure but some kind of panic move because you won 46 games and in a fluke missed the playoffs that is a surefire way back to suckitude.
 
Gosh, I really hope Monte does not trade Keegan. It would be a Hali situation all over again where we send out a young upcoming stud for more immediate help. Trading Hali was bearable only because we had 2 stud PGs. I don’t think I could stand watching Keegan blossom somewhere else.

Monte needs to move anyone not named Fox, Sabonis, and Keegan to improve the roster.
I don’t think it will be a Haliburton situation because I think Hali showed flashes of being a franchise player. Keegan’s upside would be an elite wing, but not a franchise guy. But that is my concern as well. What if we trade away Keegan and he has newfound confidence out of nowhere and turns into a 23+ppg scorer? Don’t think any of us could stomach that…

I would only consider moving Keegan for an established star who makes us a true playoff threat.

I agree that MPJ + is a really good outcome for him. Numbers wise he isn’t far off, MPJ averaged 16.7 this year to Keegan’s 15.2. 20 ppg is certainly possible but I think it’s tougher to get there than people think, Porter’s career high was 19 a game a few years ago. As you said aggression is the key and also not sucking from 3 for 2 months would help haha.
I’m a huge MPJ fan and would’ve happily taken him at #2 in the Luka draft. MPJ is an elite shooter on a completely different level than Keegan. I don’t think they have much similarities in their games aside from being tall shooting forwards who have perceived limited self-creation. I think MPJ holds back on his scoring and shot creating because he knows his that Denver needs his role to be an elite floor spacer on their championship team.

With that being said, I think Keegan has potential to be a better scorer than MPJ. I think Keegan has true potential to be a 3-level scorer and can provide down-hill attacking with the ability to stop and hit turn around jumpers or take it all the way to the hoop. We haven’t seen it consistently from him, but it’s there. He has that skillset, but I think he lacks the confidence. He’s a good shooter, but I don’t think he’s good enough to fall back on it like this. I don’t like us trying to make him a supersized Klay, I don’t think his stroke is on that level. Have to make him put the ball on the floor a lot more, especially when teams attack the DHO the way they have during our loses. When his 3pt shot doesn’t fall, he has to find other ways to get points.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
I think that checks out. He had some absolutely monster games/stretches offensively this season, but if he struggled a bit, he went right back to being rookie defer everything version of Keegan.

I think what Fox is saying is it doesn't matter if he starts 0-7. Dude better still be firing and putting up shots because they need him to be that guy offensively (especially if we lose Monk) next season.
Yes. Murray's development has more to do with what is between the ears than in any particular skill. I still say the best thing I've ever seen him do is run like a freaking fast moving train around a screen at top of the 3-point line, receive the ball, stop on a dime, and bury the 3. I just don't know why we don't see more of that. It's incredibly difficult to defend from that spot on the floor, and if the opposing team does defend it then an easy back-door is available. So why doesn't the coaching staff demand more of that?
 

Nobody looks like they’re have a worse/better time doing something than Keegan Murray
If he can add a few pounds of muscle and keep it on during the season that will go a long way. I expect him to come in to next season with legit shoulder development. I was watching rookie Fox vids, it's crazy how much he developed physically.
 
If he can add a few pounds of muscle and keep it on during the season that will go a long way. I expect him to come in to next season with legit shoulder development. I was watching rookie Fox vids, it's crazy how much he developed physically.
Remember that he is trapped in the current system. Let's start a movement, "FREE KEEGAN".

Meet at the I Street Bridge and shut it down! o_O
 
I fired up ChatGPT and was going to copy and paste about 10 paragraphs telling you why you're wrong here but apparently ChatGPT hasn't been updated since January 2022 and doesn't know that Keegan Murray is on the Kings yet.

Consider yourself lucky.
I think we can skip the whole nonsense and have your ChatGPT talk with my ChatGPT.
 
I fired up ChatGPT and was going to copy and paste about 10 paragraphs telling you why you're wrong here but apparently ChatGPT hasn't been updated since January 2022 and doesn't know that Keegan Murray is on the Kings yet.

Consider yourself lucky.
You gotta pay for the newer models, here you go
Firstly, De'Aaron Fox is widely recognized as the best player on the Kings. Fox has consistently delivered impressive statistics, including points per game, assists, and steals. His ability to drive the offense and perform in clutch situations has made him an invaluable asset to the team. In the 2022-2023 NBA season, Fox averaged over 25 points and 6 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities.

Secondly, the presence of Domantas Sabonis on the team further challenges the claim. Sabonis is a two-time NBA All-Star, and his contributions go beyond just scoring. He is a dominant rebounder and an adept passer for a big man, often initiating plays from the post. In the 2022-2023 season, Sabonis averaged a double-double, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. His versatility and consistent production make him a cornerstone of the Kings' roster.

Another critical factor is the recognition and awards that players like Fox and Sabonis have received compared to Keegan Murray. Fox's selection to the All-Star game and his recognition as one of the league's best young guards highlight his superior performance. Similarly, Sabonis's All-Star appearances and his impact on multiple teams before joining the Kings underscore his elite status. These accolades are a testament to their skills and contributions, which surpass those of Murray at this stage in his career.

Experience also plays a significant role in evaluating the best player on a team. Both Fox and Sabonis have more NBA experience than Murray, which translates to better decision-making, leadership, and understanding of the game. This experience allows them to perform consistently under pressure and contribute in various ways that a younger player like Murray is still developing.

Additionally, the roles that Fox and Sabonis play on the team are crucial to the Kings' success. Fox, as the point guard, is the primary ball-handler and playmaker, orchestrating the offense and often being the go-to scorer in critical moments. Sabonis, on the other hand, anchors the frontcourt with his rebounding and inside scoring, providing a balance to the team's offensive and defensive strategies. Their established roles and responsibilities are vital to the team's overall dynamics.

Moreover, Keegan Murray, being a younger player, is still in the process of finding his role within the team. While he has shown flashes of potential, his consistency and impact have yet to reach the levels of Fox and Sabonis. Young players often take time to adjust to the NBA's pace and physicality, and Murray is no exception. His development will be key to his future success, but currently, he does not match the contributions of the more seasoned players.

Leadership is another critical aspect where Fox and Sabonis excel. Fox has emerged as a leader both on and off the court, guiding younger players and setting an example with his work ethic and dedication. Sabonis, with his experience and calm demeanor, also provides veteran leadership that is crucial for a team's cohesion and morale. Leadership qualities often translate into better team performance, something that is not yet a hallmark of Murray's game.

Team dynamics and chemistry are also influenced significantly by the best players. Fox and Sabonis have developed a strong on-court chemistry that benefits the entire team. Their ability to play off each other and create opportunities for teammates enhances the overall performance of the Kings. This synergy is a result of their experience and understanding of each other's games, something that Murray is still building.

In evaluating the best player on a team, the overall impact on both ends of the floor must be considered. Fox's ability to score, assist, and defend makes him a complete player. Sabonis's contributions in scoring, rebounding, and facilitating the offense from the post add immense value. Murray, while talented, does not yet have the same all-around impact as these established stars. His contributions are still developing, and he is yet to become a game-changer consistently.

In conclusion, while Keegan Murray is a promising young player with a bright future, stating that he is the best player on the Sacramento Kings overlooks the substantial contributions, experience, and recognition of players like De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Fox's leadership and playmaking, combined with Sabonis's versatility and consistency, make them the current pillars of the team. As Murray continues to develop, he may reach their level, but for now, Fox and Sabonis hold the mantle of being the best players on the Sacramento Kings.
 
You gotta pay for the newer models, here you go
Firstly, De'Aaron Fox is widely recognized as the best player on the Kings. Fox has consistently delivered impressive statistics, including points per game, assists, and steals. His ability to drive the offense and perform in clutch situations has made him an invaluable asset to the team. In the 2022-2023 NBA season, Fox averaged over 25 points and 6 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities.

Secondly, the presence of Domantas Sabonis on the team further challenges the claim. Sabonis is a two-time NBA All-Star, and his contributions go beyond just scoring. He is a dominant rebounder and an adept passer for a big man, often initiating plays from the post. In the 2022-2023 season, Sabonis averaged a double-double, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. His versatility and consistent production make him a cornerstone of the Kings' roster.

Another critical factor is the recognition and awards that players like Fox and Sabonis have received compared to Keegan Murray. Fox's selection to the All-Star game and his recognition as one of the league's best young guards highlight his superior performance. Similarly, Sabonis's All-Star appearances and his impact on multiple teams before joining the Kings underscore his elite status. These accolades are a testament to their skills and contributions, which surpass those of Murray at this stage in his career.

Experience also plays a significant role in evaluating the best player on a team. Both Fox and Sabonis have more NBA experience than Murray, which translates to better decision-making, leadership, and understanding of the game. This experience allows them to perform consistently under pressure and contribute in various ways that a younger player like Murray is still developing.

Additionally, the roles that Fox and Sabonis play on the team are crucial to the Kings' success. Fox, as the point guard, is the primary ball-handler and playmaker, orchestrating the offense and often being the go-to scorer in critical moments. Sabonis, on the other hand, anchors the frontcourt with his rebounding and inside scoring, providing a balance to the team's offensive and defensive strategies. Their established roles and responsibilities are vital to the team's overall dynamics.

Moreover, Keegan Murray, being a younger player, is still in the process of finding his role within the team. While he has shown flashes of potential, his consistency and impact have yet to reach the levels of Fox and Sabonis. Young players often take time to adjust to the NBA's pace and physicality, and Murray is no exception. His development will be key to his future success, but currently, he does not match the contributions of the more seasoned players.

Leadership is another critical aspect where Fox and Sabonis excel. Fox has emerged as a leader both on and off the court, guiding younger players and setting an example with his work ethic and dedication. Sabonis, with his experience and calm demeanor, also provides veteran leadership that is crucial for a team's cohesion and morale. Leadership qualities often translate into better team performance, something that is not yet a hallmark of Murray's game.

Team dynamics and chemistry are also influenced significantly by the best players. Fox and Sabonis have developed a strong on-court chemistry that benefits the entire team. Their ability to play off each other and create opportunities for teammates enhances the overall performance of the Kings. This synergy is a result of their experience and understanding of each other's games, something that Murray is still building.

In evaluating the best player on a team, the overall impact on both ends of the floor must be considered. Fox's ability to score, assist, and defend makes him a complete player. Sabonis's contributions in scoring, rebounding, and facilitating the offense from the post add immense value. Murray, while talented, does not yet have the same all-around impact as these established stars. His contributions are still developing, and he is yet to become a game-changer consistently.

In conclusion, while Keegan Murray is a promising young player with a bright future, stating that he is the best player on the Sacramento Kings overlooks the substantial contributions, experience, and recognition of players like De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Fox's leadership and playmaking, combined with Sabonis's versatility and consistency, make them the current pillars of the team. As Murray continues to develop, he may reach their level, but for now, Fox and Sabonis hold the mantle of being the best players on the Sacramento Kings.
That's not bad. Where was ChatGPT when I was writing those damn essays in school?
 
That's not bad. Where was ChatGPT when I was writing those damn essays in school?
As a college composition professor, I can tell you that it's very flat, two-dimensional writing. That piece uses a lot of words that logically flow from one to the next while saying very little of note in the most vague, non-specific way possible. It's not effective writing, in other words. At least, not as an essay, which is what the format is attempting to replicate.
 

hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
As a college composition professor, I can tell you that it's very flat, two-dimensional writing. That piece uses a lot of words that logically flow from one to the next while saying very little of note in the most vague, non-specific way possible. It's not effective writing, in other words. At least, not as an essay, which is what the format is attempting to replicate.
I was about to say the same thing. :)

This is high school level at best. Every paragraph starts with a subject sentence, the concluding paragraph starts with the words "In conclusion" and the amount of content here could be summarized in a few sentences -- everything else is just filler words to pad out the word count. The best I can say about this essay is that they understood the assignment. But the actual writing is rote and lacks any spark of creativity or emotional engagement with the topic. This is not a passing grade in any college writing class.
 
I was about to say the same thing. :)

This is high school level at best. Every paragraph starts with a subject sentence, the concluding paragraph starts with the words "In conclusion" and the amount of content here could be summarized in a few sentences -- everything else is just filler words to pad out the word count. The best I can say about this essay is that they understood the assignment. But the actual writing is rote and lacks any spark of creativity or emotional engagement with the topic. This is not a passing grade in any college writing class.
Reminds me of the scene in "A river runs through it" where the father is teaching his son to write. He keeps telling him it looks pretty good, now go back and rewrite it and cut it in half