[Game] Kings @ Mavericks - Sunday, Dec. 8 - 4 PT, 7 ET

[joemama]

Putting Cojo on Luka was horrible matchup all game.

 

[kb02]

With Fox, that zone would’ve never worked. Missed him tonight and the Spurs game.

 

[The_Jamal]

Well, unlike last year the Kings have some high profile scalps on their wall. Best kinda win we got was the Thunder last season. Unfortunately, last season the Kings didn’t lose home games to the Bulls and Hornets.

The goal for us is just to be in the hunt when we get Fox back. Thankfully, no one in the west really wants those last 2 playoff seeds so we're still treading water.

Hopefully Bagley can be the shot in the arm for the offense and put some interior pressure on the defense to open some space for Buddy/Bjelica/Bog shooting. Also might have to consider platooning Yogi and CoJo more; CoJo defense has been solid enough, but playing 4on5 is just wearing this offense down.

 

[SacTownKid]

No Dedmon
No loss

Coincidence? I think not. lol.

 

[KingKong]

Phew!!!

 

[VF21]

Walton again, draws up a doozy at the end there. But it's becoming a concern how predictable the Kings offense gets depending on how the defense reacts and how the Kings refuse to go with simplicity. They look for body movement a little too much and when the other team disallows it you have to enter the ball instead. They didn't do that tonight and made this a game when it might not have needed to be.

Come on, STK. Just sit back a moment and enjoy the W.

 

[The Effort Police]

That was close. This place almost had to find a new way to blame Buddy Hield for another collapse.

 

[PacMan]

Walton again, draws up a doozy at the end there. But it's becoming a concern how predictable the Kings offense gets depending on how the defense reacts and how the Kings refuse to go with simplicity. They look for body movement a little too much and when the other team disallows it you have to enter the ball instead. They didn't do that tonight and made this a game when it might not have needed to be.

What do you expect when your two best offensive player is out with injuries

 

[Iced Espresso]

Putting Cojo on Luka was horrible matchup all game.

Pick your poison he did fine, especially when Holmes could help around screens. I do catch the sarcasm.

 

[VF21]

That was close. This place almost had to find a new way to blame Buddy Hield for another collapse.

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. You sound almost disappointed the Kings won.

 

[miltonap]

I would think they will know how to play against a zone now

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I love how NBCSN has to pan out wide on that studio shot, because if they zoom in too close, it becomes too obvious how much Kayte towers over Kozimor.

 

[SacTownKid]

With Fox, that zone would’ve never worked. Missed him tonight and the Spurs game.

The Kings pick and roll game will be much more crisp but I'm a little concerned because in theory much of what the opposing defenses are doing is what you probably want to do against him. One thing Fox can do that the other guards can't is split the double but teams are forcing the ball to remain above the 3 point line and the Kings using the left box in a post up to break it is way too inconsistent. Barnes scoring out of that spot isn't even the issue, it's forcing the defense to commit to defending one side or at the very least the middle of the paint rather than pressuring your pick and roll.

 

[Tetsujin]

Did he?

If you’re in love with Luka, he sure did

 

[VF21]

I love how NBCSN has to pan out wide on that studio shot, because if they zoom in too close, it becomes too obvious how much Kayte towers over Kozimor.

At one of the old House Party Live events I attended, Kayte wore flats and I could swear Koz had lifts on...and she still towered over him.

 

[VF21]

We won - despite not having Fox and Bagley. I don't care what anyone says - you can have the best player in the league and it doesn't mean much if you don't win.

 

[SacTownKid]

What do you expect when your two best offensive player is out with injuries

Call the play that worked like a charm the play before? The offense was starting to fade because the Mavs were gearing their whole defense to the perimeter on the pick and roll. Maybe the players went awol on the call but the side box was the main course. They got one plate and said no thanks on the free refills.

 

[Livinthedream]

If you’re in love with Luka, he sure did

I mean, I'm not watching in 4k, but it was one of those plays where you would have to assume a foul because the shot was missed. But it wasn't clearly a foul.

 

[Kingz19]

With Fox, that zone would’ve never worked. Missed him tonight and the Spurs game.

Kings were terrible against the zone last season with Fox as well. That epic collapse vs Brooklyn was because of the zone defense. I think it’s just the Kings inability to quickly adapt to opponent changes in strategy.

 

[SacTownKid]

We won - despite not having Fox and Bagley. I don't care what anyone says - you can have the best player in the league and it doesn't mean much if you don't win.

And make no mistake about it, the Kings did exactly what they needed to early. They pressured the heck out of the Mavs pick and roll. They even switched quite a bit. I've been waiting all year to see that. Now, moving on we need to see more of that. Ride what works until it doesn't and then change it up.

 

[VF21]

In case you missed it:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203861264176427009

 

[Iced Espresso]

I love how NBCSN has to pan out wide on that studio shot, because if they zoom in too close, it becomes too obvious how much Kayte towers over Kozimor.

I can confirm he has in the past stood on a pallet or two for pregame. I'm pretty sure he heard my chuckle and pointing it out to people.

 

[NewArena]

LOL of course we win this one. This squad is beyond resilient

I didn’t watch, but Luka doesn’t scare me. Not sure why everyone’s treating him like the second coming (he’s incredible) but he doesn’t strike fear into me like a Kobe would in the 4th quarter. Meh

 

[NewArena]

Let’s get healthy boys!!!

 

[NewArena]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203839305036156928

that pass by Buddy was routine for us back in the day. More of that, please! Beautiful

 

[Kingz19]

A few very very winnable games coming up

 

[VF21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203861674983337984

 

[kb02]

The Kings pick and roll game will be much more crisp but I'm a little concerned because in theory much of what the opposing defenses are doing is what you probably want to do against him. One thing Fox can do that the other guards can't is split the double but teams are forcing the ball to remain above the 3 point line and the Kings using the left box in a post up to break it is way too inconsistent. Barnes scoring out of that spot isn't even the issue, it's forcing the defense to commit to defending one side or at the very least the middle of the paint rather than pressuring your pick and roll.

The Kings exploited the middle once during that stretch where they were scoreless for like ten minutes. Fox would be able to penetrate n collapse defenders in that space. No one else on the team can get there considtently.

Plus he’s the Kings best bet to penetrate and actually draw fouls.

The margin would’ve been > 10 had he been in the game.

 

[PacMan]

All I have to say is my popcorn is ready. That’s all I’ll say on this matter.

How do you like them popcorn

 

[SacTownKid]

The Kings exploited the middle once during that stretch where they were scoreless for like ten minutes. Fox would be able to penetrate n collapse defenders in that space. No one else on the team can get there considtently.

Plus he’s the Kings best bet to penetrate and actually draw fouls.

The margin would’ve been > 10 had he been in the game.

Yeah, no doubt, and as great as Joseph has been on defense, we are seeing how much Fox being a threat to score at PG is missed. My question is what would Bagleys role be? He's another player you can enter the ball into beyond the pressure as well. But will it be used in the right situations?