[Game] Kings @ OKC Thunder- 4/9/2024 - 5:00PM PDT/8:00PM EDT

[Tizzy Flip]

Personally I don't like combining sports and gambling just as a matter of principle but we can do it this way if you like -- just as a friendly hand-shake wager with no money on the line. I do think this version of the Kings with a core of Fox, Sabonis, and Murray can and will make a WCF by 2027. And if you want to keep tabs on this, I'll buy you a drink in April 2027 (or when the Kings make the WCF, whichever comes first) at the watering hole of your choice regardless of the outcome and we can drink to our team's continued success or continued futility, whatever the case may be.

I’m good with that. I for sure hope I’m wrong. I know I’m beating a dead horse when I think Fox/Sabonis is similar to a team built around KAT/Gobert. Twolves have a true alpha in Edwards to really carry that team, and I have major doubts that Fox is that guy

 

[bball_nomad]

At the end of the day final result is on a head coach. I'm tired of these crash and burns, spineless collapses.
First half was fun, second - a horror. A bunch of headless chickens high on meth running around.
I warmed up a bit to Mike Brown, but now just getting more and more annoyed.

 

[megapoxy]

At the end of the day final result is on a head coach. I'm tired of these crash and burns, spineless collapses.
First half was fun, second - a horror. A bunch of headless chickens high on meth running around.
I warmed up a bit to Mike Brown, but now just getting more and more annoyed.

This time he told nothing about himself in the presser and on top of that he wanted more 3s. He did complain about the refs (SGA traveling in front of him, shooting 20 free throws), there was no mention of Kings not touching the paint (26 points, perhaps season low, half of them probably were on fast breaks). No mention of bench not contributing, no mention of HB being HB in 90% of the matches this season.


A summary of his statements "We did everything good in 1st half, but got bored in 2nd half and stopped doing good things".

 

[Caccia]

The Kings could have won this game, too, just like the last one. Instead, they started out ice cold in the third quarter and let the Thunder back in the game. Then in the last four minutes, when the game was tied and they were in the bonus, the players decided to launch the lowest-percentage shot available: three-pointers that missed from Murray (twice), Ellis (made), and Fox (three times). Why oh why? Is this on the coaches for not telling the team to take it to the rack? Or lack of understanding how basketball games are won?

Either way, they squandered the results of a fantastic season.

 

[reptilexcq2]

This game is a reminder of the Kings' inconsistent throughout the regular season. They can explode and build a huge lead and then went back to high school and giving it right back. This inconsistent is also the reason why they can beat great elite teams in any game but also lose to the lowest in the standings.

 

[Kraft]

Soooo... is Mike Brown going to bench and DNP Lyles for the next 10 games after that shooting performance or is he going to give him and Barnes a pass just like the last 75 games?

 

[funkykingston]

The Kings got 13 points from their bench last night - 8 of them from Davion, who has been about the only consistent performer in the 2nd unit.

This is the real issue with losing Huerter and Monk. If Lyles has an off game, where else are points coming from when the starters rest?

Also kind of sad that Domas lost his double double streak due to only having 8 points. Just a really disheartening loss all around. Shake it off and try to win at least 2 of the next 3.

 

[63royals]

SGA was doing the jitterbug on that last isolation play and the refs didn't call anything. Infuriating.

 

[Spike]

Soooo... is Mike Brown going to bench and DNP Lyles for the next 10 games after that shooting performance or is he going to give him and Barnes a pass just like the last 75 games?

Serious answer?
I think he's going to just ride it out and see how things shake out. The OKC game was a microcosm of our season. Get up big, run out of gas. Unfortunately, our depth took a serious hit, and there's not much shuffling that can be done. Despite protestations from some, there isn't anyone deserving of taking those minutes, as it seems that Brown prioritizes players who can play D (Mitchell, Ellis, Len) and those familiar with what the Kings want to run (Barnes). I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that seems to be what I'm seeing. A shakeup just to shake it up right before the playoffs would be a bad idea.

Last night, I think Len deserved more burn, but I think Brown also saw the need to figure out how to activate Sabonis somehow, as OKC might be a potential first-round matchup. My gut says we'll see more of Vezenkov (who is really the only player on the roster I can see getting more minutes) next season, but I also wonder what he is or isn't showing in practice.

 

[dude12]

This is what we get without Monk and Huerter. A little more defense with Ellis and Davion getting more minutes and the insertion of Colby who plays some solid D and our defensive rating has been much improved but our offense is taking a hit. Missing Monk a ton. The pick and roll with Domas and Monk has been a huge part.

Fox is having to carry a massive load on both ends of the court.

 

[funkykingston]

Serious answer?
I think he's going to just ride it out and see how things shake out. The OKC game was a microcosm of our season. Get up big, run out of gas. Unfortunately, our depth took a serious hit, and there's not much shuffling that can be done. Despite protestations from some, there isn't anyone deserving of taking those minutes, as it seems that Brown prioritizes players who can play D (Mitchell, Ellis, Len) and those familiar with what the Kings want to run (Barnes). I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that seems to be what I'm seeing. A shakeup just to shake it up right before the playoffs would be a bad idea.

Last night, I think Len deserved more burn, but I think Brown also saw the need to figure out how to activate Sabonis somehow, as OKC might be a potential first-round matchup. My gut says we'll see more of Vezenkov (who is really the only player on the roster I can see getting more minutes) next season, but I also wonder what he is or isn't showing in practice.

If ever the team needed Sasha's shooting/scoring, it's now. Over the last five games Barnes is shooting 23.3% from three and averaging 5.6 points. He's not contributing in other ways either as he's grabbed less than 3 rpg (2.8) and only tallied 2 assists and 3 steals in those games while not playing great defense. Surre, part of that is that he played very limited minutes in the Nets and Knicks games, but I think that was warranted based on his recent play.

Trey was bad last game and during the Celtics game, but I think he's generally played better than HB lately. But the overall inability for the bench to score (Kessler, Colby, and Len just aren't natural scorers) to me means Vezenkov should be getting a chance right now.

Either way, I think the priorities for the off-season are (1) to re-sign Monk (2) to try and trade Barnes (with or without Huerter and/or Davion) to add a better fitting starting forward between Domas and Keegan (3) to balance out the bench and add talent there.

 

[PorchSurfin]

Phoenix hasn't played up to their potential. Likely first round exit if they qualify for a team that was supposed to contend and mortgaged their future to do it.

LAL and Warriors are getting by on rep. Neither of them is an actual threat but sure they could get a handout to get out of the first round.

I imagine being a Pelicans fan is every bit as frustrating as being a Kings fan except they have gotten more lottery luck.

Based on the Pels attendance I would wager you are right. The fans who care enough to show up that is.

 

[SacTownKid]

Yeah, he's one Doncic, Giannis, Embid, or Tatum away maybe. McNair has a long ways to go on this one. If he thinks he's one incremental piece away from being a championship contender then he'd be dreaming.

I'm not sure he's that far away TBH. If they get one guy that can get 20 a game it might be doable. Again, it's always relative to competition but the good news is so many of the giants are fairly old. There aren't a ton of dynasties in the making right now.

 

[hrdboild]

These blown calls in the last two minutes are burying us. The foul on Colby Jones in the Boston game would have been two free throws to tie/win the game. The consecutive blown calls in the OKC game would have given us a chance to take the lead in the final 1:25 with a made basket instead of needing a 3 to tie 10 seconds later. Players and coaches are fined when they complain but even when bad calls are confirmed (which rarely happens) there's still no accountability for missed calls deciding the outcome of the game.

 

[NewArena]

“Figured them out”? He traveled twice on one possession and hit a desperation shot and then foul baited for the last couple of minutes. Only way Kess could do any better is if he had an agreement with the refs that they would turn a blind eye to him physically assaulting the man.

I'm still fuming about this.

 

[Section 101]

2 missed calls go against the Kings in the last 2 mins.

https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0022301153

Q4 01:25.5 Stoppage: Out-of-Bounds Kings Thunder IC Video
Comment: Holmgren (OKC) is the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds and SAC should be given possession.

Q4 01:18.6 Turnover: Traveling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Kings INC Video
Comment: Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) moves his pivot foot before entering his shooting motion.

 

[Kingz19]

But remember that one time they missed a foul against LeBron and they came out with a collective statement saying how distraught they were that they missed the call?

Yet, the Kings can’t even get an apology for the many times they’ve been on the business end of a bad two minute report. Let alone any atonement in the form of more fair officiating

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Obvious answer is draft Bronny and force LeBron to come here.

 

[ick300]

Serious answer?
I think he's going to just ride it out and see how things shake out. The OKC game was a microcosm of our season. Get up big, run out of gas. Unfortunately, our depth took a serious hit, and there's not much shuffling that can be done. Despite protestations from some, there isn't anyone deserving of taking those minutes, as it seems that Brown prioritizes players who can play D (Mitchell, Ellis, Len) and those familiar with what the Kings want to run (Barnes). I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that seems to be what I'm seeing. A shakeup just to shake it up right before the playoffs would be a bad idea.

Last night, I think Len deserved more burn, but I think Brown also saw the need to figure out how to activate Sabonis somehow, as OKC might be a potential first-round matchup. My gut says we'll see more of Vezenkov (who is really the only player on the roster I can see getting more minutes) next season, but I also wonder what he is or isn't showing in practice.

Mate , we had 6 DNPs yesterday out of 15 players , that is 40% of the roster for the game ...
Why do we speak about depth issues !?
The only miss we have and it is a big one is Monk ... The miss of Huerter is actually a good thing (unfotunate that it is due to injury) but Ellis is playing twice better on his spot in my eyes ...

 

[funkykingston]

I doubt the Magic really need a veteran voice at this point in their development, but I wonder if they'd be willing to trade Jonathan Isaac for HB.

Those are the types of calculated gambles I wouldn't mind seeing the Kings take.

 

[ick300]

I doubt the Magic really need a veteran voice at this point in their development, but I wonder if they'd be willing to trade Jonathan Isaac for HB.

Those are the types of calculated gambles I wouldn't mind seeing the Kings take.

I’m really sorry for the guy and us mostly about us , but do you believe sincerely that someone will take HB with his current contract ….
I admire his career, I understand that he has big impact at the team development, but so far in the season for 79 games he has about 9 good ones and 70 missed games ….
Especially in the last few games when if matters the most ….
I don’t see us trading him for someone with good value unfortunately

 

[megapoxy]

BI OUT is good news I think he was rumored to return soon, Keegan questionable again is worrying though.

https://twitter.com/statuses/1778220231703543876

 

[King Baller]

I doubt the Magic really need a veteran voice at this point in their development, but I wonder if they'd be willing to trade Jonathan Isaac for HB.

Those are the types of calculated gambles I wouldn't mind seeing the Kings take.

I love JI’s game as well. But betting he can stay on the court………,…risky

 

[funkykingston]

I love JI’s game as well. But betting he can stay on the court………,…risky

Which is the only reason he'd potentially be available. If healthy he's probably the most perfect fit next to Sabonis and Murray.

 

[Spike]

Mate , we had 6 DNPs yesterday out of 15 players , that is 40% of the roster for the game ...
Why do we speak about depth issues !?
The only miss we have and it is a big one is Monk ... The miss of Huerter is actually a good thing (unfotunate that it is due to injury) but Ellis is playing twice better on his spot in my eyes ...

Bodies =/= Depth

We do have players, but we don't have depth. Sure, Huerter was not great this season, but he was still a deep threat, and that opened up a lot for Sabonis down low. With time to work on chemistry, I could see Vezenkov in that role. But that chemistry doesn't exist.
We currently have no one who does what Monk does. I think that is a bigger hole to fill, because for better or worse, Monk was an enigma and hard to plan for defensively. Nobody on the roster can fill that role, and that hurts us.

 

[NewArena]

2 missed calls go against the Kings in the last 2 mins.

https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0022301153

Q4 01:25.5 Stoppage: Out-of-Bounds Kings Thunder IC Video
Comment: Holmgren (OKC) is the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds and SAC should be given possession.

Q4 01:18.6 Turnover: Traveling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Kings INC Video
Comment: Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) moves his pivot foot before entering his shooting motion.

Unbelievable man. I'm tired of this specific heartbreak smh nothing has been more consistent

 

[NewArena]

BI OUT is good news I think he was rumored to return soon, Keegan questionable again is worrying though.

https://twitter.com/statuses/1778220231703543876

Keegan needs to rest if he doesn't feel right. We can't afford another long term injury

 

[ick300]

Bodies =/= Depth

We do have players, but we don't have depth. Sure, Huerter was not great this season, but he was still a deep threat, and that opened up a lot for Sabonis down low. With time to work on chemistry, I could see Vezenkov in that role. But that chemistry doesn't exist.
We currently have no one who does what Monk does. I think that is a bigger hole to fill, because for better or worse, Monk was an enigma and hard to plan for defensively. Nobody on the roster can fill that role, and that hurts us.

For Monk i am two hands in ... we miss him badly , and he was among top 3 best players for us in the season so far ... That i out of question ... Only the power and spirit he brings in are priceless ...
My idea was that missing Huerter is better cause in that way Ellis got his chance (he was not going to if KH is fit we all know that )
And yet we can not complain about deph , when you leave 6 guys in DNP ...
Why do they select them if they will not be used as playes but bodies , right ?
Missing a deph is playing with 8 healthy players and two injured , but still on the bench ... (portland had a game which looks something like that )

 

[ick300]

Keegan needs to rest if he doesn't feel right. We can't afford another long term injury

Most probably they will risk with him and let him play as they did in last game too ...
Lets pray will not be an issue at the end ...
Those 3 games in 3 days are going to be a test ...

 

[coolhandluke]

2 missed calls go against the Kings in the last 2 mins.

https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0022301153

Q4 01:25.5 Stoppage: Out-of-Bounds Kings Thunder IC Video
Comment: Holmgren (OKC) is the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds and SAC should be given possession.

Q4 01:18.6 Turnover: Traveling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Kings INC Video
Comment: Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) moves his pivot foot before entering his shooting motion.

Both of these calls were obvious at real time too.