[Game] Kings @ OKC Thunder- 4/9/2024 - 5:00PM PDT/8:00PM EDT
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Sasha can't "go get a bucket", that's why. He's a system player.
The Kings aren't physical enough down low to allow for a perimeter/slash oriented player like Sasha to operate more than 10 mins per game, if even that, if he doesn't contribute more such as on the defensive end and rebounding.
I do think Sasha offers a good amount of rebounding and decent wing defense. I just don't think he has out performed Lyles and Len to take those minutes.
The Kings aren't physical enough down low to allow for a perimeter/slash oriented player like Sasha to operate more than 10 mins per game, if even that, if he doesn't contribute more such as on the defensive end and rebounding.
I do think Sasha offers a good amount of rebounding and decent wing defense. I just don't think he has out performed Lyles and Len to take those minutes.
Playoffs or not, this team looks like the weakest team in the West. At least for teams like the Warriors or Lakers, you can say they have all-time greats with Curry and LeBron... not sure what you can say for this team except that we rely on Fox to play at an MVP level to have any chance at winning our games. Sabonis is great, but he's not the difference between a W and L like Fox is.
I'm not so sure that a Jerami Grant or a Mikal Bridges might not be enough and those are probably future picks kind of guys. I still think De'Andre Hunter is a great gamble guy as well. On paper they probably the aren't difference but if Keegan steps it up, Keon solidifies, that's the kind of thing that take you up a big level.
Watched the match with delay and now read all 16 pages (is it a record for the past few months?) of the thread.
Domas was bad, 5 turnovers as well but 3 of them must have been offensive fouls (at least one of them was not a foul though), I will just give him credit that he didn't chase to extend the double double streak at the final minute. As others wrote Len should have stayed more on the floor. Barnes and Lyles shot 2/15 shots together, HB yeah went to the line but he was bad and the lineup will start with him on the floor for the next 4 games and the play in(s) that will follow hopefully the play offs and so on. There was time that the ball was in front or below of him but not once he will jump/collide with an opponent or drop to the floor to catch it, too tired from biking I assume. Lyles was good in defense but missed several wide open 3s.
Kings had 8/11 3s to start the game and had 12/47 after that, still MB wanted more. For sure not all of them were good shots, there were some stepback 3s that didn't go in, there were a couple (by Fox and Keon in the 1st quarter) that we got lucky they went in, still I don't like these tactics, it's a Russian roulette, also we don't have many players shooting 40+ % from there, only Keon actually. Sasha and Kessler that shoot 38+ were benched the whole match. I don't know what should happen for those two to be part of the rotation, half the players should be ejected in a brawl fight? I mean Monk and Huerter are both out and they still get no chance, Barnes and Lyles had a subpar (to say the least) game, still they don't get to play. I am not here for Sasha but I see there are Kings fan (in fb groups) that are so critical against him, make fun of him, want to see him leave, when there are other players with guaranteed starting spot in every single match for 200+ games already that no matter what will happen they will be starters for the rest of their lives.
Many turnovers too, cheap ones, miscommunicating ones from Fox and Keon at the end in potential fast break situations. We barely touched the paint, ok we saw what happened with foul calls, but overall we shot with 34% of the field and were close of getting a win against an almost full squad of Oklahoma. A bit over a month ago Warriors was leading the league in losing matches that they were up by 15+ points, having 5, i am sure we overtook them and probably leading the league in losing the ones we were up by 20 or more. Will browse twitter to see if i can find something about this.
Domas was bad, 5 turnovers as well but 3 of them must have been offensive fouls (at least one of them was not a foul though), I will just give him credit that he didn't chase to extend the double double streak at the final minute. As others wrote Len should have stayed more on the floor. Barnes and Lyles shot 2/15 shots together, HB yeah went to the line but he was bad and the lineup will start with him on the floor for the next 4 games and the play in(s) that will follow hopefully the play offs and so on. There was time that the ball was in front or below of him but not once he will jump/collide with an opponent or drop to the floor to catch it, too tired from biking I assume. Lyles was good in defense but missed several wide open 3s.
Kings had 8/11 3s to start the game and had 12/47 after that, still MB wanted more. For sure not all of them were good shots, there were some stepback 3s that didn't go in, there were a couple (by Fox and Keon in the 1st quarter) that we got lucky they went in, still I don't like these tactics, it's a Russian roulette, also we don't have many players shooting 40+ % from there, only Keon actually. Sasha and Kessler that shoot 38+ were benched the whole match. I don't know what should happen for those two to be part of the rotation, half the players should be ejected in a brawl fight? I mean Monk and Huerter are both out and they still get no chance, Barnes and Lyles had a subpar (to say the least) game, still they don't get to play. I am not here for Sasha but I see there are Kings fan (in fb groups) that are so critical against him, make fun of him, want to see him leave, when there are other players with guaranteed starting spot in every single match for 200+ games already that no matter what will happen they will be starters for the rest of their lives.
Many turnovers too, cheap ones, miscommunicating ones from Fox and Keon at the end in potential fast break situations. We barely touched the paint, ok we saw what happened with foul calls, but overall we shot with 34% of the field and were close of getting a win against an almost full squad of Oklahoma. A bit over a month ago Warriors was leading the league in losing matches that they were up by 15+ points, having 5, i am sure we overtook them and probably leading the league in losing the ones we were up by 20 or more. Will browse twitter to see if i can find something about this.
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.
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.
The last time a team won a championship without a superstar was like 20 years ago? The 2004 Pistons, but they were a totally different type of team than the kings.
I guess it will come down to how murray will develop and whether the kings can get another all-star caliber player that fits like a glove next to fox and sabonis with competent offense and elite defense. It can happen, but still lots have to go right.
The second option is... kings fans will hate to hear this, but trading murray for that superstar could be an option if the opportunity presents itself.
I guess it will come down to how murray will develop and whether the kings can get another all-star caliber player that fits like a glove next to fox and sabonis with competent offense and elite defense. It can happen, but still lots have to go right.
The second option is... kings fans will hate to hear this, but trading murray for that superstar could be an option if the opportunity presents itself.
Sasha has playoff experience and has won championships. I just don't understand why we are gearing up a rookie (coby) who we know will do absolutely nothing for us come playoff time.
If we face warriors in play in we won't be in playoffs. We can beat Lakers but not refs and Lakers. In other words we are screwed with a play in option
If we face warriors in play in we won't be in playoffs. We can beat Lakers but not refs and Lakers. In other words we are screwed with a play in option
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. 
Start of the second half thunder started dropping back into a semi-zone and meeting drivers with physicality. And we left Domas in there alone (the situation he plays the absolute worst) instead of going big.
Just 10 minutes for Len? No Kessler or Sasha, not even McGee?
It was obvious what was happening and we didn't counter at all.
Just 10 minutes for Len? No Kessler or Sasha, not even McGee?
It was obvious what was happening and we didn't counter at all.
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