Kings / Suns Game Thread

[twslam07]

After tonight, I feel more inclined to say that:

- Bogdan or Bjelica needs to be starting at SF (prefer Bogdan)
- Bagley should be playing C this year while only playing with Giles, Labissiere, or Bjelica at PF
- Bagley needs to be put in the pick and roll with Fox or Bogdan on a routine basis
- I’d like to see a Fox - Hield - Bogdan - Giles - Bagley/WCS starting lineup on a routine basis.

 

[The_Jamal]

No. The people concerned about Bagley will go nowhere. His stans are going to get old supporting someone showing no signs of being solid for the teams most important decision maybe in 5-10 years

So Bagley wasn't good on defense tonight? Are you so blinded by the shining glory of Luka that you can't see that?

The offense was rough, but we also weren't doing him any favors. Stark contrast how Ayton was used and how Bagley was used tonight. Ayton probably had 7-8 really easy looks and finishes created for him off the PnR. Bagley was stuck creating off his own dribble the entire night while "sort of" getting 1 PnR play the entire game.

Put Ayton at the 3 point line or 20 feet out and make him create off his dribble, and see how he looks.

 

[206Fan]

Kings win. Showed good potential. I said before that Yogi has 6th man of year potential.

Yogi isn't going to win 6MOY on a ~30 win team.

 

[SLAB]

Joerger will be on the hot seat if he doesn't run more PnR....... it's awful trying to watch our bigs create their own shots.


Vlade isn't going to get fired. However, I won't be surprised if he resigns at the end of the season.

His moves keep ****ing us over.

Vlade isn’t going anywhere. The full-blown youth movement and the wait for Bagley to come into his own as the #2 overall pick has bought him at least two more years.

 

[parker]

our starting lineup to begin the season will be WCS, Bjelica, Shumpert, Buddy, Fox.

Not sure about the starting lineup, but I don't think we are going to see that "trey" lineup that played most of the fourth quarter: Giles, Bagley, McLemore, Mason and Yogi very often.

 

[kingdivac]

Vlade is fired. My only question is whether he mistakes it to the end of the year.

Bagley was brought in to hedge Giles who is coming back from very serious injury. They seem to have 2 hustling bigmen between them, but future stars? Maybe/maybe not The problem though is scoring - same as last year. Ferrell is not gonna have shooting nights every night like that....AND still FTs.

 

[funkykingston]

You do know Doncic is playing 4 for Dallas?

In name only though. Barnes played his best as a small ball 4. Doncic is a ballhandling/playmaking wing offensively and defensively I think they'll hide him on the worst of the two opposing forwards each night.

I'll be curious to see Doncic against real NBA defenders and not a a Chinese Basketball Association team. Will he still find ways to succeed or struggle against more lenght, strength and speed?

Bagley looks like a much bigger project than expected. But the Kings have nothing but time to let these guys develop right now.

 

[Folsomkingsfan]

Just take Bagley out of the entire equation.

The Kings desperately needed a SF. The Kings desperately needed 3pt shooting. The Kings desperately needed more playmaking. Yet we passed on a player with all 3 of these attributes. Why? I don't understand.

Doncic wasn't a great 3 point shooter, but that is besides the point. The way I look at it is that our front office had a lot of faith in Fox being the primary ball handler and that Doncic was a redundant version of Bogey. They also probably did not have a lot of confidence in many of our bigs going forward, which is reasonable, and didn't know what they had at all in Giles. So I guess I get the Bagley pick.

To be honest my biggest worry isn't even do we regret Bagley over Doncic. I'm worried that no one on our teams looks improved from last year. I know that it is still super early and the season hasn't even started, but the team looks exactly the same in terms of bad shots, poor ball movement, and defensive issues. I'll wait for the season to begin to start panicking, but what I saw from our returning players tonight did not fill me with confidence.

 

[Kingsfan23]

So Bagley wasn't good on defense tonight? Are you so blinded by the shining glory of Luka that you can't see that?

The offense was rough, but we also weren't doing him any favors. Stark contrast how Ayton was used and how Bagley was used tonight. Ayton probably had 7-8 really easy looks and finishes created for him off the PnR. Bagley was stuck creating off his own dribble the entire night.

I’m not blinded by anyone in particular, although Luka looks like he will be very good in particular. I’m blinded by Jaren Jackson, Carter at al. I don’t want that kid to be a bust. I just want a good starter.

Your searching. Good defensively for a center, and he wasn’t known for that coming in?

There is nothing about the play that is top 5 pick worthy, and that needs to change. He needs to show signs

 

[swisshh]

Bagley was brought in to hedge Giles who is coming back from very serious injury. They seem to have 2 hustling bigmen between them, but future stars? Maybe/maybe not The problem though is scoring - same as last year. Ferrell is not gonna have shooting nights every night like that....AND still FTs.

Your #2 pick was brought in to hedge a late first rounder? Sweet jebus.

Is this a local PR spin? Like the local PR guys have lied to hell and back to Sacramento about the horrendous and unforgivable shenanigans of the front office. The idea of your #2 pick in a LOADED draft being ahedge against a late first rounder sounds like the sort of swill an undeserving faux-elite serves to their neighbor.

Please tell me that was a joke.

 

[The Effort Police]

While saying that the King's high post offense and running it through the bigs is terrible (it is), I want to know why our #2 draft pick is the worst of the four at creating his own shot?

 

[63royals]

It's amazing to me that we have members of this board who can see the future of a player's entire career, based on ONE FRIGGIN' PRESEASON GAME. Calm down people.

 

[jcwkings]

Doncic wasn't a great 3 point shooter, but that is besides the point. The way I look at it is that our front office had a lot of faith in Fox being the primary ball handler and that Doncic was a redundant version of Bogey. They also probably did not have a lot of confidence in many of our bigs going forward, which is reasonable, and didn't know what they had at all in Giles. So I guess I get the Bagley pick.

To be honest my biggest worry isn't even do we regret Bagley over Doncic. I'm worried that no one on our teams looks improved from last year. I know that it is still super early and the season hasn't even started, but the team looks exactly the same in terms of bad shots, poor ball movement, and defensive issues. I'll wait for the season to begin to start panicking, but what I saw from our returning players tonight did not fill me with confidence.

Doncic is not the redundant version of Bogi. Doncic is a very good rebounder for his position and can grab and go and create in the open floor like very few at his size. His court vision and passing instincts are also a tier above Bogi. Bogi is my favorite King BTW.

 

[206Fan]

Vlade isn’t going anywhere. The full-blown youth movement and the wait for Bagley to come into his own as the #2 overall pick has bought him at least two more years.

I don't think so. If no one from our young group steps up and becomes at least a 18ppg scorer, he's done. Or the other alternative, Bagley looks very raw while other rookies look like stars. Vlade does not get an extra 2 years. He's already over stayed his visit since the Stauskas trade.

Doncic wasn't a great 3 point shooter, but that is besides the point. The way I look at it is that our front office had a lot of faith in Fox being the primary ball handler and that Doncic was a redundant version of Bogey. They also probably did not have a lot of confidence in many of our bigs going forward, which is reasonable, and didn't know what they had at all in Giles. So I guess I get the Bagley pick.

To be honest my biggest worry isn't even do we regret Bagley over Doncic. I'm worried that no one on our teams looks improved from last year. I know that it is still super early and the season hasn't even started, but the team looks exactly the same in terms of bad shots, poor ball movement, and defensive issues. I'll wait for the season to begin to start panicking, but what I saw from our returning players tonight did not fill me with confidence.

This FO has a ton of faith in Fox. I'm not as sold as everyone though.
I don't think you can pass up on Doncic because of Bogdanovic. Fox? ok..I can see the argument because he's a young athletic PG with flashes. But Bogdanovic? 26yearold jack of all trades SG? I don't think so. Passing up on Doncic is already biting us in the ass. Putting Bagley's lackluster SL+1st preseason game, we desperately needed a SF more than anything. Tonight we had McLemore playing SF...

I'm more concerned about individual player improvements rather than the entire team performance. If the FO has already decided that Fox is their guy, they need to build an entire team around him and start flushing unnecessary things out.

 

[kingdivac]

Its not my #2 pick, I'm just giving rationale for why they picked him - ....and I don't really agree with it, but it is a rationale. Bagley filled up the stat sheet in college. I thought Bagley looked ok, but not 2nd pick ok, and wasn't keen on the pick, but too bad. I was hoping for Jackson Jr, or of course Ayton, oh and Doncic as well.

 

[iowamcnabb]

It's amazing to me that we have members of this board who can see the future of a player's entire career, based on ONE FRIGGIN' PRESEASON GAME. Calm down people.

I get what you are saying but he just isn't showing anything. This feels like Trob all over again where we are squinting to see potential. At the very least he should be dominating the boards. He pulled down a Skal approved 2 in 25 minutes. We want to be wrong I promise haha!

 

[jcwkings]

It's amazing to me that we have members of this board who can see the future of a player's entire career, based on ONE FRIGGIN' PRESEASON GAME. Calm down people.

So there were people that were saying "it's only summer league" and now "it's just one preseason game". Fact remains Bagley has looked the same every time we have seen him thus far. He has to show us something at some point if you guys want the cynicism to go away. He was the #2 pick and the most important pick of the Sacramento era.

 

[Ozymandias]

looking at the boxscore i can't help but think;

Justin Jackson played 19 minutes?

 

[sactowndog]

He can play 2-4 basically a perfect wing

No he can’t. He in no way can defend 2 and maybe can’t defend 3

 

[Ozymandias]

Yogi looks perfect for this team. I'm not concerned about the pairing of him and Fox, at-all, Kings got much bigger issues.

The thing I can't help but dwell on is;

Is Skal gonna run away with the starting PF spot?

I think so, If he can drain 3's at a solid rate it will be huge for the offense.

 

[dude12]

Keyboard coaches are going to be rampant in the game threads I see.

 

[206Fan]

Yogi looks perfect for this team. I'm not concerned about the pairing of him and Fox, at-all, Kings got much bigger issues.

The thing I can't help but dwell on is;

Is Skal gonna run away with the starting PF spot?

I think so, If he can drain 3's at a solid rate it will be huge for the offense.

If Skal plays like this for the rest of preseason, I think he's got the starting job. His only competition is going to be Bjelica.

 

[Kingsfan23]

Yogi looks perfect for this team. I'm not concerned about the pairing of him and Fox, at-all, Kings got much bigger issues.

The thing I can't help but dwell on is;

Is Skal gonna run away with the starting PF spot?

I think so, If he can drain 3's at a solid rate it will be huge for the offense.

Bjelica will give him all he can handle this season, but Skal/Giles are the pairing I’m looking at going forward

Fox/Yogi - I’m concerned about the pairing starting together maybe, as it’s our best young asset IMO and a guy looking at a career rejuvenation possibly, hate to see them not logging big minutes in that case

 

[sactowndog]

Bagley was brought in to hedge Giles who is coming back from very serious injury. They seem to have 2 hustling bigmen between them, but future stars? Maybe/maybe not The problem though is scoring - same as last year. Ferrell is not gonna have shooting nights every night like that....AND still FTs.

The Kings shot 44% from 3 with Buddy going 0-2, Bogi on the bench, and Beli on the bench. If we can get our guys open 3’s and shot in the top 5 attempts we might be better than expected.

 

[Dongoodboy]

Even luck got to our side we ****ed up picking a Tyrus Thomas 2.0. Pathetic

 

[jcwkings]

Yogi looks perfect for this team. I'm not concerned about the pairing of him and Fox, at-all, Kings got much bigger issues.

The thing I can't help but dwell on is;

Is Skal gonna run away with the starting PF spot?

I think so, If he can drain 3's at a solid rate it will be huge for the offense.

From what I saw tonight, Bjelicia has that spot locked down.

 

[burekijogurt]

If Skal plays like this for the rest of preseason, I think he's got the starting job. His only competition is going to be Bjelica.

Even though Skal has improved, Bjelica's 3 pt shooting and playmaking are still much better than his and we will want to give Fox space so I think Bjelica will start over Skal, at least at the beginning of the season. I was hoping JJ would claim that 3 spot, but it looks like we will need to play whoever is our best defender there (Shump?). Even though many did not like his play, I think WCS will start at center.

 

[Suicide King]

Keyboard coaches are going to be rampant in the game threads I see.

I always just sit back like this while I look forward to the rest of the season.

 

[sactowndog]

In name only though. Barnes played his best as a small ball 4. Doncic is a ballhandling/playmaking wing offensively and defensively I think they'll hide him on the worst of the two opposing forwards each night.

I'll be curious to see Doncic against real NBA defenders and not a a Chinese Basketball Association team. Will he still find ways to succeed or struggle against more lenght, strength and speed?

Bagley looks like a much bigger project than expected. But the Kings have nothing but time to let these guys develop right now.

Doncic has questions that have yet to be answered. He may or may not be able to defend his position. If teams attacked him in Europe they will certainly attack him in the NBA. Doncic struggled against long athletic defenders which he will see a lot of in the NBA. He may be great but it’s not a certainty.

 

[sactowndog]

Even though Skal has improved, Bjelica's 3 pt shooting and playmaking are still much better than his and we will want to give Fox space so I think Bjelica will start over Skal, at least at the beginning of the season. I was hoping JJ would claim that 3 spot, but it looks like we will need to play whoever is our best defender there (Shump?). Even though many did not like his play, I think WCS will start at center.

I like Beli a lot but not sure his shooting his better but his team defense likely is. I’m hoping Beli mentors Skal like Bogi mentored Buddy.

Skal looked more mobile and balanced on defense. Seeing him was encouraging.