[Game] Kings vs Raptors, 10/8/2025 7PM Pacific 10PM Eastern (Pre-Season)

[Srzly]

“Defend 94 feet” is this years “Spray 3’s”

I agree. 94’ is so pointless if only 1 or 2 guys is doing it. How many times did Keegan and Dennis press up only to have DDR or LaVine’s guy just walk the ball up the court because they are waiting in half court defense.

If this continues and if this is the lineup we are stuck with then I’d prefer if we abandon this “defense-first” approach and just go back to beam team of trying to outscore everyone.

You’ll never be a good defensive team with a lineup that includes Zach, DDR, and Sabonis. It isn’t in the cards.

 

[ESP47]

How'd it look? I stayed up past my bedtime to watch this stupid team into the 3rd quarter, but apparently missed the only fun quarter of the game?

I didn't think Maxime looked very good, especially on defense. He looked to be about as effective as Sabonis out there. It's the main reason why I wasn't a fan of taking him in the draft. Big men that can't defend normally aren't winning players.

Cardwell looked every bit the fan favorite that I figured he would be. Tons of energy, effective defense, some huge throw downs and even took a Raptor to suplex city when trying to pry the ball away from him. His free throws have the same difficulty as a half court shot for most players. Poor guy shoots like I do.

Carter was a little up and down but he showed some handles out there that I didn't know he had and had a nice step back 3. Also dropped a few dimes and was a bright spot on defense.

Clifford was a bit wild but was fun to watch run the point.

I think I'd much rather watch these guys lose than watch our veterans play .450 ball.

 

[macadocious]

There were some new beers on the concourse, so that was something!

 

[Caccia]

There were some new beers on the concourse, so that was something!

Why did the starters look so out of sorts? Sabonis, in particular, looked frantic at times, and that is not his personality.

 

[macadocious]

No clue, from jump it was bad. Schroeder looked like he was trying to fit in, same w Demar. I think Demar had 2 shots in the first half. Offense was clunky. Defense was lazy and late. Missed some craps early that might have led to that, but that’s a bad sign if a bad few shooting minutes crushes a team’s motivation.

 

[Srzly]

No clue, from jump it was bad. Schroeder looked like he was trying to fit in, same w Demar. I think Demar had 2 shots in the first half. Offense was clunky. Defense was lazy and late. Missed some craps early that might have led to that, but that’s a bad sign if a bad few shooting minutes crushes a team’s motivation.

Agree. I know it’s only one preseason game so I won’t overreact but we did not look like a well-coached team last night. They weren’t doing the things we’ve been hearing about all camp.

Offense was clunky, stagnant, often having Keegan stand in the corner again. Just didn’t seem to be well directed and I expected a lot more from Dennis as a PG but he looked bad.

Team defense was atrocious with the starters.

It was our first game and raptors 2nd so I’m holding out hope we were just shaking off rust and will look better next game.

 

[Jdbraver137]

I didn't think Maxime looked very good, especially on defense. He looked to be about as effective as Sabonis out there. It's the main reason why I wasn't a fan of taking him in the draft. Big men that can't defend normally aren't winning players.

Cardwell looked every bit the fan favorite that I figured he would be. Tons of energy, effective defense, some huge throw downs and even took a Raptor to suplex city when trying to pry the ball away from him. His free throws have the same difficulty as a half court shot for most players. Poor guy shoots like I do.

Carter was a little up and down but he showed some handles out there that I didn't know he had and had a nice step back 3. Also dropped a few dimes and was a bright spot on defense.
It was his first NBA game bro. He’s was a 2nd round pick. Did you see cardwells fts? Ugly!
Clifford was a bit wild but was fun to watch run the point.

I think I'd much rather watch these guys lose than watch our veterans play .450 ball.

 

[ockingsfan]

I'm also a little confused why you've seemingly identified Nique Clifford as the one two-way (offense-defense) player on the team and then hidden him at the end of the rotation. I agree that he is effective on offense because of his playmaking ability and is at worst an average defender so shouldn't that make him a guy you want starting for you? I've got Ellis, Clifford, and Murray as the three players that I for sure want to see starting

I really like Clifford’s game and think he will be a two-way player for this team. However, unless we can move DDR, LaVine, Monk or Keon, it’s hard to see him getting a lot of PT, especially not starting anytime soon.

I think Clifford will get spot minutes to begin the season and if Perry can move one or more of the vets by the trade deadline, his opportunity and PT will increase in the 2nd half of the year.