KingsFanSince85
All-Star
Ben Simmons had a really nice game for them last night. If that dude does more of it, they’ll right that ship.
[Game] Kings vs. Spurs, 11/17/2022 7pm Pacific 10pm Eastern
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Ben Simmons had a really nice game for them last night. If that dude does more of it, they’ll right that ship.
I think we know what the offense is going to do this year. If our defense can steady out at 16th, we're definitely a playoff team.
I was more impressed by the labeling of Terence Davis' first shot of the game, a simple (and made) wide-open floater in the lane, as a "heat check".
If 2nd ORtg, 16th Def Rtg held up for a full season, it probably would have a chance to be a 4 or 5 seed. For example, Mavs as the 4 seed were 15th in ORtg, 6th in Def Rtg last year and won 52 games.
I have a hard time believing we're just the 2nd best offense in the league, but I think it's pretty clear we can pencil in top... 7? Over the course of a full season. It's just a matter of playing just enough defense for that to matter.
Some really good nuggets in here. I really do how Brown is perfectly balancing that line of "Our guys are awesome!" and "Here's everything that we need to be doing better."
He mentioned Davion and GPII as the only 2 guys who he's seen that can actually pick up full court effectively. That makes a ton of sense, I'm hoping he starts using more Davion in 3-guard lineups and employing him in a similar fashion that the Warriors did with GPII last year. I think right now, Davion as a finisher on offense, secondary ball-handler/passer and just the defensive lynchpin is his best role.
KainLear
Starter
If he can steadily hit 35+% on his 3pt, that'll make him the perfect B-Jax lite 6th man for us.
He's like Bill Belichick with grace and charm.
Devin Vassell was the player the Spurs drafted one spot before we took Tyrese Haliburton. He had a slow start to his NBA career but he is on the Spurs and bringing guys along slowly is their development philosophy. His break out season in year 3 puts him ahead of both Dejounte Murray and Kawhi Leonard in the development curve so who knows. He may be a legit star pretty soon.
Jeremy Sochan was on my short list of prospects the Kings should look at in this past draft until we moved up to #4. He was taken 9th overall but I had him ranked as the 5th best prospect (which, to be fair, is way higher than most had him ranked). If he learns to shoot he'll be a stud but even if he doesn't he's a great all-around defender and a sneaky good playmaker. I've been impressed with his performance so far, he's a player to keep an eye on for a break-out season in a couple years.
Keldon Johnson played one season at Kentucky where he was teammates with PJ Washington and Tyler Herro. That was a pretty good year for them -- they lost in the Elite 8. He seems to be enjoying the same year 4 rise we've seen from the aforementioned former Spurs who became All Stars.
Jakob Poeltl was one of the best players in the Pac 12 in his sophomore season at Utah. He was drafted by Toronto 2 picks before the Thunder selected Domantas Sabonis and his career so far has been mildly disappointing considering his top 10 pedigree, but he provides value as a throw-back big who does almost all of his damage near the basket. I wouldn't mind having him on our bench next year if the Spurs decide he doesn't fit their rebuild timeline.
Tre Jones was an elite prospect in HS who was a mild disappointment in 2 years at Duke and ended up slipping to the 2nd round as a result of the huge influx of PG prospects recently. As I recall he was a favorite of several of the draft evaluators on this site.
These are all solid NBA players worth keeping an eye on if you enjoy scouting the rest of the league. The Spurs probably won't win a lot of games this year but they've got a really solid supporting cast developing that's maybe just missing a truly elite talent and this group should look good next to whoever they draft in the top 10 this year.
Poeltl would be an incredible use of the MLE next season. He's an outstanding rim protector, he's developed into one of the better passing bigs in the game ( 14% Ast rate last season, up to 19% this season) and he's an elite finisher around the rim while always being incredible efficient in his attempts. He's basically a older, polished version of Isaiah Hartenstein.
Can't shoot, but I think you can absolutely still find room to play both him and Sabonis, especially with Poeltl's passing. And his rim protection really would solve a lot of current issues the Kings have.
I don't think it would work at all. Sabonis is always going to have his limitations on defense. Unless you can find a unicorn to play next to him, it's just something we have to deal with while he's here. I think the offensive chemistry would be destroyed with a big man like Poeltl next to him.
Wouldn't mind finding a Poeltl type player as a backup C though.
Yeah, that'd be the idea. Find 6-7 minutes where they play together, in addition to 15-18 off the bench as a back-up C. Before Holmes fell off a cliff, I was hoping that sort of minutes distribution would work for him as well.
I'd obviously prefer one of the RFA 3/4 types, but that may not be plausible. And while Poeltl's lack of spacing hurts the offense, he's a fantastic upgrade on the defense. I think the current iteration can get you to the playoffs, but thinking long-term; you have to bring in some sort of rim protection or a first round exit is going to be the ceiling of this team. No matter how good your offense is, playoff teams that move on are basically always near the top of the defensive standings.
Agree. But I’d be more interested in finding a 4 like Bol Bol, Serge Ibaka (prime), PjW, Draymond, J Grant, Aaron Gordon, etc. If Metu was a better rim protector, he’d be a great fit. A 5 like Pornzingis could work too. These dudes are rare - but not impossible gets.
Agree with most of your targets, BUT...
Bol bol likely wont be able to leave magic (probably wont want to. They are so long and he is perfect next to WCjr.
Grant wanted to be in Portland and is having success as a robin there. I doubt he leaves unless they fall off the cliff (dont see that happening).
No thanks on Draymond or Aaron Gordon (both will command big salaries and are not really a time line fit). Draymond isnt a rim protector though the defense is good overall. The other issue is he will absolutely come in and destroy chemistry. Beyond that i think he wants to get to LA. Gordon is not a strong rim protector and is defense is ok though.
PJW is my target. Fits the time line and the needed skill set. Good weak side shot blocker/rim protection. Good outside shooter. He fits beautifully next to Domas. If keegan can improve the rim protection, he himself would also be ideal. I think he needs to work on his explosiveness on the jump, cuz i think his timing is there.
Entity
Hall of Famer
Shump was vocal on the court and in the locker room and not just basketballl. He was a clown he had opinions on everything he kept spirits up and kept young guys heads on straight when things went wrong. Monk fits the clown role and the rest are old enough to not let things affect them like that team had. Barnes doesn’t fall in either category on court or off court he is quiet and reserved. Maybe he sets an example of being a professional but he is not the glue keeping all this together. If you can pair him with Holmes and get a better guy you do it. What you don’t do is get a guy that does not fit that same mold as Barnes or at least fall in line with the rest. Pay attention to who fox, monk, sabonis have long conversations with after games from other teams. Those are guys that could keep chemistry or even increase it
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