[Game] Kings vs. Thunder, 11/10/2023 7pm Pacific 10pm Eastern
- Thread starter Tetsujin
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Capitalizing? Man, Mitchell has been in this league 3 or 4 years already, he should be working to expand his game. I didn't see much changes. I think he probably only work on his shots that's it. Look at someone like Keegan Murray, I already see he's developing a knack for driving and post up and mid-shot which he never do last year...Mitchell should do what Murray is doing if he want to stay on the floor...gotta expand your game.
I attended the game tonight and here we’re my main takeaways:
- Keon played great defense in the first quarter against Shai. Shai eventually started making his shots, but slowing him down was a big reason why we had a 14pt lead to end the 1st
- I didn’t even realize Sabonis had a triple double until the game ended. He had a great game minus a couple late TOs. He scored at will against Chet down low
- Huerter was hands down our best player tonight. I think Red Velvet is back. He has his full confidence and swagger. At one point in the game, I found myself thanking Mike Brown that Kevin was finally coming back in the game. He was our leading scorer and very well deserved. On top of that, his defense was very damn good.
- Keegan played a poor 1st quarter and it was looking like another dud performance. After his first substitution back in, he absolutely locked down everywhere else. He was very active off the ball which allowed him to create easy opportunities for himself. No clue how he ended up with 24pts, but I like that he’s showing a 2-way potential. He played mad, and it was great. He had a ton of confidence in himself and proved to Mike Brown that he was able to turn down the 3 for an easy 2. With that being said, his shot looks very off. His misses are bad… not really sure what’s going on with his 3pt shooting
- Sasha only had 6pts, but they might’ve been the 6 most important points. Completely helped our stagnant offense
This was my first time seeing Chet Holmgren play in a full regular season NBA game, and I have to say, he looked way more raw to me than I expected. It's just one game, and I've seen the highlights where he flashes that unreal unicorn potential, but I thought he'd show out a bit more. On both sides of the ball, he got pretty roundly abused by a variety of Kings players.
The funny thing about Chet is he’s pretty much just been a more consistent version of Poku while adding maybe a little more natural defensive presence but Poku is now entirely out of OKC’s plans for the future while they’re trying to make the argument that Chet is better than Wemby.
Aside from getting dunked on twice, the most memorable Chet play for me last night was when he tried driving to the rim but got completely pushed off course by Malik Monk, who is like a foot shorter than him and not quite a beefcake himself. The raw potential with Chet is super easy to see but it feels like the Thunder are still a good big man or two away from actually competing full time (ironically, Steven Adams would be a perfect fit for them)
Aside from getting dunked on twice, the most memorable Chet play for me last night was when he tried driving to the rim but got completely pushed off course by Malik Monk, who is like a foot shorter than him and not quite a beefcake himself. The raw potential with Chet is super easy to see but it feels like the Thunder are still a good big man or two away from actually competing full time (ironically, Steven Adams would be a perfect fit for them)
He's actually been very good this year. The Domas matchup is just a bad matchup for him right now. He's not strong enough to compete inside and not fast enough to get around him on the perimeter.
Curious to see how Wemby fares. I think he will do a bit better against Domas due to his extra length but I'm thinking Domas has the advantage for now due to his strength.
Curious to see how Wemby fares. I think he will do a bit better against Domas due to his extra length but I'm thinking Domas has the advantage for now due to his strength.
A few observations after yesterdays game...
1. Murray's shooting woes may be a blessing in disguise. His poor shooting has him trying to find other ways to impact the game. His drives to the basket, shot blocking, defense and rebounding all seem to be improving dramatically. If he was standing in the corner and hitting 3's we may not be witnessing the growth in other areas. Once he begins hitting his 3's, coupled with the growth in other areas, we have ourselves a perennial all star.
2. Sasha didn't play much but the 3's he hit in the 3rd were the biggest baskets in the game. It sparked a run which led to victory. It also sparked an increase in making 3's..it proved to be contagious.
3. Sabonis. Love the guy. All time Sac era triple double leader. One complaint...he has to start making more free throws.
1. Murray's shooting woes may be a blessing in disguise. His poor shooting has him trying to find other ways to impact the game. His drives to the basket, shot blocking, defense and rebounding all seem to be improving dramatically. If he was standing in the corner and hitting 3's we may not be witnessing the growth in other areas. Once he begins hitting his 3's, coupled with the growth in other areas, we have ourselves a perennial all star.
2. Sasha didn't play much but the 3's he hit in the 3rd were the biggest baskets in the game. It sparked a run which led to victory. It also sparked an increase in making 3's..it proved to be contagious.
3. Sabonis. Love the guy. All time Sac era triple double leader. One complaint...he has to start making more free throws.
Yeah. The broadcast was talking about the Thunder being one of the best three point teams in the league but aside from Isaiah Joe, it doesn’t feel like they’ve got anyone on their roster capable of shooting an above average rate from the perimeter and their three best players refuse to take many shots from beyond the arc.
Best 3pt teams in the league?? That’s very surprising, but I think their rookie out of Kentucky (Wallace) was shooting well from 3pt before this game.
The Thunder had lineups where Chet Holmgren was their best 3pt shooter… I don’t think that should ever be happening lol. For all the flack I give Fox of throwing up 3s, I’m actually really glad he’s continually tried to incorporate that shot. It was strange seeing a bunch of Thunder players stand at the 3pt line with the Kings knowing that they weren’t even looking for a 3. I think it made it much easier for us to defend and pack up the mid-range and painted area
The Thunder had lineups where Chet Holmgren was their best 3pt shooter… I don’t think that should ever be happening lol. For all the flack I give Fox of throwing up 3s, I’m actually really glad he’s continually tried to incorporate that shot. It was strange seeing a bunch of Thunder players stand at the 3pt line with the Kings knowing that they weren’t even looking for a 3. I think it made it much easier for us to defend and pack up the mid-range and painted area
This might’ve been my favorite Keegan Murray performance in his career.
It started off terribly offensively but he had already put together a good offensive night by attacking the hoop, getting to the foul line, and mid range shots by the time he started hitting threes. He filled the stat sheet. His defensive has been solid and he is rebounding.
This is the first game where Keegan really showed that he can in fact be that legit second option. Being able to put together an impactful offensive game when the three isn’t falling was what we never saw last season and only in spurts up until last night.
Domas has been in his All NBA form the last two games. Got a little sloppy in the fourth and I wish he would maintain his aggression. Especially when the matchup overwhelmingly favors him like last night. Only 5 shots in the second half, and only 3 that weren’t put back attempts but his role as the engine was in full effect last night. Domas can average a triple double if guys make shots and cut like they did in the second half.
Huerter seems to be back. Love his rebounding and getting his hand on the ball.
Keon did a great job. He was wearing SGA early but the refs let SGA get away with a couple hooks and he was able to get a rhythm..but nothing easy. Seems every time down he was disrupting a play of not forcing a turnover…or a “domino effect”.
Monk continues to play very well. Especially as a playmaker. His playmaking seems to have become a more consistent feature than last season. Last season the bench unit didn’t seem to have a consistent ball handler and playmaker even with Monk but he can cook more with Len and Javale.
I mentioned in the Portland thread that Len looked in better shape and less stiff than he did in his spots last season, and last night confirmed it. Dude was a problem and the way he was running the floor and quickly getting to the ball confirmed it. He has a different energy like he knows he is part of the plan this time around. Maybe he is just healthy.
Hit a snag in the third when they ran a few too many plays with him as a passer but he’s looked even better than Javale(who was playing well).
That should be an effective bench platoon. An older guy and a typically injury prone guy alternating so they aren’t gassed by the end of the season. Monk can cook with both of them.
Also, glad that Sasha got in there and hit two massive threes that pretty much sealed the game. He came in late and got 3 quick fouls and I thought he was headed to the doghouse for awhile but he got the job done.
The Meh:
Chris Duarte is better than this but he’s having a hard time finding his way. Seems like everything he does backfires. Right now it doesn’t seem like he fits but making his shots can change that perception. It might be more him that needs to worry about a possible long term Keon Ellis role in the rotation.
Davion struggled. I’m pro-Davion and think he’s an excellent player who probably isn’t the best fit for this Kings team offensively since he’s a guy that needs the ball a lot to consistently have the offensive games he had as a starter his rookie season….but I think his job as backup point guard is safe. As it should be…since I think the Kings plan to shop him this season or definitely in the coming offseason since next season is the last year of his contract. It’s best for a guy to be playing in that circumstance. Otherwise you end up trading draft picks to unload them like Holmes.
and finally, HB…it just doesn’t seem like he does nearly enough out there most nights. Even if somehow he ends up with his average at the end of the night it seems like the Kings are just missing a bunch from that position.
Obviously HB has value to the Kings and seems to be viewed as an irreplaceable glue guy by the organization. I respect that, but damn it just feels like the Kings can do much better overall there. Especially if HB isn’t getting to the line like he did last season.
It started off terribly offensively but he had already put together a good offensive night by attacking the hoop, getting to the foul line, and mid range shots by the time he started hitting threes. He filled the stat sheet. His defensive has been solid and he is rebounding.
This is the first game where Keegan really showed that he can in fact be that legit second option. Being able to put together an impactful offensive game when the three isn’t falling was what we never saw last season and only in spurts up until last night.
Domas has been in his All NBA form the last two games. Got a little sloppy in the fourth and I wish he would maintain his aggression. Especially when the matchup overwhelmingly favors him like last night. Only 5 shots in the second half, and only 3 that weren’t put back attempts but his role as the engine was in full effect last night. Domas can average a triple double if guys make shots and cut like they did in the second half.
Huerter seems to be back. Love his rebounding and getting his hand on the ball.
Keon did a great job. He was wearing SGA early but the refs let SGA get away with a couple hooks and he was able to get a rhythm..but nothing easy. Seems every time down he was disrupting a play of not forcing a turnover…or a “domino effect”.
Monk continues to play very well. Especially as a playmaker. His playmaking seems to have become a more consistent feature than last season. Last season the bench unit didn’t seem to have a consistent ball handler and playmaker even with Monk but he can cook more with Len and Javale.
I mentioned in the Portland thread that Len looked in better shape and less stiff than he did in his spots last season, and last night confirmed it. Dude was a problem and the way he was running the floor and quickly getting to the ball confirmed it. He has a different energy like he knows he is part of the plan this time around. Maybe he is just healthy.
Hit a snag in the third when they ran a few too many plays with him as a passer but he’s looked even better than Javale(who was playing well).
That should be an effective bench platoon. An older guy and a typically injury prone guy alternating so they aren’t gassed by the end of the season. Monk can cook with both of them.
Also, glad that Sasha got in there and hit two massive threes that pretty much sealed the game. He came in late and got 3 quick fouls and I thought he was headed to the doghouse for awhile but he got the job done.
The Meh:
Chris Duarte is better than this but he’s having a hard time finding his way. Seems like everything he does backfires. Right now it doesn’t seem like he fits but making his shots can change that perception. It might be more him that needs to worry about a possible long term Keon Ellis role in the rotation.
Davion struggled. I’m pro-Davion and think he’s an excellent player who probably isn’t the best fit for this Kings team offensively since he’s a guy that needs the ball a lot to consistently have the offensive games he had as a starter his rookie season….but I think his job as backup point guard is safe. As it should be…since I think the Kings plan to shop him this season or definitely in the coming offseason since next season is the last year of his contract. It’s best for a guy to be playing in that circumstance. Otherwise you end up trading draft picks to unload them like Holmes.
and finally, HB…it just doesn’t seem like he does nearly enough out there most nights. Even if somehow he ends up with his average at the end of the night it seems like the Kings are just missing a bunch from that position.
Obviously HB has value to the Kings and seems to be viewed as an irreplaceable glue guy by the organization. I respect that, but damn it just feels like the Kings can do much better overall there. Especially if HB isn’t getting to the line like he did last season.
I thought Chets talent looked awesome, but you saw the immediate downside with his frame vs a true big like Domas. He just flat out bullied him the entire game and just looked every bit a teenager trying to hang with a grown man. I thin Len got him too for a monster block
They might need to put him in a "Wemby" type situation where he splits time at the 4 and 5. Just so he isn't battling the behemoths for all his minutes
They might need to put him in a "Wemby" type situation where he splits time at the 4 and 5. Just so he isn't battling the behemoths for all his minutes
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