Monk as Starter

Caccia

Caccia

Starter
Monk is coming on strong as a starter, as I always thought he would. A writer on another site compiled "A list of every player Mike Brown started before Malik Monk. The list is long:

De’Aaron Fox
Domantas Sabonis
Harrison Barnes
DeMar DeRozan
Keegan Murray
Kevin Huerter
Trey Lyles
Keon Ellis
Davion Mitchell
Alex Len
Jae Crowder
Terence Davis
Chris Duarte
Richaun Holmes
Doug McDermott
Kessler Edwards
KZ Okpala

It would be amusing if not so ridiculous. Many here passionately defended having Monk come off the bench, as the "super sixth man," and I respect those arguments, but now I hope and expect that the Kings will thrive with the current starting lineup. I have noticed that when both Fox and Monk are in the game, Fox normally brings the ball up and initiates the play, not Sabonis, whereas when Fox is out, Monk acts as the point guard. Ellis plays shooting guard alongside either one of those two.

https://kingsherald.com/articles/a-list-of-every-player-mike-brown-started-before-malik-monk/
 
Another writer on the same site notes the increased minutes that come with playing as a starter:

"Malik seems to be fitting right in as a starter: 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists on the night for Malik, and 3-8 from distance as well. I think the biggest benefit of having Malik in the starting lineup is simply the fact that he gets to play more. Even last season where he should have won 6th man, he was only averaging 26 minutes a night. As a starter, he’s closer to 36, and that feels more in line with what should be happening. Get your best players on the floor."

https://kingsherald.com/articles/kings-140-spurs-113-turns-out-we-are-allowed-to-make-threes/
 
Monk was always the best shooting guard on this team and will fit seamlessly into the starting line up.

For the Kings to succeed though, we need Huerter to fill his scoring void on the bench. If Huerter can embrace the sniper role, he could become our super Sixth Man backing up the SG/SF.
 
I was a proponent of him starting before we got Deebo (assuming we upgraded the wing with defense) and then against it once we landed Derozan. The usage was concerning but the big downside to me was the defense. It’s definitely not ideal to have 2 good defenders out of 5 in your opening and closing lineups and we are now small at 4 of the 5 positions. Having said that, it’s really worked well so far thanks to all the starters being unselfish and 4 of the five being plus passers. We were always doubling down on offense anyway so if this gets us back into top 5 offense and we can fill the rest of the roster with the right pieces it could potentially maximize our ceiling.
 
I was big on him starting last season.

I was adamant he was a starter when he re-signed.

DDR’s addition made me think 6th man would be his best role, because Keon balanced the starting 5 perfectly. Defense and doesn’t need the ball. But early results show he should have been starting from game 1, especially with Brown’s bizarre usage of Keon. He’s too talented and dynamic not to have him out there as much as possible.
 
The perimeter defense on this club is still a serious issue but if our solution is eff it, then I'm all for having Monk start until we find a better solution.
 
ShastaKingsFan said:
How can not changing the broken defensive scheme possibly be a solution, in terms of making a playoff run?
Click to expand...
It's not. If this allows us to win games until Carter can go, at which point we can make a trade to hopefully get a rim defender and play some different lineups I am just going to accept it. Can't make a playoff run if you can't beat teams you have clear talent advantages on.
 
ockingsfan said:
Monk was always the best shooting guard on this team and will fit seamlessly into the starting line up.

For the Kings to succeed though, we need Huerter to fill his scoring void on the bench. If Huerter can embrace the sniper role, he could become our super Sixth Man backing up the SG/SF.
Click to expand...

Most talented offensively for sure. This is also why he most likely finished games from the start. It's funny, the bench scoring in the Grizz loss had everyone up in arms but the way Brown runs his team, Monk wasn't really a 6th man to begin with, he was the 6th starter. Just like Manu with the Spurs. If people were worried about "bench scoring" don't start Monk and put him in after a minute. Bang, bench scoring is back, lol.
 
SacTownKid said:
This is the 2nd straight December that Monk has been on fire, in particular from 3. With all the bad shooting from the normally good shooting it seems like all that magic has gone to Monk thusfar.
Click to expand...
This is the other part of the equation, ride the hot hands if you are going to live and die by 3pt shooting. It's the biggest question with Brown is being stubborn, well if Monk goes cold and we don't move the next guy on fire in we can talk about it. But let's ride with what works and adapt when it doesn't.
 
Monk and DeRozan were held out of practice on Tuesday, after the team had Monday off, according to Jason Anderson. "The team did not disclose the nature of their injuries, but we're told both would have played if there was a game today."

It's good that all the starters played fewer minutes than usual on Sunday night. De'Aaron Fox is listed third in the league in minutes played per game, at 37.2. Murray is eleventh, Sabonis nineteenth, and DeRozan twenty-second.
 
ockingsfan said:
Monk was always the best shooting guard on this team and will fit seamlessly into the starting line up.

For the Kings to succeed though, we need Huerter to fill his scoring void on the bench. If Huerter can embrace the sniper role, he could become our super Sixth Man backing up the SG/SF.
Click to expand...

I don’t think the Kings are winning because Monk is the best “shooting guard”. I think Monk is the best “point guard” on the team and does a great job of getting people involved. Fox is better as a shooting guard.
 
sactowndog said:
I don’t think the Kings are winning because Monk is the best “shooting guard”. I think Monk is the best “point guard” on the team and does a great job of getting people involved. Fox is better as a shooting guard.
Click to expand...
To me, Fox has never been a true PG; he has been more like a combo guard. Monk's versatility in both positions is a huge bonus. They are made for each other regardless of their positions.
 
Caccia said:
With Monk now starting for the Kings, interest from other teams has picked up. No surprise there, but it does speak to how Malik has taken advantage of the opportunity. Fortunately, there is no indication the front office has any plans to trade him.

https://sactownsports.com/nba-sacra...ento-kings-could-consider-trading-malik-monk/
Click to expand...

No sooner do I write that than he goes out and shoots 3-14 and 1-8 from deep with 5 turnovers. Let's hope this is the bottom for Malik and for the team.

Do you suppose all the sudden talk about Fox being traded has upset the team's equilibrium, Monk included?
 
The last two games have been pretty eye-opening: 57 points, 18 combined assists, 5 steals, 6 turnovers. Monk waited and waited for over two years for a chance to start in Sacramento, but the losing streak almost sank his opportunity before he really got going. The way he involves all his teammates, passing to the open man no matter who it is, makes a big difference.
 
If Monk is unable to play against Milwaukee and possibly Houston, someone will have to pick up the slack. Since Doug Christie was named interim head coach, he ranks second on the team in points per game (21.8), first in assists (7.5), first in plus/minus (+9.5), second in FT% (94.4%), and third in steals (1.5). Keon Ellis stepped up when Fox was out, and I expect a similar performance on Tuesday. Devin Carter may see increased minutes, as well.

On the other hand, Malik is only shooting 42.3% from the field and 30.3% from the three-point line in the past eight games. He has missed a couple of wide-open threes when everyone was just waiting for him to shoot, and plenty of other open shots, as well. If he can bring that 3P% up to 36% or above, that would propel the Kings to an even higher level of play. As it is, teams are going to switch to the zone and hope the Kings shoot as poorly as they did early in the season. Some of the games have been too close for comfort.

Let's hope Monk can return soon. As it is, he goes through extensive leg-stretching and knee-bending with a trainer during the shootaround before every game, lying flat on his back, no doubt as a result of his Luka injury last season.

Edit: Monk has now been ruled out for tonight against Milwaukee, according to the Sacramento Bee.
 
Last edited:
Keon Ellis will star in place of Monk. Carter will back up.

I was a big proponent for the Monk to start. Even before his contract renewal with Kings. After Monk resigned with Kings - I hoped that he will start. Starting best five players on a team is usually what most teams do. Sure, having a strong punch from the bench available is also a very good option. The biggest reason why I wanted Monk to star is was his play alongside Domas. Fox is a very nice PG, thus undersized, doesn't have bulk. Monk is athletic. For Foxy to find Domas or any other Kings player in a better scoring position is quite a challenge. NBA game is "uber' fast. Teammates and opponents bodies fly all over the court all the time. Most traffic congested area is paint. For a small, not very tall guy, not a bulky guy with the ball (Fox), to find pass available to a teammate in good position is a challenge.
Different situation is with the Monk. He takes a flight or dribbles bejeezus and confuse opponents - then he has much, much better passing lines available. Domas is nimble, in the right places, with the glue for the ball on his hands. Shooters available on the perimeter, cutters are cutting.
During 7 games winning streak I saw much more "hockey' assists from the Kings. Hooray!!! Ball keeps moving.
With Monk out of the lineup, Domas will have to adjust his game. He will. Question is, can Kings put up a good fight and play well today in Milwaukee? Yes, they can. I expect Bucks to play well too, especially after that painful spanking on Sunday (104-140) in New York.
 
bball_nomad said:
Keon Ellis will star in place of Monk. Carter will back up.

I was a big proponent for the Monk to start. Even before his contract renewal with Kings. After Monk resigned with Kings - I hoped that he will start. Starting best five players on a team is usually what most teams do. Sure, having a strong punch from the bench available is also a very good option. The biggest reason why I wanted Monk to star is was his play alongside Domas. Fox is a very nice PG, thus undersized, doesn't have bulk. Monk is athletic. For Foxy to find Domas or any other Kings player in a better scoring position is quite a challenge. NBA game is "uber' fast. Teammates and opponents bodies fly all over the court all the time. Most traffic congested area is paint. For a small, not very tall guy, not a bulky guy with the ball (Fox), to find pass available to a teammate in good position is a challenge.
Different situation is with the Monk. He takes a flight or dribbles bejeezus and confuse opponents - then he has much, much better passing lines available. Domas is nimble, in the right places, with the glue for the ball on his hands. Shooters available on the perimeter, cutters are cutting.
During 7 games winning streak I saw much more "hockey' assists from the Kings. Hooray!!! Ball keeps moving.
With Monk out of the lineup, Domas will have to adjust his game. He will. Question is, can Kings put up a good fight and play well today in Milwaukee? Yes, they can. I expect Bucks to play well too, especially after that painful spanking on Sunday (104-140) in New York.
Click to expand...

it will be interesting to see how well Fox runs the team and involves other players compared to Malik.
 
Monk and Ja Morant have lots in common. Athletic high fliers with good handles. They attack the paint and when high in air on somewhere creating havoc on the ground - both have a natural skill to hit teammates for the best option. Easy dunks and layups, shots for the open shooters.
With Monk finally starting, Kings have 4 "must start" players in Domas, Fox, Monk and Keegan. DDR? DDR is a vet. Not as fast, quick and explosive as he was 10 years ago. Though now he has plenty of experience. All elite basketball players a high IQ ones. There are plenty of players that I don't want to be on a team that I like for various reasons. DDR is one of them. But, since he is a King - I need to switch my endless internal optimism and think about how DDR will adjust to his teammates, buy in what coaches want and become and organic fit.
DDRs time management. Coming from the bench would nice. Though not necessary. He can start the game and then everything in DC's hands. Subbing, lineups... DDR's time should be adjusted according to his game shape. It's easy for a player to play less minutes and go all out during that time. Or, if a player is feeling it - let him do his thing.
Not a good thing with DDR is his defense. With the Raptors he was taking lot's of defensive possessions easy, preserving energy for his crazy tough and difficult jumpers.
Anyway, all is now up to DC. I see that right now Kings being molded into the right shape. Keon Ellis must play. Keegan must shoot. Domas, Fox, Monk will do whatever they always do. Others, young guys or a vet, with not so many time with the team - MUST adjust themselves and team must adjust to them.
 
funkykingston said:
For anyone wondering (as I was) that's 22.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 7.6 apg. In the Warriors game Malik had 3 rebounds and in the Grizzlies game he had 2.

The scoring is nice (and often necessary) but his playmaking has been the most important part during this win streak.
Click to expand...

He could easily be a starting NBA lead guard. Just put a defensive guard like Keon or Carter next to him and it works well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

QWERTYLICIOUS
  • Locked
[Game] 64/82: Kings vs. Knicks 10 MAR 2025, 7:30p PT/10:30p ET
6 7 8
Replies
215
Views
8K
Vinny Basketballerino
Vinny Basketballerino
QWERTYLICIOUS
  • Locked
[Game] 63/82: Kings @ Clippers, 09 MAR 2025, 6:30p PT/9:30p ET
16 17 18
Replies
539
Views
13K
pdxKingsFan
pdxKingsFan
A
Monk and Fox take over late to lead the Kings past the Timberwolves 115-104
Replies
0
Views
113
Associated Press
A
Spike
  • Poll Poll
NBA Power Rankings, Week of 11/28
Replies
0
Views
200
Spike
Spike
A
Domantas Sabonis has 29 points, 18 rebounds as Kings beat Wizards 123-100
Replies
0
Views
252
Associated Press
A
Back
Top