[Game] New Orleans Pelicans @ Kings, 1-7-24 3PM PST/6PM EST

[SacTownKid]

The goal was and is to win a playoff series and make a deeper run. In that regard, things don't look "fine". Improvements need to be made, particularly on the defensive side, which becomes more important in the playoffs. They give up a 125+ points way too often

Yeah, but just don't get too heavy on defense if it's about trading one end for the other. There are closer to what could be called super teams this season and there really weren't last year so the rules might have changed but every year it seems like the best bet is a high offensive rating and decent defensive one. The Nuggets were the lowest rated defensive team to win a ring last season at around 15th. The Kings likely can't even build a team like the Celtics because the amount of change it would require personnel wise but might be able to use the Nuggets as a template.

 

[macadocious]

I left before the 3rd was over…

I’ve NEVER done that!

 

[SacTownKid]

I'd be surprised if Siakam ended up in Golden State. Toronto wants young players with upside and draft picks in exchange for Siakam, and the Warriors don't have either (unless you're somebody who still believes in Moody/Kuminga).

We have to see. I would've thought that draft capital is why the Kings would have an advantage but they said the same thing about OG and got nothing but young talent. No picks of any value came back. Last I heard Ujiri wanted proven young talent. I'd go picks if it were me but who knows with that guy.

 

[dude12]

If there is any deal to be made, Monte needs to acquire a couple of guys who will help us compete against the Pelicans. Have zero shot against them right now

 

[ick300]

If there is any deal to be made, Monte needs to acquire a couple of guys who will help us compete against the Pelicans. Have zero shot against them right now

Eihter that or we go the church and pray not to face them in the Play offs ...

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Yeah, but just don't get too heavy on defense if it's about trading one end for the other. There are closer to what could be called super teams this season and there really weren't last year so the rules might have changed but every year it seems like the best bet is a high offensive rating and decent defensive one. The Nuggets were the lowest rated defensive team to win a ring last season at around 15th. The Kings likely can't even build a team like the Celtics because the amount of change it would require personnel wise but might be able to use the Nuggets as a template.

Most of the improvements need to come from within the current roster and staff

 

[iowamcnabb]

Well last year the two teams that made the big moves made it to the 2nd round and WCF. That's about as big of an improvement as you could ever expect especially when both squads were toiling at the time.

true but they both got steamrolled in those appearances. One is back, desperate to add at the dealine this year and can mortgage their future due to being in one of the few places top players want to sign or be traded to and the other has an unhappy star who is playing with two other injury prone stars and Chimezie Metu. It could work out, but if it does it’s because both of those teams have players on the top 15 best to ever do it list.

 

[SacTownKid]

Speaking of "defensive" players.

Here's an interesting stat I just checked on. So defensive players are the way right? Is Duarte a better defender than Huerter? I'd say so. I mean, you can see it honestly. However, with Huerter the Kings are 7+ rating points better on offense and actually 1 rating point better on defense too. The Kings are getting worse on both ends and the offense is suffering by going for defense right now.

 

[ick300]

With more then one game so far in the season Pelicans seems to be nagative only with :
Jazz 1-2 , Memphis 1-2 and Houston 0-2 ...

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Speaking of "defensive" players.

Here's an interesting stat I just checked on. So defensive players are the way right? Is Duarte a better defender than Huerter? I'd say so. I mean, you can see it honestly. However, with Huerter the Kings are 7+ rating points better on offense and actually 1 rating point better on defense too. The Kings are getting worse on both ends and the offense is suffering by going for defense right now.

For whatever the reason is, whether it's players, scheme, technique, etc.....they continue to give up far too many open 3's. So when the opponent has a good shooting night, they end up getting blown out

 

[KF8]

Lots of games to keep an eye out on tonight. This game will sting less if some combination of mavs, suns, warriors, and lakers lose tonight.

 

[Jc121]

I will be very disappointed if we stand pat at the trade deadline Once again.

 

[KF8]

I will be very disappointed if we stand pat at the trade deadline Once again.

I'm not sure how much vivek is involved in trade talks, but I just hope if a decision was made.. it'd be because of monte and not because of pressure from vivek.

 

[iowamcnabb]

Looks like we unlocked the magic. They are taking and making a ton of threes all of a sudden

 

[KF8]

Looks like we unlocked the magic. They are taking and making a ton of threes all of a sudden

They also beat the nuggets the prior night with all the injuries too. Looks like they may have accidentally discovered some hidden gems deep in their line up lol. Makes u wonder if kings have such hidden gems.

 

[Kingz19]

Ugh embarrassing

https://twitter.com/x/status/1744157301932785754

 

[SacTownKid]

For whatever the reason is, whether it's players, scheme, technique, etc.....they continue to give up far too many open 3's. So when the opponent has a good shooting night, they end up getting blown out

All of the above to some degree surely. When you are a team that is going to play this style of ball and rely on 3's like that you are basically giving yourselves a shooters chance to win and lose. For what it's worth the Kings are actually higher in the defensive ratings this year. The issue is they've cratered to 16th on offense. Of course the Kings starters with Huerter in the lineup are still good for 2nd overall.

 

[SacTownKid]

Ugh embarrassing

https://twitter.com/x/status/1744157301932785754

The Kings are about to go on a win streak. Thanks for the motivation haha.

 

[Caccia]

I will put most of the blame for this pratfall on the coaching staff. They had weeks to come up with strategies and players to compete with the Pelicans, and failed.

 

[Kingz19]

Ham is going to flip out on his D-lo and KC segment tomorrow as after another blowout, Keon Ellis is the lone Kings player to take the podium.

Ellis was the only Kings player to take the podium after they were blown out at home by Boston but it makes even less sense tonight since he didn’t enter until the 4th I don’t think.

Ham took exception to that last time since Keon is a two way player and not one of the guys that needs to be accountable for these duds. Bad look that he’s been trotted out after two similar games…can’t say I disagree.

 

[Chupacabra]

Absolutely pwn3d in this one. It's to the point now where I shudder every time we have to play N.O.

 

[sauce-26]

Ham is going to flip out on his D-lo and KC segment tomorrow as after another blowout, Keon Ellis is the lone Kings player to take the podium.

Ellis was the only Kings player to take the podium after they were blown out at home by Boston but it makes even less sense tonight since he didn’t enter until the 4th I don’t think.

Ham took exception to that last time since Keon is a two way player and not one of the guys that needs to be accountable for these duds. Bad look that he’s been trotted out after two similar games…can’t say I disagree.

I was literally coming on here to say this. It is not a good look and a legit question by ham to ask. Where the hell is the accountability?

 

[The_Jamal]

Speaking of "defensive" players.

Here's an interesting stat I just checked on. So defensive players are the way right? Is Duarte a better defender than Huerter? I'd say so. I mean, you can see it honestly. However, with Huerter the Kings are 7+ rating points better on offense and actually 1 rating point better on defense too. The Kings are getting worse on both ends and the offense is suffering by going for defense right now.

Some "interesting" cherry picking after today's crapshow lol. The Duarte starting 5 had been previously excellent, especially the last 4 games or so. And our starting unit actually has been playing incredibly well, despite what people scapegoat HB and Huerter out to be. They've had some of the best splits among any unit with 200+ minutes.

Brown is losing on small edges right now. Things like playing Javale is a disaster. Playing Davion has mostly been a disaster. Not playing Sasha, especially after we saw what he brought today, probably is a big mistake.

If it were me (and Brown never listens since Im just some goober on the internet), I'd go here:

Fox
Duarte
Keegan
HB
Domas

Keon
Monk
Kessler
Sasha
Lyles

Time to commit to some actual defenders. Duarte/Keon/Kessler and they're still surrounded by elite offensive options a majority of the time. Huerter/Davion get kept on ice until the trade deadline.

 

[The_Jamal]

Ham is going to flip out on his D-lo and KC segment tomorrow as after another blowout, Keon Ellis is the lone Kings player to take the podium.

Ellis was the only Kings player to take the podium after they were blown out at home by Boston but it makes even less sense tonight since he didn’t enter until the 4th I don’t think.

Ham took exception to that last time since Keon is a two way player and not one of the guys that needs to be accountable for these duds. Bad look that he’s been trotted out after two similar games…can’t say I disagree.

Yeah, bad leadership here, especially from Fox/Domas/HB/Monk. Those are the leaders of this team and it's on them to go take accountability for a game like this. Even it's just "This is unacceptable, we'll get back to practice to make sure this type of games doesn't happen again".

 

[captain bill]

Sabonis tends to struggle against Val's size and strength. We're 0-3 against the Pelicans this season and have lost by a combined 52 points. Including laying an egg in the game that bounced us from the IST. Thankfully this is the last time we see them this year, very much hoping we don't draw them in the playoffs.

Those who imbibe may want a stiff drink handy for this one.

As I said

Given that we have a FIFTH game against the Pels we might set some kinda of record for worse point differential against a single team in a season

More significantly the IST might lose us 2 spots in the end of season standings, depending on what opponents we have fewer games against because of this

 

[NewArena]

Suns just lost to a Ja-less Grizzlies team at home. Anything can happen out West regardless of the margin of victory! Sheesh

 

[NewArena]

I just don’t get this take.

1) we have a better record than last year
2) we have had more injuries than last year
3) West is way better. Minnesota, New Orleans, OKC,Dallas, LAC and Houston were all either bad or underperforming at this point
4) we have beat OkC twice, once without Fox, split with Minny and 1-0 vs Denver. The only team team in the West that has regressed is Memphis due to injury and Ja. And guess what, we smoked them with all their top players finally returning.

we have to get better and more consistent but so does every team outside Minny, OKC, Sixers and Celts

THIS! This is all I’m saying and I’ll keep saying it.

 

[iowamcnabb]

Watching the Warriors Raptors game. One of the Warriors commentators is bashing the kings for losing on their home court by 33. The Warriors are currently down by 25 in the 4th with 6 plus minutes left. What a tool.

 

[Kingz19]

Watching the Warriors Raptors game. One of the Warriors commentators is bashing the kings for losing on their home court by 33. The Warriors are currently down by 25 in the 4th with 6 plus minutes left. What a tool.

Probably Bob Fitzgerald

 

[NewArena]

Thanks to a tweet, i just remembered the Wizards blew us out last season during another Sunday matinee. No more, please!