[Game] Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers, 12/12/2023, 7:30pm PST/10:30pm EST

[ick300]

I can’t see McGee as trade material , in my opinion no one will be interested in 36old player , even with his 3 rings ….
He can be used for 10 min per game to give rest to Sabonis and Lin and help with experience during training as well

 

[joemama]

What can be learned from this loss?

Offense
Mostly that if our outside shot isn't falling, we don't have another gameplan. I mean we literally missed what 11, 12 straight 3s and just keep jacking them (up).

Fox and Monk have been great getting in the paint, but they are just given the ball and asked to create. There are no plays, no screens, no help.

Defense
Matchups. Why was Keegan on Hardan so much? When Kawhi was going scorched earth we bring in weapon X . . . Davion to defend Hardan (?) Last night was an example of when Edwards or at least Duarte was needed, not Davion.

Rebounding is the most inconsistent aspect of our team. Way too often is Sabonis battling for boards in a crowd.

Overall
Backup C is unresolved. Javale is a momentum killer.

Kawhi is what an MVP candidate looks like. They are going to be a problem is he stays healthy.

 

[BenchMob]

Agree, McGee situation I’m not too worried about. Best case scenario Len comes back towards the start of the new year healthily and can be the main backup

 

[upinsmoke]

This team is soft.

 

[fansinceday1]

You fans who watched the entire game, whew.....thats devotion.

Yeah, im not there anymore. Im not wasting an evening on trash. There were some exciting games on last night.

Booker has matured and that suns team is gonna be a problem. And as much as a lot of kings fans would like to throw dirt on the warriors, that team is still an issue in the west. The kings better figure things out or they will miss the playoffs.

 

[SLAB]

They won’t miss the playoffs. But they’re first-round fodder as built. Running it back wasn’t ever the right choice.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

There have been some hints in the posts for this game that Coach Brown may have some responsibility for these type of losses.

Yes, he was COY last year but seems to be stuck in "last year". Maybe some of his techniques and decisions are based on what was rather than what is. He puts the same lineup on the court every game and sticks to it through thick and thin.

With the "thin" he persists with the same group of players. Adapting to the reality and needs of the game doesn't seem to influence his decisions. As evidence, look at the kudos he gave Fernandez and Christie for their logical suggestions a few games ago.

His perception and needs of the game may just be becoming a bit stale. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. When a shift is needed, he needs to act. The players can see that. Adaptation often refreshes enthusiasm and attention. Trying to fit a square peg in a round hole just causes frustration and negativity.

Now, Coach Brown doesn't shoot 3's or play defense. That is on the players. But there needs to be a bit more flexibility and creativity when needed to generate a chance to win.

yea there hasn't been much offensive versatility this year. Its too easy for other teams to game-plan around a 1 dimensional team. What happened to those deep mid range shots Fox used to drain all last year? They need someone that can score inside and get to the line consistently when the shot ain't dropping. Fox & Sabonis are good at that but they don't hit their free throws at a high enough clip. Barnes definitely isn't fulfilling that role. I think once they add a piece that can score inside it will unlock the offense and we wont see as many games like this.

 

[upinsmoke]

yea there hasn't been much offensive versatility this year. Its too easy for other teams to game-plan around a 1 dimensional team. What happened to those deep mid range shots Fox used to drain all last year? They need someone that can score inside and get to the line consistently when the shot ain't dropping. Fox & Sabonis are good at that but they don't hit their free throws at a high enough clip. They need consistency at the line and in the mid-range/paint. Barnes definitely isn't fulfilling that role. I think once they add a piece that can score inside it will unlock the offense and we wont see as many games like this.

DeRozan.

 

[jiimbob]

DeRozan.

Yes, and another young center who might be able to bang with the teams that are giving the Kings fits. I was just watching The just Basketball podcast and one of them mentioned the Wizards Daniel Gafford as a target. I didn’t know much about him but he’s 25 with good size and actually putting up decent numbers. Maybe a bit expensive for a backup center, but something along those lines. Lin when back might fill that hole too.

 

[Woot!]

What can be learned from this loss?

Offense
Mostly that if our outside shot isn't falling, we don't have another gameplan. I mean we literally missed what 11, 12 straight 3s and just keep jacking them (up).

Fox and Monk have been great getting in the paint, but they are just given the ball and asked to create. There are no plays, no screens, no help.

Defense
Matchups. Why was Keegan on Hardan so much? When Kawhi was going scorched earth we bring in weapon X . . . Davion to defend Hardan (?) Last night was an example of when Edwards or at least Duarte was needed, not Davion.

Rebounding is the most inconsistent aspect of our team. Way too often is Sabonis battling for boards in a crowd.

Overall
Backup C is unresolved. Javale is a momentum killer.

Kawhi is what an MVP candidate looks like. They are going to be a problem is he stays healthy.

If the 3's are open they - Huerter, Keegan, HB, Monk, Trey, etc. - have to take 'em. Allowing defenses to pack the paint completely undercuts Domas' and Fox's effectiveness. It already too often looks like Domas is battling one-on-three in there. The one main exception: HB. He's good at drawing fouls in the lane and hits foul shots at a good clip. But his free throw attempts are way down so far this year because he's not being given the ball on the block and isn't driving as much as previous years.

Speaking of HB - I totally agree on the rebounding. There's no bigger HB fan than me, but I'm super disappointed in his work on the boards so far this year. He's never been a great rebounder for his position - though I do think he does a good job boxing out so others, including Sabonis, can secure the board. Fox and Huerter are actually rebounding solidly from the guard position. Keegan's okay. HB just HAS to get more active.

Kawhi's offensive skill set is unbelievable. He reminds me of T-Mac from back in the day. Lowest-key superstar in the league.

 

[BenchMob]

 

[iowamcnabb]

If the 3's are open they - Huerter, Keegan, HB, Monk, Trey, etc. - have to take 'em. Allowing defenses to pack the paint completely undercuts Domas' and Fox's effectiveness. It already too often looks like Domas is battling one-on-three in there. The one main exception: HB. He's good at drawing fouls in the lane and hits foul shots at a good clip. But his free throw attempts are way down so far this year because he's not being given the ball on the block and isn't driving as much as previous years.

Speaking of HB - I totally agree on the rebounding. There's no bigger HB fan than me, but I'm super disappointed in his work on the boards so far this year. He's never been a great rebounder for his position - though I do think he does a good job boxing out so others, including Sabonis, can secure the board. Fox and Huerter are actually rebounding solidly from the guard position. Keegan's okay. HB just HAS to get more active.

Kawhi's offensive skill set is unbelievable. He reminds me of T-Mac from back in the day. Lowest-key superstar in the league.

I see what you are saying about 3s but don’t agree we need to keep taking them when they aren’t falling. Missing 5 threes in a row could be the difference between a close game and a 10 point deficit. Teams can’t clog the paint because they still have to respect our shooters. It won’t hurt to collectively shoot less threes on those nights. I mentioned it right after the game but I can’t think of one game this year where we shot like crap the first two quarters and then caught fire in the second half. I can’t said with certainty it hasn’t happened but I don’t recall.

As far as rebounding, we have the highest defensive rebounding rate in the league. I think we are middle of the pack on the o boards though.

 

[gunks]

I agree with the two many threes take.

Any team featuring Fox and Sabonis should not have to live and die by the 3. We need to mix it up and get into the paint more on offense.

The pace gimmick might be another issue if it's just going to give us a schedule loss ever b2b this season.

 

[iowamcnabb]

They won’t miss the playoffs. But they’re first-round fodder as built. Running it back wasn’t ever the right choice.

I guess the question is what would an external upgrade have looked like?

rumor had it we were interested in Draymond. He’s on pace to miss 1/4 of the season with suspensions and injury. Kuzma was also allegedly a target, but was not receptive to a 3rd or 4th option type of role. If we had added either of those, are we now a deep playoff team?

the reality is our championship hopes rest on the shoulders of Fox, Domas, Monk and Keegan. Monte’s best bet was to get one more year of data on that core before making a change or a big swing unless the absolute perfect opportunity presents itself. Once he has full confidence in those 4 he can make ancillary moves to fill out our team with defensive talent.

 

[Kingster]

Well that wasn’t an enjoyable game to watch although Keegan is looking more the star.
Time to bring back that acknowledgement of how bad Huerter has been thread.

And the Draymond situation, out of control thug yeah but once again Kerr says he didn’t see the play. Well wtf is he doing on the side lines. No respect for Kerr.

I wanted to give this 1000 likes for the comment on Kerr. His "I didn't see it; I have to look at the tape" is beyond ridiculous. He's complicit as far as I am concerned.

 

[Kingster]

I don't know how much of this is serious and how much is tongue in cheek, but is it fair to criticize the team for lacking pride and rolling over when things get difficult if you're then going write off all future back to backs as losses and skip them and/or turn the game off in the second quarter if the team is playing poorly?

Yeah, it's fair. They roll over like a soft puppy when they play on back to backs. All they need is a belly scratch so they go in the corner for a nap.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

maybe it's time to add the Clips to the same list as the Pelicans and Rockets? I know the Kings beat the Clips last season with PG and Kawhi but that's last season

Only one of the Kings' three wins against the Clippers last season was when Leonard was available, and the Kings only won that game by a point.

 

[sactowndog]

I guess the question is what would an external upgrade have looked like?

rumor had it we were interested in Draymond. He’s on pace to miss 1/4 of the season with suspensions and injury. Kuzma was also allegedly a target, but was not receptive to a 3rd or 4th option type of role. If we had added either of those, are we now a deep playoff team?

the reality is our championship hopes rest on the shoulders of Fox, Domas, Monk and Keegan. Monte’s best bet was to get one more year of data on that core before making a change or a big swing unless the absolute perfect opportunity presents itself. Once he has full confidence in those 4 he can make ancillary moves to fill out our team with defensive talent.

except you had money to sign someone last year. Now we don’t have any cap room. We had an opportunity and missed it.

 

[iowamcnabb]

except you had money to sign someone last year. Now we don’t have any cap room. We had an opportunity and missed it.

Again, who is the someone?

 

[kingsboi]

Only one of the Kings' three wins against the Clippers last season was when Leonard was available, and the Kings only won that game by a point.

so then it's fair to simply add the Clippers on the list of bully teams?

 

[kingsboi]

If the 3's are open they - Huerter, Keegan, HB, Monk, Trey, etc. - have to take 'em. Allowing defenses to pack the paint completely undercuts Domas' and Fox's effectiveness. It already too often looks like Domas is battling one-on-three in there. The one main exception: HB. He's good at drawing fouls in the lane and hits foul shots at a good clip. But his free throw attempts are way down so far this year because he's not being given the ball on the block and isn't driving as much as previous years.

Speaking of HB - I totally agree on the rebounding. There's no bigger HB fan than me, but I'm super disappointed in his work on the boards so far this year. He's never been a great rebounder for his position - though I do think he does a good job boxing out so others, including Sabonis, can secure the board. Fox and Huerter are actually rebounding solidly from the guard position. Keegan's okay. HB just HAS to get more active.

Kawhi's offensive skill set is unbelievable. He reminds me of T-Mac from back in the day. Lowest-key superstar in the league.

I definitely don't remember T Mac being a low key star, dude lead the league in scoring in his Orlando days and the Rockets had lots of TV coverage with him and Yao

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

so then it's fair to simply add the Clippers on the list of bully teams?

I been put them on the list. That's the whole reason why people keep putting them on their lists of championship contenders: Paul George and a healthy Kawhi are a problem for anybody.

 

[kingsboi]

I been put them on the list. That's the whole reason why people keep putting them on their lists of championship contenders: Paul George and a healthy Kawhi are a problem for anybody.

in other years I wouldn't put the Clipps in contention talk but the West is wide open this season so if they get the right matchups, they can advance

 

[twslam07]

I been put them on the list. That's the whole reason why people keep putting them on their lists of championship contenders: Paul George and a healthy Kawhi are a problem for anybody.

Since the Harden trade AND since moving Westbrook to the bench, they’ve gone 10-3. That’s a 63-19 pace. With Leonard, George, and Harden healthy, they can compete with anyone.