Sasha signed!!!
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
I wouldn't even want him playing in Vegas. He's played a lot of games fairly recently and just traveled from Greece. Not to mention that Summer League games aren't really conducive to his play. Let him rest up and get to know the ownership, front office, coaching staff, and any players that are around. I have zero doubt that he'll hit the ground running in training camp. At least on the offensive end of things.
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
That type of shot making crosses all borders. Dude is going to shock people. We're gonna win forty games!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KainLear
Starter
Haha yeah that's one of the things I picked up as well, dude is sneakily pretty good at drawing fouls with his 3s. I just hope he doesn't get singled out here in this new season's flopping rule because I'M DAMN SURE the league would LOOOOOVE to use someone from the Kings who just came over from EUROPE as the scapegoat to put the league on notice about the new rule.
PorchSurfin
Starter
His shot reminds me a LOT of Sarunas. Doubt he has the ball handling skills of Rooney but the quick lefty release is very similar.
Pimpis Zajoba
G-League
Sasha Vezenkov sets the bar high for himself and the Sacramento Kings
https://www.eurohoops.net/en/interv...ar-high-for-himself-and-the-sacramento-kings/
https://www.eurohoops.net/en/interv...ar-high-for-himself-and-the-sacramento-kings/
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
Another lefty! You know I have to mention my tongue-in-cheek fascination with being able to field an all-lefty 5 on the floor. We're 3/5ths of the way there!
If only we'd have landed Kris Murray in the draft....
If only we'd have landed Kris Murray in the draft....
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
Assuming Kevin Huerter can bounce back from his postseason struggles and assuming Sasha's shot translates this season as it has over in Europe, the KINGS sure have a nice stable of sharp shooters on their roster.
But this KINGS team has at least 5 players capable of averaging between 37 and 41% from 3 on an average to above average amount of attempts.
While his volume was super low (83 attempts), even Domas shot 37.3% last season. So even he is capable.
Chris Duarte struggled mightily last season, but during his rookie campaign he managed 36.9% from three on 255 attempts. So perhaps he may find his way on the list above too.
This team can SHOOT. And they are DANGEROUS.
**NOTICE** The above doesn't mention De'Aaron Fox, who just won the inaugural Jerry West clutch player award. So while he has yet to shoot a high percentage from 3, he's still a marksman in the clutch from wherever he manages to shoot.
- Keegan Murray ... 41.1% from 3 last season
- Sasha Vezenkov ... 43.4% from 3 last season; shot 39.8% and 37.8% the 2 seasons prior; averages 39.5% over his 12 season Euro career
- Malik Monk ... 35.9% from 3 last season; shot 39.1% and 40.1% the 2 seasons prior; averaging 38.1% over the past 3 seasons
- Kevin Huerter ... 40.2% from 3 last season; averages 38.5% over his 5 season career
- Harrison Barnes ... 37.4% from 3 last season; shot 39.4% and 39.1% the 2 seasons prior; averages 37.8% over his 11 season career
But this KINGS team has at least 5 players capable of averaging between 37 and 41% from 3 on an average to above average amount of attempts.
While his volume was super low (83 attempts), even Domas shot 37.3% last season. So even he is capable.
Chris Duarte struggled mightily last season, but during his rookie campaign he managed 36.9% from three on 255 attempts. So perhaps he may find his way on the list above too.
This team can SHOOT. And they are DANGEROUS.
**NOTICE** The above doesn't mention De'Aaron Fox, who just won the inaugural Jerry West clutch player award. So while he has yet to shoot a high percentage from 3, he's still a marksman in the clutch from wherever he manages to shoot.
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Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
Thanks for this summary.
I'd like to add just one point. The addition of shooters to the floor lineup does not result in diminishing returns, but exponential. Meaning, it's exponentially harder to cover three or even four shooters on the floor than it is 2.
The more shooters you have on the floor, the more shooters will be open. This may sound reductive or obvious, but it's key. You stretch the defense to the point of breaking. A lineup of Fox, Huerter, Keegan, Sasha, and Domas. I mean that's just nuts. You get done defenestrating the opposition with with the starting crew, and then you throw out Davion, Edwards, and Len to clamp down their bench crew while leaving a couple shooters on the floor.
Forget 40, this team has a chance to win 70. Since SLAB has been abducted and his AI replacement is the optimistic version, I'm sure he will agree.
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KingsFanSince85
All-Star
To add more weight to your point, ALL 5 of the players bullet pointed above could potentially find themselves together on the floor in certain situations.
When the KINGS are inbounding from half court and are in need of a 3 to tie or win with just a few ticks of the clock remaining, which of those players are you going to leave open? (most will probably say HB, but go ahead)
Vinny Basketballerino
Starter
I can already see the fear and panic in the eyes of opposing coaches. You know the look. Hands in pockets, furrowed brow, quick glances to assistant coaches and scanning the bench, then slowly walking back to the chair and holding on for dear life.
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Maybe we'll need one of those missing person alerts.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Maybe, but it did come out around the time of negotiations that they expected Sasha to backup Barnes/Keegan. If Sasha is the player he was in Europe he'll be starting over someone at some point. This is the kind of competition that might end up positively because all pieces on the team right now are movable.
KainLear
Starter
Sounds like healthy competition to me.
PorchSurfin
Starter
Dude is a walking bucket. Won't ever be a 1 on 1 scorer. Won't need to be. Will score within the flow of the game. I can imagine the push is to have Keegan be able to create his own shot so then Fox, Monk, and Keegan can be your 1v1 players when needed and the rest of the team offers spacing and shot making/movement. Damn solid start adding Sasha. Duarte. Retaining Barnes and Lyles.
Couple good things you notice of Vezenkov - 1st he sees space open well - reacts quickly and decisively to it on his cuts.....and 2 he seems to have adapted his shot for quick releasing......that will probably be imperative in the NBA, as he's average athletically - he'll absolutely need that for strong athletic defenders. My expectations are not too high for him, as I think the level of athleticism and speed in the NBA are gonna be difficult for him to adapt to especially the initial season. His ball handling is average looking, ok for his size. But he won't be expected to lead the team by any means, so the pressure is somewhat off. He will be expected to be efficient. By hIs interview, he seems to understand the jump in level of play to the NBA.
miltonap
Starter
He's going to be an offensive sav
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
The idea of him working with Domas is super intriguing. Offense could be insanely fun to watch this year. Would be cool if Domas averaged a triple double 16 12 10
Yeah some PnR/DHO stuff with Domas is going to be fascinating. I can only imagine the sets you could draw up with a Huerter/Keegan/Vezenkov wing trio and Fox/Domas putting pressure on the defense.
I'm also super interested in the 2 unit pairing too. I love the idea of him acting as the screener on O (he looks like he can do some DHO stuff himself as the handler) and the Pick n Pop/Roll game with Monk and Fox in that 2nd unit. And you keep Lyles in his usual corner offensively, but he defends the 5 on D.
sono
Starter
That sounds like a good problem to have!
PorchSurfin
Starter
I also love the passion Sasha plays with. I can easily see him becoming a fan favorite.
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