Welcome Nique Clifford

[twslam07]

If Clifford can actually become our PG of the future (which I still think is a very big “if”), the cool thing is we have two young guards that would fit very well next to him in the backcourt (Ellis and Carter). Ellis and Carter can easily defend PGs and Clifford can be the PG on offense and be a good defender at SG.

Obviously the backcourt is extremely crowded at the moment, but if you squint real hard looking ahead to the future, there is that possibility (I suppose).

 

[iowamcnabb]

If Clifford can actually become our PG of the future (which I still think is a very big “if”), the cool thing is we have two young guards that would fit very well next to him in the backcourt (Ellis and Carter). Ellis and Carter can easily defend PGs and Clifford can be the PG on offense and be a good defender at SG.

Obviously the backcourt is extremely crowded at the moment, but if you squint real hard looking ahead to the future, there is that possibility (I suppose).

What are your concerns regarding his ability to play the point? Just experience?

 

[The_Jamal]

What are your concerns regarding his ability to play the point? Just experience?

I want to see more of the handle. The vision has been apparent from day 1, but can he handle ball-pressure from starting level POA defenders night in and night out?

For a wing/secondary ball-handler/creator, he's perfectly fine. But there's a different level if you're being asked to be a lead ball-handler. The playmaking vision, I see it. The handle... need to see more

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980732124954321027

The only other time a Kings rookie has gotten talked about like this was Tyrese and that was only after a couple of months.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980688540678713427

 

[ESP47]

I want to see more of the handle. The vision has been apparent from day 1, but can he handle ball-pressure from starting level POA defenders night in and night out?

For a wing/secondary ball-handler/creator, he's perfectly fine. But there's a different level if you're being asked to be a lead ball-handler. The playmaking vision, I see it. The handle... need to see more

If I had to guess at this very moment, I'd say his passing chops are at Bogdan's level.

Like you said, there's a whole other level from a guy like Bogdan to a true point forward. Nique hasn't played many minutes against other team's starters so it's difficult to gauge right now. Problem is it might be a while before we can even get that answer since there's a dozen other players on the team that can order off the back of the menu at Denny's that will be handling the ball before he does.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980688540678713427

Barring a massive injury to Flagg, it feels like it would take an unprecedented season from a 20ish pick to unseat him.

But I'd take it!

 

[twslam07]

What are your concerns regarding his ability to play the point? Just experience?

I just need to see his passing more and I need to see him do it consistently. Not to mention I need to see his handle more. Can he handle his man applying full court pressure and get into the offensive sets efficiently?

 

[Tetsujin]

I just need to see his passing more and I need to see him do it consistently. Not to mention I need to see his handle more. Can he handle his man applying full court pressure and get into the offensive sets efficiently?

He was one of the best passers in college for a couple of seasons

 

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980688540678713427

Yeah, it's going to be extremely hard for anyone to beat Flagg since he's clearly going to be given the keys from day 1.

 

[twslam07]

He was one of the best passers in college for a couple of seasons

Was he? Last year, he was…

- 55th in MPG
- 87th in APG
- 139th in TOPG

I don’t think that really translates into him being one of the best passers in college, but admittedly, I didn’t really watch him much considering the level of competition of the conference he was playing in.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981138816909135892

 

[TaxMan]

It’s about time for KingsFans.com to go apecrap when Nique gets 12 min of playing time tonight. Please please please get him 25 to 30 min a night.

 

[Tetsujin]

It’s about time for KingsFans.com to go apecrap when Nique gets 12 min of playing time tonight. Please please please get him 25 to 30 min a night.

Crisis apparently averted lol

 

[Joshyjosh31]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981455684580626725

 

[gunks]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981455684580626725

Wtf, when did this happen?

Basketball gods clearly want us to tank

 

[hrdboild]

Is it just me or does it seem like hamstring injuries are up 1000% this year?

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981455684580626725

I guess that explains why he randomly left the game in the middle of a run at the midway point of the 4th quarter

 

[iowamcnabb]

Oof. In the win projections thread I said a team or two usually gets decimated by injuries, are we that team?

 

[Kingster]

That sucks about the Clifford hamstring. It's going to make it tough watching the Utah game.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I guess that explains why he randomly left the game in the middle of a run at the midway point of the 4th quarter

And to think I just assumed that DraftKings had already gotten to him! Whew!

 

[NewArena]

I guess that explains why he randomly left the game in the middle of a run at the midway point of the 4th quarter

Absolutely sucks. Anyone that helps us win is getting hurt now huh smh

 

[Shaqfuey]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981455684580626725

Westbrook 35 minutes tomorrow incoming

 

[Caccia]

Westbrook 35 minutes tomorrow incoming

I doubt the coaches think he is ready for that, either in terms of physical conditioning or in his comfort level with the other players.

By the way, Clifford only had one of the Kings' 13 turnovers last night. Schröder had four. Something to watch going forward.

 

[Shaqfuey]

I doubt the coaches think he is ready for that, either in terms of physical conditioning or in his comfort level with the other players.

By the way, Clifford only had one of the Kings' 13 turnovers last night. Schröder had four. Something to watch going forward.

I wasn’t necessarily being serious. But would be a very Kings thing to do.

It felt like 2-3 of Schröder‘s TOs came early on. Curious to see how he settles in tomorrow.