iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
Who will it be?
Looking like it's Keegan at this point with how willing Sabonis has been to defer and create.
Before the season started, I was thinking about where I would rank Sabonis on a title contending team, and I ended up thinking that he could be the 3rd best player on a title team due to his scoring abilities not really being elite (he picks his spots rather than being able to impose himself on a defense). I was also leaning towards having Fox as the 3rd best player on a title team with the potential to become the 2nd best player on a title team (dependent on an improvement in his C&S and off the dribble shooting).Looking like it's Keegan at this point with how willing Sabonis has been to defer and create.
ok, will he do it at 18 plus points a game? 20? More?
Before the season started, I was thinking about where I would rank Sabonis on a title contending team, and I ended up thinking that he could be the 3rd best player on a title team due to his scoring abilities not really being elite (he picks his spots rather than being able to impose himself on a defense). I was also leaning towards having Fox as the 3rd best player on a title team with the potential to become the 2nd best player on a title team (dependent on an improvement in his C&S and off the dribble shooting).
If Fox continues his current play and Murray grows into a star player for us, we may have a solid star trio in our midst. Add Mitchell, Huerter, 2023 SAC 1st, and a solid SF/PF free agent during the 2023 offseason and we may be onto something.
Wow! That is great. I'm not sure that defensive rating can hold up, but would also expect their offensive production to get better as they start to gel.Yeah the weird aspect of Sabonis is I DO think he's an elite scorer (18-20 PPG the last 3 years with elite TS% numbers is absolutely elite), but like you said, he looks to be a facilitator first. And it seems like he's really turned that aspect of his game up with the Kings, which I think has helped Fox take that next step as a scorer because he's actually getting shots created for him, rather than just doing it himself.
The offensive potential of the core is staggeringly good. Fox/Sabonis as elite paint collapsers surrounded by 2 elite C&S spacers is exactly how you win as a modern offense. That 5th spot needs to be some sort of defensive lynchpin type (PJ, Grant, etc) and the starting unit I do believe could be elite with the growth of Keegan.
Tetsu already posted this, but:
This is a great sign, considering how bad HB has been this year, how tough our schedule has been and how everyone is still learning how to play with each other. Really does illustrate how much the bench is letting the team down this year; the Kings top 4 has been extremely good. Partially on Brown too for not getting this lineup on the floor far more in the first 5 games.
Very much disagree that Sabonis is an elite scorer. He’s an efficient scorer that plays within himself, sure, but not an elite scorer. He’s not a guy that you give the ball that instantly creates a mismatch like Giannis, Durant, Embiid, Doncic, etc.Yeah the weird aspect of Sabonis is I DO think he's an elite scorer (18-20 PPG the last 3 years with elite TS% numbers is absolutely elite), but like you said, he looks to be a facilitator first. And it seems like he's really turned that aspect of his game up with the Kings, which I think has helped Fox take that next step as a scorer because he's actually getting shots created for him, rather than just doing it himself.
The offensive potential of the core is staggeringly good. Fox/Sabonis as elite paint collapsers surrounded by 2 elite C&S spacers is exactly how you win as a modern offense. That 5th spot needs to be some sort of defensive lynchpin type (PJ, Grant, etc) and the starting unit I do believe could be elite with the growth of Keegan.
Tetsu already posted this, but:
This is a great sign, considering how bad HB has been this year, how tough our schedule has been and how everyone is still learning how to play with each other. Really does illustrate how much the bench is letting the team down this year; the Kings top 4 has been extremely good. Partially on Brown too for not getting this lineup on the floor far more in the first 5 games.
Very much disagree that Sabonis is an elite scorer. He’s an efficient scorer that plays within himself, sure, but not an elite scorer. He’s not a guy that you give the ball that instantly creates a mismatch like Giannis, Durant, Embiid, Doncic, etc.
Think we just disagree on the function of "elite" scorer then. Like I think prime CP3/Nash were elite scorers too; their primary objective was to faciliate and be a playmaker though. They just never shot enough.
That's Sabonis to a lesser degree. Dude is incredibly unselfish and while he should be shooting 17-18 times a game, he backs off, creates for others and gives you a super efficient 18-20 PPG on excellent efficiency. I don't care how you're getting me those points, I just want them.
Feel bad about not choosing Huerter in the poll now TBH
Murr would be the first one to say he and he alone is to "blame" for his poor shooting. That has nothing to do with the fact he was still a solid player on the court doing things that contribute to winning.yeah either I’m to blame for Murray’s performance for posting this question or you are for saying he might have his first bad game in the game write up.
I disagree that Sabonis could maintain a similar efficiency with added volume. He scores within the flow of the offense (which is perfectly fine). When he has to force the issue here and there, I don't see elite scorer skills. Durant can force the issue all day and maintain a solid efficiency, Giannis can force the issue all day and maintain a solid efficiency, Curry can force the issue and maintain a solid efficiency, etc.Think we just disagree on the function of "elite" scorer then. Like I think prime CP3/Nash were elite scorers too; their primary objective was to faciliate and be a playmaker though. They just never shot enough.
That's Sabonis to a lesser degree. Dude is incredibly unselfish and while he should be shooting 17-18 times a game, he backs off, creates for others and gives you a super efficient 18-20 PPG on excellent efficiency. I don't care how you're getting me those points, I just want them.