Game 22: Kings (9-12) vs Rockets (15-6)

[codydaze]

Huerter will be back and available for this one but Monk remains in the starting lineup. I understand the move to bring Monk into the starting lineup but I'm really not a fan of it. He is best as an instant boost of energy off the bench especially when we start a bit cold like we already are tonight. Never understood why starting is so important if you're still playing 30+ minutes and closing games. Now I guess we'll be relying on Huerter to bring the energy.

[Jkam31]

Sabonis man

[LightTheBeam]

It sucks how sac gets called so tightly, while rockets are allowed to be physical all game. Such a momentum killer anytime kings are doing anything

[codydaze]

I guess Keon is in the dog house?

[codydaze]

Fox getting us back into it to end the half.

[BoogieTime]

Competitive game. The starting unit is strong with Monk, I guess I can see why they might want to add though I like our pick this year

At times I think our starters with Monk can play with anyone

[KF10]

The Monk & Sabonis P&R really opens up a lot of the offense and play actions.

[codydaze]

Shout out to all of us Isaac Jones truthers.

[BoogieTime]

Makes you wonder why we had to hit rock bottom to start our best players

[BoogieTime]

I guess Keon is in the dog house?

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

[codydaze]

I guess Keon is in the dog house?

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

[BoogieTime]

I guess Keon is in the dog house?

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

That lineup data is with other offensive players I’m guessing

You need pop off the bench. Your defensive acumen comes in less handy playing against the other teams second string, and his offensive lack of repertoire is more pointed playing with Jones/Crowder etc

Huerter had one good game though, he might leave the door open

[LightTheBeam]

I guess Keon is in the dog house?

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

2nd half of season
Lyles + Huerter + 2nds for John Collins
Devin comes back
Ellis back in rotation
Jones stays in rotation

Fox - Derozan - Murray - Collins - Sabonis
Monk - Carter - Keon - Crowder - Jones

That would be my ask. If you want you could start Keon over Collins id be fine with that. But you have 5 real front court players here and you could ease Carter into the rotation.

I just hope Jones doesn't get Keon'd and dropped from the rotation when Lyles gets back.

[codydaze]

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

That lineup data is with other offensive players I’m guessing

You need pop off the bench. Your defensive acumen comes in less handy playing against the other teams second string, and his offensive lack of repertoire is more pointed playing with Jones/Crowder etc

Huerter had one good game though, he might leave the door open

"You need pop off the bench." Yes, that is Malik... You don't need another guy who is at his best with the ball in his hands in the starting lineup that had three 20+ PPG scorers who are all at their best with the ball in their hands. Monk can still play 30+ minutes and close games without being a starter.

And as far as the lineup data, I'm talking specifically about the Fox-Keon-Derozan-Keegan-Sabonis lineup. That lineup has an ORtg of 133.7 and a DRtg of 106.5, good for a Net of +27.2. We have 7 net positive lineups that have played at least 10 minutes together over at least 3 games and Keon is in 4 of those including the top 3.

[KF10]

Shout out to all of us Isaac Jones truthers.

I’m glad he is playing well! You can tell we had something in him. Can be another Keon-like improvement/rise for the Kings.

[Jkam31]

His brand of ball doesn’t play off the bench… dimensional defenders don’t fit the bench mold. Scoring pop is there

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

2nd half of season
Lyles + Huerter + 2nds for John Collins
Devin comes back
Ellis back in rotation
Jones stays in rotation

Fox - Derozan - Murray - Collins - Sabonis
Monk - Carter - Keon - Crowder - Jones

That would be my ask. If you want you could start Keon over Collins id be fine with that. But you have 5 real front court players here and you could ease Carter into the rotation.

I just hope Jones doesn't get Keon'd and dropped from the rotation when Lyles gets back.

All over the Collins trade I think we do that since we won’t have to give up a first. There’s zero chance Collins starts over Monk zero there’s no going back for monk especially the way he’s playing. The offense is rolling with him starting it’s got us to go away from standing and watching DD (though they do that in the 4th). Monks playmaking out of the pick and roll has also unlocked Sabonis game more when Keegan starts hitting shots the offense will be explosive but we put 120 on houston/San Antonio’s defenses I think houston is top 4. If Monk can maintain a pace of 15-18ppg and 4-6 apt no need to move him. Collins would take his spot as the bench scorer with most of our defensive guys playing with him I like the potential of a Collins/Jones frontcourt.

I think we should try and flip Ellis and a first for a wing defender but we wouldn’t have enough salary to match.

Or if we want wing defenders over Collins scoring Ellis, Huerter, and three seconds for DDS and Ziere Williams. Turn Ellis into two good wing defenders over 6’7 which we desperately need

[LightTheBeam]

I mean for a team that has both struggled to defend and struggled to shoot from deep, I really don't see any reason one of our most disruptive defenders who also shoots 44% from deep is not getting time. Again, look at the lineup data with him on the floor, all the numbers point to him being an impact player.

2nd half of season
Lyles + Huerter + 2nds for John Collins
Devin comes back
Ellis back in rotation
Jones stays in rotation

Fox - Derozan - Murray - Collins - Sabonis
Monk - Carter - Keon - Crowder - Jones

That would be my ask. If you want you could start Keon over Collins id be fine with that. But you have 5 real front court players here and you could ease Carter into the rotation.

I just hope Jones doesn't get Keon'd and dropped from the rotation when Lyles gets back.

All over the Collins trade I think we do that since we won’t have to give up a first. There’s zero chance Collins starts over Monk zero there’s no going back for monk especially the way he’s playing. The offense is rolling with him starting it’s got us to go away from standing and watching DD (though they do that in the 4th). Monks playmaking out of the pick and roll has also unlocked Sabonis game more when Keegan starts hitting shots the offense will be explosive but we put 120 on houston/San Antonio’s defenses I think houston is top 4. If Monk can maintain a pace of 15-18ppg and 4-6 apt no need to move him. Collins would take his spot as the bench scorer with most of our defensive guys playing with him I like the potential of a Collins/Jones frontcourt.

I think we should try and flip Ellis and a first for a wing defender but we wouldn’t have enough salary to match.

Or if we want wing defenders over Collins scoring Ellis, Huerter, and three seconds for DDS and Ziere Williams. Turn Ellis into two good wing defenders over 6’7 which we desperately need

e
I don't think we can afford to trade Keon & Huerter this year without getting a guard back. Especially if you are committed towards Monk starting. Who is the backup guard? If Carter played all year that may be realistic. Also with how Mike has handled Keon, I don't think hes going to have much trade value. But he's so cheap he can provide good 3&D at an almost no cost to us.

I'm fine with the Collins trade and keeping him on the bench. Realistically we won't go 10 deep anyways.

Fox - Monk - Derozan - Keegan - Sabonis
Carter - Keon - Collins - Jones

That still works really well. Crowder & Jmac would be insurance players.

[Jkam31]

2nd half of season
Lyles + Huerter + 2nds for John Collins
Devin comes back
Ellis back in rotation
Jones stays in rotation

Fox - Derozan - Murray - Collins - Sabonis
Monk - Carter - Keon - Crowder - Jones

That would be my ask. If you want you could start Keon over Collins id be fine with that. But you have 5 real front court players here and you could ease Carter into the rotation.

I just hope Jones doesn't get Keon'd and dropped from the rotation when Lyles gets back.

All over the Collins trade I think we do that since we won’t have to give up a first. There’s zero chance Collins starts over Monk zero there’s no going back for monk especially the way he’s playing. The offense is rolling with him starting it’s got us to go away from standing and watching DD (though they do that in the 4th). Monks playmaking out of the pick and roll has also unlocked Sabonis game more when Keegan starts hitting shots the offense will be explosive but we put 120 on houston/San Antonio’s defenses I think houston is top 4. If Monk can maintain a pace of 15-18ppg and 4-6 apt no need to move him. Collins would take his spot as the bench scorer with most of our defensive guys playing with him I like the potential of a Collins/Jones frontcourt.

I think we should try and flip Ellis and a first for a wing defender but we wouldn’t have enough salary to match.

Or if we want wing defenders over Collins scoring Ellis, Huerter, and three seconds for DDS and Ziere Williams. Turn Ellis into two good wing defenders over 6’7 which we desperately need

e
I don't think we can afford to trade Keon & Huerter this year without getting a guard back. Especially if you are committed towards Monk starting. Who is the backup guard? If Carter played all year that may be realistic. Also with how Mike has handled Keon, I don't think hes going to have much trade value. But he's so cheap he can provide good 3&D at an almost no cost to us.

I'm fine with the Collins trade and keeping him on the bench. Realistically we won't go 10 deep anyways.

Fox - Monk - Derozan - Keegan - Sabonis
Carter - Keon - Collins - Jones

That still works really well. Crowder & Jmac would be insurance players.

You’re right Ellis basically has no value compared to what he could bring and as I’m typing this he hasn’t played again vs Memphis absolutely wild