2024-25 General Thread

[BoogieTime]

I’d say Domas being injured would keep our pick but the Suns and others have been so bad…

Phoenix is the only real threat to jump us in the standings and unless things just go disastrously wrong, I don't even see that happening. They have a rough schedule to end the season too. We're likely looking at a 9/10 finish, I think we can jump one of Minnesota or Dallas but jumping both will be tough.

Yep, might as well just enjoy the wins then

[OxAndFox]

It will be interesting to see what unfolds. But the Domas injury might be a blessing. They were starting to really take on the Bulls theme and turn him into Vucevic.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but the Suns won't be able to overtake the Kings now, and if the latter doesn't get in front of Dallas and the TWolves it would be shocking and they should finish above the Warriors and Clippers if they can get on a run.

[BoogieTime]

Even as a Domas fan, I was starting to question the impact. He's been sizably the team's best player the last few years IMO, and has garnered legit MVP praise for lifting the team from the mud, but, when I look at say JJJ or Gobert of seasons past, it makes me question why the Grizz are so good and we are spinning wheels in mediocrity (the difference between an offensive anchor center and a defensive one).. As good as Domas is, he's not leading a top playoff team, I don't know...

JV is a starter level talent, though, no doubt. Pelicans haven't been the same without him. The hurt will come as much from having to play Lyles or whoever off the bench instead of him coming off the bench

[OxAndFox]

Its going to be so tight in the standings. The Kings need to win this one against the Mavs. If Houston loses too, they may just open things up for one of Sac or Minn to make the top 6.
I still get the feeling there are 2 spots up for grabs in the top 6. Houston is sputtering and Memphis is too a little. The Grizz has a tough schedule too.

GSW will get in and only 1 of Mem/Hou might drop so that leaves (IMO) potentially 1 spot out of LAC, Sac, Hou?, Minn.
The Kings play LAC twice on the run home, snag them both and it will go a long way, and if not a top 6 berth, it might just be a catalyst for play in home court advantage.

Would also be nice for the Suns to keep losing before we get them so they might have put the cue in the rack, if they haven't already.

[OxAndFox]

I'm glad Skal has been signed on a 10 day. Hoping he gets some minutes backing up JV.

[codydaze]

Even as a Domas fan, I was starting to question the impact. He's been sizably the team's best player the last few years IMO, and has garnered legit MVP praise for lifting the team from the mud, but, when I look at say JJJ or Gobert of seasons past, it makes me question why the Grizz are so good and we are spinning wheels in mediocrity (the difference between an offensive anchor center and a defensive one).. As good as Domas is, he's not leading a top playoff team, I don't know...

JV is a starter level talent, though, no doubt. Pelicans haven't been the same without him. The hurt will come as much from having to play Lyles or whoever off the bench instead of him coming off the bench

I think it's more difficult to put a true contending team around him but you really have to build the right, complementary roster. I think the roster construction issues now are the same as when Fox was here, to get the most out of both of those guys you really need long, athletic defensive-minded guys to cover for their weaknesses. Both can drive the offense so you need other guys that can fill in their gaps but we've continued to double down on offense which I think is a mistake.

This team can still be fun to watch since the offense will be exciting but I just don't see a path to being any more than a play-in/first round exit type team.

[OxAndFox]

Sabonis' hamstring grades out as a 1.
Should be maximum 14 days if they have scanned it correctly. Should be back for the home stand of games, starting with the Grizzlies.

And I say this seriously. The team needs to have someone going through Sabonis' rehab with him every day. Do not allow him to reinjure, or make the strain worse, otherwise it could turn into a full tear and season over.

[OxAndFox]

Even as a Domas fan, I was starting to question the impact. He's been sizably the team's best player the last few years IMO, and has garnered legit MVP praise for lifting the team from the mud, but, when I look at say JJJ or Gobert of seasons past, it makes me question why the Grizz are so good and we are spinning wheels in mediocrity (the difference between an offensive anchor center and a defensive one).. As good as Domas is, he's not leading a top playoff team, I don't know...

JV is a starter level talent, though, no doubt. Pelicans haven't been the same without him. The hurt will come as much from having to play Lyles or whoever off the bench instead of him coming off the bench

I think it's more difficult to put a true contending team around him but you really have to build the right, complementary roster. I think the roster construction issues now are the same as when Fox was here, to get the most out of both of those guys you really need long, athletic defensive-minded guys to cover for their weaknesses. Both can drive the offense so you need other guys that can fill in their gaps but we've continued to double down on offense which I think is a mistake.

This team can still be fun to watch since the offense will be exciting but I just don't see a path to being any more than a play-in/first round exit type team.

And it's why the Kings might have to look at going in a different direction. But Monte has laid out his all offense plan.

[BoogieTime]

I think Zach actually, being the IMO better player, would actually have been a good target for San Antonio. Spreading the floor for Wemby on a consistent basis. The Spurs are going to have a real dilemma on what to do with Fox this summer at the rate he is going in San Antone... Its just inefficiency and lack of spreading the floor at the guard position, without real playmaking/D. Ofcourse, they can hope its injury, like the shoulder last year, but, I wouldnt want to be in that position.

[codydaze]

I think Zach actually, being the IMO better player, would actually have been a good target for San Antonio. Spreading the floor for Wemby on a consistent basis. The Spurs are going to have a real dilemma on what to do with Fox this summer at the rate he is going in San Antone... Its just inefficiency and lack of spreading the floor at the guard position, without real playmaking/D. Ofcourse, they can hope its injury, like the shoulder last year, but, I wouldnt want to be in that position.

Zach is turning 30 though so the timeline doesn't make as much sense for them. Three years makes a pretty big difference and that's still my biggest issue with the trade. I never thought the trade necessarily made us a worse team, I think our ceiling is roughly the same and maybe even a bit higher with the added depth but the long term direction still doesn't make a lot of sense. Second round potential at best for a few years but didn't get any premium assets to set us up for the next iteration of the team.

[BoogieTime]

I think Zach actually, being the IMO better player, would actually have been a good target for San Antonio. Spreading the floor for Wemby on a consistent basis. The Spurs are going to have a real dilemma on what to do with Fox this summer at the rate he is going in San Antone... Its just inefficiency and lack of spreading the floor at the guard position, without real playmaking/D. Ofcourse, they can hope its injury, like the shoulder last year, but, I wouldnt want to be in that position.

Zach is turning 30 though so the timeline doesn't make as much sense for them. Three years makes a pretty big difference and that's still my biggest issue with the trade. I never thought the trade necessarily made us a worse team, I think our ceiling is roughly the same and maybe even a bit higher with the added depth but the long term direction still doesn't make a lot of sense. Second round potential at best for a few years but didn't get any premium assets to set us up for the next iteration of the team.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out

Zach is aging as a shooter whereas Fox relies on athleticism, but age does favor Fox for a few years

I think we will be in this cycle of constantly trying to win with Vivek, and as of now I don’t mind. It was too many years of nonsensical play, and if I have to watch a first round exit team full of players who I like (as of now…)

If you’re worried about the next iteration though the picks can be something. Firsts and good second rounders

[KF10]

Starting next game against the Nuggets, the Kings will have a daunting schedule for the next 2-3 weeks. We will see who the Kings really are. No more excuses.

[KF10]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=hDRh-wBRKjfVjFl43OmN5A

Keon in the lineup. Hmmm.

[OxAndFox]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=hDRh-wBRKjfVjFl43OmN5A

Keon in the lineup. Hmmm.

If he isn't a starter on this team heading into next season I hope he gets traded somewhere he will be. The dude isn't a defensive role player off the bench. He is a defensive game changer that can alter the trajectory of a game from the first whistle.

Sidenote: It's crazy to me that the Celtics 5 has only had 455 possessions. Its 5 of their top 6 guys minutes wise this season. KP has only played 32 games too.

Ok. Back to the Kings. Line-up stats for the season.

431 Minutes for +11
D. DeRozan - D. Sabonis - D. Fox - M. Monk - K. Murray

Next best 5 in terms of minutes played this season.

184 Minutes for +67
D. DeRozan - D. Sabonis - M. Monk - K. Murray - K. Ellis

184 Minutes for +40
D. DeRozan - D. Sabonis - D. Fox - K. Huerter - K. Murray

158 Minutes for -17
D. DeRozan - Z. LaVine - D. Sabonis - M. Monk - K. Murray

80 Minutes for +27
D. DeRozan - D. Sabonis - D. Fox - K. Murray - K. Ellis

69 Minutes for +20
D. DeRozan - D. Sabonis - D. Fox - M. Monk - K. Ellis

Spoiler:

Source: https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/traditional?PerMode=Totals&TeamID=1610612758&dir=D&slug=traditional&sort=MIN

Keon features in 3 of the 5 and all of them are positive.

What's surprising is that Lavine line up already has 158 minutes despite playing just 11 games. FWIW Lavine has 392 minutes played so far for the Kings. 40% of his minutes are in that line-up. And I wonder how much of the -17 was during the game which no one should ever speak of again.

[BoogieTime]

Igoing into next season monk/keon/lavine/keegan/domas

The monk/keon lineup has been the best long term lineup this season, and I thought it’s what we would see when Fox was moved, but DeMar has been balling lately. The +13 @gsw/mia/@bos/@min with Fox injured pre trade is the best kings have looked

Zach has played sufficiently at sf/PF to look at it

[BoogieTime]

Will be interesting to see if Fox is boo’d tonight

I didn’t see it as an issue but fans on social media are talking about it. I guess some blame him on some shiftiness or short handing the Kings on the trade

Obviously, me being glad he’s gone as a player and not having a problem with the return, and not thinking we could have gotten too much better without his San Antonio wish, I could care less. The fact that he wanted out after many years and the team stagnating with him, doesn’t bother me too much. Or the fact that he, like anyone else, is allowed to want to work/live where he wants. It makes me more appreciative of the specially loyal players (can’t see Domas wanting out like that, but maybe he’ll surprise), though

If I were at the game I’d just give a mild/lukewarm applause. I appreciate you being here and putting in work to the best of what abilities you had, though I was never a fan too much of your game except for a playoffs or a season or two, and move on

[OxAndFox]

As predicted, get ready for a Sabonis trade request in the off season. Who knew taking the ball out of your offensive hub and allowing a bunch of ISO driven players to run rampant would cause said offensive hub to question the direction.

[BoogieTime]

As predicted, get ready for a Sabonis trade request in the off season. Who knew taking the ball out of your offensive hub and allowing a bunch of ISO driven players to run rampant would cause said offensive hub to question the direction.

Who is players? *Player, DeRozan.

Lavine is arguabiy a better all around offensive talent who can actually space and seems more fluid off ball than Fox, who is arguably as much “ISO driven”

DeRozan can come off the bench for Keon

[OxAndFox]

As predicted, get ready for a Sabonis trade request in the off season. Who knew taking the ball out of your offensive hub and allowing a bunch of ISO driven players to run rampant would cause said offensive hub to question the direction.

Who is players? *Player, DeRozan.

Lavine is a better all around offensive talent who can actually space and play off ball unlike Fox, who is arguably as much “ISO driven”

DeRozan can come off the bench for Keon

Deebo, Monk, Lavine. They are ISO players. That's not saying they CAN'T play off ball, but as I said, it has led Sabonis to question the direction of the team which is so obvious that was going to happen. DDR is the MAIN problem IMO as the other two don't HAVE to rely on ISO to be productive. For them it's a choice, not a necessity.

Lavine can act as a good catch & shoot player as well as a slasher.
Monk is good as a P&R partner for Sabonis.
Deebo. What does he really do well other than his ISO ball for the Kings offense?

[OxAndFox]

Deebo off the bench doesn't really solve any of the issues of ISO ball. He just needs to be off the team in all honesty. Monk needs to go back to the bench because he doesn't just score, he gets others involved in that role and I'm not convinced he is a starting PG.
This team is in a real pickle TBH. They need to start Keon, but Lavine would be so much better with an actual PG and Keegan needs to get back to his natural position of a 3.
It doesn't all fit though. The only way through that is to just rely on Keon/Lavine as the main ball handlers and Sabonis running the offense with a new PF that can hit from range and defend. But, is that really maximising Lavine? Moving ahead without a true PG? Or gaining a true PG, will that further alienate Sabonis from the offense?