Three takeaways from Kings 113-95 loss to Toronto
16 HRS AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings were outplayed for 48 minutes on Expand
16 HRS AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings were outplayed for 48 minutes on Wednesday. The Sacramento Kings closed out their four-game home stand with a thud, falling 113-95 to the Toronto Raptors.
Leading by eight points at the half, Toronto controlled the second half, not falling victim to any Sacramento run. Overall, Toronto’s length presented problems for Sacramento’s usually elite offense on Wednesday,
This loss was the first game in several weeks that Sacramento didn’t compete in a major way.
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s loss:
Keegan Murray continues to look like a seasoned veteran
Murray continues to impress just about every time he steps on the floor at this point. Once again, Murray was super solid, finishing with 16 points on ten shots, just a few days after dropping a career-high 29 points in the team’s win over the Grizzlies.
Not only is Murray continuing to be on fire from three, but he’s also starting to flash more ability to drive to the Collapse
Three best five-man lineups for Kings with a look towards the playoffs
4 DAYS AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Who will get the minutes come playoff time. Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Who will get the minutes come playoff time. The Sacramento Kings are competing at a high level and look as though they will be playing some postseason basketball in 2023. Though they are exceeding all expectations so far, there are still some questions regarding their sub-par defense.
One question I have, is how would their defense look in a playoff series?
The Kings have been a bottom-10 defense in the league all year and are currently seventh-worst going into the game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a defensive rating of 115.1. They are also the third-worst interior defense in the league, allowing 54.7 points in the paint each night. Not the stats you expect to see from a team currently in position to have home-court advantage in the playoffs... I love saying that.
But is the Kings’ defense truly as bad as the overall stats say? On a recent episode of JJ Redick’s podcast, The Old Man and the Three, Redick breaks down some very Collapse
Five takeaways from Kings 116-111 win over Lakers
7 DAYS AGO - Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento wins fifth straight in a Expand
7 DAYS AGO - Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento wins fifth straight in a crucial victory over the Los Angeles. No Domas...no problem, as the “LIGHT THE BEAM” chants rained down in enemy territory. The Sacramento Kings were able to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers on the road 116-111 to move into the third seed in the Western Conference on the heels of a five game win streak. The last time the Kings were performing this well over halfway into the season, I was in kindergarden (‘03-’04...ooof).
Music to our ears #LTB chants break out in LA #BeamTeam pic.twitter.com/JCD4EHEvKk— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 19, 2023
There were many questions about how the Kings would perform without the help of Domantas Sabonis — and more importantly Matthew Dellavedova — due to the impact he has in every single facet of their nightly gameplan. Though they played against a below average team, it was a great chance to how the team would perform in this Collapse
Three takeaways from Kings 132-119 win over Spurs
1/16/2023 - Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s the lowdown. The Sacramento Kings started off a bit Expand
1/16/2023 - Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s the lowdown. The Sacramento Kings started off a bit slow in this one with their defense once again being anissue but found a way to put it together late to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 132-119.
Here are the takeaways:
Harrison Barnes stays hot
Harrison Barnes has been phenomenal for the Kings through their four-game win streak while averaging 25.5 points and 4.5 three-pointers per game. This will be a player to monitor heading into February’s trade deadline and if the Kings will look to move on from their veteran forward who is on the last year of his deal. However, his scoring and veteran presence has been a focal point for the team’s success.
Defense has to improve
While the Kings were able to hold on to win their fourth straight, there has to be a growing concern about the team’s defense. They are giving up an average of 114.7 points per game. While it hasn’t been an issue over these four games, the Kings will need to look to improve Collapse
Four takeaways from Kings 135-115 win over Rockets
1/12/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento ran away with the game in the final Expand
1/12/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento ran away with the game in the final period. The Sacramento Kings did what they were supposed to do on Wednesday, defeating the reeling Houston Rockets 135-115.
Facing a team who entered the game as losers of seven games in a row, Sacramento came out lackadaisical through the first three quarters before turning it on in the final period and completely blowing Houston out of the water.
Here are four takeaways from Sacramento’s win:
When the long ball is falling, the Kings are tough to beat
Sacramento set its franchise record for three-pointers in Monday’s win over the Orlando Magic and followed that up Wednesday with an excellent encore. The Kings made 19 of 48 (39.86 percent) from deep, with their best three-point shooter Kevin Huerter sidelined with a non-COVID-19 illness.
Much of the Kings’ identity is derived from how they make their kick-out three-pointers created by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis’ gravity. On Collapse
Three takeaways from Kings 136-134 loss to Lakers
1/8/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento lost an absolute heartbreaker. The Expand
1/8/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento lost an absolute heartbreaker. The Sacramento Kings lost an absolute heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, 136-134. There will be a lot of talk about missed calls, but this was a game the Kings absolutely should have found a way to win.
Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s loss:
The Kings are a bad defensive team
Say whatever you want about foul calls, fast pace and the Lakers hitting tough shots. Ultimately, the final result was giving up 136 points to a team missing Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker and Austin Reaves. When you give up that many points, it’s hard to blame the refs.
Even Mike Brown himself after the game that the Kings are a bad defensive team. As of Saturday morning, the Kings are 25th in defensive rating, which is likely not going to be a good enough ranking to get this team to the promised land.
While there could be some schematic and playing time adjustments, the Kings really don’t have Collapse
Keegan Murray wins December Rookie of the Month
1/5/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Why the number four pick is starting to draw Expand
1/5/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Why the number four pick is starting to draw some eyes Guess who just won December’s Western Conference Rookie of the Month? Oh, just the guy many people thought the Sacramento Kings should pass over with the fourth pick. Not even halfway into his first NBA season, and Keegan Murray has shown he can live up to the hype.
Kings rookie Keegan Murray adds another accolade to the list ✅ No. 4 Overall Pick✅ Summer League MVP✅ RT to congratulate the rook pic.twitter.com/tybIWVPoCI— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 3, 2023
Like most rookies, Murray has had his some down moments — including a slump where he shot just 3-for-22 from deep over a six-game span in November. However, he has had incredible moments as well. To go along with his impressive three-point shooting in December — 39-for-84 in total — Murray also continues to show signs of being a solid defender. He’s not the fastest Collapse
Six takeaways from Kings comeback win over Nuggets
12/29/2022 - Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images
The Kings rallied for win in Sabonis’ return. The Expand
12/29/2022 - Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images
The Kings rallied for win in Sabonis’ return. The Sacramento Kings got their lick back against the Denver Nuggets with a little help from their All-Star and the dynamic duo from Kentucky. After being down as much as 19 points, the Kings were able to rally back and win 127-126 after a game-winning free throw from Malik Monk with just 0.7 seconds left in regulation.
Checking in… https://t.co/PcncyDJ5ij pic.twitter.com/EUsF2bnSRQ— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 29, 2022
Here are six takeaways from game two of their back-to-back.
Ice cold start
“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” an untrue statement. Tonight the Kings started the game down 12-3 only a couple minutes in and were shooting 0-6 from the field. They didn’t make their first basket until almost four minutes into the first quarter and didn’t make their first three until there was about 5:30 left on the clock in the first.
No matter how good you play in the Collapse
Domantas Sabonis will attempt to play through avulsion fracture in right thumb
12/27/2022 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Domantas Sabonis will not miss time with the hand Expand
12/27/2022 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Domantas Sabonis will not miss time with the hand injury he suffered in the Kings' loss to Washington (for now). The Sacramento Kings will avoid having have to play without their best player, at least for now, as the team announced on Monday that Domantas Sabonis is going to try to play through the fracture he suffered in his non-shooting hand.
This news comes after Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Saturday that the All-Star center was getting further evaluation on the injury, which happened on Friday against the Washington Wizards.
The Kings say Domantas Sabonis has sustained an avulsion fracture of the ulnar collateral ligament (right thumb) but will try to play through the injury on his non-shooting hand.Sabonis is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against Denver.More: https://t.co/LGN9cVpMwn— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 27, 2022
Woj gave more details on the injury in his story on Saturday.
X-rays Collapse
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Kings extend Monte McNair and Wes Wilcox
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Well deserved new contracts for Sacramento’s Expand
1 DAY AGO - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Well deserved new contracts for Sacramento’s GM and Assistant GM Like we alluded to in an article back in December, Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair and Assistant General Manager Wes Wilcox have both received a long overdue extension to stay in Sacramento.
Kings are working to finalize a new deal with assistant GM Wes Wilcox too, source said. McNair and Wilcox have worked closely together in reshaping the organization into a Western Conference contender.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2023
The fans and many people in the King’s media have been calling on owner Vivek Ranadivé to make this deal happen for months on social media. They continue to make great move after great move in order to turn this franchise around. During McNair and Wilcox’s tenure with the Kings, the franchise has built its most talented roster in almost 20 years, started drafting players that have star potential and hired a veteran Collapse
Three takeaways from Kings 118-113 win over the Thunder
5 DAYS AGO - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Sacramento lit the beam for the sixth consecutive Expand
5 DAYS AGO - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Sacramento lit the beam for the sixth consecutive game. The Sacramento Kings used a strong second half to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder for their sixth win in a row on Friday night. Sacramento edged out a young, talented OKC squad and was able to light the beam once again.
Here are three takeaways from Sacramento’s 118-113 victory:
Keegan Murray is unflappable
Murray was masterful on Friday, scoring a career-high 29 points and grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds. Without a question, it was the best game of his young career.
At one point in the third quarter, the rook made three consecutive three-pointers and helped ignite the Golden 1 Center crowd. When Murray’s shot is falling like that, every shot that leaves his hands looks like its going straight through the net.
Not only has Murray been the best rookie shooter in the NBA, but he’s also been one of the best overall shooters in the NBA. After Friday’s blistering shooting display, Collapse
Trading Harrison Barnes would be a big mistake
1/18/2023 - Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Kings trade Harrison Barnes? You know the Expand
1/18/2023 - Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Should the Kings trade Harrison Barnes? You know the mantra "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?" With the Sacramento Kings now six-games over (.500) the question that still arises among most people is the decision of keeping or trading veteran forward Harrison Barnes.
The former NBA champion has reached the final year of his contract and many believe that if the Kings were looking to improve their roster, trading away Barnes would be their best way to get back a good return. My counter question to those who ask to trade Barnes is who comes back in a return that takes this team to the next level?
I’ve come up with multiple trades here on this site multiple times about deals to get done, and the biggest name in any return that seemed plausible was Washington forward, Kyle Kuzma. However, that was early in the season when the Kings were still finding their legs and Barnes was off to a slow start to the season. With the forward now averaging 15.2 Collapse
6 takeaways from Sacramento’s 139-114 route of Houston
1/14/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings kept the Beam lit for third straight Expand
1/14/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings kept the Beam lit for third straight game with their win against the Rockets. For the first time since I was seven years old... I can proudly say the Sacramento Kings are five games over .500 after defeating the Houston Rockets 139-114 at Golden 1 Center.
But despite the final score, this game was actually quite interesting.
It started off close with both teams battling and retaking the lead seemingly every other possession. But after a monster third quarter by the Kings that gave them a 20-point lead, things started to heat up.
Remember in Wednesday’s game when Rockets guard Garrison Matthews whacked Keegan Murray? Well, in the rematch he decided it was Malik Monk’s turn to get some smoke, throwing a cheap shoulder his way and as we all know, Monk is NOT afraid. This led to some words being exchanged and an almost altercation resulting in the ejection of not just Monk and Matthews, but Tari Eason (cleared the bench) Collapse
Seven takeaways from Kings blowout win over Magic
1/10/2023 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Kings were able to break out of their slump. Expand
1/10/2023 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Kings were able to break out of their slump. Despite hurricane NorCal raging on outside, the Sacramento Kings were able to once again light the beam with a very impressive win against the Orlando Magic, blowing them out 136-111 at home.
The Kings played some fantastic basketball tonight and gave the fans a show on Star Wars tonight, especially Harrison Barnes who went from the Black Falcon to the Millennium Falcon.
Sacramento Kings fans going to the game Wednesday night like pic.twitter.com/8EGzi9QrDC— iamTheRealVegasMURPH (@RealMurphdog916) January 4, 2023
Here are seven takeaways from the win:
Great Start
The Kings came out the gate firing on all cylinders tonight. In the first quarter, they shot 17-for-24 from the field and 7-for-11 from three-point range to take an early 41-31 lead. But it didn’t stop there. They would continue shooting well into the second quarter, knocking down 55.8 percent from the field and 46.2 Collapse
Report: Sacramento Kings waive Chima Moneke, keep Matthew Dellavedova
1/7/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Chima Moneke’s contract was set to guarantee Expand
1/7/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Chima Moneke’s contract was set to guarantee on Jan. 10, but the Kings are waiving him and opening up a roster spot instead. The Sacramento Kings have waived Chima Moneke, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat and ESPN 1320.
Sacramento made this decision a few days before Moneke’s non-guaranteed contract was set to guarantee for the rest of the season on Jan. 10.
Moneke only played in two games this season for Sacramento, scoring two points in his eight minutes of NBA action. He spent most of this year in the G League with the Stockton Kings. With Stockton, Moneke averaged 17.6 points and 11.3 rebounds in 16 G-League games.
The Kings signed Moneke this past summer after he had previously spent his post-college career playing in Europe.
While Moneke’s athleticism and rebounding for his size were interesting coming into the season, it was hard to see him factoring into Sacramento’s regular rotation. Moneke never really proved he Collapse
De’Aaron Fox hits game-winner as Kings defeat Jazz 117-115
1/4/2023 - Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
De’Aaron Fox showcased why he needs to be back in Expand
1/4/2023 - Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
De’Aaron Fox showcased why he needs to be back in Utah for the All-Star Game What an incredible game by the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz, as the Kings fend of the Jazz to complete a 117-115 victory. Here are three big takeaways:
De’Aaron Fox, Mr. Fourth Quarter, showcased his All-Star talent
The Kentucky product put on a show during this road victory as the potential first time All-Star finished with 37 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, and it was up to No. 5 to once again showcase his clutch gene. Fox put his fingerprints all over this game by exposing mismatches with his speed and knocking down 68.2 percent of his shots. The All-Star game takes place in Utah in six weeks and Fox just put a stamp on why he should be a player on the court when that game tips-off.
Third-quarter woes
Sacramento continues the trend of letting their opponents stick around or expand leads in the third Collapse
4 takeaways from the Kings’ loss to the red-hot Nuggets
12/28/2022 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings fell to the Nuggets in their first Expand
12/28/2022 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Kings fell to the Nuggets in their first game without Domantas Sabonis. In a game where they were without both Domantas Sabonis and Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings were unable to walk away with the win against the Denver Nuggets, losing 113-106 on night one of their back-to-back against this squad.
Here are a few takeaways from the Kings' second straight loss.
Playing without Sabonis
For a team missing their best player — who is also their best facilitator and rebounder — the Kings stepped it up tonight and didn’t look as lost as I thought they would. They kept it close on the boards, only losing 40-39, and were still able to pass the ball decently well with 21 assists, only a few shy of their season average.
Sabonis is also an elite inside scoring talent that provides the same level of stability for the Kings as a checkdown pass to a running back. The Kings were able to score 54 points in the paint without him tonight. Collapse
4 takeaways from Sacramento’s 125-111 loss to the Wizards
12/24/2022 - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
For the second time in three games, the Kings fell to an Expand
12/24/2022 - Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
For the second time in three games, the Kings fell to an inferior Eastern Conference team at home. The Sacramento Kings got thoroughly outplayed on their homecourt on Friday, losing 125-111 to the Washington Wizards. Despite playing on a back-to-back, Washington looked like the more rested and well-prepared team.
Here are four takeaways from another disappointing loss for Sacramento that dropped the team to 17-14 on the season.
The Kings aren’t good enough to overlook inferior opponents
For the second time in less than a week, the Kings lost to an inferior opponent who was playing the second end of a back-to-back at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento’s performance on Friday against the Wizards and Monday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets were performances that seemed all too familiar, especially compared to previous versions of this team.
It has been so common in recent years for the Kings to lay eggs on their home court to inferior opponents, and Friday Collapse
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3 takeaways from Sacramento’s 133-100 win over Memphis
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The Kings made a close game a route in the second half Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The Kings made a close game a route in the second half against the Grizzlies. The Sacramento Kings completely dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, winning 133-100.
Although the Grizzlies played without Ja Morant and Steven Adams, it was still an imposing victory for Sacramento. Sacramento took complete control in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 33-10.
Here are three takeaways from Sacramento’s victory:
The Kings are nearly impossible to beat when they have it cooking from deep
The beginning of Monday’s win looked like Sacramento turned the shooting difficulty all the way down in NBA 2K. Sacramento made 12 of its first 13 three-pointers, with several of the heat check variety.
The Kings are 12/13 from deep pic.twitter.com/yd0Rwb4nEs— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 24, 2023
Kings GM Monte McNair did really well this past offseason in surrounding star pillars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox with shooting. So far, that has Collapse
Mike Brown has established a next-man-up culture for Kings
6 DAYS AGO - Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Every night, it seems like its been a Expand
6 DAYS AGO - Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Every night, it seems like its been a different King that steps up. On Wednesday, it was Richaun Holmes, on Sunday, it was Davion Mitchell and on other nights, it’s been someone else. With each Sacramento Kings win, there is a different unexpected player who steps up in a major way.
The Kings, now sitting in the third seed in the west with a 25-18 record, have been led first and foremost by potential All-Stars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. However, the game-to-game contributions of guys across the rest of the roster have been a major reason for the team’s success to this point.
Mike Brown and the coaching staff deserve a huge amount of credit for getting buy-in across the entire roster and having guys ready to step in whenever their name is called.
Wednesday’s 116-111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers was a great example of this. Missing their most important player and offensive fulcrum, Domantas Sabonis, the Kings got Collapse
Domantas Sabonis named Western Conference Player of the Week
1/17/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Kings big keeps showing why he deserves to be Expand
1/17/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Kings big keeps showing why he deserves to be an All-Star Despite not being in the top 10 of the most recent All-Star vote returns, Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week. The Kings are currently on a four-game win streak due largely to Sabonis being on his own streak, a franchise record 20 consecutive games with a double-double.
Domantas Sabonis has won the Western Conference Player of the Week award. pic.twitter.com/mrM44SAmJ0— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) January 16, 2023
This season, Sabonis is quietly having one of the greatest seasons in recent memory for a center. He is dominating the league with his scoring, rebounding and ability to facilitate. He has also added a decent three-point shot to his arsenal. Without even a shred of doubt in my mind, Sabonis is currently the third best center in the league behind Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid; although he is more Collapse
Report: Richaun Holmes available for trade
1/13/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Will the big man be moved before the deadline? Expand
1/13/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Will the big man be moved before the deadline? With the Feb. 9 trade deadline quickly approaching, there will soon be a lot of movement in the NBA. But before it all goes down there will be influx of rumors congesting the countries most dramatic sports league. In an article by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Sacramento Kings’ center Richaun Holmes was once again mentioned in potential trade discussions.
The surprising Pacers have signaled a willingness to upgrade ahead of the trade deadline — albeit Tyrese Haliburton's status currently undetermined. Full exploration of Indiana's power forward pursuit, and other league-wide notes @YahooSports: https://t.co/hdpqqmnoYV— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) January 12, 2023
“Richaun Holmes is available for trade, league sources told Yahoo Sports. After signing a four-year, $46 million deal in the 2021 offseason, Holmes has not been a part of head coach Mike Brown’s rotation this Collapse
Report: Kings sign P.J. Dozier to 10-day contract
1/9/2023 - Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Kings added P.J. Dozier to fill out their roster after Expand
1/9/2023 - Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Kings added P.J. Dozier to fill out their roster after waiving Chima Moneke on Friday. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sacramento Kings have signed 6’6 guard PJ Dozier to a 10-day contract.
The Sacramento Kings are signing guard PJ Dozier to a 10-day contract, his agent Kevin Bradbury tells ESPN.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 8, 2023
After the Kings waived Chima Moneke on Jan. 6, there was an open roster spot for the team to utilize their 10-day contract deals. Dozier, who went undrafted in 2017, will look to make an impression as he fights to find his way back onto an NBA roster. The 26-year-old guard can be a nice defensive spark off the bench playing at either guard spot and can even provide some wing depth.
Pure speculation on my side here, but with Malik Monk needing to sit due to a series of injuries which include a sore lower leg, this move to bring on Dozier could be to help fill the bench spark-plug role for Collapse
The Kings deserve an All-Star this season
1/6/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The current voting method is a joke. The first Expand
1/6/2023 - Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The current voting method is a joke. The first set of returns for the 2023 Western Conference All-Star fan votes came in. And to no surprise, there are zero players representing the Sacramento Kings and plenty of players not worthy of receiving votes at all.
The first WEST returns for #NBAAllStar 2023! Do you agree? Vote today with #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T on the NBA App and https://t.co/R6fBO5Mqqq. : https://t.co/30IBtt5FVg pic.twitter.com/oAUuXOWV7a— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 5, 2023
By definition, “An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the “stars”) of a sports league.”
With the current voting format, the All-Star game is now simply the All-Popular game. The teams with the largest fan bases — whether they are true fans or casual bandwagoners — always have the most players in the hunt to earn the title of All-Star even if those players don’t deserve it. Collapse
Four takeaways from Kings 118-108 loss to Grizzlies
1/2/2023 - Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
Sacramento fell to one of the best teams in the west. Expand
1/2/2023 - Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
Sacramento fell to one of the best teams in the west. The Sacramento Kings were competitive but lost to one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-108 on Sunday night.
After back-to-back electric home victories over the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, Sacramento didn’t have enough of a rhythm overall to defeat such a talented team.
Here are four takeaways from the Kings’ loss.
The Kings are still well behind the West’s best teams
Despite missing one of their three best players in Desmond Bane, and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Grizzlies were still able to win comfortably over Sacramento. This is not necessarily a demerit against the Kings, but instead, pointing out how far the Kings have to go to compete at the highest levels.
On top of having one of the most electric players in the league, Ja Morant, the Grizzlies also have terrific depth across their roster, with a bunch of quality young Collapse
Mike Brown enters NBA health and safety protocols
12/28/2022 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Assistant coach Jordi Fernández will step up into Expand
12/28/2022 - Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Assistant coach Jordi Fernández will step up into Mike Brown’s role until he returns to the bench. Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown has entered the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s unclear how many games Brown will miss, but he will almost certainly miss both home games against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday and Wednesday night. After that, the Kings will host the Utah Jazz on Friday and then travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies on New Year’s Eve.
According to Marc Spears of Andscape and ESPN, Brown has “mild symptoms and hopes to be cleared to coach soon.”
Brown has been a great steward for this Kings team this season, helping the team get to its current 17-14 record in his first season as head coach, which is currently good for sixth place in the Western Conference.
In Brown’s absence, assistant Jordi Fernández will be the team’s acting head coach.
Earlier this month, Brown was Collapse
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