Well, here we are again for another blog post about a Kings Win!!! 3 in a row!!! This is something that didn’t happen all last season! And the team is above .500 and looking Great! I don’t think anyone could have predicted this start (especially after the preseason blowouts the team was dealt).
I’ll do a quick break down of game 6 & 7, and then share some thoughts as well as the new question of the day!
GAMES!
This new look line up of Fox, Hield, Shumpert, Bjelica and Cauley-Stein is an absolute machine! They score in bunches and really push the pace and spread the floor well. The Kings do still have a problem in rebounding, (especially against the Heat with Whiteside getting TWENTY FOUR rebounds) and on defense, but this “score more than the other team” strategy is still working.
Against the Wizards, the kings got off to an even start with Washington, but got outscored in the 2nd quarter 34-27 and had a lot of missed opportunities. I think some guys are passing up easy shots to try and move the ball around a little more (ala Golden State) and I really think that that’s ok as long as they can get it to work well, and the mistakes don’t cost them easy points. The young Kings have a lot more energy than, and really just out pace a lot of other NBA teams with their speed from baseline to baseline. Luckily, Sacramento had a strong 4th quarter and secured their comeback victory over Washington. Bjelica tied with John Wall to lead all scorers with 26 points. Combine that with his 12 rebounds and you get an impressive double-double. He shot 6/10 from three-point range and played an impressive 36 minutes. I think Bjelica has turned into the surprise of the year, contributing in a huge way on both ends of the floor, scoring, dishing, defending, and rebounding. Willie Cauley-Stein also notched a double-double with 17/11 and Buddy Hield put up 22 pts as well. Marvin Bagley continues to be a contributer and I cannot wait to see what kind of superstar he develops into.
Against Miami, the Kings got off to a dreadfully slow start, only notching 17 first quarter points. Although it wasn’t due to lack of effort. The Kings were creating great shots, but just couldn’t get any to fall. But, the Kings must have had some of “Michael’s Secret Stuff” between quarters because they hit the offensive gas pedal and outscored Miami in the second and third quarters by a margin of 20 points. Miami found their touch late in the 4th, but by then it was too late and the Kings took the victory making it their 3rd in a row!!!!
Once again, Bjelica notched important minutes and contributed on both ends, scoring 19 points, 5 assists, and 5 boards. Cauley-Stein kicked in another amazing double-double performance with 26 points and 13 boards. Bagley looked great, as usual. And, the Kings had a trio of 20+ point scorers in Fox, Hield, and Cauley-Stein. The whole team really looked great offensively (once the second quarter started).
Two points of concern are the still apparent lack of defense. It’s getting better, but the kings really didn’t have an answer for Josh Richardson and he responded to the tune of 31 points. Lucky for the Kings, Miami only had two 20+ scorers (and only four in double digits at all). Their lax defensive effort was evened out by a dull scoring effort from the Miami Heat offense. The other big concern was the very obvious pain that DeAaron Fox was in. He was grimacing and holding his side. Although he finished the game, he was visibly uncomfortable and faced an upper body injury. The official ruling is a strained lower back. He is questionable tonight against Orlando. If he doesn’t play, this could great a big void in the King’s lineup and offense as a whole.
SO, my question of the day is this:
If Fox has to miss extended time, should the Kings feel pressure to bring Bogie back a little sooner? Or do they have enough pieces to pick up the slack in his absence?
My guess is that we’ll probably see Ben McLemore return to the rotation tonight and see Ferrel start at PG, with Mason and Buddy Hield both rotating into the point, and McLemore, Shumpert, and Jackson having to play the 2 and the 3. What are your thoughts?
Looking forward to tonight’s game! Thanks for reading!
-David-
DT's Sports Talk 