Harry Giles

During the third quarter, with about, 7:41 remaining, 6-foot-10 Harry Giles checked in to the game. Giles has recently been called back up from the Stockton Kings.

Giles has had limited minutes for the Sacramento team coming in to the New Year’s game. Harry has really been in foul trouble as of late. In fact, he’s been averaging 8.2 personal fouls per 36 minutes.

Looking to mix things up, and taking a gamble on a thus far unproven talent, Coach Joerger turned to Giles. Luckily, Harry didn’t squander this opportunity. He really looked like the player they always wanted him to be.

When asked about Harry’s performance, teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic said, “He changed the game for us and set a couple of great screens. He was tremendous on defense. He changed the whole rhythm of the game. It was great for him and he’s a pretty confident guy. That’s what we want him to do.”

One would expect such high praise from Bogie, since Giles was really the only Kings big, who didn’t get outgunned physically. Giles looked strong, set thunderous screens and really started to turn the tide. In fact, Bogie scored 14/19 of his points while Giles was playing. This was the shining, defining moment of the game for the Kings. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, however.

After Giles left the floor, the Kings wound up collapsing, and losing the game in overtime.

Teammate Buddy Hield said of Giles, “He was the reason we got the lead tonight. And if he keeps doing that and bringing the energy, it’s going to go far. Coach is going to realize it and everybody on the team is realizing it. I’m happy for him.”

Following the game, Coach Joerger was non-committal on what the performance means for Giles’ minutes going forward. He is in a battle for playing time behind Willie Cauley-Stein, Kosta Koufos, Nemanja Bjelica and Justin Jackson, who has been seeing more time at the four in small ball lineups.

The minutes will get even tighter when Marvin Bagley III returns from injury sometime later in the month.

Giles needs more opportunities, but he also has to show that he can be this type of impact player when he does get minutes.

This season was supposed to be about growth and development for the Kings, but with the team winning, players who step on the court have to help that cause as well. If Giles can show that he is ready and give Joerger quality minutes when called upon, he’ll earn a longer look from the Kings’ coach.

Question of the day:

Who has been the biggest surprise for you so far this season?

For me, it’s been Buddy Hield. He has turned into the player Vivek hoped he would be when he traded away the Kings start player to get him. Luckily, Buddy has been on an absolute offensive tear as of late. Even when the team doesn’t win, he plays great! Looming forward to see what else he has in store!