Bear down folks, the next ten games might get a little rough. In the first of one of many tough matchups we’ll see within the following weeks, the Sacramento Kings hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in their final home opener at Sleep Train Arena.
After three quarters of sub-par basketball, too many turnovers, and sluggish ball movement, the Kings came within inches off pulling off a comeback victory against a stacked Clippers team. Inevitably they fell short in the final minutes and the Clips beat the Kings 111-104.
As many have already noted, the game featured several positive notes for the new-look Kings, some of which I have highlighted below. Bear in mind: these takeaways are based on visual evidence only, from my own two eyes. If you have the stats to refute my claims, by all means, please share.
Next: Boogie Is Still Coming Up Short
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives in sending Los Angeles Clippers forward Josh Smith (5) to the ground ahead of Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins Still Hasn’t Learned What It Takes to Win
Despite an impressive stat line—32 points, 13, boards, 3 assists, and 4 treys—DeMarcus Cousins still seems to want to “get his,” so to speak. After the Kings tied the game up, DMC first forced an ugly turnover (intercepted cross court bounce pass to the wing) on a play drawn out of a timeout.
On the following offensive sequence, he pulled up for a contested eighteen footer over DeAndre Jordan. The latter effectively sealed the Kings’ fate. I can’t help but think this sort of play differentiates the boys from the men.
The Kings need to 1) capitalize on plays drawn up out of timeout (which they seemed to do in the Preseason); and 2) run plays for Boogie in the low post. If he’s going to be our guy who takes closing buckets, I’d rather have him backing down players in the post and forcing double teams than settling for long 2’s.
Next: Ben McLemore Lacks Direction
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) on a turnover against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Ben McLemore is Lost—And Yeah, that’s Concerning
For all the talk we heard about Ben McLemore’s unparalleled work ethic and off-season training, the third-year shooting guard stills looks lost in George Karl’s system. I’m starting to think it’s more than that though, and we may have to adjust our expectations for young Ben.
Besides nailing an open three and finishing a slam on a breakaway basket, Ben looked like a lamb out there, in a continuation of his sub-par preseason play. Here’s a somewhat alarming fact: you probably have a problem when your starting shooting guard is taking less threes than your center.
It’s a game one, so I won’t fan the flames of hysteria, but Ben needs to look to get himself open for more threes and tighten up his defense. He’s got the physical tools and the work ethic. If Ben doesn’t show noted improvement within the next few weeks, he’ll be benched for James Anderson; or worse yet, be dealt before the deadline.
Next: Darren Collison Continues To Play Well
Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Given his play, Darren Collison deserves to start
Let’s be real, DC looked SIGNIFICANTLY better than Rajon Rondo through the preseason, and once again last night. I get the arguments for using him as a spark off the bench, but I’m just not buying into it. Besides playing tighter defense on Chris Paul, the offense flows more fluidly under Collison.
I think that would help the Kings escape early deficits in the first quarter, thereby alleviating some of the pressure put on the bench. Besides, I think the second unit fits better with a more on-ball oriented point like Rajon Rondo.
Assuming Willie Cauley-Stein will eventually start games, guys like Koufos, Belinelli, and Omri Casspi could really benefit from getting open looks. Meanwhile, the starting unit will continue to build on top the chemistry we got a glimpse of at the beginning of last season.
Next: Boogie Can Punish Defenses With His Shooting
April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles the basketball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins and the Trailing Three
Assuming it can be consistent, I LOVE the idea of Cousins taking the trailing three. When George Karl suggested he was implementing a fast-faced offense, I was more than skeptical.
After all, how can you maximize the potential of your best player (banging out in the low post) if he’s the last one up the court (which seems like a boon on the shot clock, mind you). But rest assured, with the development of Boogie’s long ball, the Kings will be dangerous if opposing bigs have to respect his shot.
I’d still like to see Boogie crash boards a little harder and establish himself in the post when he gets the chance.
Next: The Bench Is Helping This Team Stay In Games
Oct 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Marco Belinelli (3) high fives forward Quincy Acy (13) after scoring a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Bench Is Much Deeper
Guess what? This is the deepest Kings team in recent memory, and you love to see it. With contributors such as Darren Collison, Marco Belinelli, Caron Butler, WCS, and Omri Casspi, this team is going to turn heads.
The question remains: will George Karl be able to manage the various units? Last night, I would’ve liked to see more play out of Willie Cauley-Stein and Caron Butler.
Hopefully Karl will learn to tinker with lineups given the flow of the game. For now, I respect his coaching acumen and winning experience.
Next: The Rook Is Ready For A Role
Oct 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) combines with forward Ed Davis (17) to block the shot by Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Willie Cauley-Stein Deserves More Minutes
I get that Coach Karl wants to ease Willie Cauley-Stein into the NBA game. That’s fantastic. Considering our abysmal five year stretch, it doesn’t hurt to bring along a rookie slowly, thereby eliminating any development of bad habits (i.e. Tyreke Evans, and to a certain extent, DeMarcus Cousins).
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That said, I would’ve liked to see him out on the floor more last night. Cauley-Stein possesses the lateral speed and athleticism to guard guys like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan night-in and night-out. I don’t think we can expect that out of Kosta Koufos.
In just under eight minutes of play, Cauley-Stein looked composed on defense, which is precisely why the Kings drafted him. That didn’t stop Bill Simmons from mocking the Kings’ pick on his Western Conference Preview earlier this week. Truth be told, Simmons is right.
Perhaps rookies like Emmanuel Mudiay will have more long term star potential than Cauley-Stein, but that shouldn’t be of any concern. The franchise is in “win now” mode, and WCS fits the mold. You can expect defense, hustle plays, and a drama-less attitude from the rook.
Next: Kosta Koufos Is Solid As A Rock
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) is called for an offensive foul against Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of Kosta Koufos
Last night Kosta Koufos turned twenty-two minutes of play into 10 points, seven boards, and 4 assists. Like water to wine…
But seriously, this guy is a rock. I love his style of play. He’s the lumbering epitome of everything the organization has lacked since the mid 2000s—consistency, durability, and high basketball IQ.
Props to Vlade Divac; this may turn out to be the Kings best free-agent signing in recent memory. Hopefully Koufos’ willingness to start or play off the bench will be infectious, maybe even translating into more wins.
On a side note: I love that he’s rocking that lil’ sky-hook. This guy is a superstar.
Next: Marco Belinelli Is The Shooter The Kings Were Looking For
Oct 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Marco Belinelli (3) brings the ball up court against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Marco Belinelli is Lights Out…and is Going to Shoot
You all know the timeless basketball adage: “Good shooters keep shooting.”
That’s encouraging—and scary—for our real life Italian pizza guy. Sure, Marco went 3-12 from the field last night, but my goodness, I’m convinced he’s going to knock down every shot he takes. For fans who lived through the Dark Ages (yeah, they’ve been significantly worse), Belinelli reminds me ever-so-slightly of Andrés Nocioni during his ’09-’10 campaign, but actually talented.
Keep on shooting big guy, I love your energy.
Next: Caron Butler's Still Got It
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Caron Butler (31) looks to the Los Angeles Clippers bench after a basket during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
“Best Selling Author” Caron Butler still has Old-Man Game
I’m not going to lie, I, along with most other Kings fan probably envisioned Caron Butler as this team’s moral authority…it’s “village elder” if you will.
And while Butler might just end up being this team’s spiritual guru and tension-diffuser, last night he demonstrated that he’s still capable of contributing on the floor. Butler went 4-7 from the floor with 8 points in just under thirteen minutes of play.
That’s what we call “solid play.”
Next: Sacramento Is No Longer Stuck At Square One
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl calls out to his players during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Things are heading in the Right Direction
The Sacramento Kings lost a close one last night. It’s fair to worry that this team can’t get W’s, volatile personalities might win out by season’s end.
But given the previous nine takeaways, Kings’ fans have plenty of reasons to remain positive, and even optimistic. Here’s to looking forward to a great season and measure improvement.
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