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Sacramento Kings: Coach Joerger is finally playing the young talent

By Tyler Watts

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: Head coach Dave Joerger of the Sacramento Kings coaches against the Miami Heat on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 14: Head coach Dave Joerger of the Sacramento Kings coaches against the Miami Heat on March 14, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings Head Coach Joerger finally decided to let the young players see extended minutes after sticking with the veterans for most of the year.

The Sacramento Kings have just two games remaining their 2017-2018 season.  It was their second season under Head Coach Dave Joerger.  Coach Joerger had a fantastic three year run in Memphis before taking the Kings job including leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs each season.  Things have not gone as smoothly in Sacramento, though.

Joerger inherited a struggling team with a roster light on young talent, so we cannot knock him for failing to reach the postseason.  The team did have 33 wins under George Karl the season before his arrival, though.  Joerger won 32 in his first campaign and can max out at 27 this year with wins in the final two games.  Perhaps, still not fair criticisms as the Kings traded away perennial All-Star DeMarcus Cousins during his first season and committed to a total rebuild.

That last sentence is where I believe the just skepticism can come in.  The organization committed to a rebuild, but I have been critical of Coach Joerger for not following suit.  Here is an example of a piece I wrote on March 29.  Something changed recently, though.

Joerger goes young

It took him until April 6, and the Kings only had three games left, but coach finally went young.  Sacramento defeated the Grizzlies 94-93 that Friday evening and the rotation was nearly everything I have campaigned for since the calendar turned to 2018.  De’Aaron Fox, Willie Cauley-Stein, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield, and Justin Jackson all played over 30 minutes.  That is precisely the young core Sacramento is building around and those significant game minutes are necessary for development.  Do not misunderstand and think I am suggesting those five with all be playing over 30 minutes per game on the Kings next contending squad.  They all should be role players of varying degrees, though.  Game minutes are valuable for to grow and expand your on-court abilities and that is what these 20-something-year-olds need.

Related Story: Buddy Hield: Future Sixth Man of the Year

The Kings also played JaKarr Sampson 25 minutes as the starting four and used bench run on Nigel Hayes, Jack Cooley, and Frank Mason.  That is a wise move at this juncture.  Yes, maybe all four of those players are out of the league in three years (I don’t think they will be), but at least they are young enough to become something they are not today.  The Sixers found a diamond in the rough with Robert Covington, and he has been a significant part of their playoff run this season.  Sacramento should do a similar sort of digging as they rebuild.  Maybe they hit with one of the four listed above or perhaps it is in the next batch.  Only game minutes and development can tell that tale.

Vinsanity

I was not going to mention Vince Carter’s 13 minutes, but I felt remiss in not doing it.  Carter played for the Grizzlies the previous three seasons, so letting him get limited minutes in what may be his final NBA game in Memphis was justifiable.  It was likely not the move I would have made, but I understand the reasoning and logic behind it.

Final thoughts

Coach Joerger finally ran the Kings rotations to feature the young talent against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 6.  The game got me fired up about the team.  Sure, they beat an injury-depleted Grizzlies squad, but I saw plenty of flashes of brilliance from the young nucleus.  Hopefully, the flashes become a consistent sight as the Kings climb back up the mountain.  I cannot wait for Monday’s game in San Antonio to see what the Kings have in store.

Next: 10 greatest individual seasons in Kings history

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