The Sacramento Kings are still playing at a high-level in 2019. The Rookie Report looks into how Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles are working their way back into the rotation.
Happy 2019, everybody and welcome back to the Rookie Report! As of this writing, the Sacramento Kings are still above .500! I know, it’s still hard to believe. My New Year’s resolution is to enjoy it for as long as it lasts (I’m hoping that it’s for the rest of my life, but perhaps that’s too optimistic).
Alas, the Report hasn’t got much to report on this early in the new year, mostly due to injuries to one of the only two rookies the Kings have in uniform (Bagley). However, the other rookie (Giles) is starting to blossom, even if his counting stats haven’t caught up to reflect it yet.
As always, the Rookie Report considers a week from Sunday to Saturday. However, as this is the post-holiday edition, we’re looking at every game played from December 15th (where the last Rookie Report ended) to January 10th (the game against the Charlotte Hornets).
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On to the Rookie Report!
Marvin Bagley
Since 12/14 (three games): 9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.0 stls, 0.7 blks, 44.0% FG, 25.0% 3PT, 54.5% FT
Overall: 12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 stls, 1.0 blks, 52.7% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 67.0% FT
Advanced: 18.0 PER, .582 TS%, 14.0% TRB, 5.6% AST, 3.7% BLK, 22.0% USG, ORtg 112, DRtg 111
Marvin Bagley continues to recover from a knee injury. Since December 14th, Bagley has only played in three games, two of them coming just this last week. With the team still playing relatively well in contrast to pre-season expectations, there’s not been a huge rush to bring Bagley back ahead of their timeline.
As a result, there hasn’t been a ton to report on for Marvin Bagley since the middle of the holiday season. From the brief glimpses we have gotten from him, it doesn’t seem his injuries have affected his athleticism very much. His shooting has gone down a bit, especially from the free throw line, where he is now sitting at 67.0 for the year%. Here’s hoping we get to see much more of our highest draft pick since 1989 soon.
Harry Giles
Since 12/14 (ten games): 6.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 stls, 0.6 blks, 48.3% FG, 0% 3PT, 76.9% FT
Overall: 5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.8 stls, 0.3 blks, 47.4% FG, 0% 3PT, 58.8% FT
Advanced: 13.9 PER, .491 TS%, 14.5% TRB, 16.7% AST, 2.4% BLK, 23.9% USG, ORtg 96, DRtg 106
Since December 14th, Harry Giles logged ten NBA games. He also suited up for three more G-League games, averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists off of 53% shooting in Stockton. Since his second call-up, Giles has gotten into a groove of sorts lately. Since his second call-up from the Stockton Kings, last year’s twentieth pick of the draft has found his game, even if it hasn’t been put all together yet.
His passing ability is an aspect of his game that is starting to turn heads, even if it seems his teammates haven’t quite learned to anticipate his lobs. His play at about 35 seconds in this clip is the kind of pass the Kings haven’t seen in years. The NBA game is starting to slow down for him and he’s quickly becoming another weapon in Sacramento’s toolbox. Don’t be surprised if he makes a Fox-esque leap next season.
One more thing to throw in because it made me smile: this post-game interview after the game against the Pistons. The chemistry that coach Dave Joerger (who is clearly due for a re-evaluation from me since last season) has cultivated in this locker room has clearly had an effect on Harry and his confidence on the court. I mean, how can you not root for this guy? Look how happy he is here.
This is a bit of a side-note, but it still boggles my mind the turnaround in the vibe surrounding the locker room from even two years ago. Guys are happy, smiling and supportive of each other. Young players like Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley are clearly benefiting from the new environment in Sacramento.
Here’s to 2019 and beyond.