A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings Rookie Report: Marvin Bagley Getting Attention From the Media

By Ryan Ritter

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a turn over against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 21, 2019 in Oakland, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a turn over against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 21, 2019 in Oakland, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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As the Sacramento Kings gear up for their first legitimate playoff run in a decade, their prized rookie is starting to gain attention from the national media. How is he doing it?

Welcome back to the Rookie Report. It’s almost March and Sacramento Kings games still matter!  That hasn’t been true since 2006, when I was graduating from high school. Of course, as a result, I’m still a nervous wreck watching them. How did we use to go through this?

Anyway, as the Kings prepare for one final push to the post-season, Marvin Bagley has picked an excellent time to kick his game into another gear. He had an excellent week and he’s starting to catch the eye of the national media. Giles has largely remained the same but there’s no reason to worry about that yet.

As always, the Rookie Report considers a week to be Sunday through Saturday. Thus, the Rookie Report this week is looking only at the games against the Suns on 2/10, the Nuggets on 2/13, the Warriors on 2/21 and the Thunder on 2/23.

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On to the Rookie Report!

Marvin Bagley

Weekly Stats: 22.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 stls, 1.0 blks, 50.8% FG, 37.5% 3PT, 73.0% FT

Season Overall: 13.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.6 stls, 1.0 blks, 50.9% FG, 25.4% 3PT, 68.6% FT

Advanced: 17.9 PER, .563 TS%, 14.8% TRB, 5.8% AST, 3.5% BLK, 23.1% USG, ORtg 109, DRtg 109

Marvin Bagley’s game has quickly turned a corner and the national media is starting to notice. In his most recent update to his famous NBA Trade Value column, Bill Simmons jumped Bagley all the way up to #24 (behind De’Aaron Fox at 13!). It seems the tone of the discussion surrounding the Kings’ decision to draft him has turned a corner as well, with many expressing understanding  why he went #2.

Marvin Bagley has totally earned this change in the conversation. He put up a little over 22 and 8 off of 51% shooting out of the All-Star break. For the season, his true shooting numbers are very good and his Offensive and Defensive Ratings are essentially even. Also, very small sample size alert, but it’s worth keeping an eye on his three-point percentage and his subsequent floor-stretching ability. Whether the extra rest has helped, or if he’s simply building confidence and swagger, the fact is that Bagley is earning his increased standing among the league.

Frankly, it’s thrilling to have a rookie with such accolades so quickly. DeMarcus Cousins was arguably more talented than Marvin Bagley in his rookie year, but he was never able to shake his reputation in his seven years in Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox wasn’t great in his rookie year. It might have been since Tyreke Evans that a Kings rookie has made this much of a name for himself (although one could make an argument that it hasn’t been since Jason Williams). Even if the Kings fall short of the playoffs this year, there is a lot to stay excited about in Sactown.

Harry Giles

Weekly Stats: 4.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.0 stls, 0.3 blks, 40.0% FG, 0% 3PT, 90.9% FT

Season Overall: 6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 stls, 0.3 blks, 49.4% FG, 0% 3PT, 64.3% FT

Advanced: 13.5 PER, .520 TS%, 14.1% TRB, 14.3% AST, 2.1% BLK, 22.5% USG, ORtg 100, DRtg 108

Not much has changed for Harry this week. Frankly, I wouldn’t expect much different from him for the rest of the season.  His role is essentially as the second big off of the bench. He averaged 14.1 minutes a game this week, not far removed from his 13.1 mpg average for the season. Shooting around the rim and fouls are still issues, his confidence and passing vision/ability are still not.

Next. Dave Joerger’s coaching rebirth has Kings on the right track. dark

Giles is what he is for the time being. Let’s see what another summer of development (especially with this particular coaching staff, assuming they’re still around) will do for him. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield have made major leaps. Marvin Bagley, as discussed above, has been better than anybody could reasonable have expected.  With one more year of health, why not Giles? Stay tuned and, as always, stay patient.

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