2 Studs, 2 Duds from Kings brutal loss to Warriors

Dud from Kings’ brutal loss to the Warriors: Harrison Barnes

Veteran wing Harrison Barnes has proven to be an underrated player on the court more often than not since joining the Kings. He is a veteran that usually goes about his business casually and without much flare but the production tends to be more than he gets noticed for.

In this one, against his former team, he could rightfully go unnoticed by most observers. That’s because he did little when he was on the court. He has now failed to reach double-digit points in each of the team’s first three games. In the first two, he was at least hitting the glass to help the Kings in an area they desperately need it.

While he needs to be starting alongside rookie Keegan Murray sooner than later, more performances like this will give more support to the argument Murray should simply be starting in his place.

Stud from Kings’ brutal loss to the Warriors: De’Aaron Fox

This looks on pace to be a trend this season. Once again, Fox was the best player for the Kings by a very wide margin. Also looking like a trend, Fox was aggressive and assertive from the very first possession of the game.

We all know what he is capable of, and he seems to understand that same thing more than he ever has. Fox had 17 first-half points despite going 0-3 from behind the arc. He made up for that by going an eye-watering 7-8 from inside the three-point line.

This game was his first of the season in which he didn’t reach the 30-point marker but he did have his first double-double of the season with a line of 26 points and 10 assists. Fox is the engine that will make the Kings run and right now he is playing like an engine that has plenty of offensive firepower.

Once again, he is far from those who can be blamed for the Kings’ disappointing losses so far this season.