The Sacramento Kings are likely playoff bound. No that is not a typo.
Coming off a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Kings have dropped back to third in the conference. Tensions were high at the end of last night’s game, which happens in tough losses. It’s good to see this team have some passion, as I believe it’s been a reason for the success of this squad.
There are many contributing factors to this season’s major success, but one has stuck out in particular and should give Kings fans hope for years to come. That’s the steady improvement by rookie forward Keegan Murray.
Murray was drafted fourth overall in last year’s NBA draft and hasn’t looked back since. He won a Summer League MVP, has taken multiple Rookie of the Month awards home and has been a starter on one of the most consistent teams in the association so far. This has warranted a major uptick in conversation involving Murray, specifically by the national media.
Keegan Murray continues to impress across the league
Yesterday morning on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins discussed how good the Kings have been this season, and more particularly Keegan Murray.
Strong praise this morning on @FirstTake about Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray: @KendrickPerkins: “I haven’t seen a rookie like him in the last 10 years.”@stephenasmith: “That brother can ball.” pic.twitter.com/2yy069bihI
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) March 13, 2023
Perkins has become a household name for ESPN over the last few years with his controversial hot takes. However, we can probably all agree that this take isn’t that contentious. Keegan Murray has blossomed before our very eyes.
Throughout the year, Murray has averaged 11.6 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting, while also adding 4.5 rebounds per game. Solid numbers for a guy who is at most the third or fourth option on a playoff team.
He hasn’t been exactly world-breaking the last few games, but Murray has made consistent strides all year. He’s turning into quite the quality defender, a good pick-and-pop shooter, and is even playmaking more than we all anticipated. Talk about a good selection.
Rookie slumps, especially at this point in the long season, are expected and shouldn’t be looked at too deeply. Keegan Murray has proven to be a vital part of the team all year and fans should be extremely excited and happy about the young forward.
Kendrick Perkins this morning on @FirstTake: “(The Warriors) better stay the hell away from the Sacramento Kings. … One, the Kings are going to the Western Conference Finals, but two, the Golden State Warriors, their championship days are over."
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) March 13, 2023
That wasn’t the only good thing Perkins had to say about the Kings, as he also predicted a Western Conference Finals berth in the same segment. Needless to say, Perkins is high on the Kings and Keegan Murray just like the rest of us.
It’s got to be nice to get some positive national recognition for the first time in what seems like forever.