Sometimes, the Sacramento Kings are their own worst enemy. In the last couple of games, they have returned to playing Malik Monk as their starting point guard. That's despite the fact that he is far more effective off the bench, a move that likely cost the Kings a win over the Magic last night.
When it comes to high-impact players off the bench, it's hard to beat Monk. When he's in rhythm, Monk is an impressive shooter who regularly scores in the double digits. On a really good night, he's been known to drop 30 on the Kings' opponents.
That's the Monk that Sacramento gets when he plays off the bench. As a starter, it's a bit of a different story. He doesn't play the same when he's the starting point guard, an issue the Kings ran into last season when he replaced De'Aaron Fox after the trade.
Figuring out the point guard position
In reality, the Kings didn't have much of a choice at that point. With Fox's departure, there was a massive hole that needed to be filled in the starting lineup. Sacramento's original solution was Dennis Schroder, but everyone knows how well that plan worked.
Fortunately, the Kings made the smart call to sign one of the greatest point guards to ever set foot in the NBA, Russell Westbrook. He took over for Schroder and proved to be a much better fit, though that wasn't really a high bar to get over.
Unfortunately, Westbrook is one of the many injuries the Kings are dealing with right now. Add in additional players being out, and suddenly, the Kings are turning back to Monk to fill in as their starting point guard. He's not as good a fit as Westbrook.
Monk tries to make it work
The Kings are in a tough position. Considering the number of injuries they're dealing with right now, Monk is their best choice for starting point guard. Frankly, he might be their only choice. But he just doesn't bring the same heat when he's not playing off the bench, which fans saw against the Magic.
Monk is also in a tough position. He's leading a roster utterly decimated by injuries while trying to fill a role he is obviously not comfortable in. And it's the end of what's been a very long season for the Kings. At this point, everyone has to be worn out and ready for a break.
The current situation might necessitate Monk filling this role, but the Kings need to find a way to keep it from happening again. Monk is one of the best Sixth Men in the game today. That's where he fits best. Putting him in as a starter just doesn't work.