After some inner reflection, I've come to accept that expecting the Kings to remain undefeated for THREE whole games in a row was unreasonable and we just aren't there yet. And because I've had 28 years of experience in finding the silver lining in being a Kings fan, I will just appreciate the good things I witnessed and felt over the past week and trek on. I will continue to find comfort in De'Aaron's quickness, Tyrese's promise, and Marvin's ongoing health. Had they won, the Kings would be the only undefeated team in the Western Conference and I can't imagine the type of premature and ridiculous shit I would be talking on here, so this early reality check is all probably for the best.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 2-1 and seeded at the 6th spot in the Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets entered this game 1-2 and seeded at the 13th spot in the Western Conference.
One of the many unique facets of this season is the quick turnaround on matchups. Games have been scheduled in a way to minimize travel and thus why the Kings are facing the same two opponents in their first four games of the season. As a team that has missed out on the playoffs for the last 14 years, the Kings aren't used to consecutive matchups or having to face a powerhouse team like Denver twice in one week. This new challenge is a good test for the Kings and they will have to make some significant adjustments to steal another one from Malone and his Nuggets.
The Kings need to prepare for Jokic being solid again after logging an easy triple-double in their first meeting. He's put up monster stat lines every night so far, so the Kings will have to be ready to battle inside. Michael Porter Jr. also contributed 24 points on Wednesday. And without Jamal Murray, who is out tonight with an elbow contusion, we can expect Jokic and MPJ to step up as Denver's main point producers. The Kings can strategically attack the absence in Denver's starting lineup by targeting MPJ on defense and getting him into early foul trouble.
I'm also expecting Denver to come out with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after having Buddy rob them of their home opener on Wednesday, likely looking to repay the favor on the Kings' home court. The Kings will have to save any emotional breakdowns for another night - if they were punished for it by the Suns, they are sure as hell going to pay for such folly against the Nuggets. As long as the Kings compete, through every peak and valley of this game, I will feel satisfied. And if they somehow manage to swipe another win out of Denver's hands I might just have to start taking them a little more seriously.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings win, 125-115
Sacramento Kings: 125 PTS, 49.5% FG, 48.5% 3PT, 33 AST, 10 TO
Denver Nuggets: 115 PTS, 54.3%FG, 39.3% 3PT, 28 AST, 19 TO
De'Aaron Fox (SAC): 24 PTS, 10 AST
Tyrese Haliburton (SAC): 13 PTS, 5 AST, 5-7 FG, 3-4 3 PT
Michael Porter Jr. (DEN): 30 PTS, 10 REB, 4-7 3 PT
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 26 PTS, 11 REB, 12 AST
This is officially the weirdest year ever. The Sacramento Kings, OUR Sacramento Kings, beat the Denver Nuggets for the second time in a row this week and looked like a whole ass NBA team while doing it! I guess I'm going to have to stick to my word and start taking these knuckleheads more seriously.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Played Through the Dips: As I stated in The Backdrop, I pledged to be satisfied as long as the Kings competed for the whole game. And they did. AND they won. AND I am IMPRESSED. The game started with a Kings turnover and a quick 12-5 lead for the Nuggets. The Kings let this poor start slide off their backs and ended the 1st quarter down by just 2. Later in the game, the usual Death Quarter occurred. You know which one I'm talking about. The Kings were outscored 38-22 in the 3rd quarter, something we've become numb too because it happens so often. In the past, this is where the Kings would usually fall apart, especially against a playoff team like Denver. But we ain't in the past no more, baby! The Kings rolled their big boy sleeves up and came back swinging, responding with a 29-15 4th quarter to win the game. It feels SO weird but SO good to win a game like this.
Three-Quarter Court Zone Pressure: The few times I saw the three-quarter zone press in preseason, it gave me a stomachache. There's a reason that NBA teams don't typically apply zone pressure defense - it doesn't work. At the NBA level, guards are too fast and too skilled at dribbling and passing that any type of full court pressure often wastes the defense's energy more than anything. So when I saw the Kings show this in preseason play, I fearfully foreshadowed seeing the Kings on SportsCenter getting alley-oop yammed on. But tonight, capitalizing on Murray's absence, the Kings were able to successfully apply this zone and force a turnover. Like the half-court zone they showed against the Suns, this is another good set to have as a trick card to throw teams off balance and surprise them into making a mistake.
The Bad:
Transition Defense: Monte Morris stepped in for Jamal Murray tonight and had himself a 1st quarter, scoring 12 points and making Jamal's absence seem insignificant. Morris capitalized in transition, beating Cory Joseph down the court for a spot up 3 and then a 3-point play just a few runs later. With Murray out and Michael Porter Jr. on the bench, the Kings needed to make the Nuggets earn looks and points in the half court setting. Giving them open looks in transition only bailed them out from having to work for them on offense without their main shot creators.
The Ugly:
Letting the Joker Joke: It was no secret to anyone who the Kings needed to try and stop tonight. In case anyone needs a hint, it was the literal giant on the floor in the white jersey. Nikola Jokic is huge, I get it. But the Kings laid out a red carpet to let him get the ball where he wanted and when he wanted. By the time they tried to body up to him, it was too late. Jokic was able to either score, assist, or make it to the free throw line on almost every possession where he got the ball in the mid-post, just where he likes it, going 9-14 from the field and 7-7 from the line. To at least TRY to make his life harder, the Kings needed to battle with him earlier up the floor and make him work to get to his spot.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Well, damn. I guess Cory Joseph doesn't read this dumb blog. After all those nice things I said about him after Sunday's game, he was the last person I expected to be today's Royal Court Jester. He got beat on back door cuts and forced awkward plays on offense, both which are very unlike the veteran's usual play. Standing the minimum 6 feet behind him in line for Royal Court Jester is Luke Walton for playing Cory for 23 minutes tonight, despite his early and consistent funk.
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
I knew there wouldn't be too many more games before this guy got his first King of Kings crown. He was a considerable candidate for the first three games, but he had to get a little rookie treatment, even from this dumb blog. But I cannot stay silent any longer. I'm just going to say it, right here, right now - TYRESE HALIBURTON FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.
Tyrese of House Haliburton, the First of His Name, Prince of Sacramento and the Crowned Men, Protector of the Nine One Six, the Brother of Lions, the Khal of the Great Dry Cow Town, the Overlooked, the Protector of the Rock.
When Fox was resting, Tyrese took on more ball-handling responsibilities tonight and did so with confidence, poise, and efficiency. This kid is just... GOOD. Similar to Fox, he has the ability to seem like he's everywhere on the court, always in the right spot, and always making the right play. What makes his play even more impressive has been the absence of any signs of being a rattled rookie. Even in the 4th quarter, where emotions run high and confidence can be fragile, Tyrese stayed composed and came through for us with big time plays on both ends of the floor. I am excited to watch Kings basketball again, for the first time in a long time, and Haliburton is a big reason why.
Up Next
Thursday, December 31st @ Houston Rockets @ 4:00 P.M. (PT)
Comments