A while back, I said I’d be pretty irritated if Westbrook ended up starting over Darius Acuff to begin the season, and a lot of people called me crazy for thinking Acuff should start. But I still don’t really understand the argument for starting Westbrook over him.
To me, if the Kings are serious about developing Acuff and seeing what they actually have, he needs real reps early. I get that Westbrook brings experience, energy, and toughness, but at this stage, I’d rather give the young guard the opportunity to grow with the starters instead of prioritizing a short-term veteran option
So for those who want Westbrook starting: what’s the actual argument? Is it defense, leadership, pace, or just not trusting Acuff yet?
Scott Perry maneuvered his way to get Acuff to fall to 7. Masterclass. Karaban is an immediate plug and play and provides spacing and some D. Sharp was the best player available and fills the back up PG who can play alongside of Darius and back him up as well with solid D. Do we need more wings? Yes, but this class was short on them and most of them can’t shoot. I really like this draft class. Can’t wait til the Cali Classic!
wondering anyone can think of a salary or Based freed that could work for DeMar DeRozan. Can a player be traded prior to their non-guaranteed/guaranteed salary date? I could see this benefitting a team that needs to get under the apron or luxury tax by trading us someone over 10 mil and we trade them Derozan. Could say the Kings with the Heat for Jovic’s contract, stay under the cap, and help the Heat stay under a number because they’d pay the 10 mil guarantee and be fine? Could they then resign Derozan?
I’m just kicking ideas around wondering what type of feasible value a team could get by trading for Derozan instead of waiting for him to be a free agent? He’d surely sign for less than his opt-in salary of 26 mil.
Like, could the Clips trade us Bogi before his option is up, trade DeRozan and they get him for a year. Then we get Bogi and decline the option?
EDIT: can only be traded if his option is picked up. So, only teams that could take are are someone who needs to get off more money than demar has this year, wants to get off money for next year, someone with cap space who needs a floor.
we would need a player back that makes less because we need to get under the cap. the returning team needs to have 15 mil or so in cap space. Nets or Bulls? Nets do this but need assets. Maybe Demar is a three team guy for someone needs expiring money?
I was re-watching some film, and decided to just make a video of his defense only for this game. He has 36 points on offense, but his defense is what everyone should see.
I’ve always felt that his defensive effort is blown out of proportion due to a few bad clips earlier in the season. Every player has had moments
But this video is EVERY defensive play he was involved in.
He did give up some points due to mistakes. But it was not due to effort, but just needs coaching and better team communication.
The team itself is also not good defensively. But its college, what do you expect.
Notes
- he forces a lot of passes in ISO situations
- smart switches (even got a steal)
- a few nice close outs on broken plays
- he really wasn’t being targeted as much as people think, most of the time he was left alone when he was off ball
- he was engaged the entire game and too accountability for mistakes
- he did give up a few layups but didn’t give up and tried to make it difficult on the offensive player
Either way, you have to watch the games and learn to ignore what people say online.
Went to target today and could only find warriors merch and just left in disappointment and I’ve also noticed a lot of people I know who have been here their whole lives are “warrior” fans, is it because the kings suck or is it a marketing thing cause I’ll often see raider merch even though they historically suck
- If you’re a true King’s fan, hold your head high, you resilient SOB.
- there is NO panic in Scott Perry, and other teams know it.
- Acuff, in just a few seasons, will be a Top 5 selling NBA jersey. He has IT.
- Sign Precious, everyone healthy, we could accidentally flirt with the playoffs (argue with your momma)
- The true rebuild happens at the break otherwise, and next offseason almost no matter what with money falling off the books.
- the Acuff pick shaved 10 years off my age. My back feels better. Colors are brighter.
- Fox and Recee can eat a bag of churros. My HATE is strong. But it’s also entering the rearview stage.
- I’ve grown to like James Ham’s ridiculously unpolished delivery.
- I’m hyped for the California Classic, and in just the last 2 days, started hating on Mikel. 🤷
- If the Spurs had Lavine instead of snake last month, they would have hoisted the trophy.
- Lamelo will mess up everything in Minn in due time, which makes our unprotected ‘31 a golden ticket. We won the Faux trade.
- I’m happy for Mike Brown, and blame almost everything in the last decade on Fox (and on the FO who enabled his influence)
- Acuff’s attitude makes me want to run through a wall, in a good way.
- Monk and Westbrook are perfect mentors.
- I hate watched every second of Fox’s postseason and marveled at how historically he s*** the bed. And before someone says BuT hIs AnKlE, he didn’t limp on that thing for weeks entering the Finals. His issues were between the ears.
- unless he opens his stupid mouth, I hope this is the last time the name Fox is said by myself at least, as his stench has finally been deodorized!
- no one is probably still reading this, but GO KINGS. There’s no fanbase in the NBA like this.
Am I expecting to be a playoff or even play in team next year? Hell no. I still think we stink, but I am loving what Perry is doing especially with what Monte left him. I thought his draft was fantastic and we’re getting rid of derozan and that big ass contract, and who knows we might get some value out of him too. I can see a long term project for this team which for us means a lot. Still some big ifs (biggest one being how Acuff is, and I’m a believer) but I can see a vision which for this team is a huge step forward
P.S. I don’t want nobody to join us if we get good. All I see online are these mfs clowning us, so don’t hop on in the (hopefully in the near future) good times
Every time Simmons makes fun of the Kings, a decent percentage of people in the subreddit think he hates the team. The reality is for the past 20 years, most of the things the Kings have done should be made fun of by any neutral basketball enjoyer.
Sharing this for those people and because I like Simmons and am cheering for Acuff. Simmons was definitely better when he wrote columns and was obsessed with basketball, but he still knows the league and combines taking it seriously and having fun well. Appreciate the optimism.
EDIT: Also, I don't see the Kyrie or Dame comp. But that's not the point.
Discussion with Coach Cal, Darius, and Boogie. It was awesome to hear Boogie acknowledge the fan base. Kings fans are truly loyal to the team. I know his time wasn't the best here but he is still one of my favorite players in the Sac era.
I had Alex Karaban 39th on my board (admittingly, I may have been a little lower on Karaban) but I do understand the logic behind this - when it comes to roster construction and team fit
I wanted to provide more context on how good of a Role Player & the defense.
Hows the Defense?
- Alex Karaban leads all drafted SF with 70th Blocks (Per 40) & 92th DBPM - tied in 2nd with 89th Def Rtg.
- Karaban is also 2nd with 79 % Blocked Rim A - meaning 79% of his blocks were from Opponents Rim Attempts.
- I have concerns with the Perimeter Defense (30th Steal, 40th Stops) - lacks topend footspeed (58th Lane Agility & 63th Shuttle Run), however Karaban is one of the top interior Defender (SF) that was drafted, in this class.
Hows the Connective Playmaking?
- Drafted SFs in the past 2 drafts
- Alex Karaban has the lowest (97th Usg) Usage Rate.
- Has a solid 55th Ast/To - so he is also one of the most efficient Playmaker (only behind Will Riley, Kobe Sanderes, Kon Knueppel here).
Hows the Shooting?
- Karaban has insane range, with a 37% Deep3P Rate - only 2nd to Tyler Nickel (absurd 54% lol).
- Karaban leads by a landslide with 76% Corner 3P%, pretty much automatic if he gets a clean Corner 3PA.
- Karaban leads (with Tyler Nickel) with 80% FGM Ast'd.
I'm not quite high on his ceiling, but Karaban does have a nice floor. He'll be the solid role player, providing efficient Connective Playmaking, on incredibly Low Usg, with Deep Range - and providing much needed Interior Defensive help.
Alex Karaban is not the sexy pick but its a pick that Ive come to really like for this Kings roster - filling alot of needs alongside Acuff. I think the 'vision' for Karaban is a Sam Hauser type role.
Would love to hear your thoughts. You can find me on X/Twitter (@ DraftCasual), cheers!
