On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:
1) The Sacramento Kings have a busy week ahead of them tell us what is on tap
2) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is saying something has to be done about resting star players- what do you think the league will do?
by Charlie O. Mallonee
Coach Gregg Popovich is notorious for resting players whenever he decides it is necessary. He does not care what the league, broadcast executives or fans have to say about the practice. A team in the Kings situation is praying that “Pop” will rest a few stars against them.
Unfortunately for the Kings, San Antonio had lost two games in row coming into Sunday’s game, and there was no chance that the Spurs were going to rest anyone unless they had opened up an unbeatable lead. All the Kings could do was suck it up, give it their all and hope to keep the game close to have a chance at the end.
Sacramento came out of the gate starting quickly – something they have not always done this season – and put up 27 points in the first quarter. The Kings held a six point lead after the first 12-minutes.
Coach Pop got his team’s attention in the second quarter and they outscored the Kings 37-22 in the second 12-minutes. The Spurs took a 58-49 lead to the locker room at halftime and they would never look back after that.
The Spurs did not let up after halftime as they put up 41 points to the Kings 25 in the third quarter. After 36 minutes, it was a chance for the Spurs to rest the starters and for the Kings to go to school against a championship team.
Ultimately the Spurs (53-16) won the game 118-102 to drop the Kings record to 27-43 and to 1-2 on this three-game road trip.
Buddy Hield got back on track
Hield did not have the game he wanted to have in OKC on Saturday. On Sunday in the Alamo City, Hield put up 18 points. He shot 8-for-14 from the floor and went hit 2-of-3 from beyond the 3-point line. Hield also grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists and made one steal. He played 32-minutes in his start versus the Spurs.
Look out here come those Kentucky guys
Willie Cauley-Stein got the start at forward and took advantage of that opportunity. He scored 18 points to tie Buddy Hield for the team high. WCS also pulled down four rebounds, distributed five assists and had a blocked shot. He shot 5-for-11 from the field and converted 8-of-11 from the free throw line.
Skal Labissiere did not start but he added 14 points. The rookie big man hit 7-of-9 from the floor to go with seven rebounds. Labissiere did all of that in just 23-minutes on the floor.
Papa G grabbed some serious rebounds
Georgios Papagiannis spent 24-minutes in the game versus the Spurs. The big rookie scored just six points going 2-for-7 from the field, but he grabbed 10 rebounds – including four offensive rebounds – in the contest. “Papa G” is getting the opportunity to learn on the job against some of the best players in the NBA.
Temple played well against Kawhi Leonard
Garrett Temple played tough on defense helping to hold Leonard to just 12 points in the game. At the same time, Temple scored 15 points hitting 3-0f-3 from 3-point land. Temple continues to be a solid leader for the Kings.
Kings had some solid team numbers
Sacramento shot a respectable 49.4-percent (41-for-83) from the floor. They shot 7-for-10 (70-percent) from beyond the 3-point line. The Kings had a very acceptable 29 assists to 11 turnovers posting for the game.
Why did the Spurs win
San Antonio scored more points in the paint, had more second chance points and had more fast break points than the Kings. That pretty much guarantees a win for your opposition. In this case, it did.
Up next
The Kings are off until Wednesday when they will host the Milwaukee Bucks at the Golden 1 Center. The Bucks are battling to hold on for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.
by Charlie O. Mallonee
An NBA game was played on Wednesday night in Phoenix and a Kentucky men’s basketball scrimmage broke out. The Kings featured their Wildcats – Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere. The Suns put the spotlight on their former Kentucky players Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis. Phoenix gave former Wildcat Eric Bledsoe the night off even though he dressed for the game.
The future of these two franchises has been tied together since draft night in June of 2016. Phoenix and Sacramento agreed to a draft night trade that may effect the direction of the two organizations for years to come.
The Kings used their lottery pick to select Marquese Chriss out of the University of Washington and then sent him to Phoenix. In exchange, the Suns sent the Kings two first-round picks and the rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic.
With those draft picks, the Kings selected center Georgios Papagiannis out of Greece and forward Skal Labissiere out of Kentucky. Sacramento knew that Papagiannis was going to be a development project and figured Labissiere would be as well. “Papa G” is developing while Skal is growing by leaps and bounds in every game he plays in for the Kings.
The Suns have also been pleased with the growth of Chriss. He has looked like a 19-year old rookie at times, but Chriss has also had moments of brilliance during the season. Phoenix has every reason to be excited about having him on their roster.
On Wednesday, the game belonged to the Kings and their young big men. Sacramento downed the Suns 107-101 in the “Valley of the Sun” winning their second consecutive game. The Kings were led by the incredible play of rookie forward Skal Labissiere who scored a game-high 32 points and made it a double-double by adding 11 rebounds. He shot a very respectable 11-for-15 from the floor including a 3-point basket.
Fellow Kentucky alum Willie Cauley-Stein came up big again for the Kings versus the Suns as well. He posted a double-double game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. WCS also had five assists, four steals and four blocks.
Rookie shooting guard Buddy Hield had a quiet night as he spent much of his playing time playing defense against the very tough Devin Booker. Booker scored 19 points but he had to take 26 shots to make those points. Hield and Garrett Temple defended Booker well in the game.
Other Kings who contributed: Afflalo 14 points, Koufos 13 points/six rebounds, Ty Lawson 11 points/six assists, Garrett Temple eight points and Langston Galloway played again putting up eight points.
TJ Warren led the Suns scoring attack with 24 points. Booker had 19. Chriss had a big night putting up 17 which is just over twice his season average. Alan Williams had a double-double game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler Ulis also had a double-double with 13 points and 13 assists.
The Kings are off until Saturday when they will face the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver, left, shoots over Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 13, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 120-115. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
The Sacramento Kings had a tremendous losing streak of eight games up until Monday March 18th and it’s not that they hadn’t played well because they had played well on some of those games. The tendency was for the Kings to get out, get leads then lose those leads down in San Antonio which they had a 20 point plus lead and watch that bleed away in the fourth quarter. The Kings are somewhat demoralized it was interesting on Saturday against Denver after the game as head coach Dave Joerger said that everyone seems to be worried about the losing streak “except me and the team.”
The media is talking about it, some of the fans are talking about it and he kind of spoke out against the media on this and said, “that’s because the media is talking about it” every coach is going to give you the red hot poker once in awhile if your in the media, Joerger said “were not talking about it, were talking about how well were playing and how well were learning” and he wasn’t saying how well they didn’t want to win.
Charlie O does the Sacramento Kings podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver, left, goes to the basket against Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 13, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 120-115. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
By Jeremy Harness
SACRAMENTO – There is a new kind of feel to this Kings team these days, and that was on full display Monday night.
The Kings have not been a very good 3-point-shooting team, but they found the long ball to be quite an effective weapon for them, making 16 of their 30 shots from 3-point territory, which is good for 53 percent and propelled them to a 120-115 win over the Orlando Magic in front a fully-energized crowd at the Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento also shot 54 percent from the field overall, often finding easy layups and, in Willie Cauley-Stein’s case, going to a jump hook in the lane from about 10 feet out.
That victory could not have come at a much better time, as it broke a debilitating eight-game losing skid.
The Kings rested four of their regulars in Kosta Koufos, Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo and Tyreke Evans on Monday, and not having to worry about being subbed out seemed to really help guys like Willie Cauley-Stein and Darren Collison.
With Koufos out of the lineup, Cauley-Stein settled in and found the aforementioned short jump hook to be a great shot for him, using that to the tune of 18 points on 9-of-16 shooting to go along with seven rebounds.
Collison certainly benefited without having to look over his shoulder, Collison showed his entire skill set against the Magic. He scored 19 points and also handed out a season-high 13 assists and only turned the ball over three times, and he was especially big down the stretch.
His four-point play gave the Kings a 75-73 lead with about 5:30 left in the third quarter, a lead that Sacramento would never relinquish.
He also had a big hand in the Kings keeping that lead. After Orlando erased a one-time 10-point lead to tie the game with 4:50 remaining, he came back down the floor and fed Cauley-Stein for an alley oop to give the lead right back to Sacramento.
Collison was also a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, including key free throws in the final minute when Orlando was forced to play the foul game.
Anthony Tolliver also came up huge down the stretch for the Kings, hitting a gigantic 3-pointer with 43.3 seconds left to give the Kings a 116-112 lead, en route to a 19-point, six-board night. He was particularly feeling himself from behind the 3-point line on Monday, making five of his seven 3-pointers.
The Kings entered Monday’s game with an eight-game losing skid, and they fought back gallantly at the end of the first half to tie the game at 58-58 at the break.
Center Nikola Vucevic scored a game-high 23 points for the Magic, including knocking down all three of his 3-point attempts, giving the true definition of a stretch-five. Even Fournier chipped in with 21 points and nailed a series of corner 3-pointers to help erase Sacramento’s double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.
The game was not really secured until the Kings were able to locate Fournier and make sure that he did not get a decent look at long range in the final minute.
If they didn’t out-shoot Orlando, the other stats, which did not favor the Kings, would have made it a difficult game for Sacramento to win. The Kings were out-rebounded 44-40 and turned the ball over twice more. However, the Kings converted Orlando’s 13 turnovers into 18 points while the Magic only got 10 points out of Sacramento’s 15 miscues.
by Charlie O. Mallonee
The Sacramento Kings have lost eight consecutive games – head coach Dave Joerger has an interesting reaction and response
This was the final game of the year between the Nuggets and Kings. The season series ends 2-2. Each team won a game on its homecourt and lost a game on the road.
Where the teams stand after the game
Miss seeing the game? Highlights are here
Click here to see video highlights from Saturday’s game between the Nuggets and the Kings
Top performers
Nuggets
Kings
Weird stat of the night
The Nuggets committed nine turnovers in the game but the Kings were able to score just four points off those turnovers. Compare that to the Kings who committed 13 turnovers that resulted in 22 points for Denver.
Up next on the schedule
The Kings will be back on their homecourt on Monday night when they host the Orlando Magic. The Magic are also a budding “Draft Lottery” team.
The Nuggets will also be back in action on Monday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers in the Mile High City.
Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) tries to strip the ball from San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in San Antonio. The Spurs won 114-104. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
By: Eric He
The Kings were rolling, up 38-15 after one quarter, jumping out to a 28-point lead over a Spurs team that didn’t have Kawhi Leonard.
But the Spurs roared back, with Manu Ginobli’s 19 points leading the way. David Lee added 18 points and Patty Mills had 17, with the Spurs’ usual depth pitching in for an incredible win. The Spurs won 114-104 on Wednesday night.
San Antonio crept within 15 points at halftime and single digits late in the third. The Spurs trailed 86-82 heading into the fourth quarter and tied the game at 88-88 on a David Lee layup with 9:36 to play in the fourth. They took the lead and didn’t look back in a quarter in which they outscored the Kings 32-18.
“They just picked up their physicality,” Darren Collison told reporters. “They got us off our spots. It was hard for us to have the same continuity we had in the first half. You’ve got to give them credit, that’s what they’re known for.”
Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 26 points. Skal Labissiere added 15 points and Kosta Koufus had 12.
The Kings have now lost six straight games. They begin a three-game homestand on Friday against the Wizards.
Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 6, 2017, in Denver. The Nuggets won 108-96. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Sacramento Kings are in the middle of a five game losing streak if you had to evaluate some of the good things that are happening and what they would hope would happen personnel wise for the Kings. One of the things they were looking for who was going to become the team leader once DeMarcus Cousins left the team. Cousins was the team leader just because he was the big bad guy.
He was the star when he was in Sacramento and the universe circled around him. He was the player that was going to pick up the mantle and be the leader. Forward Aaron Affalo has really stepped up and become that leader. Especially since Rudy Gay would have picked up a lot of plays but Rudy right now isn’t there. Gay is rehabbing he’s not traveling with the team. Affalo who is a very sharp guy, kind of a mild mannered in his style not only on the court but off the court too.
Charlie O podcasts Kings basketball each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Denver forward Wilson Chandler, back, brings the ball up the court as Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein drops back to defend in the first half on Monday, March 6, 2017, in Denver. David Zalubowski The Associated Press
By: Eric He
As the Sacramento Kings adjust to life without DeMarcus Cousins, they’re finding quickly that it includes more losses. Sacramento suffered its fifth straight defeat on Monday in a 108-96 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets with the win now move into a four game lead over the Kings for the last and final spot for the playoffs in the Western Conference, “At this point, everybody’s on the same page,” center Willie Cauley-Stein told the Sacramento Bee on Monday night. “We’re trying to win. We’re trying to get to the eighth spot just for the story. It’s going to help guys’ whole outcome of their game if we can continue to make strides and win.”
Wilson Chandler scored a career-high 36 points to pace the Nuggets, shooting 13-of-23 from the field and grabbing 12 rebounds as well. Chandler got off to a hot start with a 16-point first quarter to help Denver end its five-game losing skid. “It’s the toughest thing in the world,” Kings guard Ty Lawson said. “To come here on a back-to-back, especially. Mile high, your legs are heavy. My legs were heavy before the game, so it’s tough. We’ve just got to keep working.”
The Nuggets pulled away in the third quarter when they outscored the Kings 33-23. Denver led 90-73 after three, and was up by as many as 21 points early in the fourth. The Kings were able to cut into the lead as Denver struggled shooting the ball, pulling with nine points late in the game.
Still, Denver, fighting for a playoff spot, pulled off the win.
The Kings had seven players finish in double figures, with Darren Collison’s 17 points leading the way. Kosta Koufus added 14 points and Buddy Hield had 14 off the bench.
Sacramento’s quest to end its losing streak won’t come easy; the Kings play the Spurs on the road on Wednesday.
by Charlie O. Mallonee
If you are Dave Joerger this morning, you are probably having an agony and ecstasy moment over your coffee. The ecstasy is your team played a great game on Sunday versus a very talented playoff bound Utah Jazz squad. The agony is your team let a 16 point lead slip away and you lost in overtime on a tip-in with 1-tenth of a second left on the clock.
Joerger really had a good attitude after the game on Sunday. “It was good. Arron Afflalo, like I said pregame, has really stepped up into the leadership position. I thought he really set the tone for us. I think he made four of his first five, five of his first six. He was aggressive. He did a great job at (defending) Gordon Hayward.
Afflalo scored 17 points shooting 6-for-12 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. He had four rebounds and three assists. Afflalo was one of seven Kings to score in double figures.
“It was good,” said Afflalo after the game. “I was extremely proud of my teammates. Everybody was engaged on both ends of the court. We played with a purpose to win tonight. It’s going to be a true test of our will to take a tough loss like this and play the team (Denver) tomorrow (Monday) that we’re trying to catch for the eighth spot.”
Garrett Temple returned to the court
Garrett Temple returned to action for the Kings on Sunday night after missing 11 games with a partially torn left ham string. Temple scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting including two 3-point baskets to go with four assists and three steals.
“Well certainly he has a positive impact,”, said Dave Joerger. “We were better defensively whether he was in there or not. He is certainly a positive defender and a solid positive contributor for sure.”
Willie Cauley-Stein played with intensity
“That was a playoff game for us,” opined Joerger. “We played with playoff intensity. If a guy plays 12 minutes of that, that’s better than four (quarters) in summer leagues where he plays 38 minutes. Summer league, you just get minutes, they keep score and that’s great. This is where you find out where you are as a player and what you need to work on. The intensity of competition is a fantastic experience.
Cauley-Stein put up 15 points while shooting 6-for-12 and grabbing 9 rebounds. “WCS” also had Three assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
The Kings have now lost four in a row
The Kings have now lost four consecutive games and their record has fallen to 25-37 for the season. Sacramento has fallen to 11th place in the Western Conference three games behind Denver in the eighth and final playoff spot. They are tied with the Timberwolves while Portland and Dallas stand in between them and the Nuggets.
Kings (25-37) must face the Nuggets (28-34) Monday night in Denver
The Kings have the tough task of playing the Nuggets in the second game of a back-to-back set on the road at high altitude in Denver. The Nuggets are coming off a loss to the Hornets and are anxious to take advantage of the fact that 8 of their next 11 games at home.
FiveThirtEight.com projects that the Kings have just a 17-percent chance of winning the game in Denver (ouch!). The second game of a back-to-back on the road coupled with the high altitude seems to the influencing factors. This lopsided prediction is out there despite the fact the Kings are 2-0 versus the Nuggets this season. The second Kings win came after the DeMarcus Cousins trade to New Orleans but that win came in Sacramento.
The Jazz were thrilled to escape Sacramento with the overtime win
“It’s a big lift,” said Jazz head coach Quin Snyder.”I think particularly, Sacramento played well. We made some plays to win the game, but they did a heck of a job and probably deserved to win. I like to think our guys did some good things and we were able to steal one. It gives you a lift. There’s no question about it. With plenty more to go right now, you can’t rest on that any more than you can with getting beat.”
The Jazz also have a back-to-back
The Jazz flew home to Utah where they will host the New Orleans Pelicans in the second game of a back-to-back set. Both teams are coming off wins on Sunday. The Pels picked up their first win with DeMarcus Cousins on the roster by beating the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Utah will be looking to increase their 1.5-game lead over the fifth-place Clippers. The Pelicans are in 13th-place in the Western Conference 3.5-games out of playoff contention.
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