New Sacramento Kings Bench Unit Sparks Comeback Win | Locked On Kings

Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings' comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, led by the new bench unit that got the Kings back into the game after a horrific start.
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New Sacramento Kings Bench Unit Sparks Comeback Win
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[@philippsnyder5855]

We finally have depth at the center position and not immediately cooked when Sabonis is in foul trouble. JV coming in when Sabonis picked up his 4th was such a relief for us.

[@oohhsedagod6183]

We have 2 starting caliber centers now!!

[@EBizz85]

When Jonas came out i wasn't worried 1 bit too

[@armandocampos7477]

When ever Keon gets the rock in a catch and shoot from the three, I 100% feel it is going in.

[@itsatrap4986]

You must start Keon so the team don't always fall behind 20+ points and have to play catch up the entire game. This will not work against above average teams. I mean, tonight's win was just barely scraping by a team that didn't have their full lineup.

[@alexandra-lane]

I actually believe he should start over Derozen 😮 and LaVine should stay in the line up. Because his terrible defense is a liability.

[@antoniobautista6718]

Ellis, LaRavia, Lyles, and Valančiūnas make for a pretty great B-team. Hopefully Carter can rehab and get to his best level, but until then I think we really do have a chance if all of our guys really buy into Coach Christie's hustle based defensive identity with ball movement and a diverse shot selection headed by 3s. This is really a hard task, but we have the potential for it. Most of the club can shoot, andif our guys can really go all in with this mentality we can go far. But only if we can get to that point!

[@OuachitaMtn]

that B team is a little below average at best. Jonas is def a good bench big - when mobility isn`t greatly needed

[@mordecaidrake]

Too bad our starters can't play defense

[@furiouswolf777voodoo4]

31 pts bench 🎉🎉🎉

[@PHONKstrumental]

I would only start Keon over LaVine because him being the starting SG worked for us when Fox was out. But I still say start Lavine and let them build chemistry. You never know what can happen, he could end up being a 30ppg player for us when settled in, but we wouldn’t know if we just throw him on the bench after 3 games.

[@michaelmueckjr9996]

You start keon over demar not lavine, lavine has a future her, demar doesn’t

[@PHONKstrumental]

@@michaelmueckjr9996 No, DeRozan is the best offensive player on our team and we statistically win more games the more he is involved offensively. Him having no future here doesn't matter when he is here right now. LaVine should start, but if anyone in the starting lineup should go to the bench it would be him simply because it's late in the season, he is new, and we have already won games convincingly against the top teams with a starting lineup of Monk, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis

[@carson2493]

I agree! They haven’t even had a practice yet I say give it a little more time

[@Michael-oj8rf]

​@@PHONKstrumentalyou can only say that now because Zach has only played 3 games.

[@goldenson3749]

We need to get all three games, before the All-Star break, Go, Kings....

[@BrunoVasconcelos-w5e]

Keon, Jake and Keegan...we might have a bright future on our defense game.

[@mordecaidrake]

Only if you get rid of the rest of the starters

[@rogermassey7036]

We got a lot of toughness on our team now. It was great to see them beat the Pelicans.

[@bluevelvyt_jwg]

You already gave everyone their flowers so I will just add, even though they lost that 18 pt lead in the 4th, on another day they might have folded, but now, with Jval, LaRavia and lavine, we filled gaps, we did what we had to do, and they finished the game with a W. That is improvement in my book, lets keep that finishing mentality going! Keep the Beam Lit!

[@Taddy707]

Monte got the depth we needed and replaced deaaron who wanted out with another star. Let’s gooo kings!

[@Philosafiyya]

LaVine seems like a much more dynamic player than DeRozan, and he also plays with more speed. Keon should take Debo’s place, at least for the first 5 mins, and then Debo should close for either Monk or LaVine.

[@alexandra-lane]

AGREED

[@justinslogar5770]

The upcoming schedule for the rest of this month is super important, we got a game against the mavs and one against the warriors who are both competing with us for a playoff spot and the rest of the games are against bad teams, we really gotta make sure to win the gimmies

[@joesakic91]

I hope all four California-based NBA teams make the main postseason bracket again just like in 2023.

[@HisokaTheClown916]

Love this new Kings team

[@FlexBeanbag]

kzbin.infoBmc9NFfhx74?si=w0amwg-d5-gjPgxh

[@andrewlarsen4540]

I feel like these minutes are pretty good for the starters. They're getting time but not getting overplayed like before.

[@humbleservant1967]

I am bulls and sac fan going back to the glory days and trust me I love Zach and absolutely tell you demar is your problem has been everywhere and should be benched

[@GrantBriggs-h4h]

Demar has single-handedly won countless games for us this season

[@alexandra-lane]

Totally. His defense is TERRIBLE tho. The amount of times other teams get contestless 3s or cuts to the paint from him is ridiculous.

[@mellarx1277]

Up to now I still wonder why scouts/coaches prefer stats over determination, relentlessness, toughness, never-say-die players. I love watching Keon Ellis when he was at 'Bama, just a relentless player. When he went undrafted, I was perplexed, was it injury-related? The articles were that he was old and a tweener - not a point guard, not a shooting guard. Fortunately for Sacramento they signed him, keep your fingers crossed that they can keep him. Who do you take out of the starting lineup? Who cares? Making him happy, keeping him is the priority. He is a lot younger than DeRozan and LeVine so, you want to build around Monk, Ellis, Murray, ditto LaRavia. The starting unit is discombobulated, understandably so because it is choke-full of ball-dominant, offensive players and, ONLY ONE BALL. Ball dominant players like Monk and LeVine needs to get in rhythm quickly to be "dominant". DeRozan? He doesn't need much time to get in rhythm, dribble, dribble, middie, done. While that starting offense is sorting things out, getting in transition is the easy solution. Unfortunately time is not on Sacramento's side, so many teams, very good teams, are fighting for those play-in/playoff spots. So, the only way to get in rhythm is to RUN, transition offense is where LeVine and Monk shines. So, the obvious one to take out of the starting lineup is... If that player is indeed professional, he would understand. Besides, Sacramento needs him fresh in the clutch. Crunch time, who do you take out?

[@buildbigwithben]

This team seems mentally weak at times...a lot of times. Its like they dont believe they belong...or maybe they're just undisciplined...I feel like domas, monk, Murray and Lyles should have enough synergy from the past 2 years to keep things flowing and set the tone for the new guys...but instead it's laravia & keon being the spark...big ups to doug for making the right adjustments

[@Call_me_E_C]

Sabonis has GOT to stop getting into foul trouble. That's been a problem for the last few years and he consistently leads the league in total fouls or foul-outs

[@itsatrap4986]

But it is not his fault when you have 0 perimeter defense from LaVine, DeMar, Monk, Fox, etc.

[@edbrewington3]

@@itsatrap4986 Very true, but Sabonis is handsy and can't seem to put his arms straight up and use his chest more. He needs someone to train him and make him more conscious to get his hands and arms up, NOT on the opponent's body.

[@itsatrap4986]

@@edbrewington3 I can't fault and won't blame him for those fouls. He's absolutely a workshorse and are beaten and battered night in and night out. He got a black eye and a long scratch on his shoulder during the game.

[@edbrewington3]

@@itsatrap4986 True. I absolutely love his consistency, but still, he needs to use his chest and get his arms straight up, getting his hands off the opponent. He's getting these ticky-tacky calls just because his hands are on the opponent. Needs to stop this!

[@edbrewington3]

I would take DeMar out of the starting lineup for Ellis. DeMar coming in for the second unit could settle that unit down and he would be the scorer for that unit. Plus, DeMar and LaVine together seem to be redundant and they should be separated. Tough call tbh. Doug has to go with the hot hand and the one who is making the difference on the floor.

[@itsatrap4986]

Start Keon over Monk and let LaVine bring up the ball. The offensive was absolutely non-existent in the first quarter. Forget defense, Monk/LaVine/DeMar doesn't work not even offensively.

[@edbrewington3]

@@itsatrap4986 LaVine is NOT a PG. He doesn't have Monk's passing ability, and Keon is NOT a PG either. Just because you bring up the ball doesn't mean you are PG, a PG sets the tone of the offense and Malik is dynamic in that position. If Malik gets injured, you will see his importance to this offensive.

[@alexandra-lane]

AGREED! his defense is terrible but offense could be a great spark off the bench

[@roblesjaime1]

It’s work in progress. Kings are learning to play together while playing.

[@armandocampos7477]

I hope the guys understand rotation hiccups and put the team before their ego. If they commit to winning it dont matter where they get plugged in

[@DeLuna_Tony]

Happy that this game was won by the kings! Great comeback win🟣🟣🟣

[@tbgaminr6]

Start Keon over Zach Lavine 100% our bench has defense so adding a little shot creating with Zach off the bench would be nasty

[@solostar575]

💯 how I feel on Keon!!!

[@NOcanDoification]

Imagine if we still had Haliburton. We could of had ValHalLa on the court lol 😂

[@jerseydevs2000]

If we can't keep LaRavia when he becomes a free agent, we sure as hell had better be scouting for someone else with his skillset... yesterday

[@1takefades]

Now that we have a normal bench scoring… u start off the podcast with, the bench bails out the starters?? U can say the bench did great instead of downplaying the starting 5. Keegan & Sabonis had crazy good games

[@TheSteezyEazyMMAHour]

The starters were abysmal in the first quarter the bench got it close the starters came back out and finished them off

[@spacexdragonchicken]

LaRavia statue being built.

[@anythingoutdoor245]

I never understood why Mike Brown hated Keon Ellis so much that he received so little playing time. Keon plays D and can make 3s.

[@fccpw2903]

It's still way to early, but more games to come and it will test the limits on the rotation for Doug He got to rotate LaVine, Deebo and Monk for Ellis mins

[@AnthonyYockey]

What would you think about derozen going into the bench for trae lyes because it seems like there are too many players on the starting lineup that need the ball and trey can help defensively while the bench also gets even better with derozens iso play?

[@itsatrap4986]

I'd probably move Monk back to the bench since it'll be hard to bench DeMar. Monk can run the second unit with LaVaris and Lyles.

[@p9r4ex8dyk]

@@AnthonyYockey Moving Derozan to the bench would ruin him mentally. He does not want to be a bench player.

[@jonmichael3280]

Gotta come out more aggressive tomorrow. Dallas isn't gonna allow it. AD or no AD

[@jessiejcruzjr2760]

Bench saved us

[@Lucky4Clovers]

Until LaVine develops chemistry with the team he needs to come off the bench IMO. 17 of LaVine's 22 were all dunks or layups.

[@rodrigotisnes9828]

I think that Keon Ellis should start instead of LaVine. We get so much more defense and we still have a lot of offense with Monk, DeRozan and Sabonis, and then, LaVine could be the offensive leader of the second unit, like Malik was last year

[@michaelmueckjr9996]

Wrong starter, should be demar to the bench

[@alexandra-lane]

@@michaelmueckjr9996agreed!! His poor defense is a liability.

[@Kingsfansince1985]

I don't see any of the top 8 seeds right now falling behind any team currently 9-13.

[@SherrieCarinci]

Sabonis great play not mentioned once in podcast! Really? He is the team…

[@zyzla87]

Lavine waving off Sabonis, playing ico and shooting contended 3 instead of passing to wide open Sabonis was painful to watch... In general he rather pass to DeRozen even if 5 guys are on him... It looks like he should sit and someone willing to share the ball like Keon should start

[@ivandragomiloff2356]

If they are a play in team, at the 10th spot, do they keep their lottery pick? I might take that chance on Cooper Flagg.

[@p9r4ex8dyk]

Kings still need a backup PG. Give Ben Simmons a shot. He plays defense and can distribute.

[@ProperName24]

I don’t hate this idea

[@johnsong853]

He a Clipper

[@Xenferno]

Hes already on Clippers. Kings can look into Reggie jackson or Bones hyland

[@angryjoe1084]

We're trash, it's the pelicans bro

[@michaelgoldberg2082]

Pelicans are a different team when Zion is healthy and playing like this.

[@novacain943]

​@michaelgoldberg2082 they still missing key players and Zion is on minutes restrictions, should have been a blow out

[@Valleyboi916]

Crazy we was down 20

[@johnsong853]

Not that crazy it happens frequently in modern nba...

[@LawrenceDuBois]

For now, don't start Ellis. He will still play a lot of minutes. Doug can use rotation as each game situation dictates

[@jrgeb99]

Anyone following how the Spurs are doing since they got Fox? Not that great. Two close losses and one close win. All 1 point games.

[@CleverGeocacheHides]

Also fox had 5 turn overs and single digit scoring last game. hmm

[@jrgeb99]

@ I saw that! Awful Performance….

[@chirocket4791]

About time the bench helped out. Bench has been poor most of the season.

[@acmy2jcacmy2jc85]

My vote goes to Keegan comes off the bench, his defense is good but not impressive. Keegan's offense is inconsistent, sometimes a liability, he is not willing to give up his body to shoot FT, what else do I need tonsay?

[@jaimesoria991]

The kings were lucky to win last night. The kings defense continue to stink. There were only two players who can score Williamson and McCollumb and the kings could not stop them. Coaching is the problem. Doug Christie’s nature of coaching is getting revealed. The kings have enough talent. Christie just cannot figure out what to do. The kings for some reason could not play defense on the periphery as well as inside . Doug needs to be more active and directing not seemed to be depressed. Let these three players play to get use to the system. I am glad we got a player like Laravia who did a fantastic job scoring,getting open,and feeding the ball especially Murray. I think if he starts getting better then McNair needs to restructure his contract.

[@NicholasLippolis]

It's curious to be a Kings fan because you can easily save yourself from watching the first half and go straight to the second 😂 Jokes aside, something needs to be changed in the starting lineup to make it more balanced. Let Monk return to the bench and promote Ellis.

[@1970ronin]

So the lack of energy and effort should be more common now with Zach LaVine here, sorry but the guy has the tools to be an elite two way player except for heart. They were lucky to beat an undermanned bottom feeder but this might be one of the last ten down the stretch ... Now I do like Jonas and was impressed with #33 but unless DeRozan and LaVine suddenly decide to grow a pair then this will continue to spiral into a front office and coaching overhaul 30-35 win team. BENCH LAVINE !!!!!!!! have him be an offensive punch off the bench or a break in case of glass option

[@lyonies]

10:54 oops! Lol

[@yudiks]

Yay. Got first comment and view

[@klsounds]

yes finally we can move on from Fox and hopefully go to the playoffs

[@jaimesoria991]

No ANTONiO DAVIS tonight for at least one month. Kings have a good chance to win tonight contain Kyle Irving and Thompson .Start Ellis, monk,Murray,Domas, And DeRozan. Bench Laravia Valenciounas, Lyle’s, Ellis and monk alternating with Carter. Look inspired Doug.

[@Rblx4lifefam]

Defense wins!!!

[@Whocares-z6v]

Im pretty sure i am jake laravia's little bitty cousin

[@mr2perfect]

Jake can take 1+1 not too many teams will have money to just throw around at a role player

[@chrisgrace7281]

Ellis in for Lavine 🎉 Great balance for first and second unit

[@p9r4ex8dyk]

Hear me out

[@norri8ws]

🟣

[@Call_me_E_C]

I don't think Keon should start. I think he's now what Monk was for a couple of years: an excellent 6th man when we need to have a solid bench that'll come in the clutch

[@OuachitaMtn]

Kings` GM doesn`t know winning ball. DeRozen and LaVine back starting together?? Really?

[@roselyncavalida6630]

I like LaRavia, but let's not get it twisted. We swapped Huerter for Laravia. You can argue one way or the other about whether that's an improvement, but it's definitively not an increase in depth. It's a complete wash. Valanciunas increases our depth because, unlike Len, Valanciunas will play every night. But Laravia didn't make us deeper. He just replaced depth we lost in the Fox trade. Hopefully, though, Valanciunas and Laravia are just way more impactful thann Len and Huerter.

[@alexandra-lane]

They are already proving that to be true. I think we will continue to see their increasing impact as we gel even more

[@roselyncavalida6630]

@alexandra-lane We'll see. Valanciunas is an obvious improvement over Len. At the very least, LaRavia probablt fits the Kings needs better than Huerter. He may even turn out to be a better scorer in the long run.

[@itsatrap4986]

Start Keon over Monk and let LaVine bring up the ball. The offensive was absolutely non-existent in the first quarter. Forget defense, Monk/LaVine/DeMar doesn't work not even offensively.