Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Kevin Huerter is Expected to Start Tonight for the Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are gearing up for an exciting season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and there’s plenty of buzz around the return of Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles. Both players have been cleared to play, with Huerter expected to start. This development has sparked discussions about the Kings’ strategy and lineup dynamics.
Kevin Huerter’s Comeback
Kevin Huerter’s return to the starting lineup is a significant boost for the Kings. After a six-month hiatus due to shoulder surgery, Huerter is back and ready to contribute. His shooting and spacing are crucial for the Kings’ offensive strategy, and his presence on the court is expected to enhance the team’s performance. Despite not playing in the preseason, Huerter’s readiness to start indicates the team’s confidence in his abilities.
The decision to start Huerter suggests that the Kings are banking on his shooting prowess to elevate their offensive game. However, there’s a keen interest in how Huerter will perform defensively, especially since he was often targeted by opponents last season. The matchup against the Timberwolves will be a test of his defensive capabilities and overall fitness.
Keon Ellis and the Bench Dynamics
While Huerter’s return is a headline-grabber, Keon Ellis’s role off the bench is equally intriguing. Ellis has shown versatility and adaptability, making him a valuable asset for the Kings. His ability to fit seamlessly with different units provides the team with flexibility in their rotations. Ellis’s defensive skills and readiness to step up in various scenarios make him a crucial part of the Kings’ strategy.
The decision to have Ellis come off the bench rather than start reflects the team’s confidence in his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His role will be pivotal, especially in situations where the Kings need to bolster their defense or adjust their lineup dynamics.
As the Kings prepare for the season opener, the focus will be on how these lineup changes play out on the court. The combination of Huerter’s shooting and Ellis’s defensive prowess could be a game-changer for the team. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these strategies unfold in the upcoming games.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Sacramento Kings’ lineup decisions and strategies, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- Analysis of Keegan Murray’s defensive responsibilities
- The impact of Trey Lyles’s return on the second unit
- Mike Brown’s approach to the starting shooting guard position
- The Kings’ offensive strategy with DeMar DeRozan in the lineup
- Insights into the Kings’ preseason performance and expectations for the season opener
Oct 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) reacts with guard Trae Young (11) after making a three point basket for his first points in the NBA against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at State Farm Arena.|Dale Zanine/Imagn Images
Hello! I’m Mike Shearer, and I’ll be filling in for Katie every Thursday. A brief introduction: I write Basketball Poetry, an NBA blog with very little actual poetry but plenty of long-form analysis and bad wordplay. I’m excited to have this space to share whatever I’ve seen happening around the league, and hopefully, you’ll be informed and entertained in equal measure. I’ll also include a Mildly Interesting Stat (or Play) of the Week at the end, something to make you purse your lips and tilt your head for a brief second as you consider whether it’s meaningful or not (that’s my enticement to get you to click through!).
Right now, we obviously don’t have a sample size to speak of; we’re not deep-diving so much as puddle-skipping. So instead of overreactions, here are a handful of measured reactions, things I’ll be tracking as the season progresses.
Rookies living up to their billing
Analysts were not high on the 2024 rookie class, and for one game, at least, the rookies did little to prove them wrong.
The number-one pick, Zaccharie Risacher, came off the bench. Popular Rookie of the Year choice Reed Sheppard scored four points. Fifth pick Ron Holland did some fun defensive stuff but was a clear offensive liability, and top-10 picks Tidjane Salaun and Rob Dillingham never left the cedar. Zach Edey made history.
Sure, plenty of guys showed a few flashes, but only two rookies really shined. In Toronto, Jamal Shead is a ballhandler’s boogeyman, duct tape stuck to their jersey. If his offense can be enough to keep him on the court, he’ll be a dark horse All-Rookie team candidate. Yves Missi had the other debut worth highlighting, and we’ll discuss him more below.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
No. 1. That’s where ESPN ranked the Golden 1 Center in its list of top NBA arenas. It praised our food options, and highlighted our coffee bar. And of course, they mentioned our most prominent feature: Light the beam.
Watch
John Schuhmann of NBA.com discusses five under-discussed players with pleasing aesthetic games and loads of on-court potential, from the rookie Donovan Clingan to defensive menace Jalen Suggs, with his usual stats-heavy focus.
Analysis
Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports writes 30 paragraphs on players poised for a leap. There are some fun deep cuts in here, too, like Tre Mann (perhaps not that deep a cut after his performance last night!) and personal favorite Amir Coffey.
Awards
Staff at the Ringer choose their awards winners. Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Year are particularly interesting, with many different candidates nominated.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Dejounte Murray’s Broken Hand
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) guards Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
|Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The NBA’s real opening night on Wednesday delivered a packed schedule with 10 games, offering a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Here’s a closer look at the standout performances and critical developments that could impact your fantasy strategy.
Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard: Injury Concerns
Joel Embiid’s knee issues have sidelined him for the rest of the week, raising significant concerns for fantasy managers. Despite his participation in the Olympics, Embiid’s health remains a major question mark. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard’s situation with the Clippers continues to be uncertain. Reports suggest he might be out for weeks, and the team’s history of vague injury updates doesn’t inspire confidence. Fantasy managers should brace for a potentially extended absence.
Dejounte Murray’s Injury: A Setback for the Pelicans
Dejounte Murray’s broken hand is a significant blow to the New Orleans Pelicans, sidelining him for four to six weeks. This injury complicates the Pelicans’ lineup, especially with Zion Williamson also missing the game. In Murray’s absence, Jordan Hawkins saw increased minutes, but this was more due to Zion’s absence than a direct replacement for Murray. Fantasy managers should monitor the Pelicans’ lineup adjustments and look for opportunities where other players might step up.
Click below to see key performances and insights on other notable games from last night.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
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