Keon Ellis is trying to be philosophical about his reduced role in the Kings‘ rotation, writes Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee (subscription required). Ellis logged just 12 minutes of action in Friday’s loss to Oklahoma City — all in the fourth quarter of a blowout — continuing a trend that has seen him reach 20 minutes in just three of the team’s first nine games.
Biderman notes that Ellis had reason to expect a more prominent position after finishing second on the team in three-point percentage last season at 43% and ranking second in the league with 280 deflections. Ellis provides a level of perimeter defense that the team has been lacking while ranking 25th in defensive efficiency, 28th in deflections and 28th in contested shots coming into Friday’s game.
“Because I know if I go out there, I do what I do,” Ellis responded when asked about his playing time. “If I don’t go out there, it is what it is. I control what I can control.”
The Kings added Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook to their backcourt during the offseason, and they’re both playing ahead of Ellis. Westbrook has been putting up vintage numbers lately, including 24 points, nine assists and six rebounds Friday night after posting a triple-double on Wednesday, but Schröder hasn’t been as effective. Biderman states that the Kings have been outscored by 85 points in the 287 minutes he has played and they have a minus-9.9 net rating when he’s on the court.
“It’s a numbers game,” coach Doug Christie said. “There’s a big log jam there. Night to night, it could be different. It’s not going to be any easier once you get Keegan (Murray) back. But this is a good problem to have. It’s one that hasn’t been here for a long time when you talk about wing players and the ability to have them. Keon’s a pro so I know he’ll be ready and prepared.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Kawhi Leonard will miss “the next few games” with a sprained right ankle, according to The Associated Press. Lue didn’t provide any specifics about Leonard’s condition, but he stated that medical tests are indicating it won’t be a prolonged absence.
- After missing two games with an illness, Warriors star Stephen Curry is listed as questionable for Sunday’s meeting with Indiana, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Curry started feeling fatigued in the second half of Tuesday’s contest and didn’t travel with the team on its two-game trip to Sacramento and Denver. Al Horford is also questionable after being scratched from Friday’s game due to a left foot strain.
- Draymond Green was critical of the Warriors‘ defense, and coach Steve Kerr lamented “a lack of purpose and energy” following Friday’s loss at Denver, relays Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Golden State fell behind early and wasn’t able to fight back in a 129-104 defeat. “There has to be some fire in the belly to get out of a tough night,” Kerr said. “It’s tough as a young player when things aren’t going their way, the game’s not going their way, it’s easy to get down. You can’t do that in this league. You have to fight and compete every second, and it didn’t feel like we did that tonight.”
When the Warriors don’t play well, they look really bad. They were fine in their first four wins and looked good but when they lose, it’s ugly.
Moses Moody really sucks.
This last game against Denver when JK was supposed to step up like everyone says, and he dribbled off his foot on the right side, I about yanked my hair out in frustration.
The two stage system with the current group is not working.
The trading deadline better be a seriously active time for the Golden State Warriors or else This season is toast.
JK gone, Moody gone, and whoever else needs to go, and bring in two more veterans who know what to do. And hopefully veterans that are age 28 to 30 and not 35 lol
Moses Moody is incredible when healthy. Brandin Podziemski absolutely sucks. You are so wrong on this and all you do is triple down, its bizarre. Moody was playing injured in that game. Moody and Kuminga will be all-stars in this league, or at least put up numbers similar to all-stars. Kuminga cant beat Joker while playing with 3 SGs. Why can’t you see it? Podziemski might be the worst player in the league. Yet you hate Moody more? Its wild. Moody’s a bit injury prone, that’s a valid concern about him, but you acting like Podziemski is fine while “Moses Moody sucks” is showing a lack of knowledge.
Kerr sucks more than any of those guys though.
If the Warriors are 21–29 near the trading deadline, DEAL GREYMOND NOW, in February. Waiting till the summer might be too late.
I think a contender could really use him and you can probably get a decent young player plus a first round pick in return.
He’ll provide a contender with great defense leadership, occasional shooting and excellent passing skills plus smarts.
Dubs Already moved on from Klay. Graymond is next. You don’t trade Curry and you’re stuck with Butler unless you can unload him too.
This is why “put the whole roster on the table + 6 FRPs for Giannis” was always Lacob’s plan. Giannis is the Warriors future. If this stint with Jimmy works out, then that’s well and good, but if it falls over, then he will offer everyone for Giannis and then go in a different direction with Giannis + Steph + whoever else fits, including flipping Draymond and firing Kerr and getting whoever Giannis wants as coach. Getting rid of Kerr and bringing in a more player-friendly HC will also attract more vets and more vets who would sign for the minimum, in order to make the roster better. Steph restructuring his deal can do this too.
While I am still furious at how badly Kerr coached vs the Kings game, the Denver game was not one I expected them to win with Curry out and so many guys playing injured.
Pat Spencer is a 2-way player. He was in the top 5 minutes on the Warriors for a -10. A 2-way guy. Not a main roster, not a main piece. Top 5 minutes. Over high paid draft picks and veterans. A 2-way guy. Will Richard is right there. Why, god, why? Podziemski was also top 5 in minutes played, and he is one of the worst players in the league right now. A guy who has done absolutely nothing to warrant starting over Moody or Richard or even Buddy, let alone Post and TJD in a real, proper NBA lineup, none of this 3 guard nonsense. Yet he gets 5 million chances to show off his idiotic passing and inability to score or shoot. Why, god, why?
Moses Moody was outstanding vs the Kings and should have played 45 minutes. 28 points and a +5 in a brutal loss? Not his fault. All Pat Spencer’s, Buddy Hield’s and Gary Payton’s.
“Big log jam” but the team is as terrible as always. Yeah, real good problem to have lol.
One day Keon will be free and just like with Davion Mitchell before him, the Kings will look like fools for a) not having utilized him properly, b) creating a roster so laughably and unnecessarily broken.