“Fire Luke Walton” chants have become a regular occurrence at Kings‘ home games as fans continue to turn on the embattled head coach, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento has suffered three straight double-digit losses since a report surfaced earlier this week that Walton’s job could be “in peril” if the team doesn’t become more competitive.
General manager Monte McNair has been very open about his desire to reach the playoffs this season, but with a 6-11 start the Kings don’t look like much of a postseason threat. However, Walton’s players are remaining loyal to him as speculation grows about a potential coaching change.
“I got his back,” Tyrese Haliburton said. “I’m pretty sure we all do. I don’t have to say I’m pretty sure. I know we all do. He’s put a lot of time and a lot of trust into us as players, and when you get that from a coach who invests in his guys, it’s hard not to like him.”
Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee contends that getting rid of Walton won’t solve the Kings’ larger problem, which is a poorly constructed roster. He also questions why McNair didn’t make a coaching move when he became GM last year or before the start of the season if he doesn’t have faith in Walton.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Jordan Poole has become a dangerous scorer for the Warriors, especially on the nights that Stephen Curry doesn’t play, notes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Poole has expanded his offensive capabilities in his third NBA season, and coach Steve Kerr recognizes the difference in his game. “He’s physically stronger,” Kerr said. “He’s able to absorb contact. He’s just got more confidence. You think about his first year, if he had a clear lane to the rim, he could dunk the ball, but it now looks like he’s getting up 6 inches higher. Athletically, he’s much improved from two years ago. That extra power and bounce is really paying off.”
- Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala will miss his third straight game today because of a swollen right knee and the team isn’t sure how long he might be sidelined, Slater adds. “He said (the swelling) is better today,” Kerr said Friday. “But just given where he is in his career, age-wise, it’ll be a day-to-day thing.”
- The Suns played well with JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky at center while Deandre Ayton was sidelined with a knee injury, and Zach Lowe of ESPN wonders how that will affect Ayton’s leverage in contract talks next summer.
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According to The Ringer’ CEO and basketball analyst Bill Simmons:
The ‘f–k you’ Warriors are back.
The Dubs are once again at the top of the basketball world, and appear to be stronger and better than ever before.
But, this season, they’ve played with the same fire they had during the height of their powers years ago, and it’s all been without two key players in Klay Thompson and James Wiseman.
Yes but if Curry gets hurt they don’t have Kevin Durant to fall back on as a superstar to carry them. That’s the only caveat this year.
And in the playoffs when the defense clamps down and probably double teams and triple teams Curry, who will step up and be the Creator and scorer and leader? This is where I am adamant that Andrew Wiggins has got to go. He is that type of guy but he will not come through for you. They need another stud.
Andre Iguodala is too old though he’s done it 6 years ago, Jordan Poole is still too raw to do it. Draymond Green doesn’t shoot it well enough to do it though he’s mentally very strong. Jonathan kuminga could be that guy but he’s three years away from playing that kind of a role.
So bottom line is fingers crossed Curry stays healthy and the other guys develope Superior playoff Marksmanship and hit the open shots when they need to. If that happens the Warriors can make some noise in the playoffs maybe make it to the Conference Finals? I know their defense is there, so that’s not a problem at all.
Any team is hurt in the playoffs if one of their all stars get hurt. The finals will come down to 3 teams in the west GSW, Suns, and Jazz. All 3 are better than the rest of the teams in the west. LAC need Leonard back at 100% if they are added to the top. unless some big name is traded to the other teams they will not make it in a playoff series.
Although Phoenix is looking good right now, I wouldn’t expect them to get back to the WCF. They’re not quite up there with Utah and the Warriors.
Great point. That’s why Klay and Wiseman is so critical, not to mention buyout mkt at season end. Finally, they need to rest Curry more because he needs to be fresh when it counts the most at season end. Same applies to Green who is just as valuable on this team.
If a guy gets bought out, unless its kinda a star, who would you cut? Not GPII, OPJ/Nem are doing good things. If one of the guys who is only under contract this season gets hurt where they will miss the remainder then I could see a cut and signing, but short of that I dont see any pieces you dont care about losing.
Poole will step up. Klay should be there. They have scorers aside from Steph that just need more opportunities. Poole is a great shooter, especially when Steph is out. When Steph is double/triple teamed, Poole will have extra opportunities. Klay will have expanded opportunities, and should be at full strength. Steph isn’t on his own anymore
It will take time for Klay to get back to full strength after missing two full seasons plus a good part of this season as well. If the team continues to play well, they will have the luxury of being cautious with Klay and will be able to bring him along slowly. Unlike the situation in LA where the Lakers depend so heavily on LeBron.
I’m not saying he will be right away, I’m saying by playoffs. By playoffs he should be at full strength or close to it
As great as Curry has played this year, Poole, GP2, and Iggy have been difference makers for W’s. Poole’s emergence has energized the whole team including Curry. Meanwhile, GP2 and Iggy’s defense is contagious and everybody on the team is defense first mentality…. Bottom line, major kudos to the coaching staff and Myers !
Luke Walton looked so much better when he was part of that coaching staff for Golden State, especially when he filled in for Kerr and the team went 39-4. Now almost 6 years later, he’s on the verge of being fired again by the Kings just like he was in LA.
That’s so funny, I wrote that right before I saw they just fired him.
Yes Payton has been a huge addition for the warriors. They also have essentially another coach in Andre Igoudala. Poole is a great offensive presence, and I guy they don’t mind giving the ball to. Plus, as you said, Curry has played great this year. Also, Klay is coming back, and it looks like Klay is will pick up where he left off as far as shooting goes. It looks good for the Warriors as long as they can keep this up, and/or keep improving
Iggy and Draymond are both NBA-coach level basketball brains. Curry is too but can’t be that guy when he’s also the main cog for everything. Iggy on the bench actually replaces assistant coach (and massive get) Kenny Atkinson, who has been off the bench with a serious leg injury and wont be back until January or Feb, Iggy could literally just slide into that role while playing every 3rd game.
Post KD, GSW was always missing that second shot creator behind Steph, and Poole Party Goes Splash sure stood up and said “thats me”.
Curry is playing like an MVP. Wiggins is also having a big yr. Team D is back. Considering no Wiseman. That’s very impressive. The schedule has been good to them. They have won so it’s on them. Always thought Wiseman and Kuminga would impact this year. So definitely playing well since they’ve missed all gms really. Also gives Klay time to come back back stronger. Don’t have to rush him. Not ready to crown them yet. But they are looking like legit West contenders. When 100% team strength, all playing.
Wiggins – 29 mins, 18.3, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast
Plus solid team D. Warriors are back
Being a legit contender is all we can ask ffor especially after the last 2 years.
You really can’t isolate anyone, this team is literally 15 deep, but led by Curry and Draymond. All these players are good, there are no bad players on this team, no chance for the opposition to get a rest or be able to put their foot down on the gas on them. If someone is having a bad game, there’s literally 4-6 on-fire guys waiting on the bench to replace them. A truly dominant, unstoppable team.
I advise everyone to enjoy the ride, enjoy the PERFECT gameplay this team executes alongside all the Curry/Green inspired highlight reel plays. GSW has always been the only must-see-tv in the NBA in the 2000’s and still is now. You can either just admit it and enjoy, or look reallllllly dumb and petty and pathetic by hating. Up to you.
Curry is unanimous MVP this year, and is also gunning for “the full 7 sweep” of:
Unanimous MVP
All-NBA 1st team
All-defensive 1st team
DPOY
MIP (for defense)
FMVP
A title
Then he will have the unanimous best single season in NBA history, then the arguments about Bron being better will finally end.
They don’t give out MIP (for defense) LOL such a rookie fan.
DPOY for Curry? I love watching Curry and I don’t watch him for his defense, which is obvious, but I doubt Steph will get defensive honors
You’d think that, but he might be #1 in DWS by tonight. He really is locking every single player he plays D on, it’s wild.
#FreeMBIII