Kings first-round pick Keegan Murray put on a show Saturday in the California Classic Summer League, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. The No. 4 selection posted 26 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes and drew a vocal crowd reaction with his array of moves.
“My goal going in was, obviously, get the win first,” Murray said. “I knew that was a big thing for me, and just play my game. Don’t do anything out of the ordinary. Don’t do anything I was uncomfortable doing. Just stick to what I do best, and that’s knock down shots and get rebounds, so I just stuck to it.”
Murray said he wasn’t nervous heading into his first game as a professional and he was encouraged after seeing his first shot fall. He wound up shooting 10 of 14 from the field, including 4 of 5 from three-point range, and impressed his coaches and teammates with his efficiency.
“Every time, it seems like he does the right thing,” Summer League coach Jordi Fernandez said. “He doesn’t force it. He makes it look simple, and, as you guys know, when you watch a professional athlete that, whatever he does looks simple, that is usually a really good professional athlete. Overall, I think the kid is very special. What we saw in college, I’m seeing it right now, and if I have to — well, I cannot bet because this is the NBA, but if I could, I’m going to say that he’s going to be a very, very, very good NBA player.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Sasha Vezenkov, whose draft rights were acquired last month in a trade with Cleveland, will meet with the Kings during the Las Vegas Summer League to discuss his future, according to Stavros Barbarousis of Eurohoops. The 26-year-old forward is under contract with Olympiacos, but he has NBA opt-outs this summer and in 2023.
- Gui Santos, a second-round pick by the Warriors, also had an impressive Summer League debut, notes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. The 21-year-old swingman out of Brazil had 23 points, six rebounds and three steals. “Before the game, I was nervous because it’s a different game here,” Santos said. “I’m playing outside of my country and my family is not here. But when I started to play, I gained confidence. Catching the ball and making the plays, I started to feel better.” Golden State will likely keep Santos overseas for another year or two, but that decision hasn’t been finalized.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer believes “the sky is the limit” for his team, especially if Kawhi Leonard can make a full comeback from the torn right ACL that prevented him from playing this season, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
Santos is a baller, Pippen Jr too
Santos is still a kid
Before the game, I was nervous.
Santos said. “I’m playing outside of my country and my family is not here.
23 points, six rebounds and three steals.
Join G League, not oversea
Literally all info found above, tweak the bot a little
Bot
Happy to see Murray playing well. I didn’t jump on the “Kings made a mistake with drafting him” train. He’s a really good player and they clearly valued him most and took him. Sure they could have squeezed another asset from Detroit or someone else by trading back and still grabbing Murray, but there’s always a risk there too and they were comfortable grabbing the guy they wanted with their pick. His floor is certainly a little higher than Ivey, but whose to say he doesn’t have a high ceiling too? The guy can flat out play basketball.
Murray had the highest box plus minus of anyone in college ever, besides Zion
This is like a baseball spring training game never get too excited about a player since both teams had bench players and G leaguers playing.
Murray is the real deal. He’ll be the ROY, Fox is going to feed that man
It’s not like he just had a decent game. Yeah it is against bench and g league players. But he dominated. We will see how the rest of summer league goes.
“The sky’s the limit” – for the team who has never won a ring before? Ok, sure thing Mr. Analysis, lol
The team’s owner said that. What types of things do you expect him to say? You seem rather naive.
I expect owners to live in reality and not use pie in the sky, hyperbolic language, like a normal person.
Nice shot at me though, I will mute you forever now due to that unnecessary personal attack. Grow up.
You don’t realize owners are trying to make money and they say positve things about their team because of that?
That’s what I meant by naive. Hope your day gets better bro
That’s okay.. the list that A’sfaninLexington has muted will NEVER catch up to the number of people here who have MUTED HIM.
Welcome to the club, you’re in good company OrienGreene. Go Sox !!
By the way, your funniest comment in the last 4 weeks was when someone criticized a comment from another poster who’s famous for getting upset real quick. You replied and warned the well meaning critic and said, “watch out, be ready to get roasted.” LOL I still laugh about that one.
So you missed that the player he referenced led a team that had never won one before (the Raptors) to a ring?
Ofc, it took 2 injured starters for GSW for that to happen.
There’s little doubt the Clippers will be a legit contender this season.
They will never be a legit contender until they beat GSW in the playoffs, and that isn’t happening anytime soon and probably will never happen on Curry’s watch.
I hadnt scouted Santos previously yet, but seeing him in this game, he was impressive in multiple areas. I’ll be curious to keep watching him. He might be an asset for GS moving forward. Kind of reminded me of Kevin Knox in the 1 game so far. Someone said they’re planning on stashing him for this year. I just want to see him on catch and shoot opportunities, and more on all defensive possessions, but I liked what I saw
They need to bring him or Justinian Jessup over for this year imo
6 market contracts
4 old rookie contracts
4 new rookie contracts
Total 14
Lowest cost you can get
You can get excited by watching talent. Cream always rises to the top.
Murray looked good. He should start from day one. Another example of drafting (not a 19yr old) a 21 yr old. More ready to start and contribute. I guess it’s safe to say Barnes is gone. I’m glad they didn’t take Ivey. Even though I love Ivey. Murray is better fit for Kings. Imo fit is always a big contributor to a team. I commend the Kings
It will be an interesting long term comparison between Ivey (since the Kings passed on him) and Murray.
Which perennial bottom feeder improves more this season, Kings or Pistons?
Trick question. It’s neither of them
Ivey in Sacto was never really an option.
·He did not visit or show any interest in Sacto.
·they needed a forward
·Ivey and Fox would get in each others way.
·the new HC would want the smarter and better defending choice.
Like hoopsjunkie said above, the choice was in basically trading down and still getting Murray— or drafting Ivey for some other team to get some compensation.
That would require another team’ s help, and surprise, they did not get it— or just wanted Keegan so much.
Let the Gui era begin!
Keegan looks nice :)
0 turnovers too!
Did you see one sport reporter saying Warriors interested in KD. But, Nets want all of the Warriors young players Wiggins, Poole, Wiseman, Kuminga. I don’t think I’m on board with that at all.
We’ll have to see how much of this is a serious pursuit and response by GSW, and how much of it is them mounting a credible pursuit to make a competitor savage their roster and draft future for KD. Having said that, if the Warriors were able to get a willing KD and were able to keep Moody, their draft picks, and still have some $$ to round out the roster, it may be worth considering under the “bird in the hand” theory.
If that is the entire asking price by the Nets (which I doubt), I think Lacob will be really tempted to pull the trigger. The only guy in that deal that should give the Warriors pause is Kuminga.
No. Not happening. Mark Spears clickbait garbage.