Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

[ShamWowNY]

Setup
System: Xbox Series X
Game: NBA 2K22
Roster: CelticLG Attention to Detail
Sliders: Custom, based on those from VannWolfhawk & Schnaidt
Draft Class: 2022 class by Shammgxd (edited to better conform to ATD)

WARNING: Some formatting may break on mobile - view on desktop for the best experience

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

[kibaxx7]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

Oh I love that logo. Good luck, there haven't been many Kings stories

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

De’Aaron Fox was 8 years old. Marvin Bagley III only 7. And Tyrese Haliburton was a wee lad of 6 the last time the Kings made the NBA playoffs. No one in Sacramento is happy about a 15-year streak of failing to reach the postseason, but if there is a bright side, it’s that the current players were too young to be traumatized or to carry that weight.

So what are the Kings going to do about it in 2021-22? Whether they snap the streak or add to it, these guys are going to have to improve their defense. A lot. They weren’t just the league’s worst last season, they were historically bad (116.5 points allowed per 100 possessions). Sacramento ranked dead last in opponents’ field-goal percentage, 29th in points given up in the paint, and 26th both in defensive 3-point percentage and second-chance points allowed. Whatever they were doing right offensively (12th overall) couldn’t compensate for what they didn’t stop.

The Kings drafted Baylor’s Davion Mitchell, a three-year collegian, and were promptly wowed in Summer League by his defensive work on the ball. More floor time for Tyrese Haliburton, the addition of Tristan Thompson to help on the boards (Sacramento ranked 30th in rebounds) and that first step toward grabbing a spot in the Play-In Tournament – defensive improvement – will get noticed throughout the NBA.


BIGGEST QUESTION
Will Buddy Hield be traded or will he have an even more important role with the Kings? Rather than moving Hield, which was the speculation for much of the offseason, Sacramento coach Luke Walton might want to use him off the bench as a Sixth Man with a green light. The career 40% 3-point shooter has been a reserve for almost a third of his appearances and has shot and scored better than when starting. The other benefit would be creating more opportunities to use Fox, Haliburton and Mitchell on the floor together, with Harrison Barnes at the four.


SEASON PREDICTION
All hail Sacramento fans, who have hung in there through disappointment after disappointment. The Kings have drafted in the lottery 15 times in those 15 years, without getting enough of a bump from any one or group of the picks to end the streak. After last season’s 31-41, it will take two steps, not one, to get into the thick of a West playoff chase. That won’t be easy. Predicted finish: 38-44.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
De’Aaron Fox: After putting up 25.2 ppg and 7.2 apg, super-quick guard’s next step is All-Star selection.

Tyrese Haliburton: The steal of the 2020 Draft pushed himself hard and isn’t about to stop after an All-Rookie start.

Harrison Barnes: Steady veteran in 10th season brings all-around help, most valuable to winning clubs.

Marvin Bagley III: Going No. 2 in the Luka/Trae/Porter Jr. Draft has added to his uphill climb.

Richaun Holmes: Minutes have brought production (and vice versa), which brought an affordable contract for a long-term piece.


KEY RESERVES
Buddy Hield: Until the Kings’ defense improves significantly, Hield will be too valuable offensively to trade.

Davion Mitchell: Stepping on Fox and even Haliburton as a point guard option is fine, based on his defense and energy.

Terence Davis: Part of a backcourt log-jam after earning a new deal with his post-Toronto play.

Tristan Thompson: An insurance policy when acquired, he can provide experience, toughness and leadership.


LAST 5 SEASONS

Source

[studbucket]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

It's wild how good the league is. That's not a bad starting 5, but the league is so talented it's hard for them to compete.

Nice writeup.

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

The Sacramento Kings opened the 2022-23 season with a 115-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Sacramento deployed an egalitarian offensive gameplan, with each member of Luke Walton's starting five (De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Maurice Harkless and Richaun Holmes) in double figures. The Kings were willing passers, with a total of 37 assists far above last season's average of 25.5 a game.

None shared the rock more than De’Aaron Fox, who set a new Sacramento Kings record with a career-high 21 assists. The record was formerly held by Rajon Rondo, who posted 20 assists in two separate games in the 2015-16 season. Fox fell one assist short of the franchise record, which is shared by Phil Ford and Oscar Robertson.

Fox's playmaking was enabled by Chauncey Billups' aggressive blitzing of the pick and roll, a noted departure from the ICE strategy his predecessor Terry Stotts preferred. Few adjustments were made as the game wore on, allowing Fox to post the most opening night assists in NBA history (John Stockton, 19 in 1989).

Another record fell in the third quarter when Buddy Hield hit his fifth three of the game, becoming the franchise leader in three-pointers made - a record formerly held by Peja Stojakovic (1,070). Hield shot 6-9 from beyond the arc for the contest.

After a slow start in the first half, the Portland offense woke up behind sharpshooter CJ McCollum, who led all with 34 points for the Blazers. As for Damian Lillard, well...

Yikes. Lillard was 9-25 from the field, 6-19 beyond the arc.

The Sacramento lead reached 21 points midway through the 3rd quarter behind highlight plays such as this downright disrespectful slam from Moe Harkless.

The Blazers didn't go down without a fight, roaring back to tie the game with six minutes remaining behind McCollum and a Damian Lillard who finally found his shot.

The Kings looked to choke the game away when rookie Davion Mitchell took a shot clock violation while attempting a layup with less than a minute left on the clock. CJ McCollum took it the other way and drained a 3 to take a one point lead with 26 seconds remaining.

The Kings play out of timeout was lacking in vision and execution, but Richaun Holmes bailed Luke Walton out by drawing a foul just prior to the shot clock expiring. Holmes, who led Sacto in scoring with 21 points, drained both free throws, letting the team avoid an embarrassing loss.

The Kings will look to improve to 2-0 on the season this Friday as they host the Utah Jazz in their home opener.

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[studbucket]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

Love your graphics and gifs. Great work on this

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

Oh I love that logo. Good luck, there haven't been many Kings stories

Thanks! I don't know why more virtual GMs don't take on Sacramento - they own all their picks and have a ton of young pieces to either build around or flip for other assets. I've always had a soft spot for them as the former Rochester Royals.

Love your graphics and gifs. Great work on this

Thank you! I'm hopeful I'll be able to work in articles and media from a variety of sources to keep things fresh.

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

The Sacramento Kings moved to 2-0 on the young season with a win over the Utah Jazz, 107-99.

De'Aaron Fox challenged the stout Utah defense head-on, finishing with 28 points and 8 assists on 11-22 shooting.

On the other side of the ball, Donovan Mitchell struggled to get it going in the second half, scoring just six points as the Jazz sputtered down the stretch. He did, however, pull out this impressive chasedown block:

Fox got him back when it mattered in the 4th:

Outside of Fox, Richaun Holmes posted his second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Marvin Bagley bullied the Utah bench unit (see: Eric Paschall) for 12 points and 7 rebounds in just 11 minutes.

Down the stretch, the Kings defense held strong and put the game away with a Davion Mitchell steal on an inbounds pass followed by a clear path foul by Rudy Gobert. Mitchell sunk both free throws, putting the Kings up by 8 with 27 seconds to play.

Stat of the Night
Utah's primary ballhandlers of Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and Jordan Clarkson went a combined 16 of 46 from the field (.347).

The Kings look next to Golden State at home, followed by an away trip through Phoenix, New Orleans, Dallas, and Salt Lake City.

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[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

NOTE: I will only be playing 41 games each season - one against each team, and two against all divisional rivals and select others. Simulated games will be presented as above.


Box Scores

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[marshdaddy]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

Love the writing and presentation, makes it super easy to follow along. I agree with you on the Kings being an underrated rebuild. Being a Warriors fan I could never do it, but they’re a fun group and you’ve got the story of resurrecting what was a decent franchise.

[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

The Sacramento Kings moved to 4-2 on the season with a clutch performance on the road in Dallas.

De'Aaron Fox went toe-to-toe with Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic early, with both players leading their teams in 1st quarter scoring (13 and 14 points, respectively).

However, only one of the pair avoided struggling down the stretch - while Fox finished with 27 points and 10 assists, he turned the ball over 7 times. The Kings' lack of ball security let the Mavericks back into a game in which they at one point trailed by 17.

Doncic took over in the fourth, cutting the Kings lead to just one with 1:43 remaining. With the pressure on, Buddy Hield stepped up.

Buddy's bomb put the Kings up four with :50 seconds remaining. Hield shot 5-8 from the field, all 3-point shots. He also went 6-6 from the line as the Mavs started to foul, putting them away and giving the Kings a strong road win early in the season.

For the Mavs, Doncic posted 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, and veteran swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. had a solid night with 25 points on 5-8 shooting from deep.

Stat of the Night
Chimezie Metu made his season debut, posting 2 rebounds in 5 minutes. The Kings are hopeful Metu can become a consistent contributor off the bench.

Next up for Sacramento is an away game at Utah, before returning home for games versus the Pelicans, Hornets, Pacers, and Suns.

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[ShamWowNY]

Re: Watch The Throne || Sacramento Kings (2K22)

Box Scores

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