Domantas Sabonis dribbled the ball near the three-point line and then flicked his left hand in the direction of the basket, where Chimezier Meitu understood, jumped high, and dunked the ball into the basket with both hands. Perfect aerial relay! After landing, Meitu greeted Sabonis, although they were teammates for the first time and the game had only started for more than 2 minutes, but the tacit understanding seemed to have been generated.
On February 9, the Kings of Sacramento and the Indiana Pacers officially announced that the deal was officially concluded. The Pacers traded Sabonis Jr., Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holliday and a 2027 second-round pick to the Kings, who sent Buddy Hield, Teres Halliburton and Tristan Thompson.
A day later, the Pacers' two-time All-Star appeared in front of Kings fans. Sabonis Jr. contributed 22 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in his debut for his new club, which was perfect. The final result of the game was also perfect for the Kings, who beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 132-119 at home to end the Timberwolves' five-game winning streak.
On the day the deal was made, the King and the Timberwolves had just dealt each other. In the game on the 9th, the Kings lost to the Timberwolves by 20 points 114-134, and the two teams met again 24 hours later, and the Kings successfully took revenge. The only difference in the Kings' lineup compared to the previous game is that he has Sarsa, who has brought something completely new to the Kings and the whole team has benefited from him.
That's why the king wanted to trade him in the first place.
After completing the aerial relay with Meitu, Sabonis Jr. next delivered three more assists. With 5:57 left in the first quarter, he assisted Harris Barnes on a layup with a ground pass, and at 3:27, he gave the ball to Meitu after encountering a bag clip to assist his dunk again. In the second quarter, he broke through to the free throw line and gave the ball to Barnes outside the three-point line, who received the ball and jumped a three-point shot.
The all-around interior lineman showed his talent on the court, scoring under the basket, blocking threats, grabbing rebounds, passing, and with an interior line like Sabonis, the Kings' overall offense was smoother than in the past.
Trading for rising young star Halliburton remains a hard pill for the Kings, and fans are critical of management's operations. Under such strong pressure of public opinion, Sabonis's performance that night at least inspired the people of Sacramento, who had seen more than a decade of not making the playoffs, were already desperate.
Before the game they held up a sign that read: Welcome Sam to "Hell.". At the end of the game, the "Kings Victory" sign was held up, and the fans were elated and rejoiced. Maybe after they get Sabonis, it's really possible to step through the playoffs.
Sabonis Jr.'s field vision is often underestimated in the game, and he can involve other teammates in the attack like a striker, or dribble low and divide the ball to teammates in the open wing. Although he conceded his only three-pointer on his debut, you don't have to worry about his ability to open up space. He would give Darren Fox more room to attack the basket without a traditional center.
Speaking of Fox, his combination with Sabonis was definitely one of the highlights of the game. In the past, Fox often had to choose to break through to the basket after blocking, and now he can even not control the ball, but first give the ball to Sabonis, and let Sabonis organize the attack.
Although Fox only delivered 3 assists this game, he released his energy on the offensive end better, efficiently had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks without a single turnover.
Obviously, this chemical reaction will take time to establish.
'Sabonis is really a great passer and as our players get to know him better and better at that. Kings head coach Alvin Gentry believes Sabonis brings to the team elements that the team has never had before, "When you play a rhythm of play, everyone seems to be connected and it's easier to find fun on the court. ”
Since Sabonis himself is a dangerous inside scorer, it can attract the attention of many defenders, which also creates shooting opportunities for Barnes, Lamb and others on the outside.
After the game, Fox stepped forward to hug Sabonis Jr. Sabonis also responded with sincerity, saying about his role with the Kings, saying: "[Fox] will make my job easier and hopefully I can make his job easier as well." That's the goal, to make it easier for everyone around us. ”
It's only a regular season game, but it can be seen that the Kings are happy with Sabonis' debut against the seventh-place Timberwolves in the West. At the press conference to welcome the new signings, Kings general manager Monty McNair hurried away after introducing the players, saying: "I still have some work to do, I'm going upstairs. "The Kings may have more deals ahead of the deal deadline, but the addition of an All-Star interior like Sabonis will undoubtedly help them move further in future games."
In the coming period, Fox and Sabonis will undoubtedly become the core of the interior and exterior, and Sabonis' playoff experience should also help the Kings players. The Kings last made the playoffs in the 2005-06 season. Since then, the team has changed 11 coaches, and the whole team is like a fleet sailing in the fog. Sabonis is not a top star and can't make the King soar, but he plays selflessly, methodically, hard-working, and never had any negative news. If Sabonis' arrival allows the team, which missed the playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons, to reach the playoffs, then the Kings feel the deal is a good deal, and Sabonis deserves more praise.
The Kings currently have 2.5 wins ahead of the 10th-placed New Orleans Pelicans in the West, and the playoffs are not out of reach for them. With Fox and Barnes and Sabonis joining, the Kings deserve to catch up for the rest of the season.