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The Sacramento Kings will begin their quest for a not-embarrassing NBA preseason on Monday in Oakland, taking on the Golden State Warriors. (Busy weekend in that part of town: A's on Friday and Saturday, Raiders Sunday night, Warriors on Monday.) It's preseason, so that means we aren't to take anything from it. But it's the Kings and this is Sactown Royalty, which means we shall draw all potential conclusions possible.
The game's at 7:30 p.m. Pacific on NBA TV. Sports 1140 will also have the broadcast, with Grant Napear filling in for Gary Gerould, who is travelling for his NHRA work. Game thread at 7:30.
3 IMPORTANT-ISH THINGS
1. The starting lineup. This is being written early Monday, so forgive me if news breaks before this goes live. But I'd expect Greivis Vasquez, Marcus Thornton, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and DeMarcus Cousins will start. I have no clue who will be in there at power forward for Game 1. No clue whatsoever. It'll be interesting to see where Michael Malone goes with that in the first preseason game, even if he doesn't stick with it beyond Monday.
2. Ben McLemore. He was pretty rough in Summer League, but the popular line around the team has been that he'll be better playing with better players. I buy it. But now we need to see it in action. I really can't wait to see him with Vasquez and/or Isaiah Thomas and NBA-level big man.
3. The end-of-the-roster prospects. There probably is not a roster spot available for someone not signed to a guaranteed contract. But how guys like Trent Lockett, DeQuan Jones and Hamady N'Diaye do in spot minutes in preseason could determine whether they get looks on 10-day contracts once we get into the season and inevitable injuries happen. Defense and intensity would seem to remain specific needs of the club.
PREGAME HAIKU
Forgive me, for I am rusty.
Preseason is here.
With it, opportunity
for outlandish hope.
PREDILICTION
I think Marcus Thornton will, wanting to make a statement about his role in a post-Tyreke Kings squad, score lots of points.
PREDICTION
Warriors 90, Kings 84.