Keon Ellis’ Career 33-Point Night Overshadowed by Bad Officiating & Controversy | Locked On Kings

35 comments

1. "Bad officiating" is NBA officiating.

2. Am I a conspiracy theorist if I think refs are betting on the game

3. Keon is honestly my favorite player on the team. I love two-way players

4. Eh, who cares. At this point, we know the Kings aren't serious contenders in any way. Just a good team at best…

5. I'm genuinely worried about Keegan's shooting but I'm sure it will get better if the minutes get sorted. He might not be the shooter we thought he was his rookie year but definitely he isn't this bad.

6. Refs wanted to keep their V.I.P. membership status at the gentlemen's clubs in Atlanta.

7. Bad rebounding too

8. Dont let opponents shoot 40+% from deep and you wont need to think about officiating that much.
   Trade huerter, free ellis.
   Think about trading murray too. He is really bad this year. Like really bad. His vorp is in minus. He starting to look like d. Brooks. We needed him so much tonight. And what we got..

9. I actually really just want to know wtf w the refs and Sac.

   It's not debatable, it's not even subtle. It's not universal – not every team

   Wtaf is going on?

10. From chat gpt: The perception of unfair treatment of the Sacramento Kings by NBA officials is a complex issue that has been shaped by several historical and structural factors. Here’s an analysis of the most likely reasons behind this perception:

    1. 2002 Western Conference Finals Controversy

    The most infamous example is Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Numerous questionable calls went against the Kings, with the Lakers shooting 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone.

    Former referee Tim Donaghy later suggested that the officiating in that game was manipulated to extend the series for ratings and revenue purposes. While no direct proof implicated the NBA in this instance, it fueled a narrative that small-market teams like the Kings are disadvantaged compared to large-market franchises.

    2. Small-Market Bias

    The Kings are a small-market team, and there is a perception that the NBA prioritizes the success of large-market teams (e.g., Lakers, Knicks) for financial reasons. Larger markets tend to drive higher ratings and revenue, which may inadvertently influence officiating.

    3. Tim Donaghy Scandal

    Donaghy’s admission of betting on games and influencing outcomes raised concerns about broader systemic issues within NBA officiating. Even if isolated, his actions cast doubt on the integrity of the league during that era.

    4. NBA's Last 2-Minute Reports

    The NBA's Last 2-Minute Reports, which review critical calls in the closing moments of games, have highlighted instances of officiating errors that hurt the Kings. While these reports are intended to provide transparency, they also reinforce a perception of bias when errors disproportionately affect certain teams.

    5. Reputation and Perception Cycle

    Teams that are seen as perennial underdogs or less competitive often receive less attention or respect from officials. Over time, this can create a self-reinforcing cycle where close calls and judgment decisions do not favor the team, as officials subconsciously expect them to lose.

    6. Organizational Instability

    For many years, the Kings have struggled with ownership, management, and on-court performance issues. This instability may have contributed to a lack of influence or credibility within league circles, potentially affecting how they are treated by officials.

    Most Likely Reason: Combination of Factors

    The perception of unfair treatment likely stems from a combination of historical incidents (2002 playoffs), small-market bias, and the structural realities of the NBA as an entertainment-driven league. While not necessarily intentional, these factors create a cumulative impression of inequity.

    Conclusion

    The Kings’ history, coupled with key incidents like the 2002 controversy and ongoing Last 2-Minute Report revelations, has solidified the belief among fans and analysts that they face unfair treatment. While the NBA has taken steps to improve transparency, overcoming this perception may require significant institutional changes and a more consistent record of fair officiating across all teams.

11. Brown need 2 START ELLIS EVERY NIGHT. This man need 2b allowed 1 get n2 a grove. LET THIS MAN START EVERY GAME‼️‼️ Only good will come from it…

12. Can’t win with Keegan

13. Trade Keegan

14. It’s not Keegan’s shooting – it’s just his skill level he isn’t that good

15. Mike brown likes to cry

16. well we talk about that NO ONE can guard or give FOX a fit when he takes it downhill. Looks like Daniels was that man and forced FOX to take unwarranted shots and lots of blocked shots under the rim

17. I understand the 3 is hot but you cant win if you cant control the paint. Nobody passed off pick in rolls smh

18. That's why I hate the NBA

19. Biggest mistake on the last play is Mclaughlin getting the ball and passing backwards to Fox. Had Keon already going forward and if he turned and went, they had a 2 on 1. Passing back to Fox who was already behind all 5 Hawks allowed them to be in good defensive position to contain and semi-double. Time out definitely should've been called in that particular situation.

20. Keegan defense is not that good at all

21. If it wasn't for the TWO challenges, we would have lost the Jazz game in the very same way we lost this game. Apparently, the fool-proof way to get around challenges is to NOT make a call at all.

22. If that was Trey Young instead of DeAaron Fox, they would have called that a foul. That being said, they STILL refused to call a CLEAR out of bounds with the guy standing on the line…

23. Murry gotta play better!! He’s more like a fouls machine these last few games!! He better step up if not? I don’t see them giving him the extension?

24. The Keon no call in one of his corner 3’s late was absurd

25. scandalous refereeing

26. This will keep happening

27. I think Keagan spoiled us during his rookie season. I understand he is doing other things but we need him to score the ball. Some of his shots are air balls and it just seems like he is not confident in his shot. I'm not saying we need to trade him but the longer this continues the less his trade value is going to be. Come on Keagan, we have faith in you.

28. Why tf are we dishing it to Alex Len for a 3-pointer when the game is on the line? Literally anyone else would have been a better choice.

29. We should have traded keegan murray, he sucks. We could have gotten Markkannen and Derozan. Murray is not stepping up.

30. Scottie Pippen guarded the best players on the opposing teams. He scored plenty points. Kobe the same. Jordan was a great defender. Great players can play defense and still highly produce on offense. FOX plays defense! My problem is his personality. Players with his personality rarely become stars. I think the Kings missed an opportunity to trade him last year.

31. Keegan continues to develop his game. Last year he added a star level defensive game which he continues to grow. This year he developed his rebounding (remember HB's lack of rebounds) and he continues to get physically stronger. He is currently in a Huerter-level offensive funk that he will find a way to get through. It would be great if the Kings could find a way to get his brother on the roster. Keegan has always responded positively to his brother's rivalry and support. And it would be just plain fun to have twins on the roster.

32. The leg kick out on Keegan to get the foul did it for me. Refs were horrible but Brown is bad, no challenge, and tells them Jack up 3s

33. Will you address the joke of a show, Gil’s Arena , at some point in an episode? The nonstop hate they’re directing at Fox and the Kings is unreal. Crazy enough, the national media when they do cover the Kings they give them praise when due. These guys on the other hand, are persistent in their Kings bashing.

34. These are the same NBA refs that once called Trey Lyles for a blocking foul for fouling with his abdomen as he got ran over. If they want people to stop watching the NBA they're off to a great start. F the refs. It's time we track these cheaters down at their homes and make them pay for their obvious cheating. The gloves are off. In 2022-23 season, the Lakers led the league with a +1,017 free throw disparity, while the second place Knicks had a differential of 353. The Kings were at the middle of the pack with a +24 free throw disparity. You think a 1,000 more free throws for the Lakers is just a coincidence? I'm done being robbed by these scumbags.

35. This would be a concern of mine following the team from afar, I didn't watch the game but how does He only get 7 shot attempts against Utah?

    When your on a team with 3 prolific bigtime scorers in Deroazan Fox and Sabonis with Monk off the bench it's going to turn him into Harrison Barnes and that's kind of what seems to be happening.

    Almost the exact same criticisms toward sound and look like what was being said about Barnes.

    Huerter also has to get his touches and looks. I don't care how much of a team player someone is, being included and getting it going on offense carries over onto the defensive side. If He doesnt get his touches he's going to turn into Harrison Barnes and kind of get stuck

    Again this is from afar but I absolutely did notice the pre season game against Clippers where he was like aiming his wide open shots and falling short clanging against the rim and it didn't look confident at all.

    No idea why but maybe someone needs to sit down with Keegan and let him talk his mid or air his grievances to someone other then Mike Brown.

    I honestly think he'll eventually break out and be all the better for it. It'll just take a couple more weeks or so.