Kings’ Mike Brown drops Malik Monk ‘charismatic’ truth bomb amid 6th man bid

The Sacramento Kings look to build upon their electric 2023 playoff appearance. Sacramento is preparing for the NBA Play-In Tournament after a respectable season. However, they could not have succeeded without Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk. Head Coach Mike Brown gave glowing “charisma” praise to Monk ahead of the postseason.

Malik Monk’s stats speak for themselves. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and shot 35.0% on three-pointers in 72 games during the 2023-24 season. However, Mike Brown’s compliments center around Monk’s demeanor.

“Malik is one of the most charismatic guys I’ve been around. It’s infectious, you know? I mean, really great, great human being. You know, his charisma makes you want to be around him,” Brown said, via Kings on X.

Unfortunately, Monk could not finish the regular season due to a sprained right MCL. Yet, that has not stopped him from giving energy to the team. Brown noted Monk as a vocal leader who is a supportive presence.

“And so with his charisma and how vocal he is, you want that presence around as much as possible. And you know, to his credit he’s been there. He comes to our film sessions, comes to our practices. Obviously, he’s active on the bench, and we encourage that,” Brown added.

Monk’s injury prevents him from providing lethal scoring ability, but his voice makes him one of the most valuable players on the team. Brown emphasized that Monk is a vital leader for Sacramento.

“He may not be a quote-unquote captain, but he is one of our leaders in that regard because he’s not afraid to speak up…And he has the respect of everybody on the team and the coaching staff.”

Hopefully, Malik Monk will have a speedy recovery from his injury. The Sixth Man of the Year candidate’s vocal presence is admirable, but the Kings need all the help they can get for the playoffs.

Can the Kings give their beam more shine? 

Sacramento will face hungry teams who wish to earn a secure postseason spot. The Kings must find a way to light their beam brighter than ever if they want to advance. The team holds the ninth-place spot in the Western Conference standings, but last-minute wins and losses could shift their seeding.

Mike Brown’s squad could face the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, or Phoenix Suns in the Play-In rounds. Regardless of who their opponents are, the Kings must lock in on both sides of the ball to win.

Luckily, Sacramento has two of the best players in the NBA. De’Aaron Fox and Damontis Sabonis are having impressive years. Fox has averaged a career-high 26.0 points along with 5.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds through 73 games. Moreover, the star guard has notched 2.0 steals per game, tied for most in the NBA.

Meanwhile, Sabonis is making a case for his first All-NBA honor. The bruising forward has amassed averages of 19.6 points, 13.7 rebounds (1st in the league), and 8.2 assists (fifth) through 81 games. He is also among the few players in the NBA to play the entire 82-game season with his appearance against the Portland Trail Blazers.

All in all, the Kings have the tools to make a deep playoff run, and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk’s charisma should aid them in their aspirations.