Chimezie Metu learns tough lesson; regains Mike Brown’s trust in Kings’ win over Magic
Chimezie Metu was a core member of the Kings’ rotation throughout November.
The five-year veteran served as the backup center to Domantas Sabonis, averaging nearly seven points in 13 minutes over a 16-game span from Nov. 5 to Dec. 7. On defense, he could switch on to smaller players and contest shots with verticality while providing spacing and a dunking threat on offense.
Metu eventually played himself out of the rotation in mid-December, which led to Sacramento searching for answers when Sabonis was off the floor. Metu played just 4:20 in two appearances over 10 games leading into Monday night’s contest against the Orlando Magic. During that time, Sacramento had a miserable negative-7.8 net rating when Sabonis was on the bench.
“I thought he relaxed just a little bit,” Kings coach Mike Brown said of Metu.
Brown went back to Metu at backup center Monday and the results were immediate. He scored 11 points with nine rebounds and was named the Defensive Player of the Game, getting awarded the coveted “DPOG” chain for his efforts in a 136-111 victory over the Magic.
Metu had three dunks and five rebounds in his first four minutes. The Kings were plus-12 in his 14:07 with Metu again looking like a key piece off the bench, just as he was during that 11-5 stretch through November and December when it appeared the backup five spot was solidified.
“He just played with great energy tonight,” Kings guard Kevin Huerter said. “When he’s playing aggressive, just trying to impose his will on the game, and he’s being active, he’s really good for us.”
Metu’s performance was highlighted by an and-1 fastbreak in the third quarter in which he rolled his shoulders in celebration. Teammate Terence Davis described Metu’s performance as “too easy.”
Brown said a recent downturn, in which the Kings lost three of four, led to tinkering with the rotation ahead of Monday’s game. The coaching staff chose to play Metu instead of Richaun Holmes while using Harrison Barnes more with the second unit to solidify things when Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox were on the bench. Brown also mentioned giving athletic defender KZ Okpala more time.
“(Metu) just gives us a different look than what Sabonis does, and you kind of want that as your backup,” Brown said. “We hadn’t been really good on either side of the ball, especially with that second unit. So we made some changes.”
Brown said he approached Metu about giving him another chance before Monday’s game, explaining why he took him out of the rotation in the first place and what he needed from him to help answer one of Sacramento’s glaring questions going forward.
“Definitely a learning experience,” Metu said. “I’ve yet to play a full season, so I’m still just trying to find my groove in terms of being able to just be consistent. ... Obviously, he took me out of the rotation and let me know, so now I kind of know what to do.”
Metu was originally a second-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 and played there for two seasons before getting waived. He signed a modest three-year, $5.3 million contract with Sacramento in 2020, which means he’s slated for unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.
Given his 6-foot-9, 225-pound size, athleticism and potential defensive versatility, Metu could be worth far more than that. But as he pointed out, he’s averaged just under 36 games over his first four NBA seasons, which included 60 appearances with Sacramento last year.
The Kings allowed 70 points in the paint during Saturday’s two-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and entered Monday allowing a league-worst 61.4 points there over their previous 10 games. Brown on Monday credited Metu for using his length and jumping ability to stay vertical to defend the rim — while the Kings allowed just 42 points in the paint against the Magic.
Defense was a bullet point in the conversation Brown had with Metu before telling him he would regain a role versus Orlando.
“You’re faster than everybody that you’re gonna play against,” Brown said. “You’re more athletic than anybody you’re going to play against, and you’re extremely skilled. We just need to keep the game simple, but bring your energy, your length, your athleticism, your versatility to the court. That’s all we’re asking.”
Metu’s next shot at proving he deserves the backup center job will come Wednesday when the Kings host the Houston Rockets.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 1:04 AM.
