It’s disappointing that Willie going to be out. It seemed that the team defense took a big step forward last game and I wanted to see if it carried over to the next game, especially against a well-oiled ball movement machine like the spurs.
One of the biggest issues with the Kings team defense is the constant need for help, because of not stopping the ball on the perimeter. The opposition guards and wings blow by our guards and wings and are getting into the lane and finishing, kicking out, or dishing down at will.
Our bigs may have the most defensive responsibility in the league because of the team’s inability to guard out on the perimeter. Kings’ bigs just have a huge amount of ground to cover because of poor team defense.
But I believe I saw improvement in this area the last game and I was looking forward to seeing if they could maintain that.
Willie is a big part of the defense, and there is a perception (supported by stats and counting numbers – blocks mainly) that he’s regressed into a poor defender. But the Kings are a team riddled with poor defenders and this does impact Willies defensive numbers and I believe it also indirectly affects his rebounding by forcing him out of position away from the basket.
Willie’s agility and ability to switch and stay in front of smaller players is part of his unique skill set and makes him an elite defender, but it can go for naught if his team mates don’t play their part well. But when they do play well, Willie's defensive abilities become more apparent.
And Kings "trading history" is not something we should be proud off 
