coolhandluke
Starter
Kings must defend better
They're last in the NBA in rebounding, and that deficiency leads to foes' points.
It should be interesting to see which early Kings trends win out this season. Usually, the worst are highlighted away from home.
So even though the Memphis Grizzlies are currently in a state of disarray, they figure to pose a huge threat to the Kings tonight at FedExForum.
The Kings (8-5 but 2-4 on the road) are the worst rebounding team in the NBA, and only the Washington Wizards (102.8) have allowed more points per game than Sacramento (101.9). The Kings' seven-game winning streak stopped Sunday night after they gave up a season-high 121 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even more alarming was the manner in which the points were allowed. Too often, the T-wolves, a deep and talented team that moves the ball and finds open men, had multiple players free on the same possession.
It's one thing to have a porous defense, but it's another to add an inability to consistently clear the defensive boards. Simply put, it's bad to give up good shots initially, then allow the opposing team to get the ball and attack that same defense again ... and again.
Certainly, the Kings realize they have allowed 100-plus points in nine games, including a 107-105 home victory over the Grizzlies on Nov. 19. Memphis outrebounded the Kings 45-31 during that contest, but it's likely a repeat performance in that category would produce a defeat this time.
The Kings' lack of quickness and athleticism means they must box out and have all five players rebound. They can't afford to leave the backcourt early to start fast breaks because the rebound should be secured first.
Kings small forward Peja Stojakovic knows his team's inability to consistently defend cost them against Minnesota.
"We didn't pay enough attention on the defensive end," he said, "especially in the last couple of minutes, and the (T-wolves) really took advantage of it. We need to be more focused on the defensive end. Some shots go in, some don't, (but) we can't rely too much just on our offense."
Since the Kings did just win seven straight games, there are areas in which they have excelled.
The Kings rank third in scoring (101 points per game) and lead the NBA in free-throw shooting (81.1 percent). They also rank first in fewest turnovers at 12.2 per game.
The latter statistic helps make up for the extra possessions they surrender as a result of giving up offensive rebounds. The Kings' offense, however, isn't a problem. When looking at their 43.5 percent field-goal shooting, it's important to remember from where the Kings are coming. They only shot better than 41.5 percent once during their first five games.
It's the defense that must show improvement, and it's on the road where that's toughest to do. Teams usually shoot better in their own building, just as the Kings do at Arco Arena.
The Kings not only will walk into a new building tonight, they will face a team with an interim coach, Lionel Hollins, who has been in that position since last season's NBA Coach of the Year, Hubie Brown, resigned on Thanksgiving. Reports a few days ago that the Grizzlies had hired former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello were premature. Fratello and Grizzlies president Jerry West talked for four hours over the weekend, but nothing was resolved.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11616338p-12506047c.html
They're last in the NBA in rebounding, and that deficiency leads to foes' points.
It should be interesting to see which early Kings trends win out this season. Usually, the worst are highlighted away from home.
So even though the Memphis Grizzlies are currently in a state of disarray, they figure to pose a huge threat to the Kings tonight at FedExForum.
The Kings (8-5 but 2-4 on the road) are the worst rebounding team in the NBA, and only the Washington Wizards (102.8) have allowed more points per game than Sacramento (101.9). The Kings' seven-game winning streak stopped Sunday night after they gave up a season-high 121 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even more alarming was the manner in which the points were allowed. Too often, the T-wolves, a deep and talented team that moves the ball and finds open men, had multiple players free on the same possession.
It's one thing to have a porous defense, but it's another to add an inability to consistently clear the defensive boards. Simply put, it's bad to give up good shots initially, then allow the opposing team to get the ball and attack that same defense again ... and again.
Certainly, the Kings realize they have allowed 100-plus points in nine games, including a 107-105 home victory over the Grizzlies on Nov. 19. Memphis outrebounded the Kings 45-31 during that contest, but it's likely a repeat performance in that category would produce a defeat this time.
The Kings' lack of quickness and athleticism means they must box out and have all five players rebound. They can't afford to leave the backcourt early to start fast breaks because the rebound should be secured first.
Kings small forward Peja Stojakovic knows his team's inability to consistently defend cost them against Minnesota.
"We didn't pay enough attention on the defensive end," he said, "especially in the last couple of minutes, and the (T-wolves) really took advantage of it. We need to be more focused on the defensive end. Some shots go in, some don't, (but) we can't rely too much just on our offense."
Since the Kings did just win seven straight games, there are areas in which they have excelled.
The Kings rank third in scoring (101 points per game) and lead the NBA in free-throw shooting (81.1 percent). They also rank first in fewest turnovers at 12.2 per game.
The latter statistic helps make up for the extra possessions they surrender as a result of giving up offensive rebounds. The Kings' offense, however, isn't a problem. When looking at their 43.5 percent field-goal shooting, it's important to remember from where the Kings are coming. They only shot better than 41.5 percent once during their first five games.
It's the defense that must show improvement, and it's on the road where that's toughest to do. Teams usually shoot better in their own building, just as the Kings do at Arco Arena.
The Kings not only will walk into a new building tonight, they will face a team with an interim coach, Lionel Hollins, who has been in that position since last season's NBA Coach of the Year, Hubie Brown, resigned on Thanksgiving. Reports a few days ago that the Grizzlies had hired former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello were premature. Fratello and Grizzlies president Jerry West talked for four hours over the weekend, but nothing was resolved.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11616338p-12506047c.html
