So let's talk about that defense....

[Bricklayer]

3 game roadtrip. Rather unfortunate offensive production. However, here is something you do not see out of Kings teams

NBA Opponent FG%
1) Minnesota .360
2) Indiana .363
3) Philadelphia .375
4) Orlando .381
5) Sacramento .392
6) Phoenix .398
7) Oklahoma City .399
8) New Orleans .403
9) Chicago .422
10) Atlanta .423

-- it may be a condemnation or a defense of our struggling offense that our first three opponents are all also in the Top 10 right now (#1 is especially suspect as Minny has only had the one game against us). Should get much easier at home.

NBA Opponent 3pt%
1) Sacramento .167
2) Minnesota .188
3) Philadelphia .222
4) Atlanta .267
5) Orlando .269

NBA Steals
1) Philadelphia 13.0
2) Atlanta 12.0
3t) Memphis 11.5
3t) Charlotte 11.5
5t) Houston 10.7
5t) Sacramento 10.7
7t) LA Clippers 10.0
7t) Milwalkee 10.0
7t) Toronto 10.0
7t) New York 10.0

NBA Blocks
1) Philadelphia 11.0
2) Minnesota 10.0
3) Indiana 9.7
4) Phoenix 8.5
5) Orlando 8.0
6) Oklahoma City 7.5
7) Sacramento 7.3
8t) Utah 7.0
8t) Milwaulkee 7.0
8t) Washington 7.0

Our poor rebounding in this first slate of game sis being addresed ina nother thread. Its the main hole in the what is otherwise an excellent defenisve resume thus far.

 

[Gary]

Like I said before the season when we were talking about OPP FG% that if you allow opposing teams to shoot 40% FGs you will win your fair share of games.

I believe once we get 10-15 games under the belt and the defense is entrenched in their heads we should start working on offense. Running pick and roll plays, and slash plays for Reke. We could be a really good team if both offense and defense clicked. We have 2/5ths of the Houston Rockets starters that made the playoffs a couple years ago (Or close to the playoffs), and they are coming off the bench for us! We should be better than our w/l total.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

NBA Opponent FG%
1) Minnesota .360
2) Indiana .363

lol, i like how the top 2 have both played the Kings, so the Kings FG% has got to be great huh?

 

[cuad]

It seemz like their bad FG% is contagious.

 

[SacTownKid]

Watched all 3 games so far, the Minny game was horrible defense. Tons of wide open shots by Minny were just simply missed. Game 1 was decent, but this last game had legit defense from almost everyone that I saw. Even Brooks and Thornton were busting their butts on that end.

 

[Kingster]

Overall, we're seeing a lot more effort on the defensive end, and intelligence. It's very nice to see. Much better switching and close-outs, with much better trapping with double teams. This is night and day from what we've seen before. And they still can get much better because they are still making some defensive mistakes. All they need is some more player movement and precision on offense and they can get some wins.

 

[bajaden]

So far, I'm pleased with the defense. I agree with Sactownfan, that I don't think our defense against Minny was that good, but otherwise, its a huge improvement over last year. Now if they can sustain it, and straighten out their offense, it should add up to some wins. So far, I'm not pleased with Smarts offensive rotations, and how long he leaves players like Cousins on the bench. Why preytell, didn't Thornton take a shot in the second overtime?

 

[ESP47]

Our defense has been a big improvement but the FG% stats are misleading. Teams have just been missing shots against us so far. Especially from 3 point range. We still sag off their 3 point shooters for no reason but we haven't paid for it yet.

Really it's all about hustle. I mean Brooks looks absolutely lost for the first 2 games and 3 quarters this year. Then out of no where in the 4th he just locks down Hill and basically forces no production out of him. It's all about effort.

 

[Npliam]

The defensive effort is noticeably better.

 

[upinsmoke]

The offense still has a good chance of finding it's rythem. Good news on the other side of the ball but they need to put it all together!

 

[jcwkings]

too bad our offense is the worst in the league. Which is absurd when you consider who we have on this roster.

 

[rainmaker]

Our defense has been impressive, but it's also true we've been somewhat lucky at times with other teams just missing open 3's. GS always seems to get hot from outside against us, so I'm a bit worried about us closing down shooters tomorrow.

 

[Padrino]

The defensive effort is noticeably better.

it definitely has been noticeable. the kings seem to be defending with their legs more, working from a defensive stance, and moving laterally with something that resembles quickness. there's still a fair amount of reaching-in and overplay, and their rotations still need a lotta tightening, but i'll take that scrappy defense i saw in indiana every single game, foul calls be damned. if they can find some cohesion on offense, and maintain the team-wide defensive intensity, they'll win more of these close games than they'll lose...

 

[Bricklayer]

Make that second in the league in Opp FG% after Philly, Orlando and Minny all had people score on them yesterday.

 

[Spike]

Also pleased with the defensive effort thus far. I would actually like more pick-and-roll with Evans/Cousins on the offensive end, as I think this team has a better structure for it. I don't want Johnson making decisions. I'm not sold on the triangle for this team. I want IT/Brooks/Whomever is paired with Evans to look for a spot up shot (being discussed in another thread).

Ideally, I want high structure on offense (especially for a young group) while this team continues to forge a defensive identity. Hopefully it's not just every team having a bad shooting night to start the year, but I would rather complain about great defense paired with ugly offense instead of ugly defense paired with great offense, because the former will lead to victories more so than the latter. We saw the latter last year.

 

[JB_kings]

I just want the defense to build off this start and bring it every night. I think part of the rebounding problems are that JT has had a weak start to the season and Hayes has been playing big minutes. Chuck brings better defense, but he is just a midget in the tall trees that can be easily out jumped. The other problem is that T-Rob has not exactly been as NBA ready as thought. It's going to take some time for him to learn the game.

The offense is just so poorly organized. They don't seem to have a clue as to who should taking shots at any one time. Out of the 12 players who have seen court time, only 2 have shot decent percentage, IT and Jimmer. And that is misleading because Jimmer gets 7 minutes a game. It's not a few players struggling, it's all of them. And that points right at the coaching staff.

Ok fine they have worked almost all the time on defense and it shows. It's the ONLY reason that there was a chance to win all three games. So IMO, the next step is to focus on getting 2-3 of their big minute players getting better shots. Cousins, Reke and Thornton. We see way too many players outside of these guys calling their own number. Garcia seems to be one of the worst offenders jacking up way too many low percentage shots for him. He should stick to the weak side three point threat. That should help the spacing on the floor a bit when he is in the game. Thankfully Outlaw has seen very few minutes. But the few he played showed that nobody has offered him the best coaching advice he needs: STOP SHOOTING!

I think they can fix the offense if they don't try and do too much. Make little adjustments to get the top 3 guys going by either setting them up or getting out of their way. Yes JT, you don't need to be running side by side with Tyreke towards the basket. Whatever they do, just keep emphasizing the defense. They are much better than the record so far and closer to being a respectable team.

 

[Brooklyn King]

ESPN just mentioned Sacramento's defense as one of the best surprises of the league this year(ESPN Insider)..people are starting to take notice..the guys on the team should be encouraged to hear that.