Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Sacramento Kings’ Defensive Struggles: A Closer Look
The Sacramento Kings’ recent performances have been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by promising moments overshadowed by defensive lapses. Despite a strong showing in the third quarter vs the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, the Kings’ defense crumbled in the fourth, allowing the Lakers to score 44 points. This defensive collapse is a recurring issue that needs urgent attention.
LeBron James’ Dominance and Defensive Woes
LeBron James was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 16 of the Lakers’ 21 unanswered points at the start of the fourth quarter. While it’s tempting to tip my hat to James’ brilliance, the Kings’ inability to contain him highlights a significant defensive problem. Allowing 44 points in a single quarter is unacceptable, even for a team not known for its defense. The Kings showed potential with their defensive plays in the third quarter, particularly through Domantas Sabonis, but the fourth quarter was a different story.
Sabonis was a standout performer, delivering a triple-double with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His defensive efforts were commendable, yet the team as a whole faltered. The Kings’ pattern of losing control in the third quarter, as seen in their previous game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, is concerning. Massive runs by opponents have become a recurring theme, and it’s time for the Kings to address this issue.
Coaching Decisions and Player Utilization
Criticism has been directed at head coach Mike Brown for his handling of timeouts and player rotations. Brown’s decision to delay calling a timeout during the Lakers’ run was questionable. In the past, Brown was known for his quick timeouts, but now it seems he’s challenging his team to manage the game themselves. However, even the best teams know when to halt an opponent’s momentum.
Another point of contention is the absence of Keon Ellis from the game. Ellis, one of the Kings’ best defenders, didn’t see any playing time, which is puzzling given the team’s defensive struggles. While Ellis may not be a starter on a championship team, his defensive prowess could have been valuable in this matchup.
Despite these challenges, there are positives to take away. Sabonis has been exceptional, stepping up offensively and defensively. His confidence in shooting threes is a promising development. DeMar DeRozan also showed his offensive capabilities, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter. However, the Kings’ fourth-quarter offense, though strong, couldn’t compensate for their defensive shortcomings.
The Kings must find a way to maintain leads and prevent opponents from going on massive runs. The Western Conference is competitive, and the Kings need to address these issues promptly. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Kings’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- Analysis of Mike Brown’s coaching strategies
- The impact of DeMar DeRozan’s offensive performance
- A look at the Kings’ upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.|Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
At this moment, there are plenty of fanbases who will tell you three games into the NBA season is a perfect time to panic. Personally, I tend to enjoy the early and often wonky machinations of the season — young or written-off teams coming in hot, the Goliaths of the league taking some time to get on their feet again, and decisive, stand-out performances that hint at an athlete’s season to come.
Tyrese Maxey had one of those last night, putting up 45 points for the Sixers in an everywhere-at-once game against the Pacers. Sixers fans were one of the fanbases I was alluding to earlier, after the team’s 2-0 start to the season and being without Joel Embiid and Paul George, but the game in Indiana should bring hope.
Early on, the Pacers put pressure on Maxey. Without Embiid and George, Maxey and Kelly Oubre are the Sixers best scoring options and Indiana wanted to shut them down. Maxey looked tentative, with very little of the free-ranging, freneticism that serves him so well. That shifted in the second half, aided by Maxey’s shots starting to fall but more in his movement returning. He hunted looks and when he didn’t find them, he barrelled down through traffic and finished in balletic layups and off-balance put-backs.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Stat
All good things must come to an end. The Kings’ loss to the Lakers broke an almost two-year winning streak against the Purple and Gold. (A Royal Pain)
Roster
Coach Mike Brown’s decision to not play Keon Ellis is definitely sparking debate. A Royal Pain takes it a step further, saying it could be “his worst decision as head coach.”
Feel Good
Ahead of Nuggets-Raptors tonight, Denver’s Jamal Murray came to Toronto this past weekend to host a Canadian basketball showcase. (Toronto Star).
Watch
The Heat unveiled their new Dwayne Wade statue, and, well, it’s weird. (The Athletic)
The Struggles Of Tyrese Haliburton In Fantasy Basketball
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a call during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.|Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s Struggles and Steph Curry’s Injury
The first week of the NBA season has brought unexpected challenges for some top players. Tyrese Haliburton, a consistent performer over the past two seasons, is off to a puzzling start. Despite playing significant minutes, his assist numbers and shooting percentages have dipped, raising concerns among fantasy managers. Haliburton himself admitted post-game that something feels off, though the specifics remain unclear. Patience is advised, as his track record suggests improvement is likely.
Meanwhile, Steph Curry’s ankle injury has sent shockwaves through the fantasy community. After spraining his ankle twice in a game against the Clippers, Curry’s status for the upcoming week is uncertain. This development could lead to increased roles for players like De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski, who may take on more ball-handling duties in Curry’s absence. Fantasy managers should monitor updates closely and consider potential replacements if Curry misses extended time.
Ja Morant’s Status and Fantasy Implications
Ja Morant’s status for Memphis is now questionable, suggesting a potential minutes restriction if he plays. This situation opens up opportunities for Scotty Pippen Jr., who could see increased playing time. While Pippen’s long-term viability remains uncertain, his current form makes him a valuable addition to your roster. Meanwhile, Josh Hart and Bradley Beal are also questionable, with Hart’s potential absence leaving the team thin on forwards. This could lead to streaming opportunities, though with 11 games on Monday, the timing might not be ideal.
Click the button below for more fantasy insights, including why Jordan Hawkins deserves a look and what Grayson Allen’s return means for Phoenix and your lineup.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
The Sacramento Kings’ Winning Plays Erased by 2nd Half Mistakes Matt George reacts to the Sacramento Kings’ season opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Kings did so much right but were unable to close with a victory.
Kevin Huerter is Back & Will Start for the Sacramento Kings Matt George reacts to the good news out of Sacramento Kings practice that Kevin Huerter & Trey Lyles are back, and the surprising news that Huerter will be right back into the starting lineup.
Who is Guarding Anthony Edwards? - Sacramento Kings Season Opener Preview Matt George and ESPN 1320’s Damien Barling preview the Sacramento Kings vs Minnesota Timberwolves opening night matchup on Thursday night, including a discussion on who the Kings have guarding Anthony Edwards to start the game.
