After finishing the previous season with a defensive rating of 116.0, placing them 24th in the league, Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown and his coaching staff entered the current season with a clear focus on improving their defensive performance.
With 27 games left in the 2023-24 season, the Kings currently hold the 19th position in defensive rating at 116.2. Although the numerical improvement is marginal, it’s noteworthy given the overall increase in offensive output across the NBA this season.
Despite facing ups and downs, Brown finds encouragement in his team’s recent defensive performances. However, he remains unsatisfied, constantly striving for further improvements. As they return from the All-Star break, the team is particularly targeting enhancements in their three-point defense.
Sacramento Kings’ opponents have been shooting at a rate of 39.8 percent from beyond the arc this season, the highest in the league. Brown emphasized that achieving an ‘average or slightly above’ level in defending three-pointers would significantly boost their overall defensive ranking, potentially placing them around eighth in the league.
In a recent interview after a practice session, Brown highlighted the team’s need to enhance their closeout defense. The coaching staff categorizes opposing players as ‘hot guys’ or ‘non-hot guys’ based on their shooting abilities, determining the type of closeout required. Brown expressed concern that teams don’t feel enough defensive pressure, leading to a concentrated effort on improving their closeout defense. He emphasized the importance of factors such as proximity, contesting, and a sense of urgency in executing effective closeouts. Currently, both ‘hot guys’ and ‘non-hot guys’ are shooting around 40 percent from the three-point range against the Kings, signaling the need for significant improvement in their defensive strategies.
While discussions about three-point defense, particularly in terms of closeouts, have been ongoing throughout the season, it is imperative for the team to address and improve this aspect moving forward.
An unpredictable factor in this challenge is luck. While the coaching staff and players have identified various areas for improvement, the success rate of open three-pointers on any given night can vary significantly.
Notably, there have been observations about certain teams expressing a liking for shooting in the Golden 1 Center, the home arena of the Sacramento Kings. However, the team cannot be concerned about these external factors and must focus on aspects within their control.
Despite conceding an average of 33.9 three-point attempts per game, which is the 10th highest in the league, only 17.8 of those attempts are considered ‘wide-open’ according to NBA.com’s tracking data. This places the Kings 11th in the league for the fewest ‘wide-open’ three-pointers allowed. However, opponents are converting a higher percentage of these open looks against Sacramento (42.9 percent) than any other team.
Players, including Chris Duarte, have acknowledged the need for improvement in perimeter defense. In their first game post-All-Star break against the San Antonio Spurs, who were the worst three-point shooting team in the league, the Kings faced a significant challenge. Although they held the Spurs to fewer three-point attempts, they struggled to contest effectively, allowing a higher conversion rate.
Looking ahead to their matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who rank second in three-point percentage, the Kings have another opportunity for improvement. The coaching staff is making slight adjustments to their closeout defense and providing tips on technique, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the players’ awareness and execution.
If Sacramento can address these defensive issues and continue to make strides offensively, they stand to gain positive momentum as the playoffs draw nearer.
What lies ahead for the Sacramento Kings?
The team is set to travel to Los Angeles this weekend for the initial game of a back-to-back series, playing against the Clippers at crypto.com Arena.
The Clippers have proven to be a formidable opponent for the Kings this season, winning the first two regular-season meetings with an average margin of 17 points per game.
For comprehensive coverage of the Kings vs. Clippers matchup, make sure to stay tuned to Sactown Sports 1140. The coverage will commence at 5:00 PM PST on Game Night, leading up to the 6:30 PM PST tip-off in downtown Los Angeles.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
- Sunday, February 25th – Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 6:30 PM PST
- Monday, February 26th – Kings vs. Miami Heat – 7:00 PM PST
- Wednesday, February 28th – Kings @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PST
- Friday, March 1st – Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 5:00 PM PST
- Monday, March 4th – Kings vs. Chicago Bulls – 7:00 PM PST
Be the first to comment