Ten Takeaways: The Sacramento Kings’ Season Opener

Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) on a turnover against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ben McLemore is Lost—And Yeah, that’s Concerning

For all the talk we heard about Ben McLemore’s unparalleled work ethic and off-season training, the third-year shooting guard stills looks lost in George Karl’s system. I’m starting to think it’s more than that though, and we may have to adjust our expectations for young Ben.

Besides nailing an open three and finishing a slam on a breakaway basket, Ben looked like a lamb out there, in a continuation of his sub-par preseason play. Here’s a somewhat alarming fact: you probably have a problem when your starting shooting guard is taking less threes than your center.

It’s a game one, so I won’t fan the flames of hysteria, but Ben needs to look to get himself open for more threes and tighten up his defense. He’s got the physical tools and the work ethic. If Ben doesn’t show noted improvement within the next few weeks, he’ll be benched for James Anderson; or worse yet, be dealt before the deadline.

Next: Darren Collison Continues To Play Well