A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings Report Card: Ty Lawson

By Tyler Watts

Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles as Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles as Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

DEFENSE: Grade- B+

Ty Lawson played well on the defensive end of the floor this season.  He averaged 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, and 1.7 personal fouls per game.  Given the minute’s load, those numbers look solid.   Let us take a peek at some advanced metrics because they portray a clearer picture of an NBA player’s defensive performance.

MUST READ: Sacramento Kings Report Card: Buddy Hield

Ty Lawson earned a positive 1.0 defensive win share this season.  That ranked seventh on the Kings, but two players ahead of him where Matt Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins, two players who ended the season, not as members of the Kings roster.  Lawson earned a defensive box score plus/minus rating of negative 1.5 or twelfth on the team.  Sacramento was a bad defensive squad, and Lawson often played with the reserve unit that was leaky on the defensive end.

Overall, I was impressed with Lawson’s defensive play.  He is an undersized point guard (listed at 5’11) who uses his speed and quickness to defend on the perimeter.  I remembered Lawson from his Denver days as an average to a poor defender, but with an extended look, he slightly exceeded those expectations.  I gave Lawson a B+ grade for his defense for all the reasons listed above.

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