With the new NBA year getting closer, what goals should Marvin Bagley III have for his rookie season?
The NBA regular season is about a month away which means Sacramento Kings basketball is amongst us. There is a lot to be excited about in the Kings community. Although their roster is inexperienced, it contains a lot of young talent with massive potential. A player that the fans should be ecstatic about is Marvin Bagley III who the Kings drafted with the second overall pick in this year’s draft.
For Bagley, he is a raw talent who carries star-caliber potential in his game. Although many believe he has the chance to be a star one day, it most likely will not happen during his rookie season. But with that being said, Bagley can still be an asset for the Kings this year if he focuses on realistic goals for himself. To me, there are three goals that Bagley should keep in mind during his rookie campaign.
Let us explore them down below.
Become The Top Rebounder
During his time at Duke, Bagley was considered one of the top rebounders in college basketball due to his athleticism and relentless effort. Last season, the Kings were ranked 28th in the league in rebounds per night and 29th in defensive rebounds a night. Bagley should be able to help Sacramento improve in this aspect of the game.
I think if Bagley is able to average eight or more rebounds a night, he would have done his part on the team in grabbing the boards. But he should make it a goal to be the BEST rebounder on the squad. If Marvin does show the motivation to become a ruthless rebounder, it could rub on to his teammates, especially the big men, to go and fight for rebounds as well.
Improve Defensively
Bagley’s defense was not a strength of his going into the draft, which is why it makes sense for him to improve on it going forward. In my opinion, Bagley has all the physical tools to become a great defender. He is athletic, long, and has an on-the-court motor that could make him become feared by his opponents for years to come. With Dave Joerger being a coach who focuses on defense, hopefully, it helps Bagley make strides in becoming a better two-way player.
Develop A Midrange Shot
Bagley was one most efficient scorers during his time in college basketball, but most of his production came from inside the paint. Although Bagley will likely be a great asset as an interior scorer, he cannot rely solely on his inside game in order to score points. The NBA competition is just too strong and it will make his game very predictable towards opponents.
In order for Bagley to become the offensive threat that most expect him to be, he needs to become a better shooter. Bagley did make almost 40% of his three-pointers in college, but in my opinion, that is too small of sample size to bank on.
To take baby steps, working on his midrange game this season will be best for Bagley to make strides in his offensive game. If he shows the ability to hit a midrange shot at a consistent rate, it will cause his defenders to guess and Bagley can either beat them with his strong game in the paint or jump shot.
So, Kings fans. What are your thoughts on my list of goals for Marvin Bagley III to focus on in his rookie season? To give us your opinions on the issue, feel free to comment on our website, Facebook page, or Twitter account.