Sacramento Kings: 3 Players Who Shined In The Preseason Opener

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 1: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during a pre-season game on October 1, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 1: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during a pre-season game on October 1, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game Phoenix Suns on December 12, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game Phoenix Suns on December 12, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

De’Aaron Fox

The newly sophomore player De’Aaron Fox has a lot of pressure coming his way during this season. Being the former first-round pick, the point guard of the Kings’ future, and the likely franchise player, he needs to perform consistently well for Sacramento’s rebuild to become a success.

In order for Fox to have a good sophomore campaign, he needs to improve on a few aspects of his game. These aspects are running the offense efficiently, shooting the ball well, and becoming a better defender.

When watching Fox play against the Suns, two of the three goals listed above were noticeable in my eyes. When the Kings were on offense, Fox did what he could to make sure his team was increasing the energy. As a result, the Kings were able at times to get easy baskets and create momentum simply by increasing the pace of the game. And Fox being the facilitator, deserves a lot of credit for that happening.

Another part of Fox’s game that I saw improvement on was his man-to-man defense. During times of the game, Fox would give the Suns’ guards fits as his athleticism and length disrupted their rhythm.

It is only one game, but Fox’s performance against the Suns gives hope that he can become a reliable asset for Sacramento on both ends of the court going forward. For the game, Fox finished with 12 points, five assists, and three rebounds while shooting 50% (5-10) from the court.

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