A Royal Pain
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Kings: Division Matchup – Not overlooking the Phoenix Suns

By Brenden Nunes

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defense

The Kings’ spark their transition offense with stops on the other end and did end up 7th in steals last season with 8.3 per game. Steals are far from the end all be all for measuring a defense, and the Kings were 25th in points allowed last season, not much better than the Phoenix Suns. Sacramento has the capabilities to turn over a Phoenix team that finished the 2018-19 season 3rd in turnovers.

What is the Suns’ path to improving the defense with some subpar defenders on their roster? Looking at you, Devin Booker.

Sammy: New head coach Monty Williams said this, “I have to enhance the strengths but be honest about our weaknesses and get the players to consider a new way of doing some things … I think I’m here at the right time and I’m here with the right people.” All of our players want to put the ball in the basket, and what separates the good teams from the greats is that they are capable of getting stops when they need to. The Suns last year ranked 29th in defensive efficiency and allowed an average of 116 points per game which ranked 28th in the league. When Coach Williams said, “get the players to consider a new way of doing some things…” I think he is mainly talking about our defensive mindset. Being able to guard multiple positions, having a TEAM defense instead of putting people on islands, and being able to transition defense to offense. We have individuals that can play defense but learning how to play as a unit will be something Williams will help us with, and I see the Suns improving defensively this year.

It sounds as though there plenty of new implementations for the Suns’ roster this season and changes always lead to some discomfort and adjustment pains. That is where the Kings have a clear advantage, they have their identity set and know what their style of basketball is, they are just optimizing it.

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