Sacramento Kings Bold Predictions for the 2022-2023 Season
Sacramento will finish top-10 in defensive rating
Mike Brown may not be the “flashiest” new coach in name alone, but it was a strategic hire that should address a glaring weakness for Sacramento. For as long as one can remember, the Kings have been porous in defensive rating each year. Last season, Sacramento was 29th in opponent points per game allowed (115.8).
No matter how talented your offense is, it will not matter if you cannot stop the opposing team on the opposite end.
Hence the hire of Brown, who was revered for his practices of helping lead the Golden State Warriors to a top-five defensive rating last season. Per anecdotes from the players, it was a result of a system of keeping players accountable. No matter if it was a veteran or young player, you would be praised for your defensive efforts as well as be held accountable for missed assignments.
Sacramento has an elite defender in Davion Mitchell on the roster already, and Fox averages a career of 1.3 steals per game. Huerter and Monk bring length on the wing alongside Harrison Barnes, and Matthew Delavadova gives Brown defensive depth in the backcourt. As long as the synergy coincides with the effort, the Kings can shock the league as a drastically improved team on defense.