Choosing to be the new head coach for the Kings after the 2024-2025 trainwreck takes a lot of courage, something Doug Christie definitely has. The problem is that it's hard to implement a defense first vision when your team is loaded with veterans who simply don't play defense.
First and foremost, it has to be acknowledged that Christie is absolutely correct to be focusing on defense. At best, the Kings have been middle of the pack when it comes to shutting the other team down. That's on a good day. On a bad one, things get real ugly, real fast.
Their problems start at center with Domantas Sabonis. Yes, he is a verifiable double-double machine who pulls down rebounds like it's raining money, and he has rent to pay. Unfortunately, his lifetime average on blocks is 0.5 per game. That's not what you want from your starting center.
A solid defense needs to be anchored by a center who protects the rim and locks the paint down every game. That being said, the rest of the team has to follow suit. In the case of the Kings, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Russell Westbrook aren't exactly known for their defensive play.
The Kings' veterans will be a defensive liability
With the addition of Westbrook, the Kings now have the third-oldest roster in the league. That's probably not a good thing. LaVine is going into his 12th season. DeRozan is going into his 17th season. Westbrook is going into his 18th season. Even Sabonis is going into his 10th season.
If any of these players were going to learn how to play a defensive-focused game, they would have done so by now. They play how they play. The only veteran on the team who is known for solid defense is Dennis Schroder, and it seems like he's been sleepwalking through the preseason so far.
These guys bring a lot to the table, particularly Sabonis and LaVine, when it comes to rebounding and scoring. But if Christie wants a stronger defensive focus from his crew, he should shift that to his rookies and young players, starting with Keegan Murray. Build that mentality from the ground up.
Trying to change the NBA veterans now is pointless, especially in the case of players like DeRozan and Westbrook, who are on the verge of retirement. Outside of rebuilding the team from scratch, instilling a defensive mindset in young players is the best way to start.