3 Issues the Kings need to address for their next road trip

1. Play until the final buzzer

This one has been a theme all season long as well. Some of the Kings’ worst losses were a result of them being down early and then just waving the white flag. That is inexcusable for a team that wants to compete in the playoffs and will be a problem if they don’t address it.

We saw it in Phoenix. The Kings were playing good basketball on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes. Then, they fell apart and gave up a twenty-point lead in the last eight minutes, letting the Suns take the win. 

It’s a long season, and players get tired, especially someone like De’Aaron Fox, who carries such a big load for the Kings, but they have to battle through that and play every game with maximum effort until the final buzzer. 

This applies to defense and offense alike. Too often, the team settles for threes, at all points of the game, instead of getting to the rim and putting pressure on the defense. When the shots are falling, it’s fine. If they are not, it’s a problem. 

The same goes for moving the ball. Per game, the Kings rank fifth in assists across the league and generally move the ball well. It is an important part of their offense and puts pressure on the defense. 

In the fourth quarter, their average drops significantly compared to the other three quarters, however, suggesting that the Kings are moving away from their brand of basketball late in the game. 

It is not easy to give 100 percent on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes, but that’s what the Kings have to do if they want to end this next road trip with a winning record. None of the games, except maybe against the taking Memphis Grizzlies, will be an “easy” one.