NBA executives rip DeMar DeRozan's negative impact on Fox-Sabonis duo: "Operate in the same areas on the court"
DeMar DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings during the offseason to much fanfare from the NBA world. However, that has not been the case of late, as told by NBA insider, Tim Bontemps in a story on ESPN.
According to Bontemps, NBA executives aren't impressed with his performance so far as a Kings player. One executive from the Western Conference asserted that DeRozan's playing style isn't aligning with the team's other All-Stars, Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, believing that this is because they all play in the same position.
"He is who he is. What he does takes away from what both Fox and Sabonis do because they tend to operate in the same areas on the court," Tim Bontemps claimed a Western Conference executive said.
DeMar DeRozan's time with the Kings (10-13) hasn't exactly gone as planned, as they have struggled to find the rhythm they displayed last season. The trio of Fox, Sabonis, and DeRozan was supposed to take the Kings to the next level.
His integration into their offensive line-up has been the issue. The former Chicago Bulls guard's game is centered around isolation, and mid-range shooting has affected the Kings' fluid rim attack game style.
Ironically, this time last season, the Kings were 13-10 without DeMar DeRozan. Although his stats this season are impressive, 22.5 PPG, 4.4 APG, and 4.2 RPG, the team needs to find a way to balance his skills while fixing their defense, which is ranked 16th in the league, according to NBA.com.
What is next for DeMar DeRozan and the Kings?
DeRozan was supposed to be the piece that would bring the Kings together. He is the most experienced player on the roster and although he has played his part effectively, the team doesn't appear to be in sync based on recent performances.
Their 110-115 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies last night was quite painful. They struggled with their scoring, making 49.2% from the field and only 22.9% from beyond the arc.
They were hoping to keep up the momentum after the impressive 120-111 victory over the Rockets on Tuesday, December 3. They face the Spurs tonight, and their better head-to-head record might the advantage they need to return to winning ways.