Sacramento Kings: No Defense

A day after playing the Bobcats in Charlotte, the Sacramento Kings hopped on a plane to Atlanta where they played the Hawks for a very competitive three quarters before crumbling under the ever-attacking Hawks, 124-107. The Kings offense picked up the slack from the night before, but the defense was a disaster as they allowed the Hawks to shoot 58% including a scorching 15-25 from three point territory. Really, there is no other way to look at this game than from a defensive perspective because the Kings once again failed to bring any semblance of transition defense, and, combined that with, a horrible effort defending the three point line, it seemed like every time I looked up, the Hawks were putting another one in the tin. Today, I’ll take a look at the game with a mixed running commentary, with some analysis added in.

First Quarter

Demarcus runs a break with good pace and hits Derrick Williams in the post for a layup. Boogie grabbed the board and as I was yelling for him to pass the ball to Isaiah, he calmly stopped at the top of the key, surveyed the D quickly and hit Derrick with a nice bounce pass at the block
9 points/2 rebounds/2 assists to start the game for Cousins.
IT has been weirdly unagressive most of the first shooting, but now hits two late threes. Seemed much more focused on getting the ball to DeMarcus to start, and being an overall playmaker in general.
Transition D horrible again. The Hawks are repeatedly getting to hoop of misses and the few times they don’t they get into a quick hitting play that destroys our defense.
Ben has looked better to start the game, mostly because he hit shots. Might sound obvious, but that is what he needs to do to be successful. He is a shot maker most of all. Looks more comfortable so far.
Pick and roll D with Boog and IT is adventure. Jeff Teague and Al Horford are putting them through the ringer because Isaiah is to small to affect much and Boogie is to lazy. Tough to watch right now
Acy first off bench was the first off the bench for Cousins. Interesting choice by coach Malone.
Gay had 2 early makes to start the game, one of little post up where he can be pretty deadly, but little else after that.
ATL 28-26 after 1.

Second Quarter

Not good when I’m surprised DC has knowledge of the other teams offensive players. He just jumped out to deny a pass to Kyle Korver off a curl screen and I was completely shocked that he knew he should do this. I don’t think that’s a good sign. Actually I know it’s not, but that’s life when you have Boogie.
Jimmer comes out firing and hitting in second (5 points). Also just had a nifty drive and dish. Nice to see him being assertive because he needs to be.
Willams just took a dribble in from a three and clanged a long 2. I absolutely hate those shots, never get why people don’t just shoot in rhythm from three.
Travis Outlaw has hit side of backboard on corner 3. That’s just awesome, he continues to redefine suck.
More fast break points for the Hawks. It’s like a freaking broken record right now how the team fails to get back on D.
Kings announcer Jerry Reynolds just made a good point on shooters needing to just shoot when talking about Jimmer. His job is to score in this league so he needs to not pass up open shots, especially threes.
Williams is so much better when he shoots in rhythm, just banged home a three.
Another IT, Boog pick and roll on defense, another score for Teague.
Shaq in the building! He just got kicked out of the seat he was sitting in courtside because it was someone else’s seat. Shaq the thief.
Boog with sweet drop down bounce pass to JT for and 1. Misses the free throw though.
I wonder why Malone takes Boog out with 2 mins left in the half. Just seems like he should always be in at the end of the half so he’s learning more how to play in these situations.
Ben does a good job to foul Horford on a 3 on 2 to make him earn it, and then he went 1-2 from the line. Good job by the rook to navigate this tough situation.
Acy can’t do anything with the ball in his hands. Immediately looks to dunk or throw it to someone else
Halftime: Kings 54 – Hawks 53

Third Quarter

Korver is so wet
I hate watching players hijack possessions in the midrange post, but I especially scringe when RG gets it there and starts pounding the ball. Basketball Twitter has me expecting the worst from this guy.
IT straight strokes if he gets a little space. Just hit a three off a pick after Horford sags back instead of showing hard.
Boog isn’t even paying attention to the fact that Horford has a nice midrange game, he doesn’t even bother to guard him 15 feet and farther from the hoop. Not sure if it’s tactical, but either way it’s dumb.
Damn Boogie is so good on offense. Just hit a little running jumber from the left side of the key.
IT with a nice find and sweet finish by Rudy on fastbreak. Sometimes his smoothness is to much.
IT with too quick of trigger on pull up 3, then throws a bad lob pass on next fast break. Don’t really care, he’s afford some bone head slip ups with his play so far this year. Can’t always be perfect.
Jason Thompson couldn’t one handed follow up tap in from point blank range. He short armed it. I’m at a loss for words.
Korver hits a 3 off a rebounded missed free throw by the Hawks because of course he would. This defense is bad.
Rudy Gay just made a ridiculous reverse layup off a steal fastbreak. He hit a righty reverse while his whole body was on the left side of the rim. Jerry Reynolds called him the great Rudini.
More transition buckets. Yeah Kings D.
IT misses 3 but Boog gets and 1 rebound with Elton Brand all over him 11 points in the quarter. He’s a straight beast. 84-84 1:07 left
Williams in rhythm again for 3 off IT assist. That’s how you do it.
End of Third: Kings 87 – Hawks 85

Fourth Quarter

The only things the Kings announcers mention about Aaron Gray are his screens. I thnk that’s a bad thing
Aaron Gray has 3 fouls in the first 2 mins of quarter. Another bad thing
Transition D strikes again.
Nice attacking drive by Jimmer, absorbs contact and finish. Keep attacking.
Why the hell is Acy shooting a 3? Just because the Hawk are on fuego doesn’t mean can shoot them.
Not sure how I feel about Jimmer coming out after only 3:30 in. Thought he was playing well, but Isaish is going to lead the league in minutes so I guess that’s what happens.
I hate Travis Outlaw, takes a long corner 2 then loses Korver by going UNDER a screen and of course Korver bangs home the 3. Um, why would you do that exactly when Korver can’t miss? 103-95 Hawks with 7:44 left
Rule, no Rudy Gay post ups unless they are meant to be quick hitting
Good rotation on the back of a pick and roll Rudy. Not. That was straight embarrassing, he didn’t even try and cover the hoop.
IT with the drive to keep it at 7 with 6 left, 107-100.
I can’t believe Rudy just attempted a layup instead of an easy dump off to Boog. On the other end, Hawks get 2 offensive boards before finally making layup. They are going to lose this one. No legs to close out this back to back.
Boog with another great pass out of Double for layup to Ben, then he hits Rudy on a cut for a foul. Don’t sleep on the Boogieman’s passing.
I have no idea what the Kings were doing on defense just now. High pick and roll for Teague with Horford resulted in a free drive to the hoop for Teague before Gay fouled him in a scramle attempt. 10 point Hawks lead with 3:50 left
IT closing out on Horford is like no closeout at all. Just to small.
Boog just had back to back turnovers to really seal the loss. Down 12 witith 2:19 left
Korver proves a fitting end to the game as he drills a 3 with 1:45 left to make it 122-107. The defense sucked today as much as it ever has.
With that, the Kings wrap up another game where the defense did them in. Offensively we looked great with Boog getting 28 on 10-20 shooting and Rudy getting 22 on 8-13 shooting, but the defense from everyone is not there. And really that’s where I want to make the improvements because that’s what leads to winning. In any case, it’s another loss that increases the chance for ping pong balls so I won’t bitch too much.

Next game is in Miami on Friday.