Programming note: Nuggets-Kings coverage starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California with Kings Pregame Live (territorial restrictions apply)
Even though it’s extremely early in the 82-game schedule, due to the Kings surprising 3-1 start, the conversation now changes for Sacramento.
• What has caused the early success?
• Can the Kings sustain it?
• Where does Sacramento need to improve?
Early success
The roots of the improvement can be traced directly to defense and actually date back to last season:
From Jan. 1 through the end of last season, Sacramento held opponents to 45 percent from the floor, ranking 12th in the NBA. It has carried over:
| Category | 2014 | NBA Rank | 2015 (through Nov. 3) | NBA Rank | Differential |
| Points Allowed | 103.4 | 24th | 96.5 | 9th | -6.9 |
| FG% Defense | 46.1% | 20th | 40.1% | 3rd | -5.9 |
| 3FG% Defense | 38% | 29th | 26.9% | 8th | -11.1 |
Second year Kings coach Michael Malone orchestrated similar improvements as Golden State’s lead assistant in 2013:
| Category | NBA Rank 2012 | NBA Rank 2013 |
| FG% Defense | 20th | 3rd |
| 3FG % Defense | 28th | 7th |
Sustaining it
If the Kings continue to defend and rebound, it will keep them in games. Sacramento ranks first in the league in defensive rebounds and second overall in the NBA in rebounding.
The Kings have also shot the ball well from the free-throw line, ranking third in the NBA -- another important factor in finishing games.
Perhaps Darren Collison’s 4-for-4 performance from the line in Denver over the final 16.2 seconds to preserve the 110-105 victory is the best illustration.
Improvement needed at shooting guard
Despite the early success, there are glaring areas in need of improvement for Sacramento.
While Sacramento’s defense has improved -- especially defending the 3-point line -- shooting from beyond it remains a conundrum.
Additionally, distributing the ball and taking care of it have been problematic:
| Category | 2014 | NBA Rank | 2015 (through Nov. 3) | NBA Rank | Differential |
| 3FG% | 33.3% | T27th | 25.5% | 26th | -7.8 |
| Assists | 18.9 | 30th | 17.3 | 29th | -1.6 |
| Turnovers | 14.7 | 23rd | 17.5 | 27th | +2.8 |
On the assist numbers, one salient point that needs to be highlighted is that it’s difficult to have good assist numbers when you’re only making 25.5 percent of the 3-point shots you take.
Drilling down beyond the numbers to personnel, it’s clear that the Kings need more production from the two-guard spot.
| Player | Minutes per game | FG% | 3FG% | Points per game |
| Ben McLemore | 24.5 | 26.3% | 33% | 3.8 |
| Nik Stauskas | 16.1 | 23.5% | 30% | 3 |
| Ramon Sessions | 12.6 | 13.3% | 50% (1-for-2) | 4.5 |
Ben McLemore has been terrific defensively, as the 3-point field goal percentage against number demonstrates. However, offensively, confidence has been shaky for the second-year player out of Kansas -- especially in halfcourt sets.
The Kings hope to see dividends from McLemore’s work ethic -- specifically handling the ball and shooting from the perimeter. But without increased production, patience could wear thin.
Rookie Nik Stauskas is acclimating to the NBA game and it’s extremely early for him. The Kings, as well as many in the league, are high on his potential.
While Ramon Sessions and starting point guard Darren Collison performed well together on the floor during the preseason, it’s been a rough start for Sessions.
Notwithstanding his 13-point performance in the win at Denver on Monday, and 10 made free throws, he’s just 2-for-15 from the floor.
For Sessions, it should be a question of "when," not "if" the veteran gets back on his game.
However, the NBA is mercurial, where things can change in a hurry. The Kings cannot get complacent with a solid start to the season.
GM Pete D’Alessandro confirmed the worst kept secret in the league to CSNBayArea.com on the Staples Center floor on Sunday -- that the Kings made a play for Klay Thompson over the summer.
If the shooting guard situation doesn't improve soon, expect a roster move to upgrade this area of the depth chart as D’Alessandro’s first play of the season.
