Kings reconnect defensively in revitalizing road win over Jazz originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
There’s nothing like winning basketball, especially when there’s an impressive defensive element to it.
Despite victories and a sound defense is lacking two games into the season, the Kings proved they are back on track in both categories in their 113-96 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at the Delta Center.
A lot can be said Domantas Sabonis’ 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and DeMar DeRozan’s 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, but perhaps nothing quite stands out by Keon Ellis defensive shift in Sacramento’s second straight win.
In 17 minutes of play, the third-year guard showed his known defensive skillrecording two steals and three blocks. Deservedly, Ellis won Defensive Player of the Game and received high praise from six-time NBA All-Star teammate DeRozan.
“His performance,” DeRozan responded when asked what problems Ellis presents defensively. “He’s great at ball handling, Anticipo, defensively, is through the roof [and] the consciousness And when you have a player like that, it’s scary.
“You see it. He just knows where to be and when to be there. [He’s] got great hands, great expectation. A guy like that, based on that, the more his confidence comes, the better defensive player he’s going to continue to become and make us better.”
Following back-to-back losses to start the season, Sacramento’s defensive credibility has taken a hit, despite playing a crucial role in coach Mike Brown and Co.’s late run. during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Less than a week later, Ellis’ impressive defensive basketball not only revived the two-way style that general manager. Steve McNair foresaw for the Kings this season. It also earned assistant coach Luke Loucks recognition for his recent work like the defensive coordinator of the equipment.
“Oh, for sure,” DeRozan told reporters about whether or not the Kings have improved defensively. “Certainly, it was a constant thing every day – day after day. If it’s a movie. If it is practice.
“Before the game, the attention to detail that he expresses is really useful for us. It’s been like this since training camp. He holds us all accountable and makes sure we also hold each other accountable.”
Utah shot 39.3 percent from the floor, 29.2 from beyond the arc, were outscored 49-42 and surrendered 17 turnovers, assuring Brown that his players are implementing Loucks’ particular system.
“From the first day that Jordi [Fernandez] was here, we preached action. When we had a high number of deviations, we had a pretty good record. So that’s no different with Luke. Luke preached the same thing.
“But I think the biggest change or the biggest difference that Luke brought to the table is that he really preaches our changes, changing the right way. He worked really hard with our guys on it, and it paid off.
“We can all feel it. We can all see it. We can see it on the floor during our games or when we watch film, but we can see it in the production when it comes to the box score.”
Loucks, who coached alongside Brown with the Golden State Warriors before joining him in Sacramento, moved to the front of the bench after Fernandez’s departure to become the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.
In the short time leading Sacramento’s defense, Loucks, a future head coach in Brown’s eyes, has incorporated a new wrinkle to the team’s defensive setup that is now paying dividends.
“… We played a different zone last year,” Brown concluded. “Luke changed our zone. He added some belt press which is good. Luke is a young, bright coach who will one day be a head coach in the NBA.
“He’s an extraordinary thinker, so he has some crazy ideas that make my hair stand on end, if I ever had any. But he’s done a great job in the short time he’s been defensive coordinator.”
After an early scare, it’s safe to say the Kings are regaining their defensive composure.
