Howard Beck thinks the Kings’ next step is figuring out the defense
May 16, 2023, 11:43 AM
(Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
(Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
NBA writer Howard Beck joined Chris & Co. Tuesday to discuss the 2023 NBA playoffs, where the Philadelphia 76ers go from here, the current state of the Golden State Warriors and what the Kings can do this offseason.
All that & more on Chris & Co.
“I just think the next step is going to be the much tougher one,” Beck said on the show. “And part of that is, [the Kings] got the No.1 offense in the league this past season, but they were 24th, I believe, in defensive rating. And improving that is not just a matter of ‘oh, we’ll just coach them up and just, you know, just emphasize [defense]’. No, personnel matters with defense, you need defenders to have great defense. And, like the [Denver] Nuggets, it’s a weird comparison, but like the Nuggets. If you build your team around a really gifted, offensive-minded center who is not a rim protector, so [Nikola] Jokic in Denver’s case, and [Domantas] Sabonis in the Kings’ case. Your next challenge is ‘how do you construct at least an average to hopefully above average or top 10 defense, when you don’t have a rim protector?'”
Additional topics discussed include:
- Howard’s reaction to Doc Rivers being let go by the 76ers
- What is the current state of the Warriors heading into the offseason?
- Will Draymond Green stay with the Warriors?
- Would Draymond Green be a good fit for the Kings?
- How do the Kings fix their defense next season?
- Where is the best landing spot for Victor Wembanyama?
- Who advances to the Finals in the West?
Click here to watch and listen to the full interview with Howard Beck.
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