Kings Offense Falters Without De’Aaron Fox’s Leadership

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

After a very exciting start to the California Classic for the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Tuesday’s game provided another sold out Golden 1 Center crowd with a tough reality check. Just hours before the Kings took the floor against the Golden State Warriors, starting point guard De’Aaron Fox was ruled out with a sore achilles.

The effect Fox’s absence had on Sacramento’s offense was apparent almost immediately.

After scoring a team-high 23 points in Monday’s 98-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, it wasn’t just Fox’s scoring that the Kings lacked against Golden State. Their lack of fluidity on offense, moving away from the pick and roll for isolation jumpers and tough post hooks, was a clear indication of Fox’s importance to Sacramento’s rhythm. Maybe most concerning was Sacramento’s inability to get out transition, where they thrived against Los Angeles in game one.

Rookies Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles never could get anything going, finishing with 11 points collectively on 25 shots. Sacramento’s shooting as a whole was dreadful, under 30% from the field for the entire night. In Fox’s absence, Frank Mason bore the brunt of the playmaking load, and despite his 16 points, five assists, and three steals, he still felt he could do much more.

“It’s my job to make sure my guys are in the right spot and I think I did a bad job at that today. I’ll go look at film and try to improve.”

Jordan Bell (8 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB, 4 BLK) does it all to propel the @warriors at the California Classic! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/KHTOeLQ2Ob

— NBA (@NBA) July 4, 2018

Sacramento managed only 54 points in 40 minutes of play, and would have been worse for wear without the efforts of Justin Jackson. After scoring only five points in 33 minutes Monday night, Jackson scored seven out of Sacramento’s 11 first quarter points. His team-high 20 points on 63% shooting was a welcome sight for fans concerned about the future of the Kings’ small forward position.

“I’m trying to be aggressive and stay confident, no matter if they run plays for me or not I try and have the same mindset,” Jackson said after the game, “First game I wasn’t very aggressive. I didn’t go out there confidently. Knowing the talents God gave me, every day I have to give all I can”.

Bagley, the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, got a lot of touches in the post but struggled to execute. He lacked the strength to back down Golden State’s Jordan Bell, and relied too frequently on his left hand, making his post moves predictable.

The Sacramento Kings wrap up the California Classic with an afternoon matchup against the Miami Heat on Thursday inside the Golden 1 Center. No word yet on whether or not Fox will be playing.

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