Kayte Christensen on Zach LaVine’s growing comfortability with the Kings

With just 25 games remaining, the postseason race is about to heat up for the Sacramento Kings.

NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share her thoughts on where things stand for Sacramento heading into a four-game road trip, highlight Zach LaVine’s aggressive approach following a ‘passive’ start to his Kings career, and much more.

Be sure to check out the entire interview with NBC Sports’ Kayte Christensen on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.

Topics Discussed

• Kayte’s husband, Joseph, will debut on Survivor this week.
• The Kings are navigating a crucial portion of their regular season schedule as they chase a postseason spot.
• “Every game is a trap game at this point.”
• What worked for the Kings against Charlotte on Monday night?
• Zach LaVine erupted for 42 points (8/9 shooting from deep) in what was his best showing as a King.
• “He was actively looking for his shot, being more aggressive.”
• Why has Sacramento struggled so much at defending the perimeter?

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for full episodes of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross.

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

Re-working a team mid-season is always tricky in the NBA. Even more so when that includes removing your leading scorer and integrating another star-caliber talent like the Sacramento Kings did just weeks ago.

Zach LaVine’s first game with the team was 20 days ago. Yet, between road trips and the All-Star break, Doug Christie’s group had few opportunities to practice and integrate him along with Jake LaRavia, Jonas Valanciunas, and, most recently, Markelle Fultz.

After a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, their first game back from the break, Christie called for their new centerpiece to stop trying to fit in and just be himself.

“We need Zach [LaVine] to be aggressive and be the guy we’ve always known him to be,” he said after the disappointing loss.

That message seems to have been heard loud and clear.

In the following game, LaVine recorded a season-high 42 points on 16/19 shooting, including 8/9 from three, in their 130-88 pummeling of the visiting Charlotte Hornets. While that level of elite production can’t be expected nightly, it’s closer to his norm than his three instances of failing to surpass 20 points in his seven prior games with the Kings.

Read more below:

Kings deadline additions gaining comfort, making an imapct

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

• Wednesday, February 26th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PT
• Saturday, March 1st – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
• Monday, March 3rd – @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
• Wednesday, March 5th – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
• Friday, March 7th – vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT

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