Coaching changes and roster acquisitions most of the time mean minor changes for most NBA teams, but in Sacramento the difference is very obvious early on. After a 113-94 victory in the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, this season looks somewhat promising for the Kings.
Sacramento is hit with their first back to back of the season heading home to play the San Antonio Spurs in their first ever regular season game in the Golden1 Center tonight.
The Spurs dismantled the presumed NBA best Golden State Warriors in their opener on Tuesday, 129-100. Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 35 points in the win, while LaMarcus Aldridge added a convincing 26 points and 14 rebounds.
There’s no question that San Antonio is right on track of becoming an above .500 team for the 21st consecutive year. The question is are the Kings prepared for the dominant Spurs? I believe they are.
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On Wednesday night I believe that head coach Dave Joerger had control of his team while implementing the defensive presence that Sacramento has lacked in the Cousins era. The transition defense implemented by Joerger is what single handily gives the Kings a chance to compete every single night.
With the defense being addressed, bench scoring was what the Kings planned on improving when making huge roster changes this offseason. All Sacramento Kings players who entered the game Wednesday night put the ball in the bucket with the exception of Malachi Richardson who only logged two minutes.
The matchup problems that the Spurs present with their starters are not going to be the deciding factor in Thursday’s matchup. The pace of the game as well as the bench presence for the Kings will decide whether or not the team has the mindset to make the Spurs play at their tempo.
The energy will be at an all-time high considering the new venue, new opportunities and most importantly a new era in Sacramento. Look for big games from Ty Lawson and Cousins while Gay rounds out the scoring for the starters.
Joerger has seen the Spurs more times than any team has in the Western Conference in his previous years with the Grizzles. I believe he has a game plan that might serve San Antonio their first loss of the season.
#SacramentoProud
Tip off 7:30 PM at the new Golden1 Center in downtown Sacramento.
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