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For years, the thing that has been holding the Sacramento Kings back more than anything has been their performance defensively. Even with snapping their lengthy playoff drought last season, it was their defense that was ultimately their undoing.
The Kings finished the 2022-23 season with a defensive rating of 116.8, which was 25th in the NBA. Their success was buoyed by an incredible offensive performance, as they were 1st with an offensive rating of 119.8 and finished third in the Western Conference.
This season, Sacramento is playing well again with a record of 27-19. However, their offensive rating has slipped to 14th with a 117.2. Their record has not plummeted because they have started figuring things out on defense.
The Kings are performing near the same level, ranking 17th in defensive rating with a nearly identical 116.5 this season. But, they are getting stops more consistently, a lot of which can be credited to the improvement that Keegan Murray has made.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray came into the league known for his shooting and scoring prowess. He certainly didn’t disappoint in those areas as a rookie, shooting 41.1 percent from long range on 6.3 attempts per game. However, he left a lot to be desired defensively.
Murray worked tirelessly over the offseason to improve heading into Year 2 and the work he put in has paid off. He is no longer a liability on defense, in fact, he is now an asset to the team on that side of the ball.
According to NBA University on X, Murray has been an elite isolation defender. Among players who have guarded at least 40 isolations this season, he is giving up only 0.51 points per possession, which is the fewest in the league.
Opponents are shooting 7-of-43 against Murray when isolated against him. He has done an excellent job of getting stronger and improving when it comes to the nuances of playing defense, such as navigating screens and becoming strong at the point of attack.
Among players who have guarded at least 40 isolation possessions, Keegan Murray has allowed the FEWEST points per possession (0.51)
— NBA University (@NBA_University) January 30, 2024
Opponents are 7/43 (16.3%!!!) against Keegan in ISO. His vast improvement in on-ball defense, screen navigation, & physicality have been noteworthy pic.twitter.com/5QeU69wrBD
This is a major development for the Kings, who are lacking go-to defensive options. When the game slows down in the postseason and Sacramento needs a stop, they can now turn to Murray to successfully get one.
That greatly improves their chances of winning because Murray has the size and versatility to defend several positions. Whether it is a wing player or forward that is the No. 1 matchup for the Kings’ opponent, Murray can handle the assignment.
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Houston Rockets Sign Former Sacramento Kings Player
The Sacramento Kings have moved on from young wing Isaiah Crawford, withdrawing their qualifying offer for the forward and making him an unrestricted free agent. And it didn't take long for Crawford to land elsewhere, as he has already signed a new two-way deal with the Houston Rockets, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Crawford will move on to the Rockets after just one season in Sacramento, where he played predominantly in the G-League, averaging 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 50.2% shooting from the field and 44.2% from three, according to Basketball Reference. The numbers are great for Crawford, but he never really got a chance to prove himself on the NBA court, playing in just 46 total minutes across 15 games with the Sacramento squad. The Kings' roster is nearly full, as they have just one final two-way spot left and all 15 standard NBA contracts taken after the signing of Doug McDermott. Earlier today, they rescinded their qualifying offer for Crawford in a move that signaled they are going to take another direction for the two-way slot. It's telling that the Kings are moving on from Crawford so quickly, especially given their desperate need for more wing help. Crawford is a 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, fitting a major position of need for the Kings. He's also a pesky defender, another attribute that the Kings are trying to bring in as they build a defensive identity. But with Nique Clifford coming in this season as a rookie, Crawford's path to a roster spot got even more harder to envision. Crawford was also brought in under Monte McNair and the previous regime. McNair signed him after Crawford went undrafted last season, hoping to find another gem following the draft like he did in Keon Ellis. The signs that the Kings were moving on were there during the six Summer League games, which were possibly Crawford's last chance to show the Kings what he could bring after an early offseason of work. Crawford averaged just 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists on 35% shooting from the field and 36.4% from three in the exhibition games. The numbers tell one story, but his minutes tell even more. Crawford's minutes plummeted at the tail end of the tournament as the Kings were fighting for the championship. Game 1: 15:10 Game 2: 17:12 Game 3: 18:59 Game 4: 18:59 Game 5: 7:05 Game 6: 4:36 It's likely that the writing was on the wall part way through Summer League that Crawford would get his next opportunity elsewhere. Crawford will have a tough battle finding minutes in Houston, as the Rockets have a number of young and talented wings, but Crawford is ready to show that he can make it in the NBA, drawing inspiration from fellow teammates Keon Ellis and Isaac Jones, who got bumped up from two-way contracts to standard deals. While Crawford won't get that opportunity with the Kings, here's hoping he finds his footing in Houston.
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should absolutely see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie had three words for Angel Reese
Now in her second WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is averaging a league‑leading 12.5 rebounds along with 13.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She recently returned from injury and immediately picked up where she left off, posting her 16th double‑double of the season (11 points, 11 rebounds) on Tuesday night even as her Chicago Sky fell, 91-68, to the Minnesota Lynx. Then, on Wednesday, Reese showcased her brand power on Instagram, posting a pregame photo dressed head‑to‑toe in Gucci with the caption, "Don’t worry about me… life is GUCCI @gucci #guccipartner." The image quickly lit up her feed and drew an immediate response from one of the game’s all‑time greats, WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who commented, “Yessss it is❤️." Despite flashes of elite play, the Sky have struggled mightily, standing at just 7-17 and sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their 76.7 points per game rank 12th in the WNBA, and opponents are torching them for 86.8 a night (12th in the league). With head coach Tyler Marsh searching for consistency, every bright spot has been a welcome reprieve for a franchise that won the title as recently as 2021. Front and center among Chicago’s bright spots is Reese. Off the court, Reese has quickly built a burgeoning portfolio of endorsement deals, including Reebok, Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, Amazon and now Gucci, underscoring her status as one of the WNBA’s brightest personalities. On the other side, you have Leslie, whose voice carries more weight than arguably anybody in women’s basketball. A three‑time league MVP, two‑time WNBA champion and Finals MVP and eight‑time All‑Star, Leslie helped define the league’s early years with the Los Angeles Sparks, including driving home the first dunk in WNBA history in 2002. A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer (class of 2015), she remains a global ambassador for the sport.
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