LeBron’s 4th-quarter run reveals Kings’ early-season weaknesses Originally broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area
Leave it to LeBron James to expose the Kings’ biggest weakness with two games remaining in the 2024-25 NBA season.
The 39-year-old superstar scored 16 points during the Lakers’ 21-0 fourth-quarter run to lead Los Angeles to a thrilling 131-127 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. Ta.
In doing so, James not only proved his undeniable value in his 22nd NBA season, but also revealed that the Kings’ glaring weakness early this season was on defense.
The Kings’ defensive scheme last season didn’t lack physicality or tenacity, but James and Co. didn’t have an answer late, especially in transition after allowing a turnover.
“We were just trying to get a stop,” Kings center Domantas Sabonis told reporters on Saturday. “LeBron was kind of LeBron. He walked away.
“He did what he was supposed to do and we were careless with the ball on the other side instead of scoring or taking good shots. We had a few turnovers there and that’s what they did. contributed to the rapid progress of
Los Angeles won the rebounding contest 45-32 and outscored Sacramento by eight points offensively. Sabonis, who finished the night with his first triple-double of the season, led the Kings with 12 rebounds, and guard De’Aaron Fox was second with five rebounds.
James had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Kings suffered their first loss to the Lakers since January 7, 2023. Coach Fox is in awe of the Hall of Famer’s incredible longevity, but he believes it’s invisible. Also.
“I mean, guys his age are playing at Rec,” Fox said. “Obviously, what he’s done in this league his entire career has been amazing, and what he’s doing now, even in his 22nd year, will probably never be duplicated. ”
Throughout the offseason, coach Mike Brown’s defensive system, which was ranked No. 2 at the end of last season, was questioned.
Late in the preseason, Brown expressed concern about Sacramento’s 3-point defense, which was a major flaw in the Kings’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, general manager Monte McNair, who bet on the offensive line by signing DeMar DeRozan, pointed out a few weeks ago that the Kings’ defensive progress from last season was a repeatable formula, and during the offseason. He expressed no concerns about his decision not to upgrade his defense.
Brown and McNair were able to keep a large portion of the roster behind Sacramento’s defense, which was a concern late last season. Perhaps it is only a matter of time before the tide turns.
But that hasn’t been the case for the winless Kings thus far, who, as James pointed out, have glaring defensive issues that need immediate attention.
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