From Sacramento Kings On SI · · 2m
The Kings need more shots at the rim
Sacramento’s offense cannot survive on poor three-point volume and too few easy looks inside.
In brief
Sacramento’s offense cannot survive on poor three-point volume and too few easy looks inside. The Kings already finish well at the rim, but they need far more attempts there, especially from players beyond Domantas Sabonis. Originally reported by Sacramento Kings On SI.
The season was ugly
Sacramento won just 22 games, and the numbers reflected it. The Kings sat near the bottom of the league on both ends of the floor.
“it's genuinely hard to look at the stats and have any major takeaways”
Threes are problem one
The Kings made only 10.3 threes per game, last in the NBA. Getting back to league average volume and accuracy would change the offense fast.
“just 10.3 made threes per contest, last in the league”
But look closer
Three-point shooting is not the only gap. Sacramento also failed to create enough shots right at the basket.
“there's another area the Kings will have to improve”
Modern offense is simple
Good attacks usually live on threes and layups. Sacramento struggled from deep, then compounded it by rarely reaching the rim.
“The best offense relies on three point shooting and layups.”
They finished well
When the Kings got into the restricted area, they converted 69.5% of their shots. That ranked sixth in the league.
“they shot 69.5% in the restricted area”
They barely got there
The issue was volume. Sacramento took only 20.1 restricted-area shots per game, the second-fewest mark in the NBA.
“only took 20.1 attempts inside the circle per game”
The math hurt
That left the Kings at 14.0 made restricted-area shots per game, tied for second-worst. Boston and Phoenix could offset that with threes. Sacramento could not.
“14.0 made field goals in the restricted area per contest”
Sabonis carried too much
Domantas Sabonis led the team with 6.6 restricted-area attempts per game. Precious Achiuwa was next at 3.8, a huge gap.
“Sabonis ranked 5th in the league, and Achiuwa was 84th.”
Depth must matter
Sabonis missed much of the season, and his future may not be settled. Sacramento needs more interior pressure from the rest of the roster.
“the Kings shouldn't be reliant on him”
The rookies need force
Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell took 2.5 and 2.1 restricted-area shots per game. Both young bigs need to play stronger and more often at the rim.
“increase their physicality and presence at the rim”
Raynaud has room
Raynaud leaned on floaters, taking 4.9 per game just outside the restricted area. He hit 54.7% there, but 74.6% at the rim is a far better shot diet.
“that's a drastic drop-off from his 74.6%”
Acuff can unlock it
Darius Acuff Jr. should help by attacking the rim and setting up teammates on rolls and cuts. More threes plus more layups would be real progress.
“a great first step in the right direction”
The takeaway
The Kings already finish well at the rim, but they need far more attempts there, especially from players beyond Domantas Sabonis.
