Notes

Steven Wilson

When the Sacramento Kings signed Omri Casspi this summer they had one thing in mind − the 6-foot-9 forward would add energy, enthusiasm and experience to their deep bench.

“The one thing about Omri is every minute he’s on the floor he’s going to run,” stated Head Coach Michael Malone, “he’s going to cut hard, he’s going to move without the ball and he’s going to try to make things happen. It was great to see him get out there [on Saturday] and excel with the minutes he was given.”

Against the San Antonio Spurs at home, Casspi’s efficiency and hustle down the stretch proved crucial in Sacramento big win. No. 18 scored seven of his nine points in just over 17 minutes of action in the second half, while adding four rebounds and a steal.

“He was a big part of that win because of his energy and his activity level,” admitted Malone.

Now in his second stint with the Kings, Casspi has grown into his role as a stretch-four and reserve small forward. The Israel native is averaging 6.5 points per game this year, but has the team’s second-highest shooting percentage (52.6 − min. 10 attempts).

In Sacramento’s six wins this year, the fifth-year pro is chipping in 8.2 points per contest compared to 4.0 ppg in the Kings four losses. Furthermore, in those victories, Casspi is getting to the free throw line at a higher rate (3.5 times per win, compared to 1.5 times per loss), and creating more opportunities for his teammates (1.8 apg compared to 0.8).

“Omri is a very competitive young man, he has a high basketball IQ and the fact that he was able to come in the game, get five or six rebounds, run up and down the floor and make things happen, that’s what we need from our bench,” continued the Kings second-year head coach.

“He’s moving without the ball, he’s making plays for his teammates and he has a great understanding of the game. We’re thrilled to have him and we need him to continue to play at a high level.”

Casspi hasn’t been the only one getting to the charity stripe for the purple and black this season.

Sacramento leads the League in free-throw attempts per game with just over 35 per night. Furthermore, the Kings are connecting on 81-percent of those attempts − the third-highest percentage in the NBA this season.

“We want to have an attack mindset,” admitted Head Coach Michael Malone. “We always talk to our players about playing in attack mode, not settling and putting pressure on the defense. I think it’s really important because that allows us to set our defense.”

By slowing down the game with trips to the free throw line, the Kings are able to prepare their defense on the other end of the court, limiting teams from pushing the ball in transition and getting easy opportunities. That break gives Malone and the rest of Sacramento’s coaching staff time to call out the defensive scheme and give extra help to specific players when necessary.

Currently, the Kings have three players ranked in the top-25 in free throw attempts per game including DeMarcus Cousins (5th), Rudy Gay (11th) and Darren Collison (22nd).

“That was a big part of what we did last year,” said Malone. “Can we lead the League all season? We will see, but I think it’s definitely realistic to think that we can be in the top-five all year long in free throw attempts per game because of how we play − posting up, going inside, playing through DeMarcus and Rudy, and by telling our guys, once we do get stops, to get out and run.”

Known for his bruising low-post game, Big Cuz was consistently in the top-five in free throw attempts per game last season and is on pace to put up similar numbers this season.

“It’s so easy to play with DeMarcus,” said point guard Darren Collison. “All you have to do is get him the ball, space out and let him do what he does. The thing about DeMarcus is he’s going to do that night-in and night-out, but the biggest thing is we have to learn how to play off him. When teams start doubling him, we have to make sure we have the proper spacing and we’re ready to knock down shots.”

The Kings recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns today.

Easy-E spent nearly two weeks with the Bighorns for the team’s training camp, preseason and opening games before returning to Sacramento for the team’s practices.

“We wanted him to go there and get some playing time,” stated Michael Malone. “Right now, it’s going to be tough for him to get into our rotation − at least meaningful minutes. So any time you can send a young guy to your D-League Affiliate, so he can get a lot of running in − he’s starting for them and playing a lot of minutes… − it’s a great experience.”

Sacramento’s second-year coach says Moreland will be with the team when they are in town and will stay in Reno with the Bighorns when the team is on the road, playing in both systems simultaneously.

“When he’s here, we need him to contribute and learn on a daily basis,” continued the Kings leader. “So it’s good to have Eric back.”

Moreland competed in two outings for the uptempo Bighorns registering back-to-back double-doubles, showcasing his aggressive rebounding techniques, ability to run the floor and score at ease.

“The more he plays, the better off he’s going to be,” concluded Malone.

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Kings Notes: Casspi Turning Heads

With preseason action in the books, the Sacramento Kings have their sights set on the regular season opener against Golden State this Wednesday at 7 PM. During Monday’s practice, Head Coach Michael Malone used a new tactic to get his team prepared.

During the scrimmage session, two Kings players donned red jerseys to represent the potent Warriors backcourt duo Sacramento will face on opening night.

“Whether [our players] make or miss their shot in practice, come Wednesday night it’s going to be a make,” stated Malone referencing Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. “We have to know where they are at all times, starting in transition. We can’t give them any air space or any separation. Our big guys have to be in-tune on pick-n-rolls and give the guards the necessary help.”

In four matchups against the Kings last season, the Splash Brothers – so aptly named for their long-distance prowess – were lights-out from downtown connecting on a total of 27 triples combined.

“[Last season against the Kings, Klay] shot 56-percent from the three-point line, Steph shot 52-percent from the three-point line – if you allow two of the best three-point shooters in the NBA to shoot that high of a percentage, you have little to no chance of beating them,” admitted Malone.

Similar to Sacramento’s new up-tempo offensive gameplan, the Warriors are one of the best teams in the NBA to utilize their playmakers in transition. Last season, Golden State finished sixth in ESPN’s pace factor (98.5), which ranks the number of possessions a team uses per game.

While the Kings finished tenth (100.3) in scoring this preseason, Golden State led the NBA with an average of 110 points per game in eight outings.

“We know Golden State is going to come in here and put up a lot of points,” said point guard Ramon Sessions. “That will be a great test for us on Wednesday. We’re just excited – it’s been a long Training Camp and we had a long trip to China, now we’re looking forward to these 82 games.”

The Kings will rely Sessions, as well as Darren Collison, Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas, to find opposing shooters, close-out and slow down the Golden State attack.

“If they hit tough shots, then they hit tough shots – both of them are great players and they’re going to make some – but it’s the uncontested, wide-open shots, it’s the breakdowns in your game plan or the lack of discipline that wind up costing you,” said Coach Malone.

Following Sacramento’s home opener against the potent Warriors, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the purple and black. Head Coach Michael Malone has repeatedly told his players to review the opening month of the season in hopes they would recognize the importance of a strong start.

“I told them before Training Camp even started – we have to have a great month of October so we can get ready for October 29th and the difficult schedule that we have because we have to try to steal some of these games,” he said after practice on Monday. “Right off the bat, we’re playing Golden State, Portland and L.A. [Clippers] – [two of which] got out of the first round last year. So we have to be ready to play because they’re not going to wait for us.”

All of the Kings first three opponents finished the 2013-14 season with at least 51 wins in the regular season and are expected to be playoff contenders again this year.

“The NBA hasn’t done us any favors with our schedule to start the year,” he admitted at practice on Monday. “We have to be ready to play.”

‘I Know What I Can Bring to the Table’

On the verge of his seventh season with the Sacramento Kings, Jason Thompson knows exactly what he is capable of.

In seven games – six of which were starts at power forward – No. 34 logged 139 minutes, grabbed the third-most rebounds on the team (41), shot 50-percent from the field and added three blocks. The 6-foot-11 power forward will be counted on this season to provide consistency on both ends of the floor.

“I know what I can bring to the table,” he said on Monday. “I’m not going to let my man be a factor in the game, I am just going to defend, rebound, and take what the defense gives me.

“In preseason, I didn’t shoot the ball that much. I’m not saying I will in the regular season, but sometimes games are going to be like that and I still have to find ways to be effective.”

Part of a deep power forward rotation in Sacramento, Thompson knows his role will vary depending on the team they face. He remains confident the team has enough talent to compete with anyone. With three veterans and one rookie at power forward, a steady rotation should provide relief over an extensive 82-game regular season.

“Talent is a scary word – it’s good on paper, but in reality, it’s how well you put it together,” said Thompson. “Talent-wise, we have guys coming off the bench who could start, and that makes us a deep team, but it’s how we all come together and gel.”

With the regular season just two days away, fans will get their first glimpse of the team’s chemistry very soon.

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Kings Notes: Prepping for Warriors Backcourt

Highlight reels, Vine and Instagram videos don’t do Ben McLemore’s improved handle justice.

Thanks to a relentless offseason routine and help from the Kings coaching staff, the second-year pro enters 2013-14 with heightened confidence.

“I just want to get better this year,” said No. 23. “[I tried to] improve my game after seeing what I needed to improve on from last year, and this summer I worked really hard on different aspects of my game.”

Whether he was back home in Missouri, in Los Angeles with his close friend and teammate Ray McCallum or in Sacramento with the coaching staff, McLemore spent the past three months constantly trying to get better.

“I spent a lot of time with [Assistant Coach] Dee [Brown] over the summer and then coming back [to Sacramento] working with him and ‘CJ’ [Assistant Coach Chris Jent],” he said. “Just putting in work throughout the entire summer and through Summer League.”

McLemore is shooting 42-percent from the floor, 44-percent from deep and hasn’t missed a free throw yet this preseason.

With one final exhibition game on the horizon, it’s now up to McLemore to continue his growth and show fans everything he’s worked over the past three months.

“I’m pretty excited to have the opportunity to start for the Sacramento Kings [entering my] second year,” said McLemore. “It’s been a great experience throughout the summer. I’ve worked really hard and I’m very excited.”

Malone Lauds Improved Offense, Stresses Ball Security

Sacramento Kings Head Coach Michael Malone has been pleased with his team’s offensive production through six games of the preseason.

Led by DeMarcus Cousins’ 17.6 ppg – which is currently 10th in the NBA – the purple and black are averaging 101.5 points per contest and are shooting at a 47.5 clip.

“If you look at our offensive numbers right now, I believe we are 10th in scoring, 4th in field goal percentage and 7th in three-point percentage,” the second-year coach said. “Imagine how good we could be offensively if we actually valued the basketball. We have a very good offense [but] we are killing ourselves.”

Malone understands the Kings turnover rate of 21.3 per game has hampered chances to win more this preseason.

“I always say – ad nauseam – you can’t beat yourself and your opponent in the same game – it’s impossible,” he stated after practice on Wednesday. “If you look at the numbers and the stat sheet from San Antonio, aside from our turnovers, we did a lot of great things until that fourth quarter.”

Searching for their first road win in exhibition play, the Kings used a pair of 9-0 runs in the second quarter of Monday’s game to take an 11-point lead at halftime over the defending NBA champions. But the Spurs responded with a 12-3 run in the third quarter and a 13-6 spurt to close out the game to clinch the win.

Malone stated that Sacramento will need to cut turnovers in half if they want a chance to win close games in the regular season.

“We did something today in practice that the guys didn’t like… for every fifth turnover, we ran,” he admitted, “and we did a lot of running.

“We’re stressing less dribbling, more ball movement, take what the defense gives you, and pass, drive or shoot without any hesitation.”

Despite the turnovers, the coaching staff has been pleased with the new offensive system in place. Just three weeks after implementation, Sacramento’s offense has been impressive – keeping pace with some of the top teams in the NBA this preseason.

“The thing that gives me hope is, as I told the players today, when you have all the offensive capabilities that we have – the scoring, the field goal percentage, the three-point shooting, all the things that we’re doing well – our offense could be so much better,” concluded Malone.

Notes

Kings Notes: Casspi Turning Heads

Kings Notes: Prepping for Warriors Backcourt

Kings Notes: McLemore Ready to Rise