Kings G De’Aaron Fox Talks How His Defense Improved Over the Summer
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One of the most prominent points of success for the Sacramento Kings a season ago was the effectiveness and efficiency of the offensive unit. Led by All-Star G De’Aaron Fox and C Domantas Sabonis, they managed to put together the best statistical season offensive production with a rating of 119.4.
Signs point to this offense remaining stable during the upcoming 2023-24 season, but what about the other end of the floor?
Defensively, the Kings ranked towards the bottom of the league with a 25th-best rating of 116.8. For this team to make some strides forward in a year with high expectations, it relies on how well this team can generate both effective and consistent stops.
Fox spoke on Tuesday about how he’s enhanced his ability on the other end of the floor, with aspirations to find some improved two-way play.
.@swipathefox reveals what he's worked on this summer to improve his defensive pressure this season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/K9L5oaSGyC
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 18, 2023
“Just being able to blow up [dribble hand-offs] and getting over ball screens, just really emphasizing that," Fox said. "A lot of these guards in the league, you just want to try and make them as uncomfortable as possible. Obviously, you’re not going to lock guys up every single game. In some games, guys might go for 40. That’s just the way the league is, and that’s how good guys are. But, just trying to make it as tough as possible and just make it to where they're running their offense just a little bit further away from where they want to run it, and I think that’s a win for defense."
The seven-year league vet is coming off a career-best season, averaging 25.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, accompanied by over a steal a night. Fox has already cemented himself as an offensive top guard in the league, but filling out his presence to be a terror as a perimeter defender would be a nightmare for any one of the other opposing 29 teams.
Fox will hit the floor again during the penultimate preseason match of the year against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at 7 PM PST. Closing in on just over a week until the regular season officially kicks off, excitement continues to build for Kings fans.
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