In two preseason games the Kings have shown they still have some work to do defensively.
Some of that work is hard to evaluate because two players that figure to be big shot blockers - Samuel Dalembert and Hassan Whiteside - are still out with injuries.
Dalembert won't play tomorrow against the Golden State Warriors because of a strained left adductor. Whiteside is still out with a strained left patellar tendon.
Defense and size always help against the Warriors. Sure, Don Nelson isn't the coach, but the Warriors still have a roster suited to play fast and score a lot of points.
The Warriors scored 127 points in beating the Clippers by 40 points last night.
These Warriors also have a new player, David Lee, who should give them some kind of inside presence.
"I don't know if excited would be the word," said Kings coach Paul Westphal about playing Lee and the Warriors. "The Warriors handled the Clippers pretty well and they're very, very explosive. They've got a lot of weapons and they seem to be pretty excited about their team. So we'll go down there and hope they don't run us off the court."
Pick-and-roll defense was an issue in the first preseason game. Defense in all areas was a problem when the Kings lost to the Clippers.
And these Warriors will test the Kings' defense in a lot of ways.
Unlike years past where the Warriors did most of their damage with their guards, the addition of Lee mean's the Kings' post players will have to be mindful of someone that can score.
The Warriors will also help in the education of DeMarcus Cousins. One of the biggest adjustments he's making is defending players on the perimeter.
No better team to work on that than against the Warriors.
Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis will put pressure on the Kings' backcourt and force Cousins, Jason Thompson, Darnell Jackson and Donte' Greene (who will play some power forward because of the injuries) to be ready and know their assignments.
This should also be a good game to see how Pooh Jeter impacts Westphal's rotations. He's the kind of player the Kings didn't have in games like this at the end of last season.
If the pace is fast, Jeter could allow the Kings to play small ball effectively.
Jeter should be the first guard off the bench with Francisco Garcia starting for Beno Udrih (sprained right shoulder).
--Jason Jones
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