Kings forward Jason Thompson addresses the media following the Kings' loss to the Denver Nuggets.
One statistic that may not have received much outside attention as recently as Wednesday afternoon: The Kings went into their game against the Denver Nuggets allowing the most points in the paint per game of any NBA team (50.4).
The Nuggets, of course, illuminated the issue by scoring 92 points and making all but four of their 50 field goals in the paint in their 122-93 win over the Kings at Power Balance Pavilion. The loss prompted forward Jason Thompson to say that the Kings need to "look ourselves in the mirror" on defense.
"You've got to look at it as, is it just points in the paint in the half-court or is it points in the paint from fast-breaks?" Thompson said. "You break it down to, is it from help or is it just from one-on-one? That's why I say everybody's got to look ourselves in the mirror. Obviously points in the paint, it comes down to the bigs, obviously we'll take the fall for that. But it's all five of us (starters) and guys coming off the bench as well."
The Nuggets, who lead the NBA in fast-break points per game, scored 26 fast-break points. They scored 25 points off of 18 turnovers by the Kings.
Guard Jimmer Fredette reacts to the Kings' most lopsided home loss of the season.
"We just didn't get back (on defense)," said guard Jimmer Fredette. "I think a lot of it has to do with, if you turn the ball over, it's tough to get back in that situation. But also we need to try to get back, all five of us, and get into the paint and go out from there.
"Instead of picking up a man, we need to get back in the paint, all of us look out and stop the ball first, stop the layups, and then we'll get out to the three-point shooters. That's what we need to continue to work on. Tonight was a little bit of a breakdown for us in that category."
Head coach Keith Smart addresses topics including the Kings' issues on defense.
-- Matt Kawahara
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