Why Fox believes “workhorse” Sasha Wezenkov fits the Kings’ system It appeared first NBC Sports Bay Area
The Kings put up the best offensive numbers the NBA has ever seen during the 2022-23 season, with a 119.4 rating led by De’Aaron Fox. Domantas Sabonis and company
There were young shooters all around Keegan Murray, monk property, Kevin Horter And Terry Lyles – Constantly run around the field, find space and let the stone fly at a fast speed.
The Kings’ high-powered offense will add another weapon in the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Sacramento signed Sasha Veznikov, the current MVP of the Euroleagueanother deadly perimeter shooter who likes to move without the ball and find any amount of space to beat defenders with his quick jump shot.
And without question, The pack leader confirms.
“He’s a worker. He’s a workhorse,” Fox told NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason and Morgan Ragan on Tuesday’s “Deuce and Mo” podcast. They are smart. Guys who know how to play basketball. He’s working right on us.”
The 9-foot-9 forward has made 40 percent of his 3-pointers in his EuroLeague career. But Vezenkov also seems to have a knack for taking tough shots on defenders while watching film and highlights.
“We played 1 game [Monday]Fox said. “I, [Vezenkov]And Kevin [Huerter]. But you watch him practice. It’s like, “Oh my god.” hit one [three] As for me, I’m like, ‘What the f–k'”
Mike Brown, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, came to Sacramento known for his defensive skill set, but ended up running a poetic, speed-and-space offense that players love. Vezenkov fit perfectly.
“It just adds another piece, it adds another weapon, it opens up the floor, it just makes us a much better basketball team,” Fox told Mason and Ragan. Better.
He has come, he knows he has to get better. But as I said, he is a worker. “He’s someone who works until he’s good at something, so like I said, he fits right in with our team.”
Brown and the rest of the Kings staff had plenty of options when drawing plays last season, whether it was using 20 seconds of the shot clock and moving the ball around, or playing for Fox and Sabonis.
Adding a silent shooter like Vezenkov would significantly improve the sharpshooting toolbox and open up a host of plays for the coaching staff to explore before training camp on Oct. 2.
“Obviously he’s not super athletic, but he just knows how to play basketball and that’s what we need,” Fox said. “That’s what we want as a team.”
A known weakness of the Kings last season was moving the ball too much, passing to open shots and subsequently turning the ball over or not getting anything out of possession.
With this year’s roster even heavier than last season with the addition of Vezenkov, one can only imagine how many 3-pointers the Kings will take in the second season of the Mike Brown era.