Doug Christie’s Influence Huge Boon for Streaking Kings

While it’s still too early to call, it seems the Kings may have finally figured things out. The team, who had dipped into a freefall earlier this season despite their high-end talent and strong roster, have completely turned around what was once considered a lost year.

On the brink of collapse and coming off of a disastrous fourth quarter loss to the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento fired head coach Mike Brown in what was seen as a pretty controversial move. Though many questioned the choice at the time, it now seems to be exactly what the team needed.

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Under new coach Doug Christie, everything has turned around. The team has rallied under their new coach, beating everyone from a hurt Mavericks squad to a strong Celtics team, on their way to an incredibly impressive 7-game win streak.

They’ve played great ball during that stretch. Once a team without an identity, the Kings are running the floor, playing strong defense, and letting their big names lead the way. They’ve been physical, tough, and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

Taking The Windy City

Sacramento’s latest conquest came against the Bulls in Chicago, where they struggled early but bounced back to a 124-119 victory. That type of resilience is not something they saw under Brown, but it’s been a key point in their recent revival.

De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan led the way with 26, 22, and 21 points respectively, while the bench players contributed in one way or another. That balance is something the team has come to expect, and it’s worked beautifully.

Though the game stayed close, the Kings managed to keep their lead by winning the last two quarters. That late-game stability is also new, and it’s paying huge dividends. They know how to get big in the paint, understand how to rebound, and aren’t shying away from anyone.

Despite shooting just 22 percent from three, Sacramento managed to win with rebounding and strong hustle. They even forced a five-second turnover late in the fourth quarter that all but sealed things up.

One Man’s Passion

While it’s hard to attribute the Kings’ surge to one single aspect, it’s hard to ignore Doug Christie. The interim coach has everyone playing at an extremely high level, and has been able to inspire both starters and bench players alike.

Since losing Brown, the Kings are averaging an NBA best 50.3 rebounds a game alongside 121.6 points a game (second in the league) and 9.4 steals (third in the league). That shows how much power one change can make.

“He’s bringing the type of energy that’s a little bit contagious,” De’Aaron Fox said of his new coach. “I mean, like I said before, he’s the same guy that he was, but whenever you’re at the front of the helm, I feel like you’re probably feeling it a little more…We’ve got a good thing going right now, so you want to continue to play at a high level.”

Getting Everyone on Board

Everyone on the team feels Christie’s presence, and Fox isn’t the only leader to notice his impact. DeRozan is also in the action. He’s not only buying into Christie’s new style, he’s doing everything he can to put everyone on the same page.

Reports state the veteran guard recently showed the team highlights of when Christie used to play to show his tenacious defense and tough physicality. He believes that in doing so he’s proved to the team that the coach can back up his talk and is someone worth listening to.

“I would tell you it’s priceless, man,” Christie said of DeRozan’s video. “I mean, that’s the type of trust, love and respect I want out of all of them, but having that time with DeMar in the summer, watching how he gets down, and then really just always being a hundred with him and trusting him to do his thing. For him to show that in the moment, it says a lot about who he is, but it says a lot about our team and what we’re trying to [do].”

A New Look

Another reason the Kings recent season-saving run matters is from a trade stand-point. Just before the Brown firing they were all but dead in the water. Teams around the league expected them to be sellers, and some even thought they might move Fox.

Now that things have changed, they’ve suddenly become buyers. The franchise has their eyes set on a potential playoff run and could be looking to add to their roster.

Current rumors are that they may be the lead team to land Kyle Kuzma, but could also add another strong scorer or big name in the coming weeks before the deadline. They might not make any moves, but the fact that they’re now adding shows how much just a few games, and a new coach, can change.

“It’s together,” Christie said of the team. “I’m not separate as a coach. They’re not separate as players. They have their room. I have my room, but at the same time, we are together as one. It’s not a hand, it’s a fist.”