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Davion Mitchell brings defensive intensity with Fox out
Sometimes injuries can be a blessing in disguise for teams with players who just need opportunities. De’Aaron Fox has been having an outstanding beginning of the year, but the kings have completely lost the defensive identity they established in preseason. They started the season 0-4 and have looked lost defensively and started the game with more lackluster defense last night, allowing the Hornets to outscore of them by 15 points in the first half. But things changed after thatD’Aaron Fox left the game due to an injury and Davion Mitchell and Matthew Dellavedova replaced him and brought a grittiness and defensive toughness that had been lacking in the first five games.
Maybe this is the kick in the pants the team needed to bring themselves back to their defensive focus. I started the season out, predicting that the Kings would make the playoffs if Okpala stayed in the rotation. Well, Okpala has already left the rotation since he was so bad on offense and with Barnes playing poorly it left too much of a hole at the forward position offensively.
Injuries have a way of forcing teams to explore other lineups. I have a feeling this shake up will bode well for the Kings trajectory.