After starting 0–4 the Kings rattled off wins in 10 of their next 12 games So, what changed?

The team has adapted quickly to their new coach and the coach has adapted to his new team. Mike Brown has settled on a lineup and substitution patterns. Players have embraced their roles and some players who were expected to play significant minutes are completely out of the rotation. Richaun Holmes, the starting center for the last 2 years, is completely out of the rotation. His minutes at back up center are being filled very competently by Chimeze Metu. Metu is being used by Brown as a small ball 5 in the mold of Draymond Green.

KZ Okpala, who Mike Brown brought on in the off-season as a defensive specialist and started at PF, is also completely out of the rotation. He brought amazing defensive versatility, but was too much of a liability on offense.

Monk has embraced being a 6th man bringing a spark of scoring off the bench. Mitchell is also providing tenacious defense for the second unit and is inspiring a higher commitment to defense which is the team’s Achilles heel.

Kevin Huerter is shooting over 50% from 3 while averaging 7.5 attempts a game and 17 points. His shooting along with Monk has allowed the floor to spread giving Fox more ability to slash and Sabonis more ability to find open cutters. Sabonis is playing at an extremely high level and really is the missing piece that this team has needed for years. He brings a veteran presence and does a lot of little things the kings liked. He is averaging 6 assists a game and 11 rebounds to go along with 18 points.

Most importantly, however, is the play of De’Aaron Fox. Fox has been playing at an all-star level and is even being mentioned as an MVP candidate aversging 26, 6.5 and 5.

In short, the Kings’ rotation includes much more offensive minded players which has their offense putting up record numbers while the defense is doing just enough to make them very tough to beat.