SACRAMENTO – During an open scrimmage in the middle of Kings training camp, Malik Monk finds himself double-teamed by Jordan Ford and Jaylen Nowell. Frustrated by Nowell’s contact, Monk picks up his dribble and starts to complain. Finally, a whistle is blown, but it comes from the opposite side of the gym. Kings coach Mike Brown yells at Monk, expressing his frustration and emphasizing his disregard for excuses or complaints.
The Kings’ disappointing loss to the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs last season still weighs heavily on Brown. He believes they wasted too many possessions in transition by trying to draw fouls instead of focusing on making plays. Despite the growing anticipation in Sacramento for the upcoming season, Brown has a different mindset. He wants to push the team harder and erase any complacency from their minds.
In preparation for the new season, Brown sets a tough tone during the team’s dinner. He tells them that being good is not enough; they have to strive for greatness. Every player signs an “All-In” poster to commit to the cause. Brown wants them to embrace adversity, communicate openly, and be willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zones.
Brown’s ultimate goal is to turn the Kings into lasting contenders. He knows that their record-breaking offense from last season is not enough to achieve that. They need to improve their defense, even if it means taking risks with their offense. Brown believes that if they can maintain a high offensive ranking while improving defensively, they will be in a better position for a deep playoff run.
The Kings showed promise in their playoff series against the Warriors, where they played physical and made life difficult for their opponents. Although they fell short, both Brown and GM Monte McNair saw it as a reason to believe in the team’s potential. They want to build on that experience and continue to improve defensively.
Overall, Brown’s approach to the upcoming season is focused on pushing the team to be better and not settling for mediocrity. He believes they have the potential to compete for a championship and is willing to take calculated risks to make it happen.