NBA Lookahead: Is Kings’ turnaround for real? If so, what’s changed?

Every Thursday, I’ll be taking you through the big story heading into the weekend. Here are some important numbers for the Kings before the firing with league ranking in parentheses : Offensive rating: 114.4 114.4 Areas of scoring: 47.9 points in the paint | 13.2 transition points | 18.2 points of turnovers | 34.9 3FG volume 47.9 points in the paint | 13.2 transition points | 18.2 points of turnovers | 34.9 3FG volume Shooting percentages: 56.2 percent 2FG | 34.2 percent 3FG | 80.1 percent FT | 71.7 percent restricted area 56.2 percent 2FG | 34.2 percent 3FG | 80.1 percent FT | 71.7 percent restricted area Four factors: 54.3 percent eFG | 13.4 turnover rate | 27.7 offensive rebounding rate |.251 FT volume 54.3 percent eFG | 13.4 turnover rate | 27.7 offensive rebounding rate |.251 FT volume Defensive rating: 112.9 112.9 Opponent areas of scoring: 44.1 points in the paint | 11.6 transition points | 17.1 points of turnovers | 38.9 3FG volume 44.1 points in the paint | 11.6 transition points | 17.1 points of turnovers | 38.9 3FG volume Opponent shooting percentages: 53.2 percent 2FG | 37.5 percent 3FG | 79.7 percent FT | 67.1 percent restricted area 53.2 percent 2FG | 37.5 percent 3FG | 79.7 percent FT | 67.1 percent restricted area Opponent four factors: 54.6 percent eFG | 14.9 turnover rate | 27.7 offensive rebounding rate |.254 FT volume Now let’s look at where these numbers are since Christie took over: Offensive rating: 118.4 118.4 Areas of scoring: 49.7 points in the paint | 16.2 transition points | 21.8 points of turnovers | 37.2 3FG volume 49.7 points in the paint | 16.2 transition points | 21.8 points of turnovers | 37.2 3FG volume Shooting percentages: 54.8 percent 2FG | 35.9 percent 3FG | 83.7 percent FT | 68.0 percent restricted area 54.8 percent 2FG | 35.9 percent 3FG | 83.7 percent FT | 68.0 percent restricted area Four factors: 54.4 percent eFG | 13.5 turnover rate | 33.3 offensive rebounding rate |.224 FT volume 54.4 percent eFG | 13.5 turnover rate | 33.3 offensive rebounding rate |.224 FT volume Defensive rating: 110.4 110.4 Opponent areas of scoring: 44.8 points in the paint | 13.4 transition points | 16.9 points of turnovers | 34.0 3FG volume 44.8 points in the paint | 13.4 transition points | 16.9 points of turnovers | 34.0 3FG volume Opponent shooting percentages: 53.7 percent 2FG | 38.4 percent 3FG | 80.3 percent FT | 69.3 percent restricted area 53.7 percent 2FG | 38.4 percent 3FG | 80.3 percent FT | 69.3 percent restricted area Opponent four factors: 55.3 percent eFG | 16.2 turnover rate | 22.4 offensive rebounding rate |.308 FT volume I know what you’re thinking. In this sample of games, the Kings’ offense has been better, mostly because of transition points, points off turnovers, higher 3-point volume and greater 3-point success with said volume. Olowokandi averaged just 6.1 points on 6.1 shots during his 137 games there, and you knew he wasn’t getting the ball whenever it mattered. He really didn’t score, and he played 20 minutes a game for the Jazz and only averaged 4.9 points on 3.8 shots.