The NBA has been blossoming as an on-court product for a couple of seasons now. The game has sped up, the players are more multi-dimensional than they’ve ever been, the NBA gives their players the freedom to express themselves on social media and on the court with their sneakers, doing as good a job as any league with promoting and marketing their stars.
This doesn’t even count the countless GIFs, memes and beefs that arise on a nightly basis. The game is truly the perfect combination of highlights, talent and storylines for the current state of social media and roundtable talk. The rise of NBA League Pass generates hype for the league’s bottom-feeders as well, showing there is interest in dissecting and watching all 30 teams in the NBA, at least for people like me.
After that, there will be a slide with the plays and stat lines that stood out before laying out the best games for the upcoming week’s slate. This week, we begin with the surprisingly enjoyable Sacramento Kings.
2015 trade</a> with Philly).</p>
<p>But this version of the Kings seems to have turned the corner. Maybe their 6-4 record isn’t sustainable. Maybe they find themselves in the bottom five of the NBA standings by March, but at least they’re doing it with a young team that makes sense and plays an exciting style of basketball.</p>
<p>The Kings are second in the NBA in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/?sort=PACE&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22>pace (108.1), fourth in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/traditional/?sort=TOV&dir=-1%22>points per game</a> (118.7), second in 3-point percentage (39.9 percent) and fourth in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/?sort=PACE&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22>effective field goal percentage</a> (55.5 percent). These are all massive improvements from <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/?sort=PACE&dir=-1&Season=2017-18&SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22>last year’s</a> slowest paced team, and show that head coach Dave Joerger is instigating change in the right direction and using his personnel correctly.</p>
<p>My first contributing <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://aroyalpain.com/author/mdugger/">writing position</a> for FanSided was with <em>A Royal Pain</em>, sharing my thoughts about the Kings. I thought the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hieldbu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Buddy Hield</a>–<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMarcus Cousins</a> swap signaled a team ready to change their style of play along with the face of their franchise moving forward. Since then, I’ve loved most of their draft picks and roster moves.</p>
<p>De’Aaron Fox is spearheading this revolution and is a candidate for Most Improved Player. Fox is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/team/1610612758/players-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1%22>averaging 18.6 points, 7.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game and is fearless in the closing minutes of games. He was known for his speed and competitiveness coming into the NBA and we’re seeing it on full display with this current system.</p>
<div class="embed "><iframe width="500" height="281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/gaW2vxN-omY?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>His running mate in the backcourt is continuing his strong finish to 2017-18, as Buddy Hield <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/team/1610612758/players-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1%22>leads the team in scoring (19.7 points per game) and is shooting a remarkable 48.0 percent on 5.0 3-point attempts per game. These two complement each other so well, with Fox providing the playmaking and defensive tenacity as Buddy spaces the floor and offers the kind of go-to scoring from the guard position the Kings have tried to draft for years.</p>
<p>The main aspect I love about their roster is everybody has defined roles. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/caulewi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> protects the rim, sets hard screens and gobbles up rebounds. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bjeline01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nemanja Bjelica</a> spaces the floor offensively and is one of the more underrated steals of free agency after he opted out of his agreement with the 76ers. Even <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shumpim01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Iman Shumpert</a> is playing hard and could net a draft pick later in the season if the Kings part with him.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jacksju01,jacksju02&search=Justin+Jackson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Justin Jackson</a> doesn’t take too many shots, but plays hard defensively and does the little things. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/baglema01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marvin Bagley</a> III competes on both ends and shows some signs of the player they drafted at No .2 overall. He’s very young and may not have been the ideal fit for the roster, but Bagley and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilesha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Harry Giles</a> are probably viewed as the long-term replacements for Cauley-Stein and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/labissk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Skal Labissiere</a>.</p>
<p>What’s exciting is the Kings’ best player from last season hasn’t played yet. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bogdan Bogdanovic</a> is an all-around player that impressed in his rookie season and will seamlessly slot in to their rotation as the team’s second best playmaker once he returns from a left knee injury that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/kings-bogdan-bogdanovic-out-four-to-six-weeks-after-surgery/">required a procedure</a> in the offseason.</p>
<p>They may not have a team littered with future stars, but the Sacramento Kings play like a team with defined roles. I’ve been waiting for these players to grow in said roles, and it’s exciting to see them come to fruition already. The Kings are becoming a must-see team on NBA League Pass.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Outlet passes </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-329285" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1057954558-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Outlet passes</h3>
<p>These are some lesser storylines and trends that have caught my attention this past week and the season as a whole.</p>
<h3>OKC Thunder back to normal</h3>
<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder’s slow start should have been predicted. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Russell Westbrook</a> missed the first three games of the season and they lost to the Boston Celtics in his first game back. But they are winners of five straight games and have returned to what made them a contender: defense.</p>
<p>In their last five games, the Thunder have forced the most <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?sort=OPP_TOV&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5%22>turnovers per game</a> (21.0), tied for eighth in opponents 3-point attempt <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?sort=OPP_FG3_PCT&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5%22>percentage per game</a> (32.8 percent), <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/traditional/?sort=STL&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5%22>first in steals</a> (14.4) and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5%22>sixth in defensive rating</a> (103.6). This has helped their offense, which leads the NBA in points off turnovers <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/misc/?sort=PTS_OFF_TOV&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&LastNGames=5%22>during this stretch</a> (27.0 per game).</p>
<p>Getting Westbrook back is vital and has seen their offensive numbers spike since his return, but this team was built on deploying as many long, athletic bodies as possible to hound opponents defensively. We’re starting to see this come to life, as rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/diallha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Hamidou Diallo</a> illustrates.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1059639901728268288</p>
<p>Figuring out their rotation has been tough, but seeing these young athletes get minutes is great to see. Also, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schrode01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dennis Schroder</a> addition has been a massive upgrade in their backcourt, and sharpshooter <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abrinal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Alex Abrines</a> playing more has opened up space on their offense. This team is as fun as they’ve been since <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a> departed.</p>
<h3>Denver Nuggets: Clear second best team in the West</h3>
<p>Coming into the NBA season, there were a couple suitors for who would rival the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference as the second-best team. The Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and even the Los Angeles Lakers were pegged as true challengers. Three weeks into the season, the Denver Nuggets are the clear second-best team.</p>
<p>Nobody doubted their ability to score with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Jokic</a> pulling the strings with budding stars <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jamal Murray</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harriga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gary Harris</a> forming one of the NBA’s best backcourts. They are deep with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millspa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul Millsap</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/plumlma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mason Plumlee</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beaslma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Malik Beasley</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/craigto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Torrey Craig</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trey Lyles</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrimo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Monte Morris</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hernaju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Juan Hernangomez</a> forming a strong rotation.</p>
<p>But their defense elevates them to elite contention if it sustains. They are fourth in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?sort=OPP_FG3_PCT&dir=-1%22>points allowed</a> per game (102.4), sixth in opponent <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/opponent/?sort=OPP_FG3_PCT&dir=-1%22>3-point field goal percentage</a> (32.7 percent) and are third in the NBA in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22>defensive rating</a> (101.8). They are getting creative in their schemes with Nikola Jokic being more aggressive on screens, forcing ball-handlers to make quicker decisions with the ball instead of dropping into the paint in years past.</p>
<p>With wins over the Warriors and Boston Celtics and only one loss on their record, the Nuggets are on their way to being ahead of schedule in becoming a powerhouse.</p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_329317" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329317" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1057886994-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Serge Ibaka</a> renaissance</h3>
<p>While the Nuggets are the second-best team out West at the moment, the Toronto Raptors are the clear best team in the Eastern Conference. They have the deepest team in the NBA with so many willing passers, ball-handlers, shooters and guys who can defend. This is why I picked them to make the NBA Finals and win it all.</p>
<p>I did not expect Serge Ibaka to play this well, however. Head coach Nike Nurse rotates his frontcourt depending on matchups and Ibaka is thriving in whatever role he’s asked. He is thriving in his most comfortable role as a small-ball 5 that roams the rim defensively and does a little bit of everything offensively, something that was hard to come by last season in Toronto.</p>
<p>Ibaka had a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01/gamelog/2019" ref="nofollow">ludicrous</a> 34 points on 15-of-17 shooting from the field against the Los Angeles Lakers as well as 10 rebounds on Nov. 4. He’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html" ref="nofollow">averaging</a> 18.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals per game this season. Having Ibaka playing at this level makes the Raptors a terrifying opponent now, and come playoff time.</p>
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<div id="attachment_329315" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329315" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052421366-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>New York Knicks: No guards to too many guards?</h3>
<p>The New York Knicks have lacked a competent point guard since <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Raymond Felton</a> navigated pick-and-rolls from 2012-14. To solve this problem, the Knicks drafted <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/ntilila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Frank Ntilikina</a> in the 2017 NBA Draft, but he was seen as too raw on the offensive end to appease their offensive needs.</p>
<p>Take a look at their roster now, and they are taking a committee approach to this guard drought. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/burketr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trey Burke</a> was the team’s best point guard at the tail end of last season and still logs 20.1 minutes per game. They traded for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mudiaem01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Emmanuel Mudiay</a> last season, who gets some time. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/trieral01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Allonzo Trier</a> went undrafted and is on a two-way contract, but has been the best of their guard quadrant with Ntilikina leading this group in minutes.</p>
<p>It’s an interesting strategy to crowd your backcourt with this many young guards, but at least it’s been exciting watching David Fizdale use multiple guard sets. They won’t win, but they have been exciting to watch and who knows? Four is greater than one.</p>
<h3>Latest entry in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>’s growing highlight reel</h3>
<p>No comment needed.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dear Lord, Giannis….</p>
<p>(via <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@NBA)
pic.twitter.com/fL530ainNp
<p>— HoopsHabit (@HoopsHabit) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://twitter.com/HoopsHabit/status/1059206518371835904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 4, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Games of the upcoming week </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-329319" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F890676656-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Games of the upcoming week</h3>
<p>Here are the games to watch from Week 4 of the NBA schedule.</p>
<h3>Philadelphia 76ers @ Indiana Pacers — Nov. 7</h3>
<p>Two of the Eastern Conference’s secondary contenders go head-to-head. The Pacers may not have an answer for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joel Embiid</a> and the 76ers definitely have no answer for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oladivi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Victor Oladipo</a>. Two of the NBA’s young stars dueling in one of the best home crowds in basketball is must-see NBA television.</p>
<h3>Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder — Nov. 8</h3>
<p>The first of a juicy TNT doubleheader, this features two teams riding solid win streaks after struggling out of the gates this season. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">James Harden</a> and Russell Westbrook are both healthy, and there are interesting cross matchups across the board.</p>
<div id="attachment_329320" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329320" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F940859804-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Milwaukee Bucks @ Golden State Warriors — Nov. 8</h3>
<p>The second game of that TNT doubleheader is one of the best games of the early season. Two of the top teams in each conference clash in Oracle Arena. Giannis Antetokounmpo and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/middlkh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Khris Middleton</a> vs. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stephen Curry</a>, Kevin Durant and the rest of the two-time defending champs. Fast-pace basketball, long athletes, 3-point shooting everywhere, stars, a raucous home crowd. This game will have it all.</p>
<h3>Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz — Nov. 9</h3>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gordon Hayward</a>‘s return to Salt Lake City takes place this Friday night in what will be a hostile environment for the former Utah Jazz player. These teams haven’t got off to the starts people expected, but they play beautiful basketball and Hayward coming back amplifies the weight of this game.</p>
<h3>Los Angeles Lakers @ Sacramento Kings — Nov. 10</h3>
<p>One of the early 2000s fiercest rivalries has as much significance it’s had in years. These are two of the best offenses and worst defenses in the NBA that play at lightning quick speed. “Beat L.A.” chants are frequent in NorCal and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/balllo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lonzo Ball</a> vs. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">De’Aaron Fox</a> has been an enticing head-to-head matchup since their college duels.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Week 4 NBA Power Rankings" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/05/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-4/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/06/nba-week-3-recap-enjoying-sacramento-kings-and-okc-thunder-on-rise/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/05/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-4/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Week 4 NBA Power Rankings </a> </div>
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<p>Who knows the ceilings of these teams, but this will be a high-scoring affair in Sacramento.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">