| |
|
NBA - Promising future for rebuilding Kings
By Jose Roberto Meza
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 28 Apr 2012
SACRAMENTO - Even though the Kings easily demolished the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 113-96, Thursday night at the Power Balance Pavilion here in West Sacramento, there wasn't much urge among loyal fans to jump up and down and celebrate.
The Kings' season, after all, ended disappointingly with 22 victories and 44 defeats. And unlike the Lakers who are playoffs-bound and on track for their annual championship pursuit, the lowly Kings are headed to the lottery for the sixth consecutive year.
And if Sacramento were to get better than 22-44 next season, the work must begin on defense, where the Kings are dead-last in the NBA, giving up 104.4 points per game. Sacramento is also dead last in field goal percentage defense, allowing the opposition to shoot 47.6 percent from the field.
But there is hope. The Kings have a young core of guys to build upon. And with a little tweaking through trades, draft picks and free agency, maybe this once great franchise can recreate some old magic weaved years back by Mike Bibby, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Doug Christie, Peja Stojakovic, et al.
At 6-foot-10, 270 pounds, DeMarcus Cousins has blossomed into a fine power forward. The 21-year old is holding his own against the league's big men, averaging 18.1 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Tyreke Evans is evolving into a versatile guard, scoring 16.5 points per game alongside 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound is just 22 years young.
Point guard Isaiah Thomas, 23, has provided one of the few highlights of the King's frustraitng 2011-12 campaign. The smallish sentinel, just 5-foot-9 and 185-pounds, razzled and dazzled hs way to 11.5 points and 4.1 assists per game.
Yet another guard, Marcus Thornton, also holds so much promise. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder is norming a team high 18.7 points per outing for the Kings.
If the Kings can add some size and inside scoring to their lineup, they might just be a playoff team in a year or two. (Jose Roberto Meza)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jose Roberto Meza.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Snips and Snipes 18 April 2019: Anthony Joshua's US debut hits a snag
By Eric Armit, Fri, 19 Apr 2019DANNY GARCIA VS. ADRIAN GRANADOS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT
By , Fri, 19 Apr 2019“FIGHT NIGHT: SHIELDS vs. HAMMER” CAPTURES THE DRAMA SURROUNDING HISTORIC UNDISUPUTED SHOWDOWN BETWEEN CLARESSA SHIELDS AND CHRISTINA HAMMER
By , Fri, 19 Apr 2019MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS CONFIRMED FOR 5TH ANNUAL BOX FAN EXPO
By , Fri, 19 Apr 2019World Ranked Filipino Joe "The Jaw Breaker" Noynay Lands in Japan for WBO Asia Pacific Rumble
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 18 Apr 2019Boxing Champ Claressa Shields Calls Out GGG, I Can Beat Men!
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019Final 16 Set In Vegas For The WPA Players Championship
By Ted Lerner, WPS Media Officer, Thu, 18 Apr 2019Marlon "Marvelous Captain" Manalo to play in the United States
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019PARTYPOKER TO SPONSOR US OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019MANANQUIL DEFENDS WBO TITLE VS. KOBAYASHI
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019WBA #15 Heavyweight Ivan Dychko Ready and Willing to Settle Score with Anthony Joshua on June 1
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019SELINA BARRIOS vs. MELISSA HERNANDEZ APRIL 27 AT THE CAJUNDOME IN LOUISIANA
By , Thu, 18 Apr 201932 ADVANCE, 32 OUT AS DAY 1 OF THE WPA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP IS COMPLETE
By Ted Lerner, WPS Media Officer, Thu, 18 Apr 2019Presser Notes & Quotes: Terence Crawford and Amir Khan Ready for PPV Showdown
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019RIGHT HAND INJURY FORCES DAVID LEMIEUX TO WITHDRAW FROM SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DEBUT AGAINST JOHN 'THE GORILLA' RYDER
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019Saquon Barkley's Uncle Challenges Deontay Wilder To Fight, I Bet I KO You!
By , Thu, 18 Apr 2019Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Departs for the U.S. Ahead of Estrada Battle
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 17 Apr 2019Promotional free agent Kingdamon Antoine looks to continue unbeaten run on May 11th
By , Wed, 17 Apr 2019Aussie coach picks Olympic hopefuls
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Apr 2019Billel Dib reacts to WBA Oceania Super Featherweight title victory and discusses potential clash with Andrew Cancio
By , Wed, 17 Apr 20192019 ALPHALAND (PECA) NATIONAL EXECUTIVES CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 5TH LEG SET ON APRIL 27 IN ALPHALAND PLACE MAKATI
By , Wed, 17 Apr 2019The Past Week in Action 16 April 2019
By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Apr 2019Terence Crawford vs. Amir Khan: Media Workout Notes & Quotes
By , Wed, 17 Apr 2019GENNADY "GGG" GOLOVKIN BRINGING BIG DRAMA SHOW BACK TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN HIS DAZN DEBUT!
By , Wed, 17 Apr 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
