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Last Season’s Rank
29
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Projected 2013/2014
Finish
23
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Last
season’s Team Statistics and League Rank
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Returning
Individual Statistical Leaders
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Projected
Starters Based on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact:
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Second Unit Roster Order Ranked on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact:
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Analysis:
Finally everything has been settled and both the city of Sacramento and the Kings are finally out of the tug of war limbo that they have been in for years. The Maloofs have been finally been driven out of town and with what they had perpetrated to the team, the city and its fans, it is hopeful that they will never be able to own a professional sports franchise ever again. They have been replaced by a new ownership group dedicated to keep the Kings in the California state capital and determined to make this team a winner once more. With new ownership and a fresh new attitude, it looks as if the Kings will start to resemble the once classy franchise committed to excellence rather than the wasteful refuse that it had unfortunately degenerated into. The team's front office started on a very positive note by addressing a lot of the issues that troubled the team last season and by acquiring players that will represent the franchise's renewed commitment to the city has supported them through thick and thin over the last 30 years. The team first addressed their poor offensive execution that ranked at the bottom of the league in assists per game last season by acquiring one of the best passing point guards in the league. Greivis Vasquez came off a surprisingly excellent season with the now +New Orleans Pelicans as he not only led the team but also finished third overall in the league in assists per game. Seeing a player of his size (6'7", 210lb) with such skill and ability who was so good at getting the ball to his teammates seemed reminiscent of another big point guard who not also dazzled fans with his amazing passing skills, but also brought his team to championship glory. Some may say that it is pretty presumptuous to liken Vasquez to one of the greatest players to ever play the game in Earvin Magic Johnson, but he certainly has the goods to be one of top point guards in the league. He probably will never reach Magic's stature, but Greivis Vasquez can and should be considered as his Latino counterpart and should also give the Kings that pass first mentality point guard that they have lacked for so very long. In addition to bolstering the team's passing game, the Kings' font office also went about adding players who brought toughness and professionalism to act as strong role models to a group of wild young studs who had lost their way. They acquired the burly and physical work horse Luc Richard Mbah a Moute from the +Milwaukee Bucks in return for a couple of second round pick which can be considered as a major steal. In his time in Milwaukee, Mbah a Moute was never a big impact maker on the offensive end, but he provided plenty of effort and energy on the defensive end which is much needed on a team that allowed a whopping 105 points per game last season. What also makes him special is not only the grit and determination he has shown on the floor, but also his ability to guard the perimeter with his length and quickness while the same time have the size and strength to guard the post and protect the rim. A player of that caliber will certainly add the maturity, professionalism and character that had been lacking in this wayward franchise and with Vasquez leading the charge, the Kings can prove to be quite the conundrum for opponents. The Kings also bring back a familiar face back to the realm in veteran power forward Carl Landry, who did not live up to expectations his first go around in Sacramento; but his gave such a speldid come back performance last season, it made the team take a second look at him. Landry was a crucial piece in that +Golden State Warriors team that reached the second round of the Western Conference playoff as he aptly back up the team's All Star power forward David Lee. Coming off the bench for the Warriors Landry posted an efficient eleven points and six rebounds per game in just 23 minutes of playing time giving Golden State on of the league deadliest and most dominant second unit last season. Landry certainly does not have the goods to start anymore, but he does provides a consistent and reliable scoring presence and excellent support off the bench for a budding young front court that consists of DeMarcus Cousins, Jason Thompson and Patrick Patterson. Put all those pieces together with an solid crew of returning young players and the Kings have a team that will be making plenty of noise once the season starts back up again. It will be a long shot, however for them to make the playoffs this season as the West is as strong as ever to the point where teams that once made the playoffs will no longer to be able to return this time around. Nonetheless, Sacramento will certainly be considered as one of the biggest turnaround stories in the NBA going from a shameful laughing stock to a up and coming playoff contender. As long as they maintain that same standard of excellence that they wish to return to the maligned franchise and the city it resides in, then the Kings are on the right track to return to stand among the leagues elite. So long as they remain steadfast in their cause to revitalize and regain the faith of a fan base that has been so mistreated over the past few years, whether they make the post season or not, the Sacramento Kings should still be considered a winner. |
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Saturday, September 21, 2013
SDH's 2013/2014 NBA Worst to First Previews and Predictions: 23. Sacramento Kings
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