Preseason Preview

The Kings have already nearly matched their win total from last year. Last year they won a franchise-low 17 games and now sit on 15 wins. But they’ve been sitting on 15 wins for awhile. They have won just one of their last 11 games and frustration is beginning to take hold.

Tyreke Evans was the reason for the fast start. He looks like he’ll be the runaway winner for Rookie of the Year. He’s averaging over 20 points and five assists per game and is almost impossible to stop from getting to the rim. The Kings also struck gold with their other first round pick from the draft. Omri Casspi is averaging 12.6 ppg and is shooting over 40 percent from three-point range.

The Kings have played most of the season without their leading scorer from last year, Kevin Martin. Martin missed over two months with a fractured left wrist but his recent return hasn’t helped the Kings turn around their slump. Evans has taken over as the leader of this team and now these two need to figure out how to play together.

Ready to Breakout vs. Reality: Francisco Garcia broke his arm in the preseason but should return some time in February. Tyreke Evans is the real breakout star for the Kings. At 6’6 he is a nightmare for defending point guards.

Over the Hill vs. Reality: Kenny Thomas is providing the Kings with a few minutes a game but he’s clearly not worth the $9 million he’ll earn this year.

Worst Moment: It’s right now. They have lost 10 of 11 and frustration is seeping in.

Best Moment: It might actually be following two losses. They had just won three out of four and then dropped two games in overtime to the Cavs on December 23 followed by the Lakers on December 26. Playing the two best teams in the league to overtime had to give them confidence that they’re headed in the right direction.

Best Case Scenario: They figure out how to work Kevin Martin back in and they fight their way to around the .500 mark and respectability.

Worst Case Scenario: The chemistry doesn’t work and they finish at the bottom of the West for the second year in a row.

NBA Midseason Reports