It was the last season opener in the kingdom known as Sleep Train Arena. The Kings faced a hungry veteran Clippers team that gave them all they can handle in the first three quarters. The purple and black led by center DeMarcus Cousins scored 32 points but would fall short 111-104.
There are multiple reasons why the Kings lost, but there are also strong points that suggest the Kings should have won.
With any game you see there are always positives and negatives where you can suggest improvement and consistency.
Here are the biggest takeaways from this one:
The depth is real
The Kings made lots of noise this offseason, signing players left and right to build depth and last night it looked like it paid off.
After a sluggish start to the game, coach George Karl went to guards Darren Collison and Marco Belinelli to come in and spark life into the Kings’ offense. With Rudy Gay finding himself in early foul trouble, it was veteran Caron Butler who came in and became a vocal leader on the floor.
Though he did not get many minutes, the short stint of rookie Willie Cauley-Stein was a positive and had a very nice defensive play, stopping an alley-oop play from Chris Paul to DeAndre Jordan.
Sacramento’s bench outscored the Clippers bench (37-29) and was the catalyst for the Kings’ comeback late in the second half.
Rondo played less than Collison
The battle for the starting point guard position was one of the bigger story lines through training camp. Would Karl go with the guy that the team paid $9.5 million this summer and a former champion? Or would he choose to go with the biggest stand out through camp?
The Kings chose Rajon Rondo who started the game at the point finishing with four points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes. Collison came off the bench and finished with 13 points and six assists in 30 minutes of action. Though Rondo may have won the starting job, Karl seems to be enamored with the pace in which Collison plays with on the floor.
The two actually finished the game on the court together, which will be seen a lot more throughout the season. But Collison finishing each game with more minutes is going to be interesting to keep an eye on. Unlike Rondo, he can knock down jump shots and free throws, while also not being a ball dominant point guard.
Boogie can shoot
Remember that video during team USA training camp when Cousins looked right into the camera and said “I am the third splash brother.” Well after last night’s impressive shooting display from the perimeter he may have made a case for himself.
The man known as “Boogie” finished the night shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point land and it really opened up the game for him down the stretch. He started the game off a bit sluggish, with many questions for the refs about the way they were calling the game.
However, in the second half (mainly in the fourth quarter), Cousins went all out showing off his entire offensive repertoire. If the All-Star can continue this type of shooting all season, look out for one phenomenal year from Cousins.
No one could stop Griffin
Uncontested look after uncontested look, Griffin was found open for an 18-foot mid-range jump shot, that he would splash down. Karl threw multiple different looks at Griffin that started with Kosta Koufos, then Cauley-Stein, to then finish with Gay.
The game plan seemed to be “let Blake beat us with a jumper.” Now that may have been a good idea two years ago, but Griffin has been vigorously working on his jumper to expand his offensive game. Griffin finished with the game-high of 33 points, while gathering eight rebounds.
The Kings will get their rematch Saturday night against the Clippers and one thing is certain, the defensive scheme on Griffin will have to change immediately.
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