The Sacramento Kings have Thanksgiving off, which gives the organization time to reflect on their recent blessings. Here’s what the Kings and their fans are thankful for this holiday season.
- DeMarcus Cousins has finally grown into a man. The 24-year-old has learned to control his emotions, which has helped him become a more dependable leader, while at the same time draw less technical fouls. Cousins has bought into Michael Malone’s vision, and he’s averaging a career-high 23.5 points on 51.2 percent shooting, 12.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game.
- Speaking of career-highs, Rudy Gay is averaging 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season. Offseason speculation brewed whether the forward’s production would drop, or if he’d enter unrestricted free agency in 2015, but Gay will remain a local after signing a three-year, $40 million extension on November 19.
- How about defense? In 15 games, the Kings rank seventh in opponent field goal percentage (43.6) and sixth in opposing 3-point percentage (31.4). Sacramento still fouls too much (allowing 25 free throw attempts per game), but their physicality, awareness and willingness to close out shooters is light-years ahead of Kings teams in recent years.
- Jason Thompson is a big factor why the Kings defense is enjoying so much success. While he’s scoring a career-low four points per game, Thompson has developed into a dominant post defender, frustrating the likes of Kenneth Faried, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and others. His presence next to Cousins makes the Kings’ frontcourt one of the tallest and strongest in the NBA.
- At the top of the arc, Darren Collison is holding his own and then some. The man responsible for replacing crowd-favorite Isaiah Thomas has blown away expectations with his smart, efficient offense and tenacious on-ball stoppage. Collison is averaging a career-high 15.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals per contest.
- Another free agent gift, Omri Casspi has been apparently reborn as a freight train. He’s abandoned his jumper save for the occasional 3, in order to drive to the paint at the expense of his body. With Gay sitting out the last two games to injury, Casspi has stepped in admirably to play both ways at the three.
- If there was an award for Assistant Coach of the Year, Tyrone Corbin would be in the early running. Corbin was fired as Utah Jazz head coach this summer, but Kings players have reacted positively to his arrival. The coach who played as a King twice in the 1990s also led the team to victory when Malone was ejected against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter on Tuesday.
- We should always be thankful for good health, and Carl Landry’s. After two major surgeries last season, Landry has returned to his clever low-to-the-ground scoring ways, serving as an anchor for the second unit. Without the veteran, the Kings would be in an unpleasant situation.
- Perhaps no one has symbolized the growth of the Kings more than Ben McLemore. Following a disappointing rookie campaign, the lottery pick shook off a cold start to become Sacramento’s best outside shooter and a trustworthy perimeter defender.
- Shovels are in the ground on a new arena in the heart of downtown Sacramento. If you are a Kings fan, the new building symbolizes an incredible struggle that led to an amazing victory and at a minimum, 35 more years of Kings basketball.
Despite facing nine road games and nine playoff teams in their first 15 contests, the Kings are 9-6. It’s their best start to the season since 2004-05, and they are guaranteed to enter December with a winning record.
The holidays are most definitely a time to be merry.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
