Apr 17, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings fans hold up a sign during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

This has been a difficult season in Sacramento to say the least. On the court, the team struggled to a 28-45 record, 17 games out of the playoffs. The Kings, who haven’t made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, will make yet another appearance in the lottery this summer.

Off the court, there were a whole other set of issues. With the Maloof brothers planning to sell the team and potentially move to Seattle, the fans and city have been locked in a long battle to keep the Kings in Sacramento. It has been a trying time, with the city going to every end to keep the team in town. (Check out SacTownRoyalty.com who has been providing great coverage of the situation.)

Last night, the Kings took on the Clippers in the last game of the season, and unfortunately, possibly the last game in Sacramento. The Kings fought hard, behind a remarkable game from DeMarcus Cousins (36 points, 22 rebounds), but ultimately fell to the Clippers 112-108.

After the game however, the fans showed just how loyal they are, staying in the arena long after the final buzzer had sounded. They chanted and cheered for their team, and once they finally had to leave, the support continued out in the parking lot.

A final decision on the situation should be coming soon. And while Seattle didn’t deserve to lose their team, two wrongs don’t make a right. It would be a shame if last night was the final time the people of Sacramento get to see  DeMarcus Cousins dominate down low (while picking up a few technicals in the process) or Jimmer hit a deep three.

As the fans made it clear throughout the season, and last night after the game, Sacramento is where the Kings should stay.

(Thank you to @StevieBreech for the video)

February 9, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) and center Al Jefferson (25) react after being called for a foul during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the Jazz 120-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline came and went, and nothing happened. After names like Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, Carlos Boozer, and Dwight Howard saw their name attached to rumors, fans sadly watched as Jordan Crawford was moved to Boston, Sebastian Telfair swapped to Toronto, and J.J. Redick sent to Milwaukee. The reason? Due to the new, harsher CBA repeater tax, and the value of those first round draft picks, we saw various rumored trades shot down. That sad part about this is that this is just the first year. The trade deadline might be even more boring as teams begin to pay the tax, and lose their exceptions. While teams like Milwaukee, Houston, and Oklahoma City should benefit from their deals, there’s a ton of teams that disappointed me as well, whether it was their reluctance in making a trade, or not making a move at all. (more…)

Feb 13, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings power forward Thomas Robinson (0) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Kings 123-100. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Just minutes ago, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski announced the first deadline deals. Both of these trades involve the Houston Rockets, who had been rumored to be active in the trade market.

The first deal is between the Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento has traded forward Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets, league source tells Y Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

Along with a second-round pick, the Kings will send Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt to the Rockets, sources tell Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

Thomas Robinson was the fifth pick in last year’s draft, and has averaged about 5 points and 5 rebounds a game, while playing just over 15 minutes a night. Patrick Patterson has been solid for the Rockets this year, but they clearly view Robinson as having more upside.

If Robinson is able to reach his potential, then this will have been a great steal by GM Daryl Morey.

The Rockets also made another move tonight, this time with the Phoenix Suns.

The Houston Rockets have traded Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns for a future second-round draft pick, league sources tell Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

Marcus Morris has been okay for the Rockets this year, averaging 8.6 points and 4 rebounds a game. Morris will be joining his twin brother Markieff in Phoenix. These two moves will also save the Rockets money, as Grantland’s Zach Lowe points out.

Assuming HOU declines ’14 option on Garcia, the two moves tonight save HOU about $1.6M combined in 2014 salary. Ahem.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 21, 2013

These were two solid moves by the Rockets. They picked up a top-5 pick from last year, while maintaining their core, and saving money for a potential free-agent signing in the summer of 2014.

The city of Sacramento- Those poor, poor Sacramentans. The history of the Sacramento Kings is one littered with disappointment. First, in the only draft that Sacramento had the number one overall pick, they selected Pervis Ellison. Then they struggled to a somewhat unthinkable 1-40 road record in 1991. Then they drafted Duke standout point guard Bobby Hurley, who got in a near fatal car accident two months into his rookie season. Then Dick Bavetta and the Lakers happened, derailing the best Kings team in the franchise’s history. And now, after a relatively tortured past, the Kings are most likely going to be relocating to Seattle in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. All Sacramento really has to hang its metaphorical hat on is that is the capital of California. But then again, so are Helena, Concord, Bismarck and Cheyenne.

The idea of unselfishness in Sacramento- To make this really simple for everyone and avoid having to find any statistics to back up this point, I’ll just say this: the idea of unselfishness in Sacramento is just as real as Manti Te’o’s girlfriend.

The Mike Brown Era- Poor, poor Mike Brown. I think a lot of people saw this coming from many miles away. At the first sign of struggle the Lakers were going to need a scapegoat, and coaches usually don’t make out too well in those kind of situations. Just ask Avery Johnson, Jerry Sloan, Mike D’Antoni (New York version), Stan Van Gundy (Miami and Orlando version), Mike Brown (Cleveland version) and every other notable coach who got the axe because a player wanted him out, or because the team was underperforming. Mike Brown never stood a chance. Once the Lakers started 1-4 Mike Brown was canned and there were instantly rumblings that Phil Jackson would be open to returning. But then, a funny thing happened…

January 15, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D

The Mike D’Antoni Era- After Mike Brown was fired the Lakers signed Mike D’Antoni to a three-year, $12 million contract which came as a shock to the Lakers fans who were clamoring for the return of Phil Jackson. Although D’Antoni had coached Steve Nash for many years in Phoenix during Nash’s prime and reportedly had a good relationship with Kobe Bryant, the hire was met with some skepticism. There was uncertainty as to how D’Antoni’s system would work with Pau Gasol (I continue to believe it is Pau’s lack of touches in the post that have ultimately led to his stock dropping… More on this coming up) and Dwight Howard in the line-up. There was no guarantee that the Lakers, a relatively old team, would be able to play at the “7 seconds or less” tempo D’Antoni would likely prefer to play. And my cousin Paul Clark refused to stop referring to Mike D’Antoni as a creep and shyster. D’Antoni was facing a lot of pressure and some heavy expectations, and so far the results haven’t been great. You could make the argument that the Lakers haven’t been healthy all year, particularly since D’Antoni was hired. But the record often doesn’t lie. The Lakers are 10-16 under Mike D’Antoni this year. Sure, D’Antoni has had more success than Mike Brown did this year, but clearly, Bernie Bickerstaff was the man for the job.

Pau Gasol as the best Gasol in the NBA- Pau’s run as the best Gasol in the NBA was a long and successful one. From the 2001-02 season to the 2011-12 season Pau averaged 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks while also being the centerpiece of one of the biggest hijacking’s in NBA history, and winning two NBA titles after that trade. As his younger brother Marc was inching closer and closer to taking the metaphorical conch from his older brother, Pau dominated the 2012 Summer Olympics and nearly spearheaded a Spain upset in the Gold Medal Game, leaving most to believe that Pau had something left in the tank and was more than just a trade piece for the Lakers. Thanks to creaky knees, a Javale McGee elbow, Mike D’Antoni’s system and his younger brothers continuing emergence, Pau is for the moment 2^ndin the Gasol Power Rankings, and way further down on the California Power Rankings than I’m sure he’d like to see himself, and much further down that I expected him to be. Pau almost single handedly beat the United States in the Gold Medal game. This cannot be forgotten.

Jan 18, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Marreese Speights (5) at the FedEx Forum. Memphis defeated Sacramento 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarcus Cousins Potential as a member of the Kings- I can’t think of a player in the NBA who desperately needs a change of scenery more than Boogie Cousins does. I’m the kind of fan who wants to see good players playing in meaningful games. Unless there is a major overhaul or a literal change in scenery (i.e. perhaps relocation for the franchise… we’re getting there), Boogie might never reach the level that he could, and should. We’re talking about a player who averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists his freshman year in high school; a player who could’ve possibly been the number one pick in the NBA Draft if scouts weren’t saying things like this: “To his credit he made it through the entire season without any suspensions or ejections. However, there were a few times (flagrant fouls) where he may have deserved to be.” Whoa! Congrats Boogie! You made it through a whole college season without getting suspended or ejected. A tremendous accomplishment! Instead, Cousins dropped to the 5^th pick and was slated to be the centerpiece of the in-total-shambles Sacramento Kings, where he’s been flanked by a bunch of perimeter players who care about themselves on just a slightly lower level than Lance Armstrong does. Hopefully Boogie Cousins gets his head on straight, lands on a contender, and perhaps emerges as a star player and feel-good story.

Dwight Howard- Dwight Howard is my least favorite player in the NBA and I’ve never been afraid to say that. I think he got let off the hook for what he did to Orlando. I think he gets vastly overrated historically because he is playing in an era where more and more teams are playing small ball. And from a skill-set standpoint, he’s one of the least impressive “superstars” I’ve ever seen played in person. Still, I had Dwight ranked the third best player in the NBA before the season started. Slightly hypocritical, I know. I believed that a guy built like an ancient Greek sculpture (as I knock Dwight’s basketball skill set, I will say he and LeBron James are the two most impressive physical specimens I’ve ever seen in my life) would be able to shake off back surgery and thrive in a new role with a new team and new coach. Apparently back surgery wasn’t something Dwight could just “shake off.” And apparently, the new team and coach wouldn’t be providing much help for an easy transition from Orlando to Los Angeles.

I’m firmly planted on the “Dwight isn’t totally healthy and doesn’t really want to be playing in Los Angeles” bandwagon. I don’t think Dwight is any better than 75% healthy. He certainly doesn’t look like it. And I think he still has his heart set on playing in Brooklyn, which would make all kinds of sense. Not only would Dwight walk into Brooklyn as easily the most marketable player on the team, but he and Deron Williams would have all kinds of fun getting a coach fired every month while Joe Johnson would sit there quietly not saying a word while he was still busy counting the $119 million he got in 2010. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Golden State’s Championship chances- Who would’ve thought that this conversation would be warranted in mid-January? Even as someone who picked Golden State to make the playoffs, I didn’t think it would be necessary to evaluate their title chances. Frankly, as I’m about to do so, it still feels a little weird. To sort it out, let’s go through the checklist of everything a team needs to be considered “Championship caliber.”

Scorers: Stephen Curry and David Lee have emerged as one of the best point guard/power forward duos in the league, and for people who haven’t seen the Dubs play that much, you just need to look at the stats to see where the Golden State resurgence is stemming from. Curry and Lee are both sitting in the top ten in scoring, one of three groups of teammates to be able to boast this (Durant/Westbrook and LeBron/Wade are also in the top ten). Plus, Klay Thompson is always will to take on the scoring load. He’s inching his way closer and closer to a “Brian Cook All-Stars” roster spot. CHECK.
Rebounding/Defense: I decided to combine these two sub-categories into one larger category since Golden State was 28^th in the league in both rebounding and scoring defense last year. Thanks to some personnel changes and brilliant coaching by Mark Jackson, the Warriors have improved in both categories this year. The Dubs are 4^th in rebounding (a drastic improvement) and 22^nd in scoring defense (not as big of a jump, but they are no longer playing pick-up game defense like they were last year). Also, keep this in mind: Golden State has been playing without 7-footer Andrew Bogut all season long. CHECK
Coaching: I give Mark Jackson the slight edge over Mike Woodson, Tom Thibodeau, and Frank Vogel in the Coach of the Year standings right now. The impact he’s had on this team in a year and a half has transformed the Warriors from perennial lottery team to playoff contender. And stylistically, he’s been the catalyst in changing the Warriors from a street ball team to an actual basketball team. I touched on the rebounding and defensive improvements, but he’s also changed the way Golden State plays offensively. Oddly enough, the Warriors were 28^th in assists last season. This season they’ve jumped up to 8^th. He’s engrained in them a mentality to not only look for the right pass, but to also look for the extra pass. Mark Jackson is a very good coach. CHECK
Bench: Part of what has made Mark Jackson so successful in year two is the moves Golden State made over the last 12 months. The acquisitions of Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, and selection of Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, and Draymond Green have made Mark Jackson’s job much easier. Every coach would welcome that kind of talent influx. But it’s been Jackson’s decision to bring Jack and Landry off the bench that allows Golden State to get the check mark in this category. I’ll discuss Jack and Landry’s sixth man of the year candidacy in a little while. Most games Golden State won’t skip much of a beat when they start bringing the bench players in, and often times they’ll close the game with Jack and Landry on the floor. CHECK
Free Throw Shooting: Golden State sits in 2^nd behind Oklahoma City in team free throw percentage. You have to make your free throws to close out games, and the Warriors late game line-up can do just that. Stephen Curry, David Lee, Klay Thompson, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry all shoot over 80% from the free throw line. CHECK
Home Crowd: Don’t think this can’t swing a series. Remember back in 2007 when 1 seed Dallas got upset in the 1^st round by, wait a second, what team was that again… oh that’s right, it was the Golden State Warriors who rallied behind their frenzied home crowd to become only the third 8 seed to ever upset a 1 seed. CHECK
Experience: No check mark here. The Warriors are inexperienced and haven’t been through the pain and heart ache of coming close and falling short. Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Shaq… they all suffered heart breaking defeat before they got to the top. This is why Oklahoma City is so dangerous this year. That’s why 3 years from now Golden State, if they stay together, could be a title contender. Right now they are missing the key ingredient though.

Jarrett Jack as Sixth Man of the Year- Jack has been 0.5% better as a sixth man than Jamal Crawford, 10% better than Matt Barnes and Carl Landry, and 9,000% better than Jodie Meeks.

DeMarcus Cousins Potential on any team but the Kings- I touched on this briefly before, so instead of repeating what I said above, here are my favorite/most interesting/totally unrealistic DeMarcus Cousins fake trades thanks to ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine.

Trade #1: Sacramento receives Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith; Boston receives DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Jimmer Fredette; Atlanta receives Jeff Green, Jason Thompson and Aaron Brooks.

NOTE: Former high school teammates reunite as the faces of the new team out west. Boston takes on DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans, and most likely get the most out of both players. Atlanta accomplishes what seems to be a big goal of theirs by finally trading Josh Smith.

Trade #2: Sacramento receives Dwyane Wade; Miami receives DeMarcus Cousins, John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette.

NOTE: I had to.

Trade #3: Sacramento receives Dwight Howard; Los Angeles receives DeMarcus Cousins, Marcus Thornton and John Salmons.

NOTE: I asked my cousin Pauley, a Lakers fan, if he would want this trade. His response: “Man that’s really tough. If Cousins wasn’t such a dick I think I would for sure.” Ladies and gentlemen, DeMarcus Cousins!

Trade #4: Sacramento receives Kevin Love; Minnesota receives DeMarcus Cousins and Paul Millsap; Milwaukee receives Al Jefferson and John Salmons; Utah receives Monta Ellis, Ersan Ilyasova and Nikola Pekovic.

NOTE: Oddly enough, I think every team improves in this trade. The franchise formerly known as the Kings gets a marquee player to toss a ton of money at and build around. Minnesota gets two high quality pieces for Love. Milwaukee also makes out on the deal, especially if they could keep Al Jefferson around. And Utah doesn’t have to deal with the dilemma of losing Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap without getting anything back.

Trade #5: Sacramento receives Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol; Memphis receives Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Marcus Thornton; Los Angeles receives Rudy Gay, Brook Lopez and Francisco Garcia; Brooklyn receives Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins, John Salmons, and James Johnson.

NOTE: This would go down as my favorite trade of all-time even though Memphis and Los Angeles are simply pawns. Big picture, it teams the Gasol’s up in Sacramento Seattle, AND it would result in Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and DeMarcus Cousins would be on the same team. No coach is safe!

Kobe’s homicide potential- This was at the top of the power rankings a couple of weeks ago until Kobe joined Twitter, reconciled with his wife and actually gave credit to LeBron James after a tough loss last Thursday night. Kobe Bryant isn’t a competitively homicidal maniac… maybe he’s actually a cuddly teddy bear. 

Kobe’s scoring leader potential- Roughly half way through the season Kobe (29.2 points per game) is trailing Kevin Durant (29.5) and tied with Carmelo Anthony (29.2) in the race for the scoring lead.  With the Lakers collective back against the wall, Kobe knows nothing to do besides shoot his way out of trouble. If I were a betting man, I’d have my money on Kobe to close out the season as the leading scorer in the league.

January 4, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Metta World Peace (15) and Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) during the game at the Staples Center. Clippers won 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Bad Blood amongst the California teams- I’m a huge advocate of teams not liking each other (or at least playing like it), and out west there is no such thing as California Love. The Lakers and Clippers turned into a rivalry when David Stern intervened and took Chris Paul away from the Lakers, essentially deciding that the league was better off with Paul throwing Blake Griffin a whole bunch of lobs and Kobe not winning six or more titles (just kidding, but that is what a lot of the Lakers fans will say). There are a whole bunch of big personality and hyper-competitive players that make any Clippers/Lakers game must-see TV. Not to feel left out, the Warriors made their mark this year by playing in what was probably the most entertaining game of the season against the Lakers back in December. Then they followed that up by openly mocking Blake Griffin after he horribly missed three pointer, only to be on the losing end of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul eff-you games three nights later. Last night, Golden State handed the Clippers their 10th loss of the season as Stephen Curry outplayed Chris Paul. Finally, you have the Kings who aren’t going to be relevant in this conversation unless DeMarcus Cousins decides it would be a fun idea to challenge Metta World Peace to a fist fight, which is something we can’t rule out.

The Clippers “Lob City” Moniker- Observe.

San Francisco 49ers Championship chances- The 49ers are the early four point favorites in the “Harbowl” and I have them winning by seven points. 27-20, the San Francisco 49ers are your Super Bowl Champions.

Chris Paul’s MVP credentials- If LeBron James wasn’t playing the best all-around basketball of dare I say all-time, and if Kevin Durant wasn’t “next in line” to win the MVP Award, it would already have Chris Paul’s name etched onto it. The Clippers are improbably 32-10 just three years removed from being the premier cellar-dweller in the NBA, and it wouldn’t be possible without Chris Paul. Sure, they’ve got a roster that goes ten deep, but all of the Lob City hoopla started when David Stern decided it would be fun to put Chris Paul in the mix. Did you see the YouTube video of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan after they heard about the trade? There is a reason why Blake Griffin reacted like a 7 year old kid does when he walks out of his bedroom on Christmas morning, and it’s not just because he knew he was going to be catching an exorbitant amount of alley-oops. It was because for the first time, the Clippers were going to be relevant. Chris Paul turned the Clippers into the best team in California. Every night he goes out and competes harder than anyone else. He’s fearless, and his play and attitude reflect that. More and more I think the Clippers can win the title just because of Chris Paul.

The NBA- Let’s run through this super quick since I’ve already surpassed 3,000 words: There are four NBA teams currently in California. Three are going to be making the playoffs (Yes, I hesitantly include the Lakers). On those three teams, you could make the case that there are seven top 30 players (Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, David Lee and Pau Gasol). The fourth California team is moving back to a city that is craving an NBA team, and provides a much bigger market for television ratings than Sacramento does. So to quote Charlie Sheen, the NBA is winning.

November 23, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts to a call during the second half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 104-102. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Welcome all stat geeks! “Box Score Bulletin’” is sifting through, analyzing and summarizing all of the NBA box scores from the previous day and night, so you don’t have to! So sip your coffee and enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly…

Hawks (7-4) 101 @ Bobcats (6-5) 91

• Leading scorers: ATL – Al Horford 26, CHA – Ramon Sessions 22.
• Al Horford dominated in this game with 26 points (13-17 FG), 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.
• Atlanta totalled 15 blocks as a team, which the Hawks guards had 9 of them.
• The Hawks shot better from the field overall (53.8%) than they did from the free throw line (42.9%).
• Ramon Sessions led the team with 22 points while MKG had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Cavaliers (3-9) 104 @ Magic (5-7) 108

• Leading scorers: CLE – Dion Waiters 25, ORL – Jameer Nelson 22.
• The Magic shot 52.4% (11-21) from downtown and 50% overall for the game.
• Jameer Nelson was on point with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
• Anderson Varejao continued his All-Star play for the Cavs with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Dion Waiters poured in 25 points and 5 assists.

Thunder (9-4) 100 @ Celtics (7-6) 108

• Leading scorers: OKC – Kevin Durant 29, BOS – Paul Pierce 27.
• The streak  continues with Rondo adding another 16 assists in this game. I know he’s the ultimate facilitator, but shouldn’t Rondo be taking more than 5 shots in a game?
• Pierce dropped 27 points on 8 for 16 shooting (4-6 from three).
• Durant (29 pts) and Westbrook (26 pts, 7 rebs, 8 asts) did their thing, but it wasn’t enough.
• Serge Ibaka continued his improved offensive game with 17 points (7-11 FG) and 13 rebounds.
• Kevin Martin was practically non-existent in this game, going 1-7 from the field for only 3 points, 0 rebounds and 0 assists in a hefty 32 minutes.

Clippers (8-4) 76 @ Nets (7-4) 86

• Leading scorers: LAC – Blake Griffin, Chris Paul 14, BKN – Brook Lopez 26.
• Brook Lopez took twice as many field goal attempts (24) than anyone else, but finished with 26 points and 3 blocks.
• Reggie Evans had 6 points, 12 rebounds and 0 flops.
• Joe Johnson shot the ball well (8-12 FG) in getting his 19 points, but had only 1 rebound and 0 assists.
• DeAndre Jordan had the best all around game for the Clips with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
• A good sign for the Clips was that they did outrebound the Nets 45-35, which is an area they’ve struggled with.

Raptors (3-10) 90 @ Pistons (3-10) 91

• Leading scorers: TOR – Andrea Bargnani 34, DET – Greg Monroe 19.
• The Pistons bigs had a field day with the Raps inside, as they outscored them 52-26 in the paint.
• Monroe (19 pts, 11 rebs, 5 asts) and Drummond (13 pts, 13 rebs) were the main source of that damage.
• The Raps on the other hand wasted Andrea Bargnani’s best game of the season with his 34 points (13-20 FG), 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
• Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan had his worst game of the season with only 5 points (2-9 FG), 1 rebound and 1 assist in 34 minutes.
• After putting up great numbers as a starter, Jose Calderon was used very little in this game (17 mins, 5 pts (1-2 FG), 3 asts).

Spurs (10-3) 104 @ Pacers (6-8) 97

• Leading scorers: SAN – Tony Parker 33, IND – David West 22.
• Tony Parker with an unbelievable game of 33 points (15-23 FG) and 10 assists as the Spurs erased a 17-point deficit.
• Tim Duncan continues to be incredible with 22 points (10-19 FG) and 17 rebounds.
• Ginobili completed the Spurs “big three” performance with 19 points off the bench.
• David West led the Pacers with 22 points and 8 rebounds while Roy Hibbert posted another double double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.
• Even the Pacers bench was decent with Tyler Hansbrough grabbing 12 rebounds and D.J. Augustine dishing out 8 assists.

Lakers (6-7) 98 @ Grizzlies (9-2) 106

• Leading scorers: LAL – Kobe Bryant 30, MEM – Rudy Gay 21.
• Mike Conley was the key in this game, as his 19 points (also 6 asts and 4 stls) included a couple of late game daggers.
• Zach Randolph recorded his 11th straight double double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
• All five Grizz starters scored in double figures.
• Kobe had 30 points but was limited to 7-23 shooting (the majority of his points came via the free throw line, 13-14).
• The Grizzlies bigs held Dwight Howard to only 7 points (2-7 FG). He only grabbed 7 rebounds as well.
• They also held Pau Gasol in check, as he only had 6 points and 4 rebounds.
• Antawn Jamison finally put a respectable stat line together with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Knicks (8-3) 103 @ Rockets (6-7) 131

• Leading scorers: NYK – Carmelo Anthony 37, HOU - James Harden 33.
• Are teams starting to prove the “Knicks are good defensively” myth wrong? The Rockets had no problem dropping 131 points on them while shooting 56% (14-25) from behind the arc and 51.7% overall.
• James Harden (33 pts, 4 rebs, 9 asts) and Chandler Parsons (31 pts, 5 rebs, 4 stls) did a big chunk of that damage.
• Omer Asik with another big double double with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
• The Knicks made their usual bulk of threes (17-39), but it wasn’t enough without the defense showing up.
• Melo took 12 of those 39 threes (making 7 of them) and finishing with 37 points on 14-24 shooting overall.

Warriors (7-6) 91 @ Nuggets (7-6) 102

• Leading scorers: GSW – David Lee 21, DEN – Andre Iguodala 29.
• People have been on Iggy’s case about stepping up on the offensive end. Well 29 points (11-19 FG) is a pretty good start.
• The Nugs were only 5-19 from 3-point range (Gallinari 0-5, Brewer 0-3).
• David Lee with a double double of 21 points and 10 rebounds.
• Carl Landry (19 pts, 8 rebs, 4 asts) and Jarrett Jack (17 pts, 4 asts) led the Warrior bench mob.
• Festus Ezeli didn’t give much on offense, but had 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in 18 minutes.

Kings (3-9) 102 @ Jazz (7-6) 104

• Leading scorers: SAC – Tyreke Evans 19, UTA – Gordon Hayward 23.
• Derrick Favors went back to the bench in this game, but it didn’t matter, as he posted 16 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks in 28 minutes.
• Gordon Hayward stayed on the bench, but led the team with 23 points (7-16 FG).
• With no Mo Williams, Jamaal Tinsley got crunch time minutes and produced 12 assists.
• The Kings did knock down 10 of 17 threes in the losing effort.
• Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

Hornets (3-8) 108 @ Suns (6-7) 111

• Leading scorers: NOH – Ryan Anderson 34, PHX – Markieff Morris 23.
• Even though the game went to overtime, the Suns only grabbed 35 rebounds total.
• Markieff Morris had a breakout game with 23 points (9-12 FG, 2-2 3PT).
• Jermaine O’Neal turned back the clock in this game with a 13 point, 11 rebound, 2 block performance.
• Ryan Anderson was ridiculous for the Hornets, scoring 34 points on 13-23 shooting, including 8-13 from downtown.
• Greivis Vasquez’s night was just as impressive with 25 points on 10-13 shooting and 14 assists.

Timberwolves (5-6) 95 @ Trail Blazers (6-6) 103

• Leading scorers: MIN – Kevin Love 24, POR – Wesley Matthews 30.
• The Blazers backcourt of Matthews and Lillard combined for some major production. 58 points (23-34 FG, 9-14 3PT), 11 assists and only 2 turnovers.
• The Portland bench only contributed 9 points.
• J.J. Hickson with another double double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.
• Kevin Love’s second game wasn’tquitehis first one, but 24 points and 13 rebounds isn’t too shabby either.
• The Wolves were only 3-18 from behind the arc.

November 05, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings shooting guard Marcus Thornton (23) drives in against Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Welcome all stat geeks! “Box Score Bulletin’” is sifting through, analyzing and summarizing all of the NBA box scores from the previous day and night, so you don’t have to! So sip your coffee and enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly…

Knicks (3-0) 110 @ 76ers (1-2) 88

• Leading scorers: NYK – Carmelo Anthony 21, PHI – Jrue Holiday 17.
• The Knicks were at the long distance shooting once again, making 13 threes in 32 attempts.
• 19 for 19 from the free throw line certainly helped their cause as well.
• J.R. Smith actually led the team with 34 minutes off the bench and posted 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
• With Bynum still out, the Sixers will need to get more games like this out of Thad Young (14 pts, 10 rebs) and Evan Turner (11 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts).

Timberwolves (2-1) 107 @ Nets (1-1) 96

• Leading scorers: MIN – Nikola Pekovic – 21, BKN – Joe Johnson 19.
• Down by 11 points going into the 4th quarter, the Timberwolves stormed back to outscore the Nets in the 4th quarter 32-10 and actually win the game by 11.
• AK47 was solid again with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.
• Dante Cunningham had a double double (11 pts, 11 rebs, 2 blks) off the bench.
• Deron Williams facilitated much better in this game with 18 points and 13 dimes.
• The Nets gave up 62 points in the paint to the depleted Wolves bigs.

Suns (1-3) 99 @ Heat (3-1) 124

• Leading scorers: PHX – Shannon Brown 18, MIA – LeBron James 23.
• Let’s fake panic! LeBron with 23 points, 11 rebounds, but only 1 assist? ONE?! That was fun, for a second.
• The Heat shot a scorching 15-26 (57.7%) from downtown in the game.
• Ray Ray with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists off the bench.
• With 9 more assists, Goran Dragic is quietly averaging 8.8 assists per game on the season.

Jazz (1-3) 94 @ Grizzlies (2-1) 103

• Leading scorers: UTA – Gordon Hayward 19, MEM – Marc Gasol 22.
• Marc Gasol with another beast game. 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
• Zach Randolph with another 18 rebounds in this game, 9 of them being on the offensive glass (also had 16 points).
• Derrick Favors with a solid one off the bench with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in 26 minutes.

Trail Blazers (2-2) 91 @ Mavericks (3-1) 114

• Leading scorers: POR – LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews 20, DAL – O.J. Mayo 32.
• O.J. Mayo continues his torrid scoring pace with 32 points on 12-18 shooting (6-8 3PT). He could telling Dirk to take his time coming back.
• Darren Collison added another 13 assists tonight (now averaging 8.5 on the season).
• Damian Lillard had his worst game so far in the young season with only 13 points on a rough 2-13 shooting night (1-8 3PT).

Pacers (2-2) 79 @ Spurs (4-0) 101

• Leading scorers: IND - George Hill 15, SAN – Gary Neal 17.
• DeJuan Blair finally proving some critics wrong with a solid game off the bench: 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in 29 minutes.
• Another double double for Duncan with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
• The Pacers frontcourt was completely slowed down in the game. George, West and Hibbert combined for 26 points (10-29 FG).

Warriors (2-2) 92 @ Kings (1-3) 94

• Leading scorers: GSW – Klay Thompson 22, SAC – DeMarcus Cousins 23.
• Beginning to be a daily mention now: Cousins with 23 points (10-16 FG) and 15 rebounds. #ASG
• Kings didn’t get much help from Tyreke: 3 points (1-9 FG), 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes.
• Steph Curry has 6 rebounds and 8 assists, but his 12 points came on a woeful 3-15 shooting.

Cavaliers (2-2) 108 @ Clippers (2-2) 101

• Leading scorers: CLE – Dion Waiters 28, LAC – Blake Griffin 20.
• I shouldn’t have to explain how I felt about Kyrie and Waiters after this, but they did have 52 points and were 11-19 from behind the arc.
• Anderson Varejao continues his elite play with another 15 points and 15 rebounds.
• The Clippers had 13 blocks in this game (Jordan 5, Griffin 3).
• Crawford almost lead the team in scoring again with his 19 points off the bench.
• Eric Bledsoe is becoming a huge piece off the Clips bench. He had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

Oct 21, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) reacts during the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

Welcome all stat geeks! “Box Score Bulletin’” is sifting through, analyzing and summarizing all of the NBA box scores from the previous day and night, so you don’t have to! So sip your coffee and enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly…

Spurs (3-3) 100 @ Magic (2-4) 104

• Leading scorers: SAN – Danny Green 13, ORL – Andrew Nicholson 18.
• Tony Parker managed to shoot 3-13 and a -18 rating in 32 minutes for the Spurs.
• Andrew Nicholson with another impressive game for the Magic. 18 points (7-8 FG) with a couple of blocked shots.
• E’Twaun Moore also having a nice preseason. He posted 14 points and 8 assists in the game.

76ers (5-1) 88 @ Celtics (3-5) 79

• Leading scorers: PHI – Dorell Wright 20, BOS – Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green 12.
• Dorell Wright and Jrue Holiday had solid numbers. Wright: 20 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls. Holiday: 10 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls.
• Rondo continues to lead the league in assists through the preseason. 12 points, 10 assists.
• Jeff Green will be a huge asset for the C’s now that he’s back to full strength. 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks in this one.

Nuggets (3-2) 101 @ Thunder (3-2) 108

• Leading scorers: DEN – Danilo Gallinari 26, OKC – Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, James Harden 16.
• In leading the game in scoring (26 pts), Gallinari was 6-13 from behind the arc and 9-21 overall.
• Ty Lawson posted a double double with 17 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds.
• Serge Ibaka had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. But get this: 2-2 from 3-point range. A new addition to Ibaka’s game? Just what the Thunder need, more offense.
• The Thunder knocked down 15 of 32 threes in this game.

Kings (4-1) 99 @ Lakers (0-6) 92

• Leading scorers: DeMarcus Cousins, Aaron Brooks 16, LAL – Kobe Bryant 21.
• Dwight Howard debut: 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks.
• Nevermind the preseason 0-6, the Lakers are going to have bigger regular season issues if their bench continues to get outscored like it did in this game. 57-18, advantage Kings.
• Something Dwight should be drooling over: Kings were 21-21 from the free throw line.
• Aaron Brooks had a solid game off the bench with 16 points (4-5 FG, 7-7 FT) with 0 turnovers.

• 

  Mar 16, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut talks during an introductory press conference before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

  ANDREW BOGUT, C, Golden State Warriors
  Last season: 30.3 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 14.92 PER (12 games)
  It seems everyone has the Warriors on the top of their sleeper list for the upcoming season. I agree, for the most part, that they will fulfill their share of sneaking up on teams this season. But one key element in making that happen is a healthy, productive 7’0 center named Andrew Bogut. Bogut, traded to Golden State last season, never actually suited up for the Warriors due to injury, so we really don’t know what to expect of him early on. It will take time to get his game legs back and gel with his new teammates. The optimal situation would have Bogut averaging a double double with close to 2 blocks per game and being a reliable defensive anchor on a team that will surely attempt to outscore opponents every game (despite Mark Jackson’s “defense first” philosophy). After the Warriors experienced the collapse of Andris Beidrins and the growing pains of Ekpe Udoh at a high volume of minutes at center last season, they will gladly welcome an established veteran in Bogut. The hard part? He has to get on and stay on, the basketball court.

• 

  May 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts at the end of game four of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 102-99 to win the series 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

  BLAKE GRIFFIN, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
  Last season: 36.2 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 23.50 PER
  Griffin claims to be 100% and ready to go for the season. He was an elite power forward last year and even though it’s only year two, he’s one of the more consistent producers in the league on a nightly basis. So why then, is Griffin the “X-Factor” on what certainly seems like a loaded Clippers squad this season? Simply, he can be EVEN better. What we see every night from Griffin isn’t even his ceiling yet. Despite the dunks and double doubles, Griffin’s growth (particularly his leadership) is what will put this Clippers team into “serious contenders” talk. His aggressive and explosive nature already give him an advantage on other 4′s, but fine-tuning things like free throw shooting, shot selection and the inept timing of some of those out of control, predictable spin moves will bring Griffin even closer to his peak. I definitely agree that the Clippers have some very nice pieces in place (although Billups, Odom and Crawford aren’t getting younger), it’s Griffin’s shoulders that will steer the direction of this franchise.

• 

  August 10, 2012; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) during a press conference held to introduce three-time Defensive Player who they acquired in a four-team trade from the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

  DWIGHT HOWARD, C, Los Angeles Lakers
  Last season: 38.3 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 24.29 PER
  I refuse to go there. “There” being the entire summer of #Dwightmare. He’s a part of this team now and he’s THE part that will make or break the championship hopes of the Lakers. Kobe and Pau will be fine once again, Nash will be a breath of fresh air, Metta World Peace will be… well… Metta World Peace. Without Dwight, the Lakers are not a contender, it really is that simple. For the Lakers interior, he will be the hard-nosed, defensive ying to Pau Gasol’s smooth operating, jump shot taking yang. This very moment is the time for Dwight to get serious for a title run. The Lakers aren’t necessarily a deep team, so he’ll be counted on for huge minutes at “defender of the year”-like quality. Losing will not be acceptable this season, just ask Mike Brown. Reports right now are saying that he will be ready for the start of the season, so that’s already a good start.

• 

  April 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Goran Dragic (3) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins (22) during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

  GORAN DRAGIC, PG, Phoenix Suns
  Last season: 26.5 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 18.03 PER
  I’m sure the Suns are of the mindset that Kendall Marshall is their future at the point guard position. However, we’re talking about this season and about a Goran Dragic that worked his way back to Phoenix from Houston, following the Steve Nash departure. By refusing to share time with Kyle Lowry (who also departed) in Houston, Dragic forced the hand and now has big pressure on him in Phoenix as the expected starter for a team that’s not expected to be very good. He’s running the show and it’s time to perform. I’m not quite as down on the Suns as some are (I’m expecting 30-35 wins), but a lot depends on Dragic’s ability to run this team. He’s definitely shown flashes in a starting role, but can he maintain for a full season? The question will be answered quickly, as it’s put up or shut up time for Dragic.

• 

  March 09, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Tyreke Evans (13) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks power forward Lamar Odom (7) during the third quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

  TYREKE EVANS, SF, Sacramento Kings
  Last season: 34.3 MPG, 16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 16.48 PER
  Based on projections from his rookie season, shouldn’t this guy be a superstar by now? That’s a very complicated question when it comes to Tyreke Evans. With all the potential in the world, it seems he has a bit of an identity crisis. He’s often in between positions (is he a point guard, shooting guard, small forward?) and confused about what role to play (scorer or playmaker?). With so many young pieces on this team, Evans is practically a veteran now. As the depth chart stands now, it looks like Evans will slide into the small forward spot, even though his height will suggest otherwise on certain matchup. A gifted scorer, Evans has often been heavily criticized about his shot selection and “me-first” attitude. Although their record didn’t reflect it, the Kings were one of those dangerous young teams last season. To go from dangerous to respectable (especially in the West), Evans will have to implement a better team-first approach, while working on his efficiency. Lord knows, he has the physical gifts… just ask him.

April 22, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dunks during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

DeMarcus Cousins
Resume: 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds (4th in league), 1.5 steals, 1.2 blocks, 30.5 minutes, 36 double-doubles (6th in league), 373 free throw attempts (9th in league), 45% FG, and 70% FT… Team record in games played: 20-44 (2-0 without)

I’m a big movie guy. My collection is extensive and I have a list of about 100 movies or so that I still need to buy at some point in my life. One of my favorite pastimes is going to the movie theatre, ordering a large popcorn and destroying it by about half way through the movie. When I’m going to the movies to watch a movie that could end up being an Oscar nominee, it instantly becomes one of the best days of my week. But we all know that a great movie going experience can be derailed by a group of idiots sitting behind you who are kicking the back of your seat, talking the whole movie and laughing in parts that aren’t even remotely funny. Yeah, the movie was awesome, but it was tainted because you would miss 30 seconds at a time because you were fantasizing about how fun it would be to turn around and unleash a verbal barrage on the group behind you. The movie itself wasn’t any worse than what it will be when you watch it on DVD four months later, but the experience will be so much better.

The story is the same with DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins, like the movie mentioned above, has everything it takes to be a magnificent basketball player. He’s a physical specimen; 6’11, 270 lbs., with incredible athleticism and quickness for a man of his size. He’s a load to handle in the post, and he can mix it up step outside and knock down jumpers as well. Cousins has every physical tool you could want an NBA center to have. The word in early July was that Cousins, who was reportedly dominant in the USA Olympic Team vs. USA Select Team scrimmages, was considered for insertion onto the Olympic Team because of injuries to Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis. If you watched Cousins throughout the year, it was very clear that he could be dominating offensively like no other center in the league (here comes an Andre The Giant sized if) IF he could get his head straight.

Just when you thought you were going to sit down and enjoy an awesome movie with a big bucket of popcorn, the aforementioned group of idiots walk in and sit behind you. By all accounts, DeMarcus Cousins is someone who has an absolutely awful attitude. Just ask former Kings coach Paul Westphal, who had repeated clashes with Boogie Cousins. Before that, Cousins was sent home from the Kings because he, according to Westphal was “unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team; it cannot be ignored indefinitely.” You aren’t going to believe this, but Cousins requested a trade and Westphal was then fired. Lo and behold, Cousins then denied that he ever requested a trade. Of course he didn’t.

If you remember the criteria I addressed a little over a week ago, Cousins thrives when it comes to individual statistics and skill, but he has miles to go when it comes to his reputation and being a good teammate. Right now, he is just considered an incredible singular talent who is one of many black holes offensively on the Sacramento roster. Someone who we can safely assume is heading down the path of being a coach killer, a locker room pain, and unfortunately, someone who may never reach his ultimate potential because of that. Maybe this sounds crazy, but if Cousins straightened himself out and grew up, he has all of the physical capabilities of being the best big man in the NBA. Ultimately, it comes down to if Cousins wants to be the goofball making all the noise at the movies, or if he, like everyone else, is going to sit back and enjoy the movie and his popcorn too.

November 27, 2010; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) talks with guard Tyreke Evans (13) against the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at Arco Arena. The Bulls defeated the Kings 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

We tackled the Denver Nuggets here yesterday, a team far along and still trudging on its journey to a title few other teams in the league are willing to take – one (unless some unlikely individual development) without any superstars based on depth, versatility, and long and short term financial flexibility.  That’s a risk in today’s NBA wrought with SuperTeams, obviously, but Denver and GM Masai Ujiri have the smarts and have assembled the pieces to at least give it a try for a couple seasons as they watch Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Javale McGee, and others grow under the watchful tutelage of George Karl.  And that was true even before they flipped Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington for the team’s lone All-Star, Andre Iguodala, a player that fits perfectly within Denver’s up-and-down, frenetic system on both ends.

So the Nuggets are all in on this for better or worse, but given their success in 2012 – pushing the old Lakers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs – it’s reasonable to assume the former, at least in terms of the regular season and a postseason series or two.  Some other teams are following Denver’s model whether they know it or not, containing young rosters replete with young talent but without a discernible franchise player.  The Sacramento Kings are chief among them, stockpiling translucent players with raw skill but unlike the Nuggets worrying little of roster fit or fiscal concerns.  And their confounding off-season did little to answer those prevalent questions their aggressive attitude with regard to player acquisition posed even before last season ended.

Quickly, a rundown of the Kings’ significant offseason moves:

• Drafted power forward Thomas Robinson fifth overall
• Signed combo guard Aaron Brooks to two-year deal
• Traded second-round pick to Toronto for combo forward James Johnson
• Re-signed power forward Jason Thompson to multi-year, six million dollar per-season deal

Most of this screams of typical Sacramento player redundancy and financial irresponsibility, and none of us should be surprised.  It’s all exemplified best with the acquisitions of Brooks and Johnson, two players with a history of poor attitudes/work ethic that will do little more to the Kings’ on the floor this season than complicate development for more important pieces.

Brooks was once a very nice player, leading that undermanned 2010 Rockets team to an inspiring playoff run against the eventual-champion Lakers and winning the Most Improved Player award that season, too.  But he was dreadful the next season in Houston and then Phoenix, shooting under 40% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc.  He spent last season playing in China and reports say he did relatively well there, but that really shouldn’t matter to Sacramento for two simple, glaring reasons: Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette.  Sacramento’s 2011 draft picks had glaringly different rookie seasons and the opposite of what their draft positions – 60th for Thomas and 11th for Fredette – suggested.  Thomas was awesome for the Kings and is clearly a keeper in some role or another, and has the type of personality and team-first style this organization desperately needs.  Fredette, though, was dreadful, compounding on all the questions his college game posed before the draft: can he play without the ball? can he and will he see the floor? is a point guard? can he defend his shadow? The unequivocal answer to those queries was no, and he showed little to suggest he’ll ever come close to justifying his draft position let alone sticking in the league.  But you don’t give up on an investment like that, and with Thomas already supplanting Fredette in the rotation the addition of Brooks just doesn’t make sense.  Both of these sophomores need playing time and a defined role to hone their games, and Brooks is an older, more injury prone version of what these guys do best – score with the ball, kind of like most every other player on Sacramento’s roster (Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans, Donte Greene, and Demarcus Cousins say hi).

Trading for Johnson and re-signing Thompson aren’t moves as questionable as that one, at least until you factor in Sacramento’s selection of Robinson.  Johnson has masqueraded as a small forward much of his time in the league but he’s clearly best as a small-ball 4, and the same is true of Thompson – that the Kings were comfortable playing him on the wing at all the last two years is ridiculous.  So they added one power forward, re-signed another for multiple years at a pretty steep price against the cap, then drafted one in Robinson (who, it should be noted, has a bright future).  But the Kings still have Greene and Travis Outlaw on the roster, too, a tandem of ‘tweeners still best suited to spreading the floor as undersized bigs.

Just what is Sacramento doing? Do they think Cousins is a potential superstar? His combination of size and skill is very, very rare, but mitigating circumstances (all that crazy) indicate that’s unlikely? Evans proved he isn’t last season and seems lost in his development.  Robinson? Perhaps an All-Star game or two in a watered down year if things break right, but hardly a franchise player.  Thomas? Fredette? Thompson? Please.

The Kings, like Denver, have all these assets, all of these young players who on the surface have value but can’t offer it to Sacramento because of how they fit on the roster with regard to both playing time and style (shoot, shoot, shoot).  Then there’s the whole issue of salary cap implications, something it seems they pretty much avoided altogether in compiling this zany group.  It’s not necessarily an awful thing for the Kings to be mostly capped out the next couple offseasons (there’s nothing worse than spending just to spend), but it would be a coup for Sacramento if they had more leeway to make moves with all these pieces at the trade deadline.  As it is, their collective hands are wound pretty tight in that regard.

So the Kings are the anti-Nuggets with regard to team-building even while seeming to employ the same strategy – a team rife with solid and versatile talent than can overwhelm the opposition with depth.  The only problem is that they’re making moves with just the first part of that in mind.  Assembling puzzle pieces by itself and throwing them together just isn’t enough to build a winner, a fact best exemplified by all the wheeling and dealing Denver does to make sure players and salaries fir their short and long term goals.  Sacramento doesn’t understand that, and in typical Kings fashion will undoubtedly realize it before it’s too late and have to start all over again.

• Jonas Valanciunas has a buyout in place; however that agreement will not allow him to come over until after next season. This should scare away some teams that are looking to make an impact right away with their picks; such teams would include Toronto at 5, Detroit at 8 and Charlotte at 9. If he slips passed Cleveland at 4 Valanciunas could be in for a slide
• Despite reports of the contrary, Cleveland has not guaranteed Irving that he will be their pick at number one. Although it remains likely that this will be the case, picking Williams would severely shakeup the top of the Draft board. (more…)

We now have the official draft order for the upcoming NBA Draft:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Utah Jazz

(more…)

No games tonight, but here are some links for you to chew on today:

• Chris Malagon takes a look at Bulls/Heat game 1 (All you can Heat)
• Mike Spell with a early take on Mavs/Thunder (The Smoking Cuban)
• Ainge argues that Perk trade isn’t why the Celtics lost (Pro Basketball Talk)
• Bryan Shaw, Chuck Person starts interviewing for Lakers HC (Lake Show Life)
• Sacramento Kings enjoying new fan energy, ticket sales (A Royal Pain)

As for the other game, the Orlando Magic were great defensively in a 89-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Like most have said, the Lakers looked tired, and the Magic just took it to them in the second half.

You can bet that some of yesterday’s games had an impact in our power rankings this week, so let’s get right to them! (more…)

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings scintillatingly talented and explosively volatile rookie, is a gem of a player.

photo from sportsthat.blogspot.com

 He’s strong as 3 oxen, has a competitive streak a country mile wide, and, teamed with last season’s ROY Tyreke Evans, is poised to bolster the King to dizzying heights in the years AK (After Kobe). I saw his dismantling of Lakers“defensive” big man Andrew Bynum to the tune of 22 1^st half points (27 overall) in the Kings W over the Lake Show. I dig the fiery edge he plays with – I miss the physicality and and chippiness of the hard-nosed ’90s NBA; today a glare or a shoulder-bump earns today’s players a T. DeMarcus Cousins is the future of the Sacramento Kings, and DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended by his team. Again. (OK, 1t time was a “benching”. You say “tomato”, I say ketchup”). (more…)

But now that the Super Bowl is officially in the books, the NBA takes center stage, and as we start to hit the stretch run of the season, there are some teams that are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Therefore, it’s time once again for STS’s super duper mega awesome power rankings. Or something like that.

We’ve got the whole crew assembled this week, and we’ve got our list ready. Our opinions differ on several spots, but hey, if we had the same list from top to bottom, that would be rather boring wouldn’t it? (more…)

There were a few of those games last night. You had the Pacers and Sixers with a tight game in the final two minutes or so, with the Pacers stopping their road losing streak and getting a nice win. You had the Kings and Wizards putting up 130+, which ultimately ended with the Kings missing a three to tie with two seconds left (which was taken by DeMarcus Cousins…..). (more…)

So without any further ado, here’s a look at the rankings: (more…)

Let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings, and see which teams are in good shape…..and which teams are already searching for that Top 5 draft pick that will change the culture of their franchise. (more…)