The Indian messiah also noticed the potential in DeMarcus and decided to offer him a contract extension for 4 years worth 62mln$ I believe, telling him that he is the star of this team and the team will be built around him. That's also why he traded Tyreke Evans to New Orleans Pelicans for Greivis Vasquez. it was a good move, since he didn't want to resign Tyreke but he also didn't want to lose him for nothing. I was very sad on that day, as Tyreke will remain one of my favourite players and I will miss his gorgeous cross overs, game winners and smooth as silk euro steps. Best of luck Tyreke, I wish you will develop into an All Star like you should have in Sactown, I will always cherish your game winner against the Memphis Grizzlies and will look at it as one of the best game winners of all time. We're going to miss you Tyreke.
The 2013 NBA Draft Class was completely different from the previous one, lacking potential NBA All Stars and Hall Of Famers. No one knew who would be the 1st overall pick. Sacramento Kings had the 7th pick and I wasn't sure who would we draft as the only player I really liked were Ben McLemore and Nerlens Noel and these guys were projected to go in the top3. But I guess the Gods were in our favour and as it turned out, *David Stern voice* the Sacramento Kings with the 7th overall pick selected Ben McLemore from Kansas University. Once again I got reasons to be excited for the upcoming new season.
I was really impressed with Coach Mike Malone and how he managed this Sacramento team. Malone was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors the previous season and he was their defensive coordinator. Finally, a coach that will teach defense to the defensively horrendous Kings. To do that he decided to practise for one month before the regular season starts, in order to get to know the players and get them accustomed to the new system. I thought that was wonderful, at last we got a coach with passion and the will to win, who does not accept losing. I grew fond of Coach Malone right from the start.
The season started and story repeated itself. The team keeps losing, but this time it is ok, as the organization knows where they were headed, they knew they are rebuilding. They also knew that some trades had to happen in order to reach the top. Our first newcomer was the former number 2 pick, Derrick Williams, the high flying, former Arizona Wildcat. The Kings sent Luc Mbah a Moute to Minnesota in return. Derrick struggled for most of his career and looked for a fresh start. His main problem was that he didn't know which position he should play, the small forward or the power forward. But the Kings needed help in both positions so it didn't really matter. DWill started for Sacramento and looked like he started to figure things out as his minutes increased and so did his statline. He scored a career high 31 points in a victory against the Dallas Mavericks.
On December 9th the Sacramento Kings traded Patrick Patterson, Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons (Finally!!!) and Chuck Hayes for Arron Gray, Quincy Acy and Rudy Gay. I did not like the trade when I first read about it on Yahoo. Rudy was shooting a career low 38% from the field and scoring 19 points. That's awful. And also,he is making around 19mln$ a year. Grantland's Bill Simmons called him "the Rudy Gay hemoroide". Everyone was asking the Kings what were they thinking, including me. But Rudy proved all the doubters wrong. He played only 15 games for the Kings, but he has already shown tons of improvement, averaging a career high 20 points and doing so, while shooting a career high 52% from the field. That is impressive. The only downfall of this trade is Rudy's contract in my opinion. 19mln$ is a lot of money that could go into someone else's pocket. As I am writing this, Gay is currenlty injured with a strained Achilles and has already missed 3 games, get well soon Rudy, we need you.
Let's focus on our star player DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins, who is having an All Star type of seaso and will turn out to be the best center in the league in the next season. Mark my words. Right now it is Tuesday, January 28th and the coaches from around the NBA are set to pick the All Star reserves. Boogie is averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds. He is playing like an All Star but I still think the coaches are not going to pick him. Why's that? Because the league made him play the villain role. DMC has a bad reputation with the refs and some other players, getting technicals at almost each game. It's unfair. Boogie matured, when I am watching Kings basketball and see some players pushing DeMarcus to the ground, elbowing him I think: "Oh my God, he's gonna explode and get ejected, f@#k..." No. Instead he walks away. I just wish the league would appreciate the talent that Boogie brings to the court and passion he plays with. He just wants to win. You know what? I'm going to say it: DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins is the best center in the NBA right now. Yep, I said it. Don't believe me? Watch how he is playing. He can block a shot, rebound it, dribble the ball upcourt and pass it to the open man. Which big man does that? Dwight? Dwight has been playing nothing like the Superman we know from Orlando, the injuries hit him hard. Roy Hibbert? DMC dropped 31 points on him and he calls himself Defensive Player of the Year? Marc Gasol? Nah, I don't think so. DeAndre? Nope. Maybe Marcin Gortat? Yeah, I wish... There is no better, more skillful big manin the league. Period. DeMarcus Cousins will be a dominant force for years to come.
As I am writing this, the Sacramento Kings once again have the worst record in the Western Conference with 15-29. But as I said, it's ok. We have to be patient. With the upcoming draft set to be the best draft class since 2003, I have to say, our future looks really bright. With Isaiah, Ben, Derrick, Rudy, DeMarcus (and maybe Jimmer) I hope the team will one day be called the Kings of the NBA. As for right now, all we can do is wait and watch as this young team blossoms into a potential championship threat to the NBA powerhouses like Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat or the Indiana Pacers. Patience is key, my friends.
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