NBA Sacramento Kings

5 Takeaways From Sacramento Kings’ Early-Season Play

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By @fanforlife1988

5 Takeaways From the Kings' Early-Season Play

Sacramento Kings Media Day
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It's been nine years since the Sacramento Kings last made the playoffs. Being irrelevant for that long is a tough pill to swallow for most fanbases, and nearly losing your team to re-location is even more difficult. However, as 2015 approaches, things are looking up, as the Kings are still in Sacramento, with new ownership in place and a new arena on the way. These are five early-season takeaways for the Sacramento Kings.

5. Darren Collison Points The Way

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets, Darren Collison
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5. Darren Collison Points The Way

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets, Darren Collison
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The Kings let Isaiah Thomas walk away this summer as a restricted free agent, opting to replace him with Darren Collison – Chris Paul’s backup in Los Angeles last season. Collison has proven to be an excellent reserve guard, but has struggled at times as a starter. As a member of the Kings however, Collison has had a direct influence on the team’s strong start, and must continue to step up as the team’s primary playmaker and floor leader.

4. Double-Down On Michael Malone

Sacramento Kings vs Toronto Kings, Demarcus Cousins, Mike Malone
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4. Double-Down On Michael Malone

Sacramento Kings vs Toronto Kings, Demarcus Cousins, Mike Malone
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Malone is in his second year as head coach of the Kings, after serving as an assistant in the NBA for 12 seasons. The Kings have improved defensively under Malone, but it’s essential for the team to remain focused on the values their coach instills in them. While the Kings have displayed signs of brilliance this season, they are still prone to making costly mistakes during the trial and tribulations period, something most young teams go through.

3. Growing Pains

Sacramento Kings v Memphis Grizzlies
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3. Growing Pains

Sacramento Kings v Memphis Grizzlies
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Despite a promising start for the Kings, the team has blown 20-point leads in consecutive games, with the latter including a buzzer-beating tip-in loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. As with any young team, mistakes will happen, but those teams are judged by how they respond to adversity – not the adversity itself. The Kings have 73 games left to get this right, and not dwelling on the past is part of the maturity they are seeking to attain.

2. Rudy Gay Worthy Of Royalty

Denver Nuggets v Sacramento Kings, Rudy Gay
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2. Rudy Gay Worthy Of Royalty

Denver Nuggets v Sacramento Kings, Rudy Gay
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As he enters his prime, Gay is playing the best basketball of his career, as evidenced by his high-scoring efficiency, rebounding numbers and overall defensive effort. Most importantly, Gay makes a great complement to the Kings’ most prized possession, DeMarcus Cousins. Gay’s arrival last year has had a direct impact on the Kings' elevator ride out of the cellar, and has become a player the team will definitely look to keep around long term.

1. Hey Now You’re an All-Star

Sacramento Kings v Dallas Mavericks, Demarcus Cousins
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1. Hey Now You’re an All-Star

Sacramento Kings v Dallas Mavericks, Demarcus Cousins
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After a summer with Team USA, DeMarcus Cousins is now playing at the highest level of his career, behaving well and growing into the dominant player many expected of him. The Kings have done everything in their power to help Cousins, both on and off the court, including bringing in former team nemesis Shaquille O’Neal to mentor the young center. Currently in his fifth season, Cousins is ready to be a leader, and is a near-lock to be an All-Star.

Zach Fetaru is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @fanforlife1988 ”like him” on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. 

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