A Royal Pain
Fansided

Opinion: Darren Collison Remains A Reliable Asset For The Kings

By Rafe Wong

Oct 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 132-114. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 132-114. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

When the Sacramento Kings signed Darren Collison back in the 2014 offseason the expectation towards the former UCLA Bruin was a good backup guard, but not a starter.

Collison proved during the 2014-2015 NBA season that he was more than a backup by earning the starting point guard job for the Kings when healthy, and boy did he turn some heads. During his first season with Sacramento, as the starting point guard, Collison averaged 16.1 points and 5.6 assists in the 45 games he played. He also shot 47.3% overall from the field and 37.3% from the three-point line.

More from Kings News

Although Collison had a great year last season and developed into a fan favorite with the Kings, the organization still had a shortage of point guards which lead them to sign Rajon Rondo last offseason.

Even though Collison had a great year as the Kings starting guard he was demoted. With the mixture of Collision in the past being known as a great backup and Rondo’s past accolades with the Boston Celtics, it granted Rondo the starting point guard slot by default.

Nov 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Sacramento won 129-118. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Sacramento won 129-118. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

In contempt of Collison playing a lesser role for the Kings this season, it has not been a problem with him continuing to be productive. In the 32 games that Collison has played so far this season he is averaging 13.4 points and 4.7 assists a game, while shooting 45.9% from the court and 35% from beyond the arc.

Not only have Darren’s numbers been solid this season, but his level of efficiency has remained consistent as well. In 26 of the 32 games Collison has played, he has scored in double-digit points. He remains to be a solid asset for the Kings in scoring and has contributed well to the Kings being one of the top offensive squads in the league.

When the Kings welcomed Collison to the kingdom back in 2014 he exceeded the expectations that were given to him originally, and now with higher expectations given to him for this season he has had no problem continuing to live up to them.

More from A Royal Pain

There’s a good argument that the Sacramento Kings have one of the best point guard duos in the league in Collison and Rondo. This is due mostly to the surprise of Rajon Rondo’s season, who is looking more like the point guard he was in his glory days with the Celtics.

There were question marks about Rondo about what kind of player he would be with the Kings, but fans never had concerns about Collison.

He continues to be an asset that the team and fans can rely on game by game, which for a franchise that has experienced inconsistency in its recent history is refreshing.

Home/Kings News