As the All-Star Break has now ended, this is a good time to look back and analyze what the players on the Sacramento Kings have done. Today’s article will grade the shooting guards, Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas.
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Ben McLemore: B
After a disappointing rookie season, McLemore is starting to show why the Kings’ selected him with the 7th overall pick in last year’s NBA draft. Now in his second season, McLemore has improved his game immensely, as he has now developed into one of the team’s best two-way players.
In his rookie season, McLemore wasn’t a consistent player, but now after having one season under his belt, McLemore’s hard work is being rewarded as his stats have improved by leaps and bounds.
Defensively, McLemore has improved as well, and has made a big jump from his rookie season. Last season, McLemore had trouble getting through screens, as well as getting burned by his opponents driving to the lane. This year, he has put the lockdown on opposing two-guards, making him even more valuable to the Kings.
Although his shooting numbers are improving, he’s still quite inconsistent. For him to be a bonafide 3rd option on this team, he has to prove to his coaches and teammates that he can hit his jump shots at a consistent rate.
I also think Ben needs to improve his ball handling. What is restricting Ben the most from reaching his maximum potential is his ability to handle the ball and create off the dribble. He is such a gifted athlete, and he has the potential to be an all-around two-way stud. If McLemore can improve his dribbling, it will create a whole other dynamic to his offensive game.
He is showing improvement’s in every game, and has quickly become a valuable asset to team. If he continues his pattern of growth as his career moves forward, success and fame will follow him.
Nik Stauskas: D-
I personally like Nik, but I can’t sugar coat his performance, he has been awful so far this season.
The sharpshooter that we witnessed at Michigan is no where to be seen, and Kings fans are growing more irritated with him as the season progresses.
Nik has also struggled on the defensive side of the ball. Nik has had zero success defending anyone this season, and has been specifically targeted by opponents when he is on the court.
You can’t draft a shooting guard as your first pick in back-to-back drafts and expect both to play pivotal roles for your franchise. It’s also important to add that Stauskas hasn’t been given many opportunities since his arrival in Sacramento.
In a way, Stauskas reminds me a lot of McLemore in his rookie year, but what separates them is that McLemore was given much more playing than Stauskas. Last year, McLemore was fighting Marcus Thornton for minutes, a player the Kings didn’t see in their future. That gave Ben a lot of opportunities to flourish as player and work on his craft.
Nik isn’t going against Thornton. He’s competing against McLemore, who the Kings believe is going to be a rising star.
Although Nik was a a gamble for the Kings, to this point it is not working out for the Michigan sharpshooter. Hopefully, George Karl can find a way to rejuvenate Nik’s career, because I see a lot of potential in his game. It’s possible that Sacramento simply is not a good fit for Nik, and the Kings’ may need to find a new home for him sooner than later.
So far he deserves an F for his level of production this year, but since he hasn’t had a lot of playing time, I gave him a D- instead.