Sep 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center
(15) prepares to take a selfie with guard
Ben McLemore(23), center
Ryan Hollins(5) and forward
Rudy Gay(8) during media day at the Sacramento Kings practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sacramento Kings Starting Five:
With the Sacramento Kings revamping almost their entire roster this offseason, it raises questions on who will be in the starting five come opening night. With training camp nearing, Kings head coach George Karl will definitely have a better idea of who his starting five will be, but I’m too impatient for that. So enjoy this slideshow on what my early projected starting five will be for the Sacramento Kings.
Note that these are just predictions, but I have a strong feeling I’ve made the right selections here. The hardest parts of the lineup to pick were the two guard positions and power forward–small forward and center are fairly easy choices as long as everyone is healthy.
Next: Point Guard
Feb 19, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics guard
Rajon Rondo(9) passes the ball against Phoenix Suns guard
Goran Dragic(1) at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Celtics 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo (Point Guard):
After contemplating between Rajon Rondo and Darren Collison, I think Rondo has higher potential in being the better starting point guard. Rondo throughout his career has been a playmaker. He is going to be a second coach on the floor who increases the ball movement of the offense, and will look to set up his teammates first to score rather than himself.
To be fair, Collison had a better previous season than Rondo, but I feel Rondo fits better with the starting lineup. The Kings can have Rondo start and set the tempo of the game, and when the Kings do need a spark from the bench, Collison will be able to fulfill that (he has a reputation of an efficient 6th man). For the longest time the Kings have really lacked playmakers on their squad, and Rondo (at least based on skill set) fits the bill. If he can replicate the success that he had in Boston, he should flourish as the starting point.
Next: Shooting Guard
Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) chases a loose ball with Miami Heat guard
Henry Walker(5) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Ben McLemore (Shooting Guard):
When it came to who should start at the two guard position, three names came to mind: Darren Collison, Ben McLemore, and Marco Belinelli. Although all three could contribute well starting at the two, I think McLemore has the highest potential to filling the role best.
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Since being drafted, McLemore was made to become the immediate fix to the Kings two guard problem at the time, but unfortunately he hasn’t really lived up to the standards Kings fans had for him originally. On the positive side, McLemore has continued to show a gradual pattern of improvement since his rookie year, and it’s something I’m banking on for him to continue for this upcoming season.
If McLemore is able to make another leap of improvement, he can finally become the reliable two guard that the Kings can depend on night in and night out. Although Collison and Belinelli proved to be better shooters than McLemore throughout their careers, I believe McLemore will be a more consistent shooter this season. I also foresee McLemore being a better defensive option out of the three players as well. Because McLemore triumphs both Collison and Belinelli in size and athleticism is why he is the best choice when defending other two guards.
Overall, because I’m presuming Ben on becoming more consistent offensively, and feel he is a better option on defense compared to Collison and Bellinelli is why he’s my starting two guard.
Next: Small Forward
Mar 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay reacts in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Kings defeated the Suns 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rudy Gay (Small Forward):
Really there isn’t any debate here. If healthy, Rudy Gay is going to start for the Kings on opening day. Throughout his career, Gay has shown to be an efficient starter. He is long and athletic, which has helped him gained the reputation as a prolific scorer. He also has vision too that has led him to be a playmaker from time to time, and is also a solid rebounder at his position.
Although you can make the argument that he has the size and length to be a stretch-four, it does leaves the void at the three position, where most likely Omri Casspi would fill in if the Kings do put Rudy at the four. Casspi showed last year to be efficient, but I think he is better fulfilling the role as a reserve than a starter.
Overall, there’s no question that Gay is a starter. The only concern is whether he plays at the three or at the four. Because there’s not a proven starter at the three position besides Gay himself is why I have him penciled in as the starting small forward.
Next: Power Forward
Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center
Kosta Koufos(41) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Kosta Koufos (Power Forward):
To me there are two options at this spot: Kosta Koufos and rookie Willie Cauley-Stein. To me, both fit the role well based on their games. Both have proven or have shown the potential to be efficient defenders, and also to be the solution to a rim-protector that the Kings have been needing for a long time.
Even though I see Cauley-Stein having a higher ceiling going forward, I think Koufos should start right now. Currently, I just think Koufos is better. I think he is an overall better defender and that he is more polished offensively than Cauley-Stein at this moment. Also, the fact that he’s had experience starting for successful teams in the past is a big factor as well (example 2012-13 Denver Nuggets).
Cauley-Stein does has a realistic chance to take over the starting job as the season progresses (maybe even in preseason), but because he is a rookie there is a lot more uncertainty right now from him than in Koufos. With Koufos, you already know what you got. You have a big man who is limited offensively (but not a liability), but he makes up for it with his stout defense. The Kings have had their struggles defensively in recent history, and with Koufos starting I think will help fix it.
Next: Center
April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots the basketball against New Orleans Pelicans center
Omer Asik(3) before the game at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins (Center):
With DeMarcus Cousins being the franchise player going forward, you didn’t think I was going to leave him out right? Last season, “Boogie” Cousins continued to make strides that he is one of the best big man in the game, if not already. Cousins is a versatile scorer that is lethal both in the paint and from the mid-range. He is also an excellent rebounder, and has the talent to be playmaker on the court as well with his passing ability. Defensively he continues to improve, and as a result he is creeping up as one of the best defending big man in the game today.
Overall, Cousins is the best player on the team, and therefore it’s no question that if healthy he is a starter next season. An argument can be made that the Kings should slide Cousins to the four position rather than the five, but really it doesn’t matter. Whether he plays the four or five, Cousins role will remain the same, which is to be the #1 option on offense and continue to be and to protect the paint on defense.
Next: Final Thoughts
April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl (center) instructs in a huddle against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts:
I see this lineup being solid on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Rondo will increase the ball movement of the team, and will set up scorers like Cousins, Gay, and McLemore to succeed. You also have Cousins that is a threat in the interior, which will result in opponents eventually double teaming him. When that time does come (and it will), it leaves shooters like McLemore and Gay to be open on the perimeter.
Defensively, the interior seems pretty set. With the pair in Cousins and Koufos, the Kings now have two “bruisers” that will make it tough for opponents to score in the paint. When it comes to the trio of Rondo, McLemore, and Gay, they’re not going to be an All-Pro defensive squad, but they should be solid. McLemore has the potential to be a lockdown defender, Gay has shown to be adequate defensively, and Rondo has shown in the past to be an efficient defender.
Overall, I see this starting lineup having the most balance, talent, and potential because it shows a mix of offense and defense that both can be effective to start games. I know that George Karl has a tendency to tinker with the lineup from time to time because of certain matchups, but in most cases I feel right now that this lineup will be the most efficient one this upcoming season, and at the moment hope it starts opening night.