A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings’ Best Rotation: Playing Big

By Rafe Wong

Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) reacts with center DeMarcus Cousins (15) as Cousins goes to the line against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. New Orleans defeated Sacramento 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) reacts with center DeMarcus Cousins (15) as Cousins goes to the line against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. New Orleans defeated Sacramento 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings have a bevy of big men on their roster this season, but which lineup is the best for the purple and white in playing big?

A Royal Pain has begun a new series where we analyze the best lineups in certain situations for the Sacramento Kings. This article will discuss which five players on the roster would make up for the best “Bigs” lineup.

Garrett Temple (PG)

Although Garrett Temple isn’t a pure point guard, he has had experience being a facilitator in his past. Temple may not bring much offensively to the point guard position, but he has size and can be a huge asset towards the Kings’ perimeter defense. The Kings brought in Temple this offseason mainly for his leadership and defense. If Sacramento were to run a bigs lineup, he should fit adequately running the point.

Omri Casspi (SG)

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Omri Casspi, who stand at 6’8”, would make a pretty solid two-guard in a bigs lineup. Offensively, Casspi’s game should complement the shooting guard position, as most of his scoring production comes from driving to the basket and making shots from beyond the perimeter. Defensively, Casspi may have trouble in guarding twos, but his offensive game certaintly fits the bill for a two-guard.

Skal Labissiere (SF)

Putting Skal Labissiere at small forward could be a bit of a stretch, but his game does compliment more to the smaller man. Skal stands at 6’11” and he weighs around 225 pounds. That is lighter than Rudy Gay who is listed 230. Although it wasn’t seen much in college, Skal’s strongest attribute on the offensive end is his shooting, and expect that to be his bread and butter in the NBA. His mid-range shot is solid and he is showing progress shooting from the perimeter, a type of game that is better played as a small forward (or stretch-four) than a big in the paint.

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Willie Cauley-Stein (PF)

Willie Cauley-Stein was a no-brainer when chosen for the power forward position. He is 7’0” and weighs 240 pounds, but also has crazy athleticism for his size. Willie won’t be a go-to offensively in this lineup, but as a defender Cauley-Stein has shown that he is efficient and versatile. The Kings needed a shot-blocker in this lineup and Willie is the best there is on the Kings’ roster.

Boogie Cousins (C)

DeMarcus Cousins was a player that averaged 26.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per contest last season. He is the obvious choice to put at center in this lineup because he is going to be a menace in the paint and is strong enough to hold his own on the defensive side of the ball. A healthy DeMarcus is pretty much a shoo-in for any type of lineup. He is the best player on the Kings’ roster, and as a front office person and coach, you design your personnel and lineups around your best players in order for the team to succeed.

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