Garrett Temple: The Man with No Position or Three?
By Tyler Watts
What to Expect Going Forward
The outlook for Garrett Temple this season is bright and often changing. This is what we know Temple will do this season, he will play three different positions for the Kings and he will provide defense, leadership, and better communication for the team. He will open the season as the backup point guard behind Ty Lawson according to multiple reports. Temple will see time at shooting guard and small forward as well. He is going to get around 20 minutes a night I would assume and he will be productive even if the box score does not jump off the page.
Do not expect him to produce 40 point games or a triple double, though. His value is found in other areas and ones that are hard to find in a box score. When enjoying a Kings game look for him to do the little things to allow a teammate to get open or create a turnover that leads to an easy Kings bucket. There are sometimes no stats for that, but it is productive to the team nonetheless.
Summary
Garrett Temple is quickly becoming one of my favorite Kings. He is a player who is willing to do anything he can to help the team succeed. Garrett Temple just does the job he is asked to do and tries to help every other player do their job too. He has received praise from DeMarcus Cousins, produced a variety of production in the two preseason games, and looks like the team’s Swiss Army knife player going forward.
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I expect Temple to get minutes and continue to adapt and expand under Coach Joerger. He is lights out shooter on corner threes and I expect Coach Joerger to find ways to get him open in the corners. Coach Joerger will reward his defensive contributions with minutes and I think not only the coaches but the team really believes in Garrett Temple. Do not expect the box score to blow you away every night, but enjoy the production the Kings receive from Mister Temple. It is the type of production that often leads to wins if every player on the team buys into his same philosophy.