This article is part of a series that A Royal Pain is writing where we grade each player on the Sacramento Kings individually.
For this article specifically, we will evaluate the performance of Garrett Temple. We will grade Temple based on his offensive, defensive, and overall performances for the 2016-2017 season.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: For this series, the players on the Kings will be graded on a curve, meaning that the grades handed out to each player say more about their ranking on the team rather than their actual performance grade.
Offense: C+
Not known as an offensive threat, but Temple was able to be a solid contributor for the Kings this season. His 7.8 points and 2.6 assists per game averages don’t do his offensive performance justice as Temple was able to be a combo-guard that can distribute the ball well and create fluidity in the offense with his movement without the ball.
Also, Temple was a pretty reliable shooter for his team as he made 42.4% of his shots from the floor, 37.3% from the perimeter, and 78.4% from the free-throw line. Again, Temple isn’t a top-scoring option for his team, but he did do a good job of being an offensive role player that helped his team succeed.
Defense: A-
There was no doubt that Temple was one of the peskier defenders on the Kings this season. However, just like his offensive numbers, Temple’s numbers on defense don’t justify his actual efficiency.
For the season, Temple only averaged 2.8 rebounds per game while recording a defensive rating of 111.8 (8th on the team). But Temple did average 1.3 steals a contest which definitely shines a light to the level of hustle and aggressiveness he put on his opponents consistently. Temple also was the leader on the Kings in total steal percentage of 2.5%.
Overall, the perimeter defense was pretty horrid for the Kings this season, but Temple was a bright spot in it based on the level of intensity he played with on that end of the floor.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Temple was a solid contributor for the Kings on both sides of the ball, but what makes Temple so valuable on the team’s roster is his leadership. The Kings have endured yet again another dramatic season, but Temple (and other veterans on the team) were able to tame the fire.
Throughout the year, whether if it was shown on the court or on social media, Temple displayed the ideal version of a veteran leader. You would see Temple constantly cheering and helping his teammates out in becoming better players, and also showed encouragement towards his team on the web.
Hallava team win!!! @THEwillieCS15 had a monster game and @OneBigHaitian stepped up big too!! #SacramentoProud
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) February 24, 2017
Must Read: Improving Kings’ Defense is Paramount for a Quick Turnaround
Yes, Temple did alright in fulfilling his role on the Kings this season, but his guidance towards his teammates (especially the young players) is what made him such an asset for his team this year.