A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Who Was The Biggest Surprise This Season?

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Sacramento Kings players Buddy Hield #24, Marvin Bagley III #35, Nemanja Bjelica #88 and Harrison Barnes #40 celebrate a basket against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on March 23, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Sacramento Kings players Buddy Hield #24, Marvin Bagley III #35, Nemanja Bjelica #88 and Harrison Barnes #40 celebrate a basket against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on March 23, 2019 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 7: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings hands out his shoe to a fan after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 7: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings hands out his shoe to a fan after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Who Was The Biggest Surprise?

So, the three contenders for the Surprise Player of the Year Award are Buddy Hield, Nemanja Bjelica, and Marvin Bagley III. Even though all three guys were pleasant surprises this season, there is no doubt that Bagley was the biggest shock of them all.

When seeing Marvin play in summer league and preseason, I thought growing pains were going to be the theme for him in his first NBA season. Even though Marvin did experience learning lessons, the rate of improvement he kept showing by the game was unbelievable.

I honestly have never seen a guy improve at the rate Marvin showcased this season. It seemed like there would be a night where he would struggle on a certain aspect of the game, and then when the next contest came along, he fixed that problem immediately.

Marvin has shown to be a sponge in terms of learning the game of basketball, and as a result, he has adapted to the NBA level smoothly so far.

I knew that Marvin would eventually display his potential as a star player for the Kings in time, but to see so many flashes of what he can be at only the age of 19, started the season at 18, has me shocked about what type of young talent the Kings have going forward.

Related Story. Can Bogi Rebound Next Season?. light

It is still early, but it seems like this rebuild is the one that finally gets the Kings in the right direction. These next few years are going to be a wild ride!

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