A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings: The Efficient Machine, Nemanja Bjelica

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 1: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings warms up against the Utah Jazz on November 1, 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 - NOVEMBER 1: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings warms up against the Utah Jazz on November 1, 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) /
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The Sacramento Kings have been on a tear as of late, and a big reason why has been because of the play of Nemanja Bjelica.

After starting the season 0-5, the Sacramento Kings are starting play up to their expectations. Since then, the team has been 5-2 where during the span they have defeated competitive teams like the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics. Most of this happening with De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III out due to injuries.

It has been great to be a Kings fan as of late. The team is starting to figure each other out and are slowly but surely making their up in the Western Conference standings. The bottom line has been that the success the Kings have had has been a collective effort. But there is one player that has been consistently efficient for the entire season, and that man’s name is Nemanja Bjelica.

Belly Has Saved The Kings

Even during the Kings’ nightmarish start, Bjelica has been a bright spot for the Kings. Whether it was him coming off the bench or being placed in the starting lineup, he has been able to fulfill his role as the team’s stretch four to a tee.

For the season, 12 games, Bjelica is averaging around 10 points and six rebounds per game while making around 54% from the court, 50% from the three-point line (WOW!), and 75% from the free-throw stripe.

Since joining the Kings in the summer of 2018, Bjelica has been a constant asset for the team. He may not be a star player for Sacramento, but Bjelica plays up to his expectations and has always been someone that the team can rely on in terms of fulfilling their role.

Final Thoughts

Before the season began, there were rumors about the Kings possibly trading Bjelica before the beginning of the season or during the 2019-20 campaign. Based on how the Serbian forward has played, I think those talks should be eliminated. Without the service of Bjelica, the Kings would not be where they are today.

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