The Sacramento Kings' rookie point guard, Darius Acuff Jr., led his team to a tight victory over the Brooklyn Nets yesterday. While he had a tough start to the game, Acuff found his composure and fought hard for the win. That tenacity is exactly what the Kings need to be successful this season.
Yesterday's California Classic matchup with the Nets was Acuff's first game in a Kings jersey. While it's not a full-team NBA game, it was a great way to find a new gear before the regular season starts. Acuff walked into the spotlight with a lot of big expectations on him, and he did deliver in the end.
Acuff had a rough go off the start of the game, which is to be expected considering it was NBA game number one. Plus, he's walking right into the meat grinder as the Kings' starting point guard. He needs to get used to that pressure now, when the lights aren't as bright as they will be in October.
Ultimately, Acuff turned in an impressive performance in two ways. His final totals were solid, leading the Kings with 25 points in addition to one rebound, four assists, and one steal. More impressive was his ability to overcome adversity. He didn't let the game get on top of him.
Acuff showed off his strong leadership skills
When you look at Acuff's shooting, it's easy to tell he was confident but needed to find his rhythm. He shot nine for 29 from the field, one for nine from three, and five for seven from the charity stripe. Keep in mind he led the Kings roster in both points and assists, which is important.
Acuff's scoring was key, but he also started finding ways to set his teammates up for success. As he got more comfortable, Acuff started collecting assists. He only had four, but one of them set Nique Clifford up for the game-winning shot. Acuff will have to do more of that as the season progresses.
Fans need to be impressed by Acuff's attitude. Even when he was having problems in the game, he stayed on his grind and kept pushing for better. That is leadership by example, holding himself accountable for the team's success. Because of that attitude, he did better, and the Kings won.
Yes, Acuff's issues on defense were on full display, which is something critics were concerned about when he was drafted. The rest of the starters had a solid defensive showing, which offset Acuff's issues. Regardless, Acuff just has to figure out how to operate in the Kings' defensive scheme.
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