NBA Pre-season win predictions: Western Conference, Pacific Division
By Brian Boake
Jan 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) congratulates former teammates Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and point guard Kyle Lowry (7) after the Kings defeat at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Kings 119-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sacramento Kings
Last season: 29 – 53
This season: 34 – 48
Welcome to Team Turmoil, featuring an interfering owner (Vivek Ranadive), a new coach with a chequered past (George Karl), and a gifted centre (DeMarcus Cousins) with the emotional maturity of a child denied an ice-cream cone.
Oddly enough, their roster, like the Lakers, features a bunch of people trying to revive or extend their careers. Rajon Rondo was terrific as a Celtic, but wasn’t much use to Dallas. Marco Bellinelli left San Antonio. Um, why? Omri Casspi, Caron Butler, Darren Collison, Quincy Acy…how can any team have roster spots for so many barely-hanging-on guys?
Rudy Gay wants the ball about 87% of the time. I’ll wager he and Rondo are battling before Christmas. Surely a team with Cousins, Gay and Rondo can grab some wins, though not nearly enough to sniff a playoff spot.
Next: The playoffs have deserted the desert