(Note: The rankings you see referenced below are fully explained in my initial NBA point guard rankings post)
Point Guard
2009 - Beno Udrih (#25 PG, Level 5)
2010 - Beno Udrih (#25 PG, Level 5)
Because Evans gets so many minutes at the point there really is no use in slotting another player into the backup role. Udrih had a solid 2009-10 and really hit his stride when he began starting alongside Evans after the Kevin Martin trade. The key for him will be avoiding turnovers. He was much improved in that category last season, as he was with shooting percentage. Net wins - 1/2.
Shooting Guard
2009 - Tyreke Evans (#14 PG, Level 4), Francisco Garcia (#41 SG, Level 7)
2010 - Tyreke Evans (#14 PG, Level 4), Francisco Garcia (#41 SG, Level 7)
Evans surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations last season and really took over the team after the Martin trade. There are certainly opportunities for improvement in his game though and I expect more development in those areas next season. Garcia is a serviceable backup with a nice touch from three-point range. Net wins - 1 1/2.
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| Photo source: J.smith |
Small Forward
2009 - Donte Greene (#52 SF, Level 10), Omri Casspi (#30 SF, Level 7)2010 - Donte Greene (#52 SF, Level 10), Omri Casspi (#30 SF, Level 7)
Small forward is a position where the Kings need more consistently solid play in 2010-11. The good news is that both Greene (22) and Casspi (22) are young and athletic with promise and a lot of room for growth. It would help Sacramento if one of them really took hold of this position. Net wins - 1.
Power Forward
2009 - Carl Landry (#17 PF, Level 5), Jon Brockman (#51, Level 8)
2010 - Carl Landry (#17 PF, Level 5), Jason Thompson (#33 C, Level 7)
A full season of Landry will be a boon to Sacramento. He really broke out last year in Houston before stepping his game up even further after being traded to the Kings. Thompson saw most of his minutes at the five spot last year. That will probably be true for the early part of this season as well as they await the return of Dalembert. Net wins - 1 1/2.
Center
2009 - Jason Thompson (#33 C, Level 7), Spencer Hawes (#48 C, Level 8)
2010 - Samuel Dalembert (17 C, Level 4), DeMarcus Cousins (Rookie)
Unfortunately the immediate improvement at center for the Kings will be delayed by Dalembert's injury. He should help them greatly on the defensive end, an area where they really need it. Cousins could be a perennial all star or a complete flame out. I lean much more toward the former, however, I don't expect him to be a heavy contributor in his rookie year. Net wins - 1 1/2.
Overall
Much like I mentioned about the Clippers, the Kings are building a nice foundation of young talent and the key to their success, both short-term and long-term, will be how they groom those players to excel. It should be fun to watch this team come together this season. The Kings had a 25-57 record in 2009-10. As highlighted above, I've got them picking up one and a half wins at shooting guard, power forward and center, one win at small forward and half a win at point guard.
In the final verdict the Kings are BETTER. As they are currently constructed I project that they will have a 31-51 record in 2010-11.
What are your thoughts on this season's Kings? Do you think my record projection is on target? Let me know by posting a comment below.
I saw one pundit that had the Kings at 43 wins. The thinking is that Dalembert and Cousins are huge upgrades over their very ineffective predecessor.
ReplyDeleteI think they could go 35 wins, but I'm agnostic and haven't put much thought into it.
One thing to remember, though: EVERYBODY can't get a lot better. There are only a fixed number of wins to go around. Add up all your Pacific wins for this year, vs last year, for a sanity check.
Lets see what you have for GSW.
J. Glanton - thanks for the comment. I don't see any way that the Kings get 35 wins this season.
ReplyDeleteYour point about the wins is right on. I'm doing these one at a time so I don't have a master plan drawn out to make sure everything evens out. Right now in the Pacific specifically I've got the Clippers up 10, Kings up 6, Suns down 6 and Lakers down 3. I'm working on the Warriors.
Spencer Hawes isn't on the team anymore. Just thought I'd let you know about that.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - I'm guessing that your comment comes from one of two things: 1/you saw Hawes' name and didn't realize I had him listed in the 2009 rotation and not 2010 or 2/you think that his subtraction alone will be enough for a substantial jump in wins.
ReplyDelete