Kings have starting lineup set, still searching for chemistry
The Sacramento Kings are just 2-4 in the preseason, but insomuch as preseason results matter, there have been encouraging signs.
The team has had the No. 11 offense in exhibition play, and head coach Mike Malone has been able to get a feel for the rotations he'll use when the season opens next week.
That includes the starting lineup, which is now set.
Entering camp, only Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins were assured of starting gigs, though it was also assumed Darren Collison would be starting after he signed a three-year, $15-million deal this offseason. While he had competition from Ramon Sessions, Collison has locked down the starting job, as have Ben McLemore and Jason Thompson at their respective positions.
- PG Darren Collison
- SG Ben McLemore
- SF Rudy Gay
- PF Jason Thompson
- C DeMarcus Cousins
While the group is in place, Malone sees them needing a bit of time to find their stride.
"Give that starting group a little bit more time together to try and jell and create some chemistry," Malone said of his plan to give them ample run as a unit the remainder of the preseason. "Give them an identity."
The starters played 14:31 together to start the first and third quarters on Monday night and outscored the San Antonio Spurs by five points across those stints. A small sample to be sure, but it's better than performing poorly.
While Collison is new, the other four starters were around together last season. In 345 minutes as a foursome, Cousins, Gay, McLemore and Thompson were outscored by 6.6 points per-100 possessions, owing mostly to defensive ineptitude. Maybe additional time together, and having Collison in place of Isaiah Thomas, can help in that regard.
The Kings run fairly deep, and a second unit with Sessions, Nik Stauskas, Omri Casspi, Derrick Williams, Carl Landry and Reggie Evans is solid, relieving some of the pressure on the starting unit.