The Sacramento Kings finished the first half 11-22 on the season which has them in 5th place in the Pacific Division, 10 games behind the Clippers. The Kings are #14 in the Western Conference, 6.5 games behind the Blazers for the #8 spot in the playoffs. Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts in the first half of the season in my opinion:
Team MVP: DeMarcus Cousins: 21-year old center DeMarcus Cousins played in 32 games (30 starts) in the first half of the season and he averaged 29.5 minutes, 16.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game. His only weakness is that he is shooting 43.6% from the floor which isn’t good for a player his size.
Biggest Surprise: Isaiah Thomas: The Kings used the last pick in the NBA Draft on 23-year old point guard Isaiah Thomas, who has taken over as the starting point guard as of late. Thomas has played in 32 games (4 starts) for the Kings last year and he is averaging 19.6 minutes, 8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. The Kings are expecting big things out of Thomas in the second half of the year.
Biggest Disappointment: John Salmons and J.J. Hickson: The Kings traded for both of these guys and they have been busts until this point in the year. Salmons has played in 30 games (28 starts) at small forward for the Kings so far this year and he is averaging 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The 32-year old Salmons has also been a hideous shooter so far this year hitting only 36.1% from the floor, 27.2% from three point range and 65.4% from the free throw line so far this year. 23-year old power forward J.J. Hickson has played in 32 games (9 starts) for the Kings so far this year and he averaged 19.2 minutes, 5.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Hickson is only shooting 37.4% from the floor and that’s pathetic for a player his size.
