2007 NBA Season Preview - Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings
'06-'07 Record/Standing: 33-49 (.402); Last in Pacific Division
'06-'07 Postseason (if applicable): n/a
Coach (Record): Reggie Theus, 1^st season overall
Key Additions: C Mikki Moore (FA; New Jersey); C Spencer Hawes (draft; 1^st round, 10^th overall)
Key Losses: n/a

When the Sacramento Kings were among the top teams in the Western Conference, there was talk that they could win a championship or two during that run. However, those times are long gone and the Kings have little to show for it. In fact, new head coach Reggie Theus is the team's third coach in the past three years. The talent is there on the team, but they have yet to put it together. When you look at the team, there is a lot of talent there and you have to believe that they can be dangerous at times, but the Western Conference has toughened up and gotten a lot more talented around them; teams that were once afterthoughts are suddenly in the races as well, which means that the Kings have even more people to have to battle with in order to get back into the playoffs.

Where can the Kings get the needed production from? Have Mike Bibby and Brad Miller seen their best days pass them by, or can they still squeeze some contending play out of their bodies? Can the team keep Ron Artest complacent and out of the spotlight off the court? He's a very talented player on the court and one of the league's best defenders, but it's his disposition to get in trouble off the court that has the Kings worried. He could be very valuable to the team if he does not speak out or put unneeded attention on him. At worst, he could show other teams looking to trade for him that he can behave and perform to his abilities. Where are the Kings among the pecking order?

Projected Starting Lineup ('06-'07 Stats)
PG: Mike Bibby (82 games, 17.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg)
SG: Kevin Martin (80 games, 20.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)
SF: Ron Artest (70 games, 18.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 apg)
PF: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (80 games, 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 apg)
C: Brad Miller (63 games, 9.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.6 apg)