At Least For The Moment, The Sacramento Kings Are In The Playoffs
For the first time in a decade the Kings are headed to the playoffs, kind of. If the NBA stopped right now (after 41 games) the Sacramento Kings would make the playoffs. For the first time since 2006 the Kings are in a position to play deep into April as the 8th seed in the Western Conference.
Last night the Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-93 to improve to 18-23 on the season. Three Kings players had double doubles including Demarcus Cousins, (36 points and 16 rebounds) Rajon Rondo (11 points and 17 assists) and Willie Cauley-Stein (12 points and 10 rebounds). Not only that, but the Kings held the Lakers to under 36% shooting and only Brandon Bass and Roy Hibbert shot over 50%.
With the team on the brink of a playoff berth head coach George Karl was asked about the play of Cousins, courtesy of ESPN.com.
"DeMarcus has shown at a high, high level that he's an All-Star," Karl told reporters after Cousins scored 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the Kings. Is there a better center playing basketball right now in the NBA? I don't think there is."
Cousins, when asked about whether he's the best big man in the game, was a little more humble about it.
"That's not even a question," Cousins said. "It's not even about that. I feel I can still improve in so many ways. I feel I can improve a lot on the defensive end. ... I feel like I can make the pass more than I have. Still a lot of areas I need to improve. It's not about that. It's about playing the right way and helping this team get to the next level."
To be fair, the Kings are still below .500 and are hanging on to the 8th seed by only a half game but, for a fan base starving for a playoff berth, it's all about baby steps. The team's best record since that 2006 playoff season is 38-44. If they can somehow make the playoffs and win a game or two it gives fans hope for the future.
