Deuce's Dish: Lillard Dominates, Kings Lose 3rd Straight
By Dave "Deuce" Mason
The Kings offense is sputtering to say the least. They're averaging 90.8 points per game, 40.8 percent from the field and were outplayed in a 103-86 home loss to the Portland Trailblazers.
Yes, Sacramento was without Isaiah Thomas, Aaron Brooks left the game in the first quarter and DeMarcus Cousins served the final game of his two-game suspension but the theme of the Kings sluggish start has been an offense that struggles to score.
The Kings scored 98.8 points per game last season—good for 6th in the NBA but this season has been one that has left Kings players at a loss for words.
"No way in the world we should be playing like that on offense with all the talent we got," Tyreke Evans said.
Evans—who is trying to regain form from his rookie season—scored 10 points in Tuesday's loss to Portland. The fourth-year player is averaging 11.3 points per game and shooting 38 percent from the field.
"I don't know what's the problem with the offense. We got to do something about it," Evans said.
Guard Marcus Thornton said he's surprised with the way the offense is playing but believes the Kings will get back on track.
Meanwhile, it's hard not to look at the point guard situation in Sacramento where Thomas and Brooks have combined for most of the minutes at the position.
The two guards have combined to average 17.4 points and 3.2 assists per game. Second year guard Jimmer Fredette got his first extended minutes of the season on Tuesday and finished with 13 points and six assists in 25 minutes.
The Kings point guard of the future may not be on the team but Portland was able find theirs with Weber State product Damian Lillard in the 2012 Draft.
Lillard is averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists per game and dropped 22 points and nine assists on the team who passed on him in the draft.
"I don't have anything against them. It's not like I'm the first player get to passed on by a team," Lillard said. "It was more about our team being desperate to get a win."
Sacramento definitely liked Lillard's game but on draft day were surprised when rookie Thomas Robinson fell to them at No.5. The Kings snatched Robinson and left Lillard to go to Portland.
"I wasn't surprised because they took a really good player in Thomas Robinson. When he dropped they pretty much had to take him," Lillard said.
A Look Ahead: DeMarcus Cousins on Friday night will return to the floor after serving a two-game suspension to take on the Atlanta Hawks.
Hear Dave "Deuce" Mason on The Jason Ross Show and follow him on Twitter: @DeuceMason
