It's easy and en vogue to blame Kevin Martin for the team's recent slump and ignore that fact that Sacramento had lost eight of 10 games prior to his return and that 10 of the Kings' last 14 opponents have a combined .681 winning percentage. But regardless of whether Martin can coexist with Tyreke Evans in the backcourt in the long term, the team's most glaring problem stands from the big men playing small. The disturbing lack of physical toughness and interior defense in the front court has been on full display as Kings have fallen in the standings after an early season surge.
In Martin's four games since coming back from injury, he and Evans have taken a combined 31 shots per game (45% FG) while contributing 42 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds out of the backcourt. It's hard to argue the two guards can't share the same stage with that kind of production on a nightly basis, especially once they acquire more experience playing alongside one another. And while Martin's return was expected to limit Evans' production, the rookie has in turn posted 23 points (49% FG) and six assists per game over that timespan, both above his season averages, while committing fewer turnovers. So let's give the "they can't play together" theory a rest for the time being.
In the meantime, while Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson undeniably have the skills to be dominant players on both ends of the court, each has fallen into the trap of shooting outside jump shots rather than posting up inside, and even worse, arguing with referees after every non-call. In addition to forcing shots in traffic, it's been Martin, a notoriously poor defender, who has arguably played far better and more spirited defense than either of the two big men.
Jason Thompson has seen his playing time dwindle in January following a strong start in which he averaged 15.3 points and 9.2 rebounds on 50% shooting over the first two months of the season and showed signs of developing into a consistent 20-10 threat. But after picking up early fouls and missing easy baskets in recent games, he's oftentimes lost confidence and played noticeably tentatively, as a result logging less than 25 minutes four times in his last six games after doing so just once in the previous 35. Averaging just 9.2 points on 35% FG this month, he's made countless frustration plays on both ends of the court and has unfortunately picked up Tim Duncan's disconcerting habit of complaining to the referees after nearly every whistle.
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Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
But different lineups are like Waffle House hashbrowns. It's fun to see how many combinations you can make. Five guards! Smothered.
2 - doktakra
Is a Waffle House anything like an IHOP? Because I'm always in the mood for a Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity. Come to think of it, so is Sean May, which is probably why he's the only King not getting in on all of the shufflin' fun...
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Waffle House is nothing like IHOP. When you walk into an IHOP and leave an IHOP, and every time in between, you are never in fear for your life. Wizards locker room joke.