Kings Face Winless Pistons At Home: Game Preview

DeMarcus Cousins Dunks on David Lee

The Sacramento Kings prepare for their second game of this current three game home stand tonight against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are one of only two winless teams entering tonight’s game at Sleep Train Arena.

The Kings must play with a lot of concentrated intensity tonight. They must come right out of the gates in the first quarter and control the tempo of tonight’s game. Detroit is playing its third game in four nights, and its second road game in a back to back.

Greg Monroe has been a bright spot for this young Pistons team, and as DeMarcus Cousins told The Sacramento Bee,” We have a pretty similar game.” Cousins’ 2010 draft-mate Greg Monroe have more in common with the weight of two franchise’s resting squarely on their respective shoulders. Both are young talented big men, who can change the face of their respective franchise with their improved play and continued growth and maturation. Both centers have inside games and rebound the ball, while neither are considered to be more athletic players.

While DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe have several similarities, they are both very unique and talented big men. Monroe has developed physically faster then the majority of big men at his age, but like almost all young centers must learn to slow down and let the game come to him.Monroe has a sharp nose for rebounds, and shot blocking, making him a real presence in the key.

DeMarcus Cousins is very talented in the paint or 15 to 18 feet from the basket. Cousins’ outside shooting allows him to exploit other big men with with his quickness, and ability to drive on most big men. When Cousins learns to let the game come to him allow himself to take shots that defenses give him, he will become the player the many believe he can be. With his ability to pass the ball as well, Cousins’ becomes one of the Kings biggest threats on the floor. With his ability to shoot outside, drive to the paint, score inside, and run the floor; his ability to pass the ball allows the team to run the half court offense through him as well as the point guard on the floor, making the Kings offensive immediately more dangerous, and potentially more efficient.

If the Kings big man can have another game like Monday night’s win against the Golden State Warriors, then the Kings have as good a chance as any to win a lot of games this season.

Probable Starters

Kings

No. Player Pos.
22 Isaiah Thomas G
13 Tyreke Evans G
52 James Johnson F
34 Jason Thompson F
15 DeMarcus Cousins C

Pistons

No. Player Pos.
7 Brandon Kinght G
3 Rodney Stuckey G
22 Tayshaun Prince F
54 Jason Maxiell F
10 Greg Monroe C