The NBA is full of talent, personality and suspense. During the offseason, It’s easy to forget how wonderful the league can be. So, I’ve assembled 67 Reasons I’m Excited For Next Season (67RIEFNS). They’ll be presented in no particular order.
Would you rather have Player A or Player B?
stats via Basketball-Reference.com
You’re probably taking the younger and better Player B. I sure am, even though he costs a little more (less than $2 million per season).
If you agree, you’re not the Kings, who cast aside Player B (Isaiah Thomas) for Player A (Darren Collison).
Sacramento has indicated Thomas didn’t defend and distribute well enough, but Collison is the answer to those problems? Really?
At 5-foot-9, Thomas will always have limitations on the court. But, despite being the last pick in the draft, Thomas has repeatedly overcome obstacles in front of him. He’s somehow become an excellent finisher at the rim, which says something about his will to succeed.
Now, Thomas has even more motivation.
Thomas said he felt “very disrespected” by the Kings and that he plans to “kill” them . A point guard scorned is a point guard worth watching. Set your calendars:
- Fri., Nov. 7: Kings at Suns, 9 p.m.
- Fri., Dec. 26: Suns at Kings, 10 p.m.
- Sun., Feb. 8: Suns at Kings, 9 p.m.
- Wed., March 25: Kings at Suns, 10 p.m.
For what it’s worth, Collison is a fine player, and there’s a chance Sacramento doesn’t regret its decision. DeMarcus Cousins has already praised Collison’s willingness to pass.
But I want to see Thomas trying to prove the Kings wrong. Thomas became an insanely fun sparkplug by channeling the 59 times he was passed over in the draft.
Now, it’s more personal than ever, with one team – the team he sweat for his entire NBA career so far – telling him he wasn’t good enough for them. I can’t wait to see what he does with that information.