5 reasons the Sacramento Kings can make the playoffs
By John Buhler
1. Dave Joerger
The best thing the Kings have going for them to reach the Western Conference Playoffs is head coach Dave Joerger. He’s done it before several times while coaching in Memphis. If he can get that injury-riddled 2015-16 Grizzlies team into the playoffs, he can definitely lead the 2016-17 Kings to a first-round exodus.
It’s Joerger’s first year in Northern California. He’s known for defensive strategy and being meticulous with every offensive possession. Joerger is more inclined to slow down the pace of a game to ensure that his team stays focused. For an easily distracted Kings team, he’s the right ringleader for this Western Conference circus of a basketball team.
He can tame lions (Cousins, Gay), jump through hoops (ownership and the front office), and juggle anything thrown his way (injuries, rotations). There’s really nothing that Joerger hasn’t seen before with the Grizzlies that he could see with the Kings. Getting him to be the team’s head coach was an absolute steal for the organization. Nobody was a better fit for Sacramento’s culture than Joerger.
Next: 20 Richest NBA Players of All-Time
Sacramento has had potentially promising teams in the Cousins era, but have faded horrendously down the stretch. The Kings have made the investment in Joerger and will probably love to see him co-exist marvelous with Cousins. Their relationship may not get to what Cousins had with Malone that one year, but Joerger can get the most out of Cousins and this team. That should be good enough to get the Kings the No. 8 seed.