{"id":9553,"date":"2017-09-03T09:00:43","date_gmt":"2017-09-03T13:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=9553"},"modified":"2017-09-02T23:57:57","modified_gmt":"2017-09-03T03:57:57","slug":"greatest-sacramento-kings-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/09\/03\/greatest-sacramento-kings-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"Greatest Sacramento Kings Moment of the 21st Century"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the\u00a0Greatest Moment series<\/a>\u00a0at Last Word On Pro Basketball, where we\u2019ll present to you each NBA team\u2019s greatest moment of the 21st century. From draft lottery luck, to a franchise-changing trade, to the sweet taste of a championship, every NBA team has had its own special moment to look back on.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this installment, we will be taking a look at the greatest\u00a0Sacramento Kings<\/a> moment of the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Greatest Sacramento Kings Moment of the 21st Century: Drafting DeMarcus Cousins<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For the Kings, to identify their greatest moment of the 21st century; some would point to the early 2000s team which featured stars such as Vlade Divac<\/a><\/strong>, Peja Stojakovi\u0107<\/strong><\/a>, and Chris Webber<\/a><\/strong>. While King’s fans can be proud of one of the most exciting teams of the new millennium, it does, however, carry the unfortunate memory of the 2002\u00a0Western Conference Finals. Many fans believe that the series against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong><\/a> was not officiated fairly but that’s a discussion for another time.<\/p>\n

For this edition, we will be looking at another significant moment in Sacramento Kings history; the selection of DeMarcus Cousins<\/a><\/strong> in the 2010\u00a0NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

“With the fifth pick of the 2010\u00a0NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select DeMarcus Cousins”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Outside of John Wall<\/a><\/strong>, Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong>, Paul George<\/a><\/strong>, and Cousins, the 2010\u00a0NBA Draft was not rich in superstar talent. However, with the fifth pick, the Sacramento Kings drafted their franchise player. After Wall, Cousins’ teammate at Kentucky, was selected first overall, the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>, New Jersey Nets<\/a>, and Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> all passed on the 6’11 big man. Selecting Evan Turner<\/a><\/strong>, Derrick Favors<\/a>,<\/strong> and Wesley Johnson<\/a><\/strong> respectively.<\/p>\n

In Cousins’ rookie season, the former Kentucky Wildcat would appear in 81 regular season games, while averaging 14 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Cousins would be named to the All-Rookie First Team but the team would finish with a poor 24-58 record.<\/p>\n

Growing Pains<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Throughout Cousins’ career, he has often found himself in a tough situation. Cousins would often be at odds with officials and even his own coaching staff. In his second season in the league, Cousins and Sacramento King’s Head Coach Paul Westphal<\/a><\/strong> were beginning to develop a contentious relationship. According to Sacramento beat writer Sam Amick, Westphal had sent Cousins home after refusing to follow team direction.<\/p>\n

\n

Westphal: "…unwilling\/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely."<\/p>\n

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 1, 2012<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n