After six lacklustre seasons, Keith Smart believes changes are in order for the Sacramento Kings.....
The Sacramento Kings have put up six consecutive losing seasons and even a coaching change after a dismal start last time around, was unable to stop them for putting up a win-loss record of 22-44. Some of the problems which the
Kings faced last time had to do with the shortened NBA season which led to lesser preparation and acquaintance time, and for a young team that proved to be detrimental.
But this time around, Keith Smart is heading into a full season with the Kings and has had the liberty of putting together a proper plan in the training camp, and the period will be sufficient enough for him to get to know his
team completely. Smart, who is known for implying a fast paced offense, was present on the media day and was quite blunt about what needs to be done to improve the Kings.
''As I keep feeding them the idea of where we're trying to go with this team, obviously, your way has not worked,'' said Smart, ''So let's try it another way, another approach, and see how it goes.''
The Kings are coming into next season with a relatively same line up and besides the addition of Aaron Brooks and Thomas Robinson; most of their roster has stayed the same. However with nearly the same roster, it is the mentality
of the side that Smart wants to target. In DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans have had some of the best available young talent in the league for some time now, but despite the ability, the belief always seem to be missing.
That is what Smart is eying to inculcate. And he certainly seems to be getting a head start. DeMarcus Cousins backed up the notion floated by his coach, and believes that his team now has winning mindset;
''We have a different mindset, a more winning mindset,'' Cousins said. ''Just our confidence, I believe that is there as well. I felt like, I can't really speak for everybody else, but we'd come in with the `what if' or `you-don't-really-know'
mindset. But definitely a winning mindset this year.''
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