Remember: The results of NBA exhibition games usually mean close to nothing.
The preseason is for watching players, particularly rookies, free agents or those coming back from injury. It's for checking out a team's style and approach to how it's attempting to play.
Does it really mean anything that Cleveland was winless in four games entering Saturday night's victory against visiting Philadelphia? Nope.
We all know the Cavaliers will struggle pretty much whenever LeBron James is on the bench.
Since the Los Angeles Lakers were 1-2 entering Saturday night's game against FC Barcelona, does that mean anyone believes they'll not be the best team in the Pacific Division and a solid favorite to win the Western Conference? Nope.
Coach Phil Jackson has been playing mind and rotation games with this team since the beginning of training camp – primarily, it says here, because he knows his team is talented.
Like most everything else, the preseason means different things to different teams.
After Saturday night's game in Dallas, the Kings have two remaining exhibition games, and coach Reggie Theus likely will play those home games against Portland and Houston almost as if they are real games.
However, the preseason has displayed two things – positive and negative – about these 2008-09 Kings.
• First-round draft choice Jason Thompson can play. His ability to handle the ball and willingness to run the floor can make him special. When he's dribbling upcourt, he looks like a guard, and he's 6-foot-10.
Moreover, he loves to play and has established himself as a gym rat. In fact, had Ron Artest not been traded, there likely would have been major one-on-one games at the team's practice facility both long after practice and after midnight.
Thompson has the type of desire and work ethic in which a team can feel comfortable investing.
• Kenny Thomas no longer misses more shots around the basket than any big man I've seen. Shelden Williams does. Both players do things – rebound, defend and play physically – this team desperately needs. However, how long can you keep them on the floor when they can't finish plays?
• The Kings' big men still give up far too many unchallenged baskets at the rim. Time after time after time, you see big men never leave their feet when opponents drive to the basket. They often just look up when guards attack the rim. Why? They clearly aren't shot blockers, but that shouldn't stop them from knocking the heck out of someone to prevent a layin or dunk.
• If the Kings run the floor hard on every possession, and continue to do so, they'll improve offensively and defensively. Most basketball players hate to run – or play against a guy who won't stop running.
• Few Kings show the desire or ability to use their defensive movements or focus to affect their opponent's offensive movements. Constantly making an offensive player adjust to the defense is a key to success. Either it's done collectively or individually, or the defense consistently will bend and break.
• Theus should use his depth and play more than a seven- or eight-man rotation, especially in the frontcourt. He doesn't have a complete big man, but the sum of the parts could have a surprisingly positive result.
Call The Bee's Martin McNeal, (916) 326-5504.
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