Before the start of the season Kings guard Kevin Martin was asked about the make up of the Kings when the subject of toughness came up.
The three players mentioned by Martin as bringing a tougher attitude: Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and Jon Brockman.
Making a team younger isn't supposed to make it tougher, especially mentally tougher. But early into the season that appears to be the case for the Kings.
Evans is already the team's go-to player late in games. Casspi is playing important minutes. And even though he's not playing much, Kings coach Paul Westphal continues to express confidence in Brockman.
"I think right now the young guys are doing a great job of bringing energy, playing hard playing good (defense)," said forward Andres Nocioni. "They came here and in practice and in games ready to go, I think these young guys give us the new blood on the team."
It's good the young players aren't backing down from challenges. Evans seems unbothered by pressure. Casspi craves the pressure.
"We're going to put our young players in position, not in order to give them experience, but because they're the guys that need to be out there to help us win the game," Westphal said. "I think they showed a lot about their competitiveness (Tuesday night)."
Sounds like the Kings will be a lot better as the attitude of three rookies continues to rub off on everyone else.
--Jason Jones
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