Nothing routine about Kings’ summer league participation

It has been an interesting summer (league) for the Kings. There was their 90-68 loss to the Raptors in their Las Vegas opener in which the Kings’ 24 turnovers led to 36 Toronto points.

A 98-76 loss to the Nuggets followed as the Kings were outscored by 25 points over the last three quarters and were outrebounded 43-29.

Then came a 90-71 win over the Warriors as top draft pick Willie Cauley-Stein scores 17 points and has eight rebounds. The Kings outshoot the Warriors .515 percent to .329.

Sprinkled among the games – and looming larger than summer contests in the eyes of many Kings fans – were reunions between DeMarcus Cousins and former coach Michael Malone, George Karl talking about Rajon Rondo and Rondo talking about the Kings and Vlade Divac talking about Karl and Cousins, who made headlines Monday by simply shaking hands in public.

The real season won’t begin until late October. Is that enough time for the Kings to blend their new players with their old? Can Karl, who has never coached a losing team during a full 82-game season, continue that streak? And will the veteran coach have that full-season opportunity?

Take a quick look back:

Video: George Karl on DeMarcus Cousins

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Nothing routine about Kings’ summer league participation."