<\/p>\n
Ironically, there are few, if any, Sacramento Kings within the grand hierarchy of NBA royalty. Although they\u2019re the oldest team in the NBA, the last time they won a title was in 1951 as the Rochester Royals. Up until recently, the team has been mired in mediocrity for almost two decades, last making the playoffs in 2006.<\/p>\n
From organizational instability to poor roster construction and coaching, the Kings have rarely done themselves favors and made smart moves to become contenders. Thus, it\u2019s a sight for sore eyes to see the Kings currently sitting in 3rd place in the Western Conference more than half the way through the season after answering many questions<\/a> critics had for the team in the preseason.<\/p>\n Their sudden rise has come from a combination of different factors, most of which have come on the offensive end of the floor, but given the goodwill surrounding the team, it\u2019s fair to ask whether Sacramento has a chance of \u201clighting the beam\u201d in June.<\/p>\n All of Sacramento\u2019s success starts and finishes on the offensive end of the floor this year. In Mike Brown\u2019s first year at the helm, he\u2019s helped transform the Kings into an offensive juggernaut. They\u2019re currently 2nd in offensive rating in the NBA, 4th in assist\/turnover ratio, and 3rd in effective field goal percentage.<\/p>\n Those numbers look scrumptious on paper but are even more appetizing when seen in motion. They move the ball quickly, generate open shots at the rim, and have assembled a cadre of marksmen who can smoke it from deep:<\/p>\nWhat makes the Sacramento Kings contenders?<\/h2>\n