
October 8, 2012
Pacific Division Preview
By Willard Smith
Division by division previews for all 30 NBA teams.

Can Moses Chara help Shaquille O’Neal win one last ring – or vice versa?Sacramento KingsShaquille O’Neal said it all with his one quote in the surprising press conference announcing his one year deal to stay in Sacramento to play for the ‘Queens’. “I’m going to retire with one ring in Sacramento. We’re still queens until we win the ring. After that, we will be Kings. I’m a wise man and I always was. I knew what I was talking about ten years ago,” O’Neal stated.
The confidence in O’Neal’s comments has been there throughout his career. He has a great opportunity to make his final promise come true with the Kings. O’Neal admitted that his career was all but over but a couple of phone calls from superstar Moses Chara convinced O’Neal to change his mind. “Moses reached out to me,” O’Neal recites, “He said that he needs me and he said that he would love to help me win another title. I thought it sounded fair. That’s why I’m back.”
The Kings have a well balanced team with star players and role players all knowing their own jobs and responsibilities on a team that is geared towards winning the championship. These guys are in fact my favorites to win it all.
Chara is the best player in the NBA. LeBron James is the second best player. Chara has proven that he is the best. A smooth shooting stroke and an ability to do everything else despite middling athleticism – Chara is our generation’s answer to Larry Bird. He is flanked by smooth scorer Kevin Martin and the uber-athletic point guard Russell Westbrook. Jason Thompson is a young forward who works hard on both ends of the floor while O’Neal may be 40 but is still built for the game. He may have lost a step but still has some tricks in the bag.
The Kings have the luxury of having an All-Star coming off the bench in Michael Redd. Andres Nocioni and Steve Blake are starters on any other NBA team. The Kings have a tight knit group of players and the maturity and experience to win it all this season. They are so good that Shaq would rather have one last shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy. The Kings are good. Period.
Starting Five: Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Thompson, Moses Chara, Kevin Martin, Russell Westbrook
Key Reserves Michael Redd SG, Andres Nocioni SF, Steve Blake PG, Donnie Myers C, Jerry Stackhouse SG
2011-12 Team Record: 48-34
Projected 2012-13: NBA Champions, 1st in the Western Conference, First in the Division