It seems as if the Sacramento Kings have hit a wall in the month of January, winning only 1 of 11 games so far this month and losing their last 7 games.  They have gone 1-12 since December 23rd and things just keep getting worse.  They have been playing terrible defense and have been giving up 106 points-per-game since December 23rd.  It looks like most of the Kings’ players have given up on the season and they are only half-way through the 2009-’10 season.  Pretty much every Kings’ player needs to step up their play and bring a strong effort every night.  One of the few players you can’t put much blame on for the Kings’ failures is rookie Tyreke Evans.  Evans has been the Kings’ best player all season long and has been having some very strong games despite the Kings recent losing ways.  He is averaging 20.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46% from the field.  He is the favorite to win this year’s Rookie of the Year Award, but he is getting very little help on offense and their team defense has been terrible so the Kings will continue to struggle.

23-year old back-up point guard Sergio Rodriguez has not played in 4 of the Kings’ last five games as he has had his playing time cut due to the return of Kevin Martin. Rodriguez has played in 32 games (0 starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 13.3 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Rumors are swirling that the Kings are looking to trade Martin. If that happens then “Spanish Chocolate” will get back to playing his normal minutes.

Point guard Beno Udrih will go back to coming off the bench after the return of Kevin Martin this past week. Udrih has played in 37 games (14 starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 31.0 minutes, 13.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season. Look for Udrih to keep playing well for the Kings as he has spent most of the year coming off the bench anyway. But, he did play well as a starter for them this season and they won’t hesitate to put him back into the starting line-up if the need arises.

The Kings need more than they are getting out of center Spencer Hawes. Hawes has played in 35 games (28 starts) this season for the Kings and he is averaging 27.0 minutes, 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Kings expect more out of Hawes who appears to be taking a small step back after truly breaking out last year.

The Kings have acquired 25-year old center Hilton Armstrong and cash from the Hornets for a conditional second round pick. Armstrong played in 18 games (0 starts) for the Hornets this year and he averaged 13.3 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 209 games (37 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 12.9 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Armstrong will give the Kings another decent big body off the bench to help the team this year and beyond for the price of a 2nd round pick so you have to like the trade for them.

As of right now the Kings have by far the best rookie crop in the NBA this year. SG/PG Tyreke Evans is the top rookie in the NBA right now. He has played in 30 games (all starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 37.0 minutes, 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Evans would get my vote for the Rookie of the Year Award if the season ended today. SF Omri Casspi has also been solid this season for the Kings. He has played in 32 games (10 starts) this season for the Kings and he is averaging 27.7 minutes, 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Casspi is a great shooter as he is hitting 49.8% of his shots from the floor and a stunning 47.1% from behind the three point line. Power forward Jon Brockman hasn’t gotten much playing time but he’s making the most of it. He has played in 26 games (0 starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 11.0 minutes, 2.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Brockman is shooting 56.8% from the floor and the Kings will likely start getting him more playing time. This was a excellent draft for the Kings which will help build a solid foundation for the future.

The Kings are giving Donte’ Greene more playing time this season but he’s playing too soft. Greene has played in 30 games (19 starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 20.4 minutes, 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. If Greene doesn’t start get tougher around the basket I see the Kings starting to cut his minutes down some soon.