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Sacramento Kings: Darren Collison, Starting Point Guard?

By Adam McGee

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Darren Collison warms up prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Darren Collison warms up prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scoring

Nov 29, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darren Collison (2) drives in against Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Darren Collison (2) drives in against Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

If Kings fans had one criticism that they could level against Isaiah Thomas, it was that his instincts as a scorer rather than a playmaker didn’t best suit the other players on their roster. If Darren Collison is indeed to be his replacement, not a lot will change in that regard though.

Except for, maybe, Collison scoring less.

Collison is a talented player, and a solid pickup, but more often not he hasn’t had sole playmaking responsibility in his hands. Even more importantly, when he has, it hasn’t generally ended well.

For the moment, let’s compare the two players’ scoring abilities in terms of numbers though. As Collison had a 6 percent lower usage rate last season, it’s understandable why even the pair’s per 36 stats show Thomas to be a more productive and prolific scorer.

Over the course of their careers, Collison comes out on top in terms of efficiency with higher percentages from the field, 3-point range and the charity stripe. On the other hand, Thomas has averaged four points more per 36 minutes for his career to date than Collison.

This leads to no definitive answers, but instead, a question on basketball philosophy. Is it better to have greater efficiency, or a more prolific output?

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