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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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Passing

Jan 10, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Darren Collison (4) passes the ball against Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Darren Collison (4) passes the ball against Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

As I mentioned above, both guys aren’t necessarily the most willing of passers, but they are capable all the same. Neither player is the sort of selfless distributor (i.e., Rajon Rondo) that some Kings fans were hoping to sign this summer, but if Rudy Gay or DeMarcus Cousins had a better shot, both guys would appear to be the type who would be willing to defer.

Looking at a comparison of the duo’s per 36 minute assist numbers for their careers, there is little to separate them. Thomas averages 5.9, while Collison just pulls out in front with 6.1 assists per 36.

An important caveat to make though, is that Collison achieved his career high average as a rookie. In spite of his minutes per game being greater than that first season in every one since with the exception of last year, 2009-10 remains the California native’s assist landmark.

Does that mean Collison’s flair for passing has lessened or just been nullified? It’s hard to tell.

According to Synergy’s advanced passing stats though, last season at least, Thomas was responsible for more points created by assist per 48 minutes. Whether Collison’s numbers are negatively influenced by playing alongside the league’s true leader in that stat in Chris Paul, is up for debate, but Thomas comes out 3.8 points better off than Collison in that category either way.

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