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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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Defense

Feb 13, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) guards Dallas Mavericks point guard Darren Collison (4) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Kings 123-100. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) guards Dallas Mavericks point guard Darren Collison (4) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Kings 123-100. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense might be where there’s the most substance to arguing the case for choosing Collison over Thomas. At 5’9″ Thomas is one of the smallest players in the NBA, and although at 6′, Collison is no giant either, his extra length is significant for battles against bigger point guards.

Neither player is quite a lockdown defender, but both have the skills and potential to contribute on the defensive end of the floor. Comparing their career per 36 minute numbers again, neither player is an elite pickpocket, but Collison does just edge it with 1.4 steals to Thomas’ 1.2.

Going a little bit more in depth, and comparing both players defensive ratings for last season, also shows Collison as the victor, but that may not be as straight forward as it seems. Collison had a defensive rating of 103.2, while Thomas had a rating of 104.8, yet Collison’s rating was in fact a drop off by the Clippers standards, while the Kings were stingier with Thomas on the floor.

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