Nemanja Bjelica was this close, THIS CLOSE, to going back to Europe so he could go back to dominating after a disappointing stint in Minneapolis. A last-minute contract offered by the Kings kept him on this side of the Atlantic, and it turns out that he didn’t need to go back to Europe to dominate. All he needed was a coach who would properly use him.
I’m just going to go out and say it: Bjelica is the Kings’ best player right now. I am biased towards Euros in general, but in this case, I think it’s fair to say that. He’s insanely efficient is what I’m basing this on. As the season goes on, he won’t keep shooting 70 percent from the floor, but the passing will remain. The savvy Euro passing that makes every stat-nerd’s heart go pit-a-pat.
It’s too early to say that the Kings are good now, or even okay, but there’s something here. Maybe the long years of tanking/semi-tanking are at an end? They’ve got more wins than losses, and the last time that was the case, White Chocolate was their PG. I’m exaggerating, but if it turns out I’m right, I wouldn’t be surprised.