Stephen Curry

sacjwise

The I-80 rivals have played four times this season, but Stephen Curry may want to see the Kings at least four more times before it's all said and done.

Although Sactown lost every matchup, the 14-point average margin of defeat is a little deceiving, the Kings held a fourth quarter lead in the first game, a halftime lead in the third game and were within five points with three minutes to play in the fourth game.

Sharing a moment with his brother Seth and Rudy Gay after the final buzzer on Saturday in Sacramento, he told the two he would like to see them again in April.

The possible Playoff matchup would be a first for the franchises, who have yet to be in the top eight teams of the Western Conference at the same time since the Kings came to Sacramento. During Sactown's eight-year playoff run, Golden State averaged under 32 wins per season. Meanwhile, during the Warriors current three-year run, Sacramento averaged under 30 wins per season.

Whether it's Rajon Rondo's triple-double in the first matchup, Omri Casspi's red-hot first half in Oakland on Dec. 28, or DeMarcus Cousins' domination on Saturday, the matchup would not only be star powered but also LOUD.

Sleep Train Arena holds the Guinness World Record for indoor crowd noise and Oracle Arena is often cited as one of the loudest buildings in the League. The series would have the potential to be the loudest and most contentious since early 2000s Kings-Lakers.

steph-hopes-to-see-kings-in-playoffs

Steph Hopes to See Kings in Playoffs

Omri Casspi may have just fully announced his arrival on the national stage by squaring off with the reigning MVP Stephen Curry on Monday night in Oakland.

Casspi, who's 51 percent clip from deep leads the League, recorded a career-high 36 points on the night, but it was a three minute and 15 second burst between the two top 10 three-point shooters that stole the show.

In that three-plus minute stretch, Casspi (four) and Curry (five) combined to hit nine three-pointers while recording 29 of the game's combined 31 points.

The duel had Twitter buzzing and No. 18's name was trending nation-wide for over three hours following the game.

"Omri Casspi was going and it turned into a show," said Warriors interim coach Luke Walton after the contest. "The fact that Omri got going is definitely part of the reason why Steph turned it up.”

The sixth-year forward recorded a career-best 21-point second quarter, while setting a Warriors franchise record for most three-pointers made by an opponent in a half with seven.

“That last four minutes of the second quarter was crazy," said Kings head coach George Karl. "Casspi made one from 26 (feet), Curry made one from 30 and Casspi made one from 32, and then Curry made one from 35. I don’t know how far out they were, but they looked like they were way out. It took a long time to get to the rim. Everyone was in the bottom. It was great.”

Regardless of the game's outcome, we recommend you watch the below highlight of that scoring spree and enjoy Kings Play-by-Play Announcer Grant Napear's emphatic call!

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Casspi and Curry Duel in Second Quarter

While Kings VP of Basketball and Franchise Operations and team legend Vlade Divac was on KHTK Sports 1140's morning radio show, he was posed a very interesting hypothetical.

Who would win in a matchup between arguably two of the most exciting teams of the last 20 years; the 2002 Sacramento Kings or 2015 Golden State Warriors?

"It would be five overtimes," said Vlade initially.

But as hosts Carmichael Dave and Dave Mason dove deeper into the positional matchups of the dream series, Vlade made his case.

Hear how Divac thinks the series would have gone in the below audio clip:

Plus, share who you think would win and why in the comments below!

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2002 Kings vs. 2015 Warriors

Steven Wilson

DeMarcus Cousins knows there’s no time to waste.

“I think I’m a lot more prepared this season,” stated the fifth-year pro, who displayed an unrelenting motor throughout the first day of U.S. Men’s National Team mini-camp, “and like I said, I came here to work.”

His impact on the team was readily apparent.

Whether it was diving on the ground for a loose ball, hustling from one end of the court to the other, defending smaller and shiftier guards or boxing out for rebounds, Cousins’ performance was impressive.

“We’re getting after it every day here,” said No. 36. “We have to learn the system and prepare fast.”

So fast that the team ended Monday’s practice with a 20-minute scrimmage.

“Once you get out here and the pace picks up and you have to defend on this end, it’s tough,” said the 6-foot-11 center. “It will get better as the week goes on.”

By the time the session concluded, Cousins’ white USA mesh jersey was drenched with sweat. But it didn’t stop him from an extra session of jumpshots followed by a friendly three-point competition.

The Kentucky product made his way to the southwest corner of the gym where he met up with teammates Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward and Stephen Curry to see who had the most accurate stroke.

Although he finished third – behind Thompson and Curry – Cousins was pleased with his output.

“I’m not going to take it as a negative thing,” he said after a hearty laugh. “I’m just going to take it as I’m the third-best shooter in the gym.”

Though his long-range marksmanship is sure to leave an impression on his backcourt teammates, Cousins’ talent has earned him the respect of those in the frontcourt, too.

“I love that guy,” said Davis – New Orleans’ lone representative on the U.S. team. “He’s one of the guys I watched a lot and tried to learn a lot from.”

Throughout the week’s first session, Boogie and The Brow crashed and collided, both giving it their all. But the level of physicality didn’t stop the two former Wildcats from having a little fun in the meantime.

“Anthony’s always playing around,” joked Cousins. “It’s always fun, it’s always competitive, and I know we’re going to bring the best out of each other.”

Despite having only three centers listed on the current roster, Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski appreciates the camaraderie and competitive spirit.

“I think all these players know they’re going to get better because they’re not going to get this level of competition just working out [on their own],” said Krzyzewski.

“I’m impressed with all the guys. They want to be a part of it and there are some guys that don’t. [Cousins has] come multiple times, so that level of commitment is something to be desired and it needs to be talked about.”

With four seasons of NBA experience, including three stints of USA training, Sacramento’s young star is ready to shine on the brightest stage.

“A lot of [coaches] come in and say, ‘Leave your egos at the door,’” said Cousins. “But at this point, [Coach Krzyzewski] doesn’t want us to do that. He wants us to bring our ego.

“They’re saying, ‘Play your game, and do what you do out here.’”

With that in mind, Cousins is focused on playing his style while striving to master the National Team system.

“He continues to get better,” concluded Krzyzewski. “We love the fact he’s committed. He’s trimmed down, and he’s trying like crazy.”

Day 2 predicts to feature similar levels of competition, as the action tips off at 12 p.m. inside the Mendenhall Center on the campus of UNLV.

Stephen Curry

Steph Hopes to See Kings in Playoffs

Casspi and Curry Duel in Second Quarter

2002 Kings vs. 2015 Warriors

DMC: ‘I Came Here to Work’