Sacramento Kings: 5 Players to Watch in the Second Half of the Season

There isn't a single person with basketball knowledge who will deny how talented the Sacramento Kings are. They have scorers, ball-handlers and rebounders who can bang with the best of them. Unfortunately, they're also inconsistent.

With key players struggling in the first half of the season, it's important the Kings hit the ground running after the All-Star break. Those who struggled need to turn it around quickly before a disappointing start becomes a disappointing season. For every underachiever, however, there is an overachiever. And for every overachiever, there are questions to be answered.

For instance, how will the young players react to their hot starts? Will they be able to continue their personal success and contribute to their team's ultimate goal of making the playoffs? Or will the hot start see a cold end?

All of these are questions that will be answered in a matter of weeks. Until then, let's take a look at five players who will play a pivotal role to the Kings' success, or lack thereof, in the second half of the season.

5. Jimmer Fredette, Guard

There's no denying that the first half of Jimmer's rookie season has been a struggle. The 10th overall draft choice is hitting just 37.5 percent of his shots from the floor, making his value minimal at best. Nevertheless, sporadic playing time has to be considered a factor in his performance.

In the second half of the season, it will be interesting to see how Jimmer reacts to becoming the team's true No. 2 option at the point. Tyreke Evans is going to be playing the 2 or the 3 and fellow rookie Isaiah Thomas has all but solidified himself as the franchise's point guard of the future. If Jimmer can find his shot, he could solidify himself as the sixth man.

4. Donte Greene, Forward

Greene is arguably the best perimeter defender on the Kings' roster. His defensive ability has been praised by many, including teammate Tyreke Evans. In the second half of the season, it will be interesting to see how far head coach Keith Smart pushes Greene with Francisco Garcia's horrific play damaging the team's chances at victory.

Greene will never be a stat sheet stuffer, but he is a guy who brings energy and defensive commitment to the floor. Those are two things the Kings are in desperate need of, making Greene a key player as the Kings look to turn things around and push for the playoffs.

3. Marcus Thornton, Guard

DeMarcus Cousins is playing at an elite level. Isaiah Thomas is developing into one of the premier point guards in the NBA. Tyreke Evans is finally beginning to play efficient basketball en route to a handful of 20-point performances. Marcus Thornton? Well, you take the great with the not so great.

For every game that he drops 25 points on greater than 45 percent shooting, he'll put up 16 on 35 percent shooting. He often looks to the three-pointer too much and sometimes goes for contact when he should pass out. In the second half of the season, it will be pivotal for Thornton to develop a more efficient method of scoring.

With a rookie point guard, Thornton needs to be mature enough to make the right play. If he can do that, the Kings are going to be a tough team to beat. If he can't, it's just going to be the same song to a different tune.

2. John Salmons, Guard

One of the biggest disappointments for the Kings has been the play of veteran John Salmons. He's shooting a career-low 36 percent from the field, as well as 27 percent from beyond the arc. If the Kings want to make a run at the playoffs, Salmons' play must improve.

While 2011 wasn't a great year for him, he's not far removed from a stellar 2010 campaign. Salmons averaged 19.9 points per game in 30 appearances after being traded from the Bulls to the Bucks. Thus far in 2012, he can't even top the 10 point-per-game plateau.

Luckily for the Kings, Salmons has a long history of playing better basketball after the All-Star break.

1. Isaiah Thomas, Point Guard

Who else?

Isaiah Thomas has done for the Kings what Jeremy Lin has done for the Knicks, he's just not getting the credit. Oh, and he's doing it without turning the ball over 10 times per game.

It will be interesting to see if Thomas can continue this level of play. We've seen something like this before as Nate Robinson once played a similar role for the New York Knicks, only to eventually succumb to inconsistency. The difference for Thomas is that he's a natural playmaker that does much more than score.

If Thomas can continue to play with a high level of energy, passion and selflessness, there is no reason he can't rival Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio in the race for Rookie of the Year. More importantly, there's no reason he can't help lead the Kings back to .500.

As they always say, though, only time will tell.