For Cousins, you can't judge a game just looking at 16-12, or 5-18, or 2-6. It all matters. And this was a mediocre performance.

And it, in the end, probably helped the team.

Other notes:

* I do not envy Donald Sloan. It's remarkable how ineffective he has been. If Cousins' star quotient (translated through FGA levels) has damaged anyone, it's been Sloan, who just can't get anything going on the floor. The Kings are going to have trouble going into training camp with Sloan as the perfunctory back-up point guard. Of course, that position's in an odd spot anyway, given there are two point guards on the roster, but one will be the starter at two-guard, in all likelihood.

* In terms of the other guards on the team, I think Ryan Thompson stands the best chance of getting a regular season nod, followed by Sylven Landesberg, Tyrese Rice and Devan Downey. If Sloan hadn't already signed a contract, I'd put him behind Downey, regrettably. Nothing against the kid — I really hope he breaks out in the weekend games — but he just hasn't done a thing since the first game.

* That said, we are no closer to having a favorite in Team Donte vs. Team Omri than we were a week ago. It looks like it may come down to training camp and preseason.