What hopes do all 16 teams have of hopping in the postseason driver's seat? Take a ride with NBA.com as we outline each team's Keys to Success.
MASTER KEY: Chris Webber has established himself as one of the league's most dominant power forwards, and in doing so, has made himself a viable candidate for MVP honors. Webber carries the load for the Kings, leading the team in points (27.4 per game), rebounds (11.2) and blocks (1.71 per game). On a team full of exciting and capable players, C-Webb has established himself as the go-to guy, which is no small matter seeing that Western Conference rivals L.A. and Portland are still seeking that player.
KEY STOPPERS: Webber is the obvious answer, not only because of his ability to block shots and gobble boards, but also because he will probably find himself guarding the best players in the Western Conference - Spurs'
Tim Duncan, Timberwolves'
Kevin Garnett and Trail Blazers'
Rasheed Wallace. Webber's ability to shut down his opponents, at least partially, without getting in foul trouble will be key.
Doug Christie, one of the NBA's better defensive players and the Kings' steal leader with over two per game, will also play an important defensive role creating easy baskets by forcing turnovers.
KEYS IN THE KEY: Vlade Divac isn't the biggest banger around, but what he lacks in inside intimidation he more than makes up in solid postion defense and exceptional passing skills. Look for the Kings to bring in
Lawrence Funderburke and vastly underrated
Scot Pollard to make sure
Vlade Divac stays out of foul trouble.
KEY DISTRIBUTOR: Jason Williams makes a mean sneaker commerical, and an even meaner no-look bounce pass. Flash may not go far in the playoffs, but Williams is the driver of the high-octane machine that is the Kings' offense. His ability to find the right man at the right time in transition has propelled the Kings all season.
 
KEY WIN, KEY VID: When the Kings came back from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 92-86 on April 5th, it was the third time the Kings had overcome a 20-point deficit this season. But more importantly, the Kings won with Bobby Jackson playing big minutes, and Predrag Stojakovic dropping in 25 points, showing the versatility of the Kings.
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KEY RESERVE: Like finding a $20 bill in your pocket, rookie
Hidayet Turkoglu's. dividends have been a pleasant surprise for the Kings. Turkoglu has been solid in his first season of NBA action. He gives the Kings a more than credible offensive and defensive presence when he comes off the bench, remarkable for a rookie, much less a rookie from overseas.
KEY LONG-RANGE GUNNER: Pedrag Stojakovic has been shooting the lights out for the Kings (probably much to the delight of Northern California's power companies) making almost 40% of his three-point attempts. His ability to create his own space to get off his three-point shots makes him more dangerous than most long-range gunners, and is the reason he is averaging over 20 points a game.
KEY IMAGE
I've Fallen...and I Can Get Up: Jason Williams has plenty of backup to help him navigate through the playoffs.
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KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE: Chris Webber's utter
domination of the Pacers in a 93-91 Kings OT victory on Jan. 5 was a shot across the bow to all the other MVP candidates. His 51-point, 26-board night was C-Webb at his best. Combining inside toughness and outside touch, Webber was too strong, too quick, too much.
KEY NEWCOMER: Ex-Timberwolves guard
Bobby Jackson has shown plenty of guile and grit in backing up
Jason Williams at the point. Jackson's game has won over Coach Rick Adelman, who has given him quality minutes, especially towards the end of the season. Should
Jason Williams tire or falter, the Kings are still in good hands with Jackson at the point.
KEY TIDBIT: Jason Williams went to high school with Minnesota Vikings superstar wide-receiver Randy Moss. Much of the Kings' playoff success will depend on how well Williams passes the ball, and how often Webber receives the ball.
