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What comes to mind when you think of the Sacramento Kings? Unselfishness? Check. Shooting? Check. Chemistry? Check. Championship? I’ll get back to you on that one.

Over the past five seasons, the Sacramento Kings have been an elite team in the west with at least 50 wins in each of those seasons. The Maloofs and the Kings’ front office, along with Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, resurrected a once seemingly hopeless franchise and turned it into arguably the most entertaining team in the league. But Webber and the Kings still haven’t exercised the demons that have plagued them and put up a banner in Arco Arena.

Is this their last chance for a ring? Or has that opportunity already passed them by?

The West is the strongest conference in the league, and therefore the most difficult to succeed in. With the emergence of newer, stronger squads like Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, and Utah, it makes it all that more difficult for the Kings to advance in the postseason. Critics say the Kings don’t have heart. They just can’t get it done after 82. There are just too many question marks: “Is Webber going to hold up?” “Is Peja Stojakovic going to choke in playoffs?” “Can they go deep in the playoffs with a weak bench?”

The Kings have had their share of problems. With injuries to Peja, Bobby Jackson, Chris Webber, and Mike Bibby, the Kings seemingly haven’t gone through a recent playoff stint without someone in a suit these past few years. Throw in losing a team leader like Divac and key role players like Anthony Peeler and Gerald Wallace, plus some civil unrest with Peja requesting a trade, and things weren’t looking good for the Kings.

So far Sacramento is 14-6 this season, 2nd in their division, and 4th in the conference. They lead the league in assists per game (25.3), and are second in points per game (102.4). Webber is off to one of his best starts, averaging about 20-10-5. Not bad for a guy who will never be 100% again. The Kings have four all-stars, a 6th Man of the Year, and an All-Defensive 1st Team guard in Doug Christie.

With the exception of Jackson, what about the bench? Well, Darius Songaila and Matt Barnes are quality players who will improve with more playing time. Songaila has already shown flashes of the player he can be, with 17 points and 11 boards off the bench against the Bobcats earlier this year. Matt Barnes is improving his mid-range game, and he's something the Kings haven’t had in a while: a young, athletic backup shooting guard. With Christie advancing in age, this is a welcome sight to fans. In a game against Dallas this year, Barnes put up 17 points, nine boards and four dimes. Barnes can hit the three and is a good passer - a staple of almost anyone who puts on a Kings jersey. And then there's Mr. Almost - Greg Ostertag. He is notorious for bad hands, clumsy dribbling, and poor shooting. Not quite the average King, but he does give the Kings some rebounds and an extra six fouls to give.

Finally, coach Rick Adelman knows the team and can get the best out of them.

With a team less talented and deep than a few years ago, the Sacramento Kings have pulled together and won 13 of their last 15 games. If they can stay healthy and continue their unselfish play, hitting the open shot, and puzzling defenders with a plethora of cuts and screens, this just might be their season. They show the league what true teamwork is all about, and I don’t see their reign as an elite squad ending anytime soon.