Edward G. Robinson was a fine actor. His best work may have been in 1931’s “Little Caesar.” Robinson was awarded an honorary Academy Award for his years of outstanding performances in 1973.

But in 1956, Robinson was cast as “Dathan” in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” where he may have issued the single funniest-not-meant-to-be-funny-line in cinematic history, “Where’s your messiah now?” Robinson’s 1930’s gangster-style delivery of the line makes me laugh every time. Not exactly casting at it's finest.

In 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Michael Caine all executed their roles beautifully. I can’t imagine Bale in the role of “The Joker” any more than I could see Ledger playing “Alfred.” The casting was spot-on, and the performances were outstanding.

In basketball, it’s all about the casting. Sure, you’re not going anywhere without talent, but while casting your team, it is critical that you don’t miscast players that could otherwise help the overall performance.

As an example, I give you Mikki Moore. Mikki took quite the shellacking while he was here.  And the entire time that he was here, Mikki Moore was…well…Mikki Moore. He did not really underperform based on his career numbers. Mikki would have been an excellent piece off the bench, an energy guy, a minute’s filler. But due to injuries to leading man (at PF, anyway) Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Moore was thrust into a new role, and derided for the results. The fact that the Kings overpaid for Moore did not help matters, either. In the end, Mikki Moore was miscast.

The first instinct of any sane person looking at a 16-63 ballclub might be to suggest flushing the entire roster. At 16-63, there can’t be anyone worth holding onto, right? But perhaps there are pieces to be held and cultivated from this group, as long as they are properly cast.

Let’s start with Kevin Martin. It appears that Martin has been woefully miscast in the role of team leader. This is partially Martin’s fault, as he has attempted (and failed) to lead on a couple of occasions this year. It is also partially the fault of everyone that thought (and hoped and wished) that Martin could be that new leader.

So let’s properly cast Martin as our primary offensive threat. Let’s take this insanely efficient scorer and run plays for him. Not just isolations, but double screens and back door plays. This does not mean that he does not have to get better defensively. But as the 65^th highest paid player in the NBA next year (before any big free agents sign their new contracts), Martin is not priced as the leading man. Let’s enjoy him for what he is and stop wringing our hands for what he is not. Martin can be part of a successful production here as the effective and needed sidekick. Think Kato, Spock, Tonto, Robin, or Watson. Don't think Green Hornet, Kirk, The Lone Ranger, Batman or Sherlock Holmes.

Our next invitee to casting call is Beno Udrih. Beno has not been close to what we were hoping for this year, though he is pretty close to what he was last year. Beno was given a Broadway role, but he continues to give an off-Broadway performance. Udrih is about in the middle of the pack PG for salary in 2009-10, at least slightly overpaid for his current performance. But when you look at some of the others in his price range (Luke Ridnour, Earl Watson), you could see Udrih cast as a backup PG (and even a backup two-guard in the right circumstances). He would still be overpaid, but not to the extent where it would cripple you. Additionally, you really do need to keep him around until you have someone that can take the starting job from him. At that point (and with the right attitude), he becomes a valuable piece off the bench. However, if he storms off to be alone in his trailer, send him packing the moment that you are offered even a half box of Milk Duds for his services.

Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson are the two young thespians that you will want to recast too quickly. Comments will be made how Hawes could become more of a leader as he continues to grasp the nuances of the high post passing offense, while JT will be touted as a “lead by example” kind of guy. Casting agents beware! Hawes will still be only 21 at the start of next season, and Thompson will have his hands full next year learning how not to foul out of games. These guys will bring you a great return on your investment dollar next year (they will earn less than $4.4 million combined!). Patience, please. The Tom Hanks of “Bachelor Party” was not the same Tom Hanks that won an Oscar for “Philadelphia.” Let these guys grow into their roles.

Andres Nocioni will earn $21 million over the next three years. He is not the problem, nor is he the cure. Noc is a decent character actor with a flair for the dramatic, but he’s not the guy that you put on the coming attractions poster. He is not an upper echelon small forward, but he does not strike me as a guy that will happily fill a bench role for a rebuilding team. He should be dealt if the Kings can acquire as little as expiring contract for him.

Francisco Garcia is beginning to look like he’s ready to take over the swashbuckling role of super 6^th man. On a good team, Garcia would be worth his weight in gold (or at least the $23 million that he will make over the next four years). He is not quite talented enough to go head to head with the NBA’s West Coast elite (Kobe, Manu, ‘Melo, Durant, etc.) for long stretches, but he is a handful for any opponent’s 2^nd tier. Rico Suavé!

Donté Greene is the understudy of this bunch. I love this kid, and he’ll make a tidy $870,000 next year. Shirley Temple was a kid actor that went on to do great things. Danny Bonaduce was a kid actor, too. This one can go either way. Time to grow up, Donté. It’s OK to be Doratio Kane some of the time, but if the only role you play is Doratio Kane, you will be typecast as Doratio Kane. Ask George Reeves, Michael Richards, or even Edward G. Robinson how that can be.

The rest of the current cast is dismissed. Thank you for coming in and reading for us. Don’t call us. We’ll call you. This includes Rashad McCants. McCants has an almost $11 million cap hold, which the Kings will be free of when they renounce their rights to him. Once a free agent, there is no way McCants does not find a better situation (more money, more playing time, or both) somewhere other than Sacramento.

That leaves the new class of talent, to be had with three of the first 31 picks in the draft. As mentioned earlier in regards to Thompson and Hawes, welcome the new talent, but do not try to get Shakespeare out of a guy that is better at romantic comedy. If we draft a guy that is not a shot blocker, do not bemoan the fact that he does not block shots, but embrace the talents that he does bring…and hope that we find at least a bit player that can block some shots. If we find a PG in the latter stages of the 1^st round and he appears destined to become a capable NBA role player, do not be enraged at him for failing to become Tiny Archibald with the 25^th pick of the 1^st round, at an annual salary of roughly $1 million. No matter how badly we want these guys to be DeNiro, some (if not all of them) are destined to be Jim Carrey. The key is that they are appropriately cast.

Where’s your messiah now?