Ziller: Time for Kings to consider life after Cousins
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Could you do me a big favor and rephrase that? I've read it four times (at least) and I'm still not sure I understand what you mean. 
I don't think Vlade or Vivek believe we have reached that level of despair.
But his peak value will be this off season.
K
The Kings for six years refuse to accept who DMC is and as a result they keep bringing in rosters that result in exposing all his worst flaws. The reality is Cousins is a crazy talent with great basketball skills/instincts but is probably one of the dumbest ''superstar"/allstar players ever with a questionable attitude once things start going pear shaped. So in that sense the one thing you never do is surround him with other dumb players with question able work ethic (Rudy Gay/many others). We have also never provided him with any floor spacing and finally after 6 years we got him a buddy in WCS as a shot blocker but now it might be already to late. You need either high energy guys (with some skill) and guys who know how to move a basketball actually hunger competitors not a bunch of marshmallows.
The other problem is aside from the brief 15 games period last years coaches keep allowing him to take any shots he wants instead of being a strictly in the paint player who causes havoc on the glass, the guys jumper is not good at all and yet he forever remains using it due to him wanting to and coaches stupidly encouraging him. Part of the problem is DMC but we have never really put him in a position to succeed.
The other problem is aside from the brief 15 games period last years coaches keep allowing him to take any shots he wants instead of being a strictly in the paint player who causes havoc on the glass, the guys jumper is not good at all and yet he forever remains using it due to him wanting to and coaches stupidly encouraging him. Part of the problem is DMC but we have never really put him in a position to succeed.
We discuss everything anytime but it's not time to waste time on discussions of trading Cuz. Getting another PF and another PG and another SG - lots of more timely and pertinent issues for right now.
Same as wasting time discussing firing our coach. Wouldn't help now. Give the team 12 more games to get their
%¥€#%%% together. OK. If team play doesn't improve significantly in the next four years, let's talk about it.
Same as wasting time discussing firing our coach. Wouldn't help now. Give the team 12 more games to get their
%¥€#%%% together. OK. If team play doesn't improve significantly in the next four years, let's talk about it.
You don't see other franchise players in the league throwing a fit and not trying when things go down...they look themselves in the mirror and ask what can they do to turn this around? Cousins is so used to losing that even the slightest negative that comes towards the team, he folds and shows his true colors again. At a certain point you need to say to yourself...it's time to grow up and get over this hurdle with a level head.
No, Cousins isn't a quitter. But it embarrasses me to see how many Kings fans (at least some of the idiots on Twitter) are so quick to want to give up on our franchise player because of some blatherskite who somehow earns credibility just by linking together 140 characters on Twitter.
We cannot quit on Cousins. If we do, we will have no one but ourselves to blame for the crapstorm we have to endure afterwards.
We cannot quit on Cousins. If we do, we will have no one but ourselves to blame for the crapstorm we have to endure afterwards.
I am against trading Cousins. I also dont think firing Karl , at least before the season has played out will move us in a positive direction. I am looking forward to seeing whether the team meeting had any effect on the team from coaches to players.
I will wait till deeper into the season before looking for any major moves, though the team has a big hill to climb to prove a move of some kind is not needed. I remain optimistic.
I will wait till deeper into the season before looking for any major moves, though the team has a big hill to climb to prove a move of some kind is not needed. I remain optimistic.
The frustration and emotion of a six game skid and dubious team meeting masks some fundamental issues. We have a PG who can't shoot. Instead of defenders playing 1/2 step off him they are playing 1-3 steps off him daring him to score. Ben over at SI.com said better than I could:
Because PGs are playing off Rondo (43% TS) they are closing driving lanes and shrinking the floor. You think Rudy's struggles (44% TS) might have something to do with not having enough room to operate? He can play better and Ben can play better but a PG who can't draw defensive attention helps account for our SF and SG woeful start.
Rondo and Marco can be formidable back-up guards but hitching your wagon to Rondo has a 32 MPG starter is NOT going to work unless you have 4 scorers on the floor with him that can create their own shot. We have two in Rudy and Cousins, and accordingly we are very easy to plot against by the opponent.
Holding a team meeting and "clearing the air" is not going to resolve this basic flaw in the construction of the team by Vlade.
Collision needs to start. Ben needs to start. Willie needs to look for his offense a little more often. Cousins and Rudy need to get in better shape. Seth needs to part of the bench unit to provide more scoring punch and spacing.
My fear is that Karl will continue to ride Rondo for 30+ MPG and the team will continue to be sporadic which translates into being vulnerable in transition. Frustrations and losses will build and season will be over by Thanksgiving.
I would be shocked if Karl was canned as the minority owners do not want to be on the hook for a third head coach. Malone is still on payroll IIRC when he had one year left on his deal at the time of his dismissal.
Coach Thibbadeau is a coach Boogie got along with well and respected and he has the FORCE of personality that Karl lacks. I doubt this happens but it is disconcerting to hear that Karl is being second-guessed so soon and delegating so much. These are precursors to losing control and respect of your players.
Because PGs are playing off Rondo (43% TS) they are closing driving lanes and shrinking the floor. You think Rudy's struggles (44% TS) might have something to do with not having enough room to operate? He can play better and Ben can play better but a PG who can't draw defensive attention helps account for our SF and SG woeful start.
Rondo and Marco can be formidable back-up guards but hitching your wagon to Rondo has a 32 MPG starter is NOT going to work unless you have 4 scorers on the floor with him that can create their own shot. We have two in Rudy and Cousins, and accordingly we are very easy to plot against by the opponent.
Holding a team meeting and "clearing the air" is not going to resolve this basic flaw in the construction of the team by Vlade.
Collision needs to start. Ben needs to start. Willie needs to look for his offense a little more often. Cousins and Rudy need to get in better shape. Seth needs to part of the bench unit to provide more scoring punch and spacing.
My fear is that Karl will continue to ride Rondo for 30+ MPG and the team will continue to be sporadic which translates into being vulnerable in transition. Frustrations and losses will build and season will be over by Thanksgiving.
I would be shocked if Karl was canned as the minority owners do not want to be on the hook for a third head coach. Malone is still on payroll IIRC when he had one year left on his deal at the time of his dismissal.
Coach Thibbadeau is a coach Boogie got along with well and respected and he has the FORCE of personality that Karl lacks. I doubt this happens but it is disconcerting to hear that Karl is being second-guessed so soon and delegating so much. These are precursors to losing control and respect of your players.
Marc J. Spears @SpearsNBAYahoo 2m2 minutes ago
DeMarcus Cousins apologizes in statement for words after loss Monday and says no one to blame for Kings' struggles.
DeMarcus Cousins apologizes in statement for words after loss Monday and says no one to blame for Kings' struggles.
Marc J. Spears @SpearsNBAYahoo 2m2 minutes ago
DeMarcus Cousins apologizes in statement for words after loss Monday and says no one to blame for Kings' struggles.
DeMarcus Cousins apologizes in statement for words after loss Monday and says no one to blame for Kings' struggles.
I knew this was going to be the counter. Look, this franchise has been the most dysfunctional in the last decade, that's safe to say. Is that Cousins' fault? not at all. However, out of all the turmoil and changes that have been going on, from day one...he has always had anger issues, ref issues and cases where he lashes out at his team mates, coach, etc. That's been the one constant in all of this. Now, maybe winning might help cure this a little bit, but I think he will always have this raging anger inside of him and have that "me against the world" type of mentality. Until proven otherwise, his antics are detrimental to the team, he can't control what happens outside of the court I get it...but at some point in time he needs to put all the negative behind him and just shut up and play.
Are you freaking kidding me? I've heard players drop F bombs at their coaches. I've heard coaches drop F bombs on the bench during commercials. I've heard my best friend drop F bombs at Mavericks fans. It's not that unusual. At least Boogie did it in what he thought was a private setting.
I'm more concerned with whomever it was who leaked this information, who told takes outside the locker room. That is a betrayal of the team dynamic because the meeting wasn't open to the media. SOMEBODY BLABBED..and that somebody needs to be identified and eliminated. Not all laundry should be hung out in public.
I'm more concerned with whomever it was who leaked this information, who told takes outside the locker room. That is a betrayal of the team dynamic because the meeting wasn't open to the media. SOMEBODY BLABBED..and that somebody needs to be identified and eliminated. Not all laundry should be hung out in public.