You make some really good points and a couple I don't agree with. Your last paragraph I agree with completely. We, as a society, have become so wimpy that we tend to make excuses for everybody these days. Being born in a single family home, not having the proper role models, etc. are being used all the time as excuses for the underachieving people in this world that end up a problem to society. The fact of the matter is there are TONS of other folks who had the same challenges or worse who overcame and became good productive human beings. They became people who respected others. My main problem with DeMarcus is that he doesn't respect others. So why should I give him my respect?
As far as you saying he doesn't have off court issues, I have to disagree with that one a bit. Sure, he hasn't gotten in trouble with the law or things like that. He has, however, punched teammates, gotten into heated arguments with announcers after the game and had altercations with other members of the Kings organization. These are things that occur off the basketball court. Again, he doesn't have respect for anybody.
I am all about personal accountability. This goes for myself too. I'm not just sitting here getting enjoyment out of blasting DMC every few weeks. If you look at my posts, I lay off of him when he's doing okay. I'm not here trolling trying to just rip him at any chance. Believe it or not, I don't enjoy doing this. It's kind of like disciplining your kids. It's not fun but it has to be done at times. It seems like every 2-3 weeks something happens with him. The past week he's clearly given up on the team. Sure, he hasn't punched anybody or gotten suspended, but giving up on the team is a huge deal. It says something about his character. That bothers me. I don't think I'm out of line to be bothered by that. Outside of this Kings forum, if you read other boards across the country, about 95% of posters will agree with what I'm saying so I'm not really the minority here. If you listen to experts and writers of the NBA, they would agree with me.
Let me make this clear. I AM NOT rooting against DMC. I am a huge fan of the Kings just like everybody here. I would love nothing more than to see him grow up and let his incredible talent speak for itself on the court. But I am capable of taking off my purple colored glasses to see the truth. And right now the truth is that DMC is a head case who in large does not respect other human beings. If you want to be a fan and respond to Padrino's post by simply saying "Great post" or "Well said" then that is certainly your right to do so but deep down I suspect that you know you aren't speaking the truth.
First, there are excuses, and there are facts. Sometimes they happen to be the same thing, and sometimes not. And then, there is the exaggeration of the facts. You just stated that Cousins punched a teammate. Who? It was never reported that Cousins pounched anyone. It was reported that Cousins and Donte got into an altercation, and that they had to be seperated, but to the best of my knowledge, I don't remember anyone reporting that punches were actually landed.
You say your not rooting against Cousins, and that when he's playing well, and doing everything right, your quiet. But you never acknowledge him when he's doing everything right. You only pipe in when he trips and makes a mistake. That my friend is an agenda. I believe your more caught up in wantiing to be right about him, than you are being objective about him. You insult me by saying I have on rose colored glasses, when I've been following him since highschool. If anyone knows about Cousins, its me, and I've acknowledged his problems. You say he got into heated arguements with announcers. To the best of my knowledge, he got into a heated discussion with one announcer. Thats singluar, not plural! Another exaggeration, that happens to fit your agenda.
You say that other people have faced similiar problems in life, and have overcome them. I agree, I'm one of them, but do you think it just happend overnight. It took time. No one comes in and waves a magic wand and Wa La, your cured! Thats not how it happens. It takes patience on the part of the people that care about you. If you keep kicking someone thats down, they'll never get up. You don't excuse their bad behavior, but you don't condemn the person either. Have we become such a instant gratification, disposable society, that were just throwing human beings away too.
I admit that the last three games Cousins hasn't played well. He seems to have lost his motivation. I don't know why, and neither do you. I choose not to speculate until I have more infomation. JT hasn't played well in about 6 or 7 games now. Should we discard him too? Has he given up on the team? It amazes me that you say Cousins has no respect for anyone! Anyone, is very inclusive, and also inplausable. I saw him in summer league a couple of years ago patiently signing autographs for people that were lined up half way around the arena. He was smiling and joking with the people. Thats not a person that doesn't respect other people. Your mistaking his emotions on the court as a lack of respect, when its simply him not knowing how to deal with those emotions.
For you to use the national media to back up your feelings is ridiculous. I would say that just about everyone on this fourm has more knowledge of Cousins than anyone on the national media. And even then, you pick and choose. How about Chris Webber, who loves Cousins. How about Charles Barkley, who thinks Cousins is one of the most talented big men in basketball today. I could go on with Shaq and others, but you don't want to mention them, because it doesn't fit your scenario. How about I put a spotlight on you in your daily life. How about a reporter follows you around and probes into every little thing you say and do. Cousins is living under a microscope, and some of it is earned, but some of it isn't. A lot of it is speculative, and thats what your doing. Your taking what your seeing in real time on the court, and then your speculating. He didn't play well. You could have come up with, gee, I wonder if he has the flu or something. But you didn't! No, you came up with he's quit on the team and he's just proved once again that he's a head case. And then, out of the other side of your mouth, you say you really want him to succeed because your such a great Kings fan. I have no doubt that your a dedicated Kings fan, but I seriously doubt you want Cousins to succeed.
By the way, there's nothing personal in this. I do have respect for you. I just think your wrong headed on this issue, and just maybe, you should take a step back and rethink why your so one sided when it comes to Cousins. That doesn't mean you have to excuse his poor play. I'm just as disgusted as everyone else when I see him playing that way. But I'm not going to throw him in the trash over it. Remember, Cousins has the greatest respect for Calapari, and no one got into his face more than Calapari. But Calapari always made clear what the rules were, and what was expected. I don't think Cousins has a problem with authority or disclipine. I think he has a problem when he feels blindsided or stabbed in the back, or, when there's a double standard. Such as, expecting Cousins to give up some of his offense, and pass the ball more, when he see's teammates, less talented, not being held to the same standard.
To give less effort, is not the right response, but it is the response you'll get at times from a 22 year old immature young man.
