Cousins Benched, Dalembert to start at Memphis.

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

http://twitter.com/#!/mr_jasonjones

Word is DeMarcus Cousins will not start tonight against Memphis

Looks like carry over from last night's unexplained benching of Cousins

Don't know what Cousins "did" to be benched tonight. Heard last night's issue was defense, which Westphal refused to address

Cousins wasn't told last night why he was benched and was visibly bothered by the situation. Can't imagine he's in a good mood now

Well, I dont know what to say. This Cousins stuff needs to end soon though. We need some positive vibes in the worst way, and we arent getting them.

 

[UK_King]

He was turning the ball over a lot last night and he was pulled straight after a bad pass.... but to be benched for a sloppy game is a bit odd considering his points production.

Probably said something to coach.

 

[bajaden]

He was turning the ball over a lot last night and he was pulled straight after a bad pass.... but to be benched for a sloppy game is a bit odd considering his points production.

Probably said something to coach.

All of the above I think. He started the second half with a bad pass and a turnover, and then almost immediately at the other end of the floor, probably still sulking over his turnover, he stood and watched as an oppossing player waltzed right by him for a dunk. He didn't even move in that players direction. We went to commerical, and when we came back Dalembert was in the game. I assume he didn't exchange pleasantries with Westphal when removed from the game.

Westphal did the right thing. Although I would have told him why right then.

 

[Glenn]

If you hit the guy over the head too many times, you'll lose him. There's a lot at stake. If benched means he doesn't play the whole game ...... I'm speechless. There needs to be some group therapy here. This problem is getting bigger than just Cousins. I don't remember there being all this drama elsewhere. Drama yes, but on this scale, no.


BTW, I don't understand links to twitter accounts because I never find the subject mentioned. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[rainmaker]

Wonderful. Just keeps getting better.

WTH happened? Cousins was asked after the game why he was benched the entire 3rd, and he said he didn't know why. Westy won't elaborate. I doubt Cousins said something to Westy, because if he had, why would Westy have subbed him back in at all? If it's a bad pass, or not playing defense, well, you could bench just about the entire damn roster.

 

[Entity]

Westphal is going to end up ****ing this whole thing up.

 

[Andre87]

well yeah if he just isnt starting then Im fine with it but if he's benched entirely for the whole game then thats just flatout retarded.

 

[swisshh]

dumb turnovers and bad defense would mea most the team should be benched

 

[theclash4u5]

Why is Cousins treated completely differently than the rest of the team?

 

[Spok22]

wow westphaul is seriously starting to pee me off. Were going to lose cousins because of him.

 

[Glenn]

wow westphaul is seriously starting to pee me off. Were going to lose cousins because of him.

The remarkable thing so far is that every time Cousins is creamed, and I really think there has been over reaction not only from the team but I think he has a big X painted on his back for the referees to see. Cousins is stuck with the team over the short haul and maybe he will be here long enough to get a different coach.

 

[Glenn]

Will somebody please show me where it says Cousins is benched for the next game. I can't find it mainly 'cause I don't understand Twitter.

 

[est.1999]

F*** twitter.

 

[est.1999]

Can't wait til the day I read: Paul Westphal fired by Kings.

One thing's for sure; he'd get crucified by the LA/Anaheim media, fans, and radio people if he pulled stunts like that down here.

 

[Fireplug]

I don't think it is anything new for Westphal to start a different player than he did the previous game. Heck, I'd be hard pressed to tell you what our most used starting line-up even is. He may just think Sammy earned the spot back for a few games.

 

[rainmaker]

I understand not wanting to air out your dirty laundry, completely agree. But, it now seems Cousins is getting singled out for mistakes every other player on this team makes. And oh, by the way, Cousins is a rookie, and has more of an excuse for making bad passes than anyone else. This is all newer to him than anyone else on the team.

Is it lazy defense? I didn't exactly see guys hustling all over the court when we were blown off the court at OKC. Bad shots? Cousins, Tyreke, Omri, JT, Donte, Head, and Dally all fall into that category.

If he said something to Westy, I figure he wouldn't have been subbed back in last night, and would have remained on the bench. To me, and it's only my opinion, but Westy appears to have a completely different set of rules for Cousins, and puts him on a shorter leash, eventhough he's the youngest, and most inexperienced on the team. This will either work, or completely blow up in our faces. I say our, because it would lead to Cousins wanting to play somewhere else, and not on our team.

You don't handle Tyreke with kid gloves, and then make an example out of Cousins every damn opportunity you get.

 

[LWP777]

wow westphaul is seriously starting to pee me off. Were going to lose cousins because of him.

Typical attitude of just about everybody in the world these days. It's always somebody else's fault; it's never the fault of the guy that needs to be held accountable.

Do you really think Westphaul is just making **** up? He would like nothing more than Cousins to act like a grown man instead of an overgrown child. Cousins just doesn't get it yet. He may never get it. This is why he dropped to us in the draft otherwise he would have gone #1 or #2.

 

[Glenn]

I searched the internet for news about this and the only source is Jason Jones. He states that Cousins will not start. That has happened before and not even for punitive reasons. Dalembert has been playing very well. Not starting and benching have two different connotations. I think this is getting blown WAY out of proportion and will be happy to say I am wrong if he doesn't play. We've got a few hours to get an answer.

In the last game, Cousins looked tired and inattentive. I'm not surprised at that.

We're all pretty wound up aren't we? I think the fact is that some of us see a guy who could be one of the best centers to ever play in the NBA and we want him to be a King. What happens to Cousins or because of Cousins is a big deal. For now, all I know is that Dalembrt is starting and Cousins is coming off the bench. Considering the lineups Westphal has been using, we should be thankful he is not starting Thornton at center.

 

[Fireplug]

I searched the internet for news about this and the only source is Jason Jones. He states that Cousins will not start. That has happened before and not even for punitive reasons. Dalembert has been playing very well. Not starting and benching have two different connotations. I think this is getting blown WAY out of proportion and will be happy to say I am wrong if he doesn't play. We've got a few hours to get an answer.

In the last game, Cousins looked tired and inattentive. I'm not surprised at that.

We're all pretty wound up aren't we? I think the fact is that some of us see a guy who could be one of the best centers to ever play in the NBA and we want him to be a King. What happens to Cousins or because of Cousins is a big deal. For now, all I know is that Dalembrt is starting and Cousins is coming off the bench. Considering the lineups Westphal has been using, we should be thankful he is not starting Thornton at center.

What he said... what I said... what we said.

 

[Spok22]

Typical attitude of just about everybody in the world these days. It's always somebody else's fault; it's never the fault of the guy that needs to be held accountable.

Do you really think Westphaul is just making **** up? He would like nothing more than Cousins to act like a grown man instead of an overgrown child. Cousins just doesn't get it yet. He may never get it. This is why he dropped to us in the draft otherwise he would have gone #1 or #2.

if you dont let a person know the reason why your punishing them then how will they learn from it?

 

[SacTownKid]

Typical attitude of just about everybody in the world these days. It's always somebody else's fault; it's never the fault of the guy that needs to be held accountable.

Do you really think Westphaul is just making **** up? He would like nothing more than Cousins to act like a grown man instead of an overgrown child. Cousins just doesn't get it yet. He may never get it. This is why he dropped to us in the draft otherwise he would have gone #1 or #2.

How about cutting the double standard crap? Tyreke has played like stinky @$$ all year and NEVER has he been benched or put in this situation. Same thing happened to Hawes last year. Dude NEEDS TO GO! The only good thing about a move to Anahiem is that they'd have to take him with them if they don't fire him first. haha!

 

[SacTownKid]

I searched the internet for news about this and the only source is Jason Jones. He states that Cousins will not start. That has happened before and not even for punitive reasons. Dalembert has been playing very well. Not starting and benching have two different connotations. I think this is getting blown WAY out of proportion and will be happy to say I am wrong if he doesn't play. We've got a few hours to get an answer.

In the last game, Cousins looked tired and inattentive. I'm not surprised at that.

We're all pretty wound up aren't we? I think the fact is that some of us see a guy who could be one of the best centers to ever play in the NBA and we want him to be a King. What happens to Cousins or because of Cousins is a big deal. For now, all I know is that Dalembrt is starting and Cousins is coming off the bench. Considering the lineups Westphal has been using, we should be thankful he is not starting Thornton at center.

Tired to the point of putting up 11 and 9 in the first half??? He made one bad pass to start the 3rd and to the bench he went. He had to have backtalked for this to be going down. This is getting ridiculous.

 

[SacTownKid]

I don't think it is anything new for Westphal to start a different player than he did the previous game. Heck, I'd be hard pressed to tell you what our most used starting line-up even is. He may just think Sammy earned the spot back for a few games.

Sam Dalembert DOES NOT supplant the foundation piece of your team. If he rightfully does? You've got some searching to do because the slate needs to be wiped clean again.

 

[G_M]

"Youth is wasted on the young."

George Bernard Shaw
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_bernard_shaw.html

 

[Fireplug]

Sam Dalembert DOES NOT supplant the foundation piece of your team. If he rightfully does? You've got some searching to do because the slate needs to be wiped clean again.

What I meant was Westphal, for good or bad, likes to twiddle with his lineups ad-nauseum. Just because Cousins isn't starting doesn't mean that there is necessarily something majorly wrong. Could be... but not necessarily.

 

[Glenn]

Tired to the point of putting up 11 and 9 in the first half??? He made one bad pass to start the 3rd and to the bench he went. He had to have backtalked for this to be going down. This is getting ridiculous.

I think a tired Cousins can put up those numbers. You betcha! He's pretty good. How many TOs did he have in the first half?

 

[rainmaker]

What I meant was Westphal, for good or bad, likes to twiddle with his lineups ad-nauseum. Just because Cousins isn't starting doesn't mean that there is necessarily something majorly wrong. Could be... but not necessarily.

Given Cousins reaction after the game, and Westy's response, I would this is definitely isn't about a simple lineup change. Cousins was pissed. Westy wouldn't talk about it.

 

[swisshh]

It just looks bad following the bizarre benching against Charlotte.

Here is my coaching problem: The entire team was getting beat, maybe besides Dalembert. For that reason, keeping Dally in the game makes sense. Cousins, otoh, was helping you rebound and helping you on offense despite the TOs. You can play the two together, but this was only done for a brief period.

If the issue was the defense, then why was Beno in the game so much? He was helping the offense, but he was letting DJ Augustin get whatever he wanted. If you are picking your poison between Kwame Brown and Augustin, I'd rather see if Kwame can beat me than if Augustin can. If you are using Dally to shutdown the lane against DJ, well that didn't work and it also means Cousins can still play at the four, in fact you shut down the lane even more that way.

It just doesn't make sense to me in a trying to win perspective or in a trying to develop perspective.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I think a tired Cousins can put up those numbers. You betcha! He's pretty good. How many TOs did he have in the first half?

I thought Cuz was well on the way to a triple double with 11pts 9 boards and 6 TOs at the half. He only was able to add 1 TO in second half though

 

[Spike]

Sammy has been playing well, Cousins, who has been a turnover factory and not-so-coincidentally not as dynamic w/o Evans, will come off the bench. Makes sense to me. This worked well earlier in the year.