cousins fined and benched for giving the choke sign

[JJ22L]

I think if he meant the gesture toward our own team he'd come out and say it. Doesn't seem like the kinda guy to hold back.

Yea. I absolutely agree that he would come out and say it. However, all of the skeptics on this board are pointing toward a scape goat and this would fit in with their "cover-up" agenda. I am just trying to throw conversation fodder out there .

 

[est.1999]

What I can't stand the most about this is that Westphail doesn't realize that he's attracting more negative national attention to the team. What an idiot. I swear.

 

[BayAreaKingsFan]

"The time for unlimited playing time and a long leash are not happening anytime soon." - Westphal, when asked about Cousins playing time in the future.

I think the quote above is the most blatant sign of an organization that is imploding before our very eyes. So he gives the "choke" sign, and now all of a sudden were not going to give him his 28-34 mins a night because of it? WOW!!!

Instead, were going to give Sammy D those minutes? Really? I mean the only reason I watch the Kings any more and absorb the overral putrid display is because I'm starting to see DeMarcus develop his game over the 2 weeks. He's starting to develop because he's on the court and learning to adapt his game to the NBA game. His foul problems have diminished and he's learning how to rebound and be more efficient. Now you're going to take away that valuable in-game experience because he made a freakin choke sign???

Does no one else see the lunacy in this?

 

[UK_King]

Does no one else see the lunacy in this?

I certainly do.

 

[Kingster]

I think the quote above is the most blatant sign of an organization that is imploding before our very eyes. So he gives the "choke" sign, and now all of a sudden were not going to give him his 28-34 mins a night because of it? WOW!!!

Instead, were going to give Sammy D those minutes? Really? I mean the only reason I watch the Kings any more and absorb the overral putrid display is because I'm starting to see DeMarcus develop his game over the 2 weeks. He's starting to develop because he's on the court and learning to adapt his game to the NBA game. His foul problems have diminished and he's learning how to rebound and be more efficient. Now you're going to take away that valuable in-game experience because he made a freakin choke sign???

Does no one else see the lunacy in this?

There is no lunacy. You're misreading the situation, taking it out of context. Instead of thinking in terms of a snapshot in time, think in terms of a video.

Another Cousins' classic: If we had won, they (management) wouldn't have cared so much (about the choke sign). Ahh, no Cousins, they would have cared. Another symptom of a guy who doesn't get it.

 

[Bricklayer]

You know, when I first saw the picture, this was my immediate first reaction. Several cues lead me to this line of reasoning:

1.) Someone mentioned that he's not even "doing it right." There was no real spite in his face when he was "choking."
2.) The Kings have "choked" away a majority of the games this season. Maybe he was alluding to us doing it again?
3.) Why would a man, unless he is a complete bafoon, make fun of another team for choking when his own team had just given up a 20 point lead.

Now, I did not watch the game, I only read the reports and saw the picture posted in this thread. To me, I guess I need to view the action in context. Was he making the choking sign after a missed free throw or was it after one was made? I think there is a tremendous perspective change.

Does it matter? No. In fact, if he was making the motion toward his own team, I think that's even worse. But, whatever. I am bored and am trying to add a different perspective to the conversation.

It was clearly toward the other team -- it was after Williams mised the first of his 3 FTs. No doubt about the intent. Also no doubt it was just a big goofy kid having what he thought was fun. Just makes you shake your head sometimes.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Another Cousins' classic: If we had won, they (management) wouldn't have cared so much (about the choke sign). Ahh, no Cousins, they would have cared. Another symptom of a guy who doesn't get it.

Cousins is right. It wouldn't have been as big an issue if they'd won.

 

[pshn80]

Hey, Cousins screwed up. He's getting punished as he should. I hope he can move on and continue his improvement. Except fot this incident he has been doing well, screwing up his play less, and giving us every reason to believe someday he will be it. Meantime, a rookie who does not walk on water. Westphal and Petrie deserve credit for taking quick action so we all can put it behind us sooner.

 

[BayAreaKingsFan]

There is no lunacy. You're misreading the situation, taking it out of context. Instead of thinking in terms of a snapshot in time, think in terms of a video.

Another Cousins' classic: If we had won, they (management) wouldn't have cared so much (about the choke sign). Ahh, no Cousins, they would have cared. Another symptom of a guy who doesn't get it.

Cousins did Westphal a huge favor by making the immature mistake that he did --

Instead of talking about Westphal's ineptitude as a coach, everyone is talking about the "choke" --

I understand wanting to fine him, but to take him out of the starting lineup for this? That hurts nobody but the team and fans......

If you really wanted to discipline him, just suspend him for a game and fine him. By taking him out of the starting lineup, Westphal is making him appear to be the scapegoat for the team. Why did we keep going to Cousins down the stretch when he was making mistakes? Why didn't we put in Dalembert at that point? Why didn't Westphal call a play for Landry (the hot hand) after any of those timeouts?

And is Garcia going to lose playing time because of his HORRIBLE decision? He's supposed to be a veteran....

Westphal is a complete JOKE.... the organization is a complete JOKE ......

 

[Spike]

Hold on, suspending him would be better than benching him? Nowhere does it say he will be benched for the rest of the season, presumably it's for the next game, which I feel is well deserved. But then again, I'm an old fuddy duddy that believes in discipline and respect. That's how I coach my players anyway.

 

[BayAreaKingsFan]

Hold on, suspending him would be better than benching him? Nowhere does it say he will be benched for the rest of the season, presumably it's for the next game, which I feel is well deserved. But then again, I'm an old fuddy duddy that believes in discipline and respect. That's how I coach my players anyway.

Suspension for 1 game is a disciplinary action for a stupid "non-basketball" related mistake -- meaning his "choke" sign did not have anything to do with his game --

However, by saying that you're going to remove him from the starting lineup indefinitely, doesn't make any sense. People are removed from starting lineups based on on-court performance....

That's my take on it....

 

[Section 101]

Hold on, suspending him would be better than benching him? Nowhere does it say he will be benched for the rest of the season, presumably it's for the next game, which I feel is well deserved. But then again, I'm an old fuddy duddy that believes in discipline and respect. That's how I coach my players anyway.

Your not going to get respect when you selectively "punish" people.

Lets see:

Evans reckless driving: Kings do nothing, wait for the league to take action.
George Maloof DUI: Kings do nothing.
Wright DUI: Kings do nothing, give the company line of waiting for the legal process and the league to had out punishment.
Elie DUI: Kings do nothing, give the company line of waiting for the legal process and the league to had out punishment.

All the above are way more serious and damaging to the image of the team than the choke sign.

Now onto PW.

Every starter has been benched except for Evans. And it can be argued that Evans has played worse than every other starter. So why no benching of Evans? Once again selective punishments = no respect.

 

[Bricklayer]

Your not going to get respect when you selectively "punish" people.

Lets see:

Evans reckless driving: Kings do nothing, wait for the league to take action.
George Maloof DUI: Kings do nothing.
Wright DUI: Kings do nothing, give the company line of waiting for the legal process and the league to had out punishment.
Elie DUI: Kings do nothing, give the company line of waiting for the legal process and the league to had out punishment.

All the above are way more serious and damaging to the image of the team than the choke sign.

Now onto PW.

Every starter has been benched except for Evans. And it can be argued that Evans has played worse than every other starter. So why no benching of Evans? Once again selective punishments = no respect.

Load of bunk.

NO team takes preemptive action on legal matters until the courts have resolved them. Nor do teams add extra suspensions on top of league suspensions for off court stuff, let alone traffic citations.

And no, you don't bench your cornerstone player no matter how much you don't like him. That's a good way to turn things into an absolute rout. Even in your own rubric it does not make sense, as unlike the other 3-4 positions on the floor with platoon systems going on, Evans is a player without anybody behind him even in his zipcode talentwise.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I'm not a fan of anti taunting rules. I'd much rather players be allwoed to express themselves.

I can appreciate that. I generally like letting players have some fun. This wasn't a very classy move though and was done at the wrong time. Still, this is getting magnified with the losing season we are having.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

George Maloof DUI: Kings do nothing.

What exact sort of punishment do you expect to be meted out to a co-owner?

Wright DUI: Kings do nothing, give the company line of waiting for the legal process and the league to had out punishment.

Well, outside of waiving him a short time later. It was not publicly stated, but certainly possible, that the waiver was a result of the DUI.

 

[Section 101]

Load of bunk.

NO team takes preemptive action on legal matters until the courts have resolved them. Nor do teams add extra suspensions on top of league suspensions for off court stuff, let alone traffic citations.

And no, you don't bench your cornerstone player no matter how much you don't like him. That's a good way to turn things into an absolute rout. Even in your own rubric it does not make sense, as unlike the other 3-4 positions on the floor with platoon systems going on, Evans is a player without anybody behind him even in his zipcode talentwise.

You missed the point. Why not let the league handle the choking then? If they do nothing then obviously it wasnt a big deal.

And i think the drop off from Beno who has been our best player is bigger than Evans to Garcia.

 

[Section 101]

What exact sort of punishment do you expect to be meted out to a co-owner?



Well, outside of waiving him a short time later. It was not publicly stated, but certainly possible, that the waiver was a result of the DUI.

Could have fined him or banned him from the arena. But my point was his action did more damage to the team image than cousins.

It was stated he was waived because he complained about playing time. If they wanted to waived him cause of the DUI you don't wait a month to set an example. In fact, he played the next game.

 

[est.1999]

Lol @ wanting the co owner to get punished.

 

[Spike]

You missed the point. Why not let the league handle the choking then? If they do nothing then obviously it wasnt a big deal.

And i think the drop off from Beno who has been our best player is bigger than Evans to Garcia.

Who's to say the league wouldn't have done anything if the team had not? They have a history of reviewing tape and changing fouls/punishments. The other points have been well-addressed.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

cousins will be back in the starting lineup just as fast as he got pulled.
We need his offense and westphal knows this.
I dont see the big deal with what Cuz did. People trash talk and taunt all the time.
Cousins is starting to get artest treatment, whenever he does anything wrong even small its blown out of porportion.

 

[Section 101]

Who's to say the league wouldn't have done anything if the team had not? They have a history of reviewing tape and changing fouls/punishments. The other points have been well-addressed.

They haven't the past 2 years with KG.