Cousins Suspended One Game

[UK_King]

I knew this would be a suspension as soon as i saw it, definitely intentional IMO but largely irrelevant, it is a "part of the game" but that doesn't mean you have to like it, or you're a "sissy" because you're not a fan of nut shots and cheap shot elbows, I don't really understand the holier than thou nonsense in that respect. I've watched and played basketball most of my life but that means jack quite honestly.

I used to play Rugby in high school as well, but the amount of times i was kicked, punched in the ribs, bitten, stamped on in the ruck and scrum was it for me, i stopped playing after 3 years because i flat out hated that side of the game, and wasn't going to get involved in it. You're allowed to understand that something is "part of the game" and still take a dim view of it.

As far as Cousins goes, I'm willing to put up with just about anything when it comes to him apart from flagrant breaking of the law or something ridiculous like punching the coach or a ref because he quite simply could be our ticket out of this mess, and you don't give up on that barring what i described above. I just wish we'd give him the ball so he could at least get on that road to success.

 

[King Baller]

DMC everything will be OK if you just "THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN!!!" Early and Often, please

KB

 

[Spike]

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

Testify!

 

[LWP777]

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

I respect your opinion about Cousins and honestly I hope you're right. If he can get his act together like Webber did and become that caliber of player then I'd be thrilled. It's just my opinion that he doesn't have that make up. I feel like people on here attack me just because I take the other side. I'll get over it though!

 

[LWP777]

I thought you'll come up with something involving a star like a Kevin Love (the next Webber/Barkley who want to be traded to another team) trade. Thank God you are not Petrie.

There is zero chance that anybody would trade a Kevin Love type talent for him right now. Why would they? Love is a much better player than DMC is right now and he doesn't come with the baggage. I don't think DeMarcus would get a star back in return. I honestly don't even think the Suns would trade Gortat and Dragic for him!

Yeah, thank God I'm not Petrie! He's done such a wonderful job!

 

[LWP777]

He did it on purpose. He should have been fined but not suspended. The Kings shouldn't trade him. It is that simple.

I don't think you can fine him without suspending him. It was either do nothing or suspension. If you fine him then you are saying you believe he drilled a guy in the groin. That would demand at least a 1 game suspension. This debate is more about whether he did it intentionally or not....

 

[Jose]

I respect your opinion about Cousins and honestly I hope you're right. If he can get his act together like Webber did and become that caliber of player then I'd be thrilled. It's just my opinion that he doesn't have that make up. I feel like people on here attack me just because I take the other side. I'll get over it though!

Webber was traded into an organization that was well funded, well managed and on the rise. His dad beat some sense into him and helped him realize he had walked into a great situation. He was smart and made the most of it.

That is not the case with DMC. If/when he escapes this POS organization and lands on a well managed organization hopefully he'll have the motivation to turn it around.

 

[hrdboild]

And that's unknowable really. My point would be even if it was intentional, a backhanded tap during a play with less than 100% clear motivations that did not cause the other player any obvious dicomfort, draw a foul, or draw a technical, is pretty much never handled with a suspension. That stuff is going on repeatedly with DeMarcus now. You can say oh, he should know better. But know better how? A fine I could see. Something happened, so, fine. But at this point anything that is happeneing is resulting in huge deals that other players are not having to deal with.

Unfortunately there is too much money involved (not to mention we need him too much) for DeMarcus to respond appropriately, which is to completely smash OJ Mayo the next time we face them, and get his money's worth on the next suspension. Getting fined or suspended is one thing if you earn it. You can take that. Getting fined or suspended when other guys aren't for the same conduct is something entirely different. If Kobe was blocking out Boogie on that play and swung that same fist there is no way he gets suspended for it. That is where it crosses the line.

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

 

[VF21]

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

I have to agree. Once you know that your every move is going to be eagle-eyed, you don't do things to intentionally force the issue. This attitude always astounds me. Some people will keep beating their heads against a wall until they're bloody and bruised, somehow thinking the wall deserves it. The wall doesn't care. It's a wall. Demarcus can continue to challenge the officials or he can realize they're not being damaged by his actions. He's the only one who can turn this around and further misdeeds are not the way to do it.

 

[Glenn]

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

There is nothing stopping a team mate for getting revenge.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Napear said basically the league contacts all players involved in these incidents like this before making a decision on the punishment. and he said he talked to someone he knows at the league, who told him he could give details on the conversation they had with DeMarcus, but that if it was handled better by DeMarcus, he probably wouldnt have gotten suspended......

 

[Bricklayer]

If you fine him then you are saying you believe he drilled a guy in the groin. That would demand at least a 1 game suspension.

No in fact, that almost NEVER results in a suspension. When Reggie Evans, notorious provocateur and thug reached betwen Chris Kaman's legs and grabbed a full handful on a rebound, he STILL didn't get suspended. A 10k fine.

 

[King Baller]

Napear said basically the league contacts all players involved in these incidents like this before making a decision on the punishment. and he said he talked to someone he knows at the league, who told him he could give details on the conversation they had with DeMarcus, but that if it was handled better by DeMarcus, he probably wouldnt have gotten suspended......

This is starting to sound like the old Paul Newman movie Cool Hand Luke. Demarcus has to "Get his mind right".

 

[Bricklayer]

There is nothing stopping a team mate for getting revenge.

Indeed. There is a reason many sports, including this one, used to carry thugs on the roster and have unspoken rules of payback and protection. The hockey enforcer. The pitcher with the payback bean. Ways to settle scores wihtout risking your top guys.

 

[Bricklayer]

Napear said basically the league contacts all players involved in these incidents like this before making a decision on the punishment. and he said he talked to someone he knows at the league, who told him he could give details on the conversation they had with DeMarcus, but that if it was handled better by DeMarcus, he probably wouldnt have gotten suspended......

Most likely translation:

League: DeMarcus, say you're sorry
DeMarcus: **** that, I ain't sorry about any of it, and you can tell that little turd I said so.

League: We would like to announce a 1 Game Suspension of Sacramento Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins...

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Grant also said the league told him when they called DeMarcus about the Sean Elliot incident he handled that phone call poorly as well

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Most liekly translation:

League: DeMarcus, say you're sorry
DeMarcus: **** that, I ain't sorry about any of it, and you can tell that little turd I said so.

League: We would like to announce a 1 Game Suspension of Sacramento Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins...

exactly. instead of saying "i didnt even know it happened, i was just fighting for a rebound. i apologize to OJ" he probably said something along the lines of "this is bull**** you guys are out to get me for every little thing, i didnt even touch OJ this is a load of crap"

 

[Bricklayer]

Grant also said the league told him when they called DeMarcus about the Sean Elliot incident he handled that phone call poorly as well

Most likely translation:

League: DeMarcus, say you're sorry
DeMarcus: **** that, I ain't sorry about any of it, and you can tell that little washed up turd I said so.

League: We would like to announce a 2 Game Suspension of Sacramento Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins...


Which begins to be more ok with me. I always appreciate somebody who sticks to their guns and makes it a batle of wills. Just at some point here he has to do the saavy thing and try to figure out how he can weaken the league's resolve without giving in/admitting fault himself. I know this kid. I've been him.

 

[swisshh]

Most likely translation:

League: DeMarcus, say you're sorry
DeMarcus: **** that, I ain't sorry about any of it, and you can tell that little washed up turd I said so.

League: We would like to announce a 2 Game Suspension of Sacramento Kings Center DeMarcus Cousins...


Which begins to be more ok with me. I always appreciate somebody who sticks to their guns and makes it a batle of wills. Just at some point here he has to do the saavy thing and try to figure out how he can weaken the league's resolve without giving in/admitting fault himself. I know this kid. I've been him.

It won't happen with Cousins doing this battle alone. He'd need the organization to back him up. Kevin Garnett was a cheap shot artist for a long time, but Minnesota kept it hush and backed him up as a quality guy.

Cousins has to change his marketability. Smile more or win more.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

ya he's not helping himself if hes acting like a douche when the league calls him to talk about the incidents.


especially when in both cases Grant said the league wasnt set on suspending him untill he screwed up the phone call

 

[Bricklayer]

It won't happen with Cousins doing this battle alone. He'd need the organization to back him up. Kevin Garnett was a cheap shot artist for a long time, but Minnesota kept it hush and backed him up as a quality guy.

Cousins has to change his marketability. Smile more or win more.

I agree with that. He also has to go on a charm campaign at some point. He's a charismatic kid, sense of humor, smart enough. Joke with the refs before the game. Chit chat with the media. When challenged he's going to respond with a big **** you, and like I say, I get that. But that doesn't mean you have to keep going out looking for the challenge. Find ways ot make peopel want to give you the benefit fo the doubt so your defiant impulse never gets triggered.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Grant totally ripped Carmichael Dave on his rant today lol

 

[VF21]

Grant also said the league told him when they called DeMarcus about the Sean Elliot incident he handled that phone call poorly as well

The LEAGUE didn't tell Napear a blasted thing. I'm calling shenanigans on this. Napear may know some low-level flunky in the league office but no one of particular importance is going to talk to a talk show host and make those kinds of comments.

This is sounding more and more like another Napear hatchet job, much like the one he attempted against Bobby Jackson. Napear is more likely assuming some of these comments, much as he's done in the past. Since there's no one who can actually refute his comments, he prattles on like he's the ultimate source when it's been proven more than once that it's simply not the case.

David Stern does not allow his people to talk to talk show hosts about disciplinary actions taken against players. It either comes from Stern or Jackson or it doesn't get said.

 

[VF21]

Grant totally ripped Carmichael Dave on his rant today lol

That's rather interesting, too, considering the history between those two. Sounds like Napear is spending a lot of time playing to his listeners.

Just my two cents, but I've heard for years that Napear is nowhere near "in the know" as much as he would like people to believe. And this is from people who are in the know and whose opinions I totally trust.

 

[hrdboild]

There is nothing stopping a team mate for getting revenge.

Yeah but revenge on who? On the league office? Accidental or not, anyone who gets hit in the nuts in a basketball game is going to be upset about it. Mayo actually paid Cousins a compliment in his twitter as well, which Cousins took completely the wrong way. I get that we're Kings fan here, but there's a point at which defending someone who refuses to learn is actually not helping them.

But the stuff about the league phone calls just goes to show you, DeMarcus is completely on his own. Some organizations would coach a player through a situation like that.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Mayo actually paid Cousins a compliment in his twitter as well, which Cousins took completely the wrong way.

this is a solid point that nobody talks about....

 

[VF21]

Yeah but revenge on who? On the league office? Accidental or not, anyone who gets hit in the nuts in a basketball game is going to be upset about it. Mayo actually paid Cousins a compliment in his twitter as well, which Cousins took completely the wrong way. I get that we're Kings fan here, but there's a point at which defending someone who refuses to learn is actually not helping them.

But the stuff about the league phone calls just goes to show you, DeMarcus is completely on his own. Some organizations would coach a player through a situation like that.

That's what I have a major problem with. Those calls are not made in a vacuum. They go through official channels. It's not like the league called late at night and caught Cousins in the john on his cell phone.

Napear has played fast and loose with facts for a long time. People need to think back and recall his rants against Bobby Jackson. Those rants included supposed insider info about the team dumping Jackson or taking action against him, neither of which occurred.

I've probably ranted too much. I'll go back to playing Words With Friends.

 

[Npliam]

No in fact, that almost NEVER results in a suspension. When Reggie Evans, notorious provocateur and thug reached betwen Chris Kaman's legs and grabbed a full handful on a rebound, he STILL didn't get suspended. A 10k fine.

Yeah. This is why I said he should be fined but not suspended.

 

[bajaden]

Indeed. There is a reason many sports, including this one, used to carry thugs on the roster and have unspoken rules of payback and protection. The hockey enforcer. The pitcher with the payback bean. Ways to settle scores wihtout risking your top guys.

I was sitting in the 3rd row from the floor, when right in front of me, Karl Malone grabbed a rebound, and then swung his right elbow around to clear space and smashed right into Bob Hanson's nose. The blood almost hit us in the third row, and it knocked Hanson to the floor with his nose broken and split. Did Malone get a suspenson or a fine? No, actually they called a foul on Hanson. I guess I grew up in the school of hard knocks. I've watched NBA basketball since 1955, and trust me, what Cousins did certainly wouldn't have warranted a fine or a suspension back in those days. But I guess were just more civilized now.

 

[King Baller]

Well at $47K a game that will teach a lesson to DMC. George Maloof probably has a party every time DMC is suspended celebrating the savings of $47K

KB