DMC's comments after the game
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
Totally agree! Karl gets little to no credit for Cauley-Stein's development. Karl has stuck Cauley-Stein on the bench all season and refused to play him for any meaningful minutes outside of five minutes here or there.
To be honest, Calipari plays a part in this too with Cauley-Stein's days in Kentucky. I'm not saying it was a bad thing, that was the system. He was the team's best defender and rebounder so that was his role. He was never given a chance to show any offensive skills so no one really knew he had them.
Bottom line is that we may have something special here. Outside of Cauley-Stein's defense and rebounding which we knew he had and will continue to get better, his offensive game is already light years ahead of where many thought he could ever get to. For the rest of the season I would like to see him get more touches to see what he can do.
To be honest, Calipari plays a part in this too with Cauley-Stein's days in Kentucky. I'm not saying it was a bad thing, that was the system. He was the team's best defender and rebounder so that was his role. He was never given a chance to show any offensive skills so no one really knew he had them.
Bottom line is that we may have something special here. Outside of Cauley-Stein's defense and rebounding which we knew he had and will continue to get better, his offensive game is already light years ahead of where many thought he could ever get to. For the rest of the season I would like to see him get more touches to see what he can do.
Karl is gone and I think the players know that, perhaps officially. Something over the last few games has brought these players together, you can see it in their play, win or lose, they are inspired. Something has changed behind the scenes, let's hope that we don't win too much and lose that draft pick, but it would be nice to carry this into the offseason as well.
Karl has delegated a lot of his practices to his assistants. He probably doesn't/didn't have a clue that WCS had offensive skills. It seems like when your head coach can't physically do the complete job, he isn't doing what he is paid to do. I supposedly am not more clever than Karl but the first time Willie swished a 12 footer with beautiful form, I just said "wow, this is a sign of things to come." Now he has a little hook and a fall away jump shot. Perhaps the hook can occasionally be stopped but who on this planet can stop a 7 footer with a fall away jump shot?
Last edited:
No way to know for sure, but remember what WCS said about the fans and how being booed in STA really hit some of the players. I think it hit Vlade, too, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was just a meeting of the minds, so to speak, about the fans, what they deserve, what message the players want to send to the fans, etc.
I think this along with the news that Karl was asked to resign hit about the same time. 1) we seem to have drafted a level headed team leader-type person and 2) everyone now publicly knows the team from owner on down wants Karl gone. It is liberating. Nothing Karl says now needs be taken seriously. It must feel like a breath of fresh air to the players.
This is life. You don't get to pick your boss. Go ahead. Go against your boss and see what happens in real life. In life there will always be challenges and things you may think are unfair. Especially if you are the kind of person who looks for those things. Either you make lemonade or you live a sour life. So this team needs to decide who the boss is. Make Cousins the boss. I won't object. Support the boss. Don't undermine him.
Nah. I'm the type of guy to take action if I'm in an untenable situation. "In real life" I walk away and find a new job if I have a boss that is trying to destroy my career. If my boss were doing the things Karl is doing, I might just take it to HR as well.
As far as NBA life goes, they have a contract that they can't walk away from. A job so specialized, that you can't walk away and pick up elsewhere. But as a grown man, you still must protect yourself and your career. When your "boss" is disparaging you in public and affecting your career, you must act. Cousins acted and defended his teammates. Karl did the wrong thing. Cousins helped his teammates who don't have as much clout as him.
Coach is just a job title. You still have earn the role of leader. All these individuals on the team are high performers at their craft. They're not going to tolerate an underperforming Coach.
Ditto, for Karl. Cousins isn't perfect and he's not a saint but I don't understand your defense of a coach who throws his players under the bus. Even when they did good and this isn't his first stop where he has done this. Cousins gave support and went to the defense a young man that is trying to make it in the league. If your getting marginalized by your boss, wouldn't you appreciate the support of your co-workers?
Look, in industries with "stars", with highly valuable uniquely skilled employees? yes, people absolutely do often get to pick their boss, or at least get one fired they don't like. All comes down to value in the end. If you are a drone, then the boss is likely more valuable, and to get rid of them you would have to plant farm animal porn in their desk and slip an anonymous note under the door of a high up muckety muck. But if you are a star, a rare and sought after commodity? That boss better learn to kiss your ass in a hurry unless they are stars themselves.
What's quite clear right now is that Karl is done, and that Boogie is looking after this as HIS team, as HIS guys. He's their leader and mother hen (which BTW is great to see from your superstar). Karl is the one on the outs. Cuz is practically lifting his leg and peeing all over the lockerroom.
I am reminded of a closing scene in an old Conan movie (the 2nd sucky one), where the young queen wants to bestow honors on Conan's companions, including asking them to join her court in various posts. And each time she asks one of them to join, they first look to Conan to get his nod of approval before accepting. We may see that with Cuz and substitutions soon.
What's quite clear right now is that Karl is done, and that Boogie is looking after this as HIS team, as HIS guys. He's their leader and mother hen (which BTW is great to see from your superstar). Karl is the one on the outs. Cuz is practically lifting his leg and peeing all over the lockerroom.
I am reminded of a closing scene in an old Conan movie (the 2nd sucky one), where the young queen wants to bestow honors on Conan's companions, including asking them to join her court in various posts. And each time she asks one of them to join, they first look to Conan to get his nod of approval before accepting. We may see that with Cuz and substitutions soon.