I'm having a very difficult time here. I'm really trying to fair, and as objective as possible. On one hand, I was very upset with how Karl was coaching the team. He did some things that I couldn't understand. His interview with Voisin explained some of it, even is I didn't totally agree with him, I at least understood why he did what he did to some extent. However, to paint Karl as a totally inept coach that's incapable of coaching in the NBA is something I can't go along with. To totally blame Karl for everything that happened last season is to be totally close minded.
I wanted Cousins drafted by the Kings when most on this forum didn't want him. Some of you can say differently now, but I remember those I had heated arguments with. I defended him in college, and I defended him once on the Kings. And right now, I have to admit, I'm tired of defending him. He's still my favorite player on the team, but I can't hold him blameless. Vlade shares some of the blame in this as well. Yes, I know that Vlade didn't hire Karl, but he usurped any power that Karl had when he failed to back him in November when Cousins went off in the clubhouse.
From that moment on, Karl had no power on the team. He stood embarrassed in front of the entire team after being undressed by Cousins, and didn't get the backing from Vlade. Now you can say that Karl had it coming, but do you really think that's the way to start the season. Vlade would have better off if he had fired Karl right then and there. If you not going to back your head coach, then you need to change your head coach. When Petrie wouldn't back Westphall, he got rid of him. When your the head coach, your either the boss, or you not. And if your not, you shouldn't be there. So I blame Karl, I blame Vlade, and I blame Cousins. All three contributed to the mess.
As much as I love Cousins as a player, I'm not going to get down on my knee's and worship at his altar. He needs to be treated the same way every other player on the team is treated. He says that's what he wants, so hire someone that will hold him to it. Cuz needs to learn that communication works both ways. If you have a problem, try knocking on the coaches door and having a conversation with him before cursing him out in front of god and everyone. I realize that he gets angry, but so do I, and I've found that screaming and yelling at someone rarely gets the results I want. I'd tell my son or daughter the same thing.
So I think I'm done being a part of this conversation, because frankly, I'm sick and tired of it. I'm tired of the bias on both sides. You know what, I'm 74 years old, maybe I'm just tired period. Maybe the values I grew up with aren't relevant anymore. Maybe I need to learn how to text. Hey, Jon Snow is alive, so all is well with the world...Right?
