Scathing Article from Amick on Cousins

#91
"And last but certainly not least, to make this mistake and then act so indignant when someone dares to ask about it later takes this to a whole new, and unacceptable, level."

That's the key sentence for me. Hypothesis: Sam read about the alleged incident at the Heat game through Carmichael Dave's twitter feed. He asked DMC about it during the Cleveland game and was so personally offended by Boogie's response, decided to write an entire article about it which amounts to "Don't be a jerk to me, Mr. Big Shot."

It certainly screams of vindictiveness, especially considering an obscene gesture at a fan is hardly among Boogie's more eye-brow raising incidents. This got personal and it's sad to see.
After reading the article this was my exact thought.

To me it appears that Amick, who I've always enjoyed for my Kings media coverage, felt that he had a special relationship with Cousins. (Which he cited when mentioning the 'good' articles he's done of Cousins)
It looks as if Sam wanted to do an article on this topic, or at the least incorporate this incident into an over-all larger article.
He wanted Cousins to comment on it, which is why he waited so long to write it, and when Cousins basically blew him off (because he didn't want to go there and wanted people to talk about his progression as a basketball player), Sam got upset and basically decided that because Cousins blew him off, he'd go 'hard' on Cousins.

So there are three things I want to mention in regards to this story:

1.) The fact that Sam doesn't once mention the All-Star game means that he is being very disingenious. He knows precisely the impact that this could have on Cousin's All-Star chances. The simple fact that he does not once mention it means that he knows this is going to hurt Cousins in terms of getting that All-Star nod which we all know is very important to Cousins.

2.) You can read the hesitancy and tentativeness through-out the entire article. It's as if Sam didn't think it was really the best of ideas, but he was probably upset and went with it anyway. So I don't think this article came from Sam's best 'frame-of-mind'.

3.) Because he knows this will hurt Cousins' All-Star bid, he knows this article is going to hurt Cousins. I think that is why it's so tentative and hesitant. I also think that he's afraid that if he did have any sort of relationship with Cousins, that this article will be the end of anything that might have been there. So, ultimately, I think he's going to regret writing it, if he hasn't done so all ready. He understands how damaging this can be and he probably understands the relationship-altering effect it could have. And ultimately it's all for a pretty big non-issue, which is the saddest thing of all.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#92
Sam Amick is a highly-paid professional. This isn't a earth-shattering story. If Amick went with it anyway even though he didn't think it was the really the best of ideas, he should have killed it. Tentative and hesitant are two words that DO NOT belong in a description of a news story.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#94
I know I am just a dumb ass fan but as bad as Boogie's behavior and demeanor has been in the past, I am going to support him. As far as I am concerned, he has earned my support unless he pulls a Ron-Ron or something else horrendous. He has changed a lot. When it comes to his demeanor, have at it Boogie. I've got your back as much as it is possible. No one needs to agree as I understand that this sounds like I am supporting bad behavior. No. I am supporting Boogie.

I realize there is a sense of irrationality about my reaction but I don't give a damn. Boogie is a King.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#95
It probably IS true. That's not really the reason everybody is up in arms about this.

You'll note that JT didn't get his own article. This is much closer to the reason everybody is up in arms about this.
I don't buy the double standard argument. Cousins is the leader, the best player, the max $ guy, the face of the franchise. Of course he's going to get greater scrutiny than JT. Scrutinizing Cousins doesn't necessitate doing an article of every NBA player who is vulgar.

However, I wouldn't mind it all if there was a broader article about the subject that would include JT. It's very odd, when you think about it. You have NBA players going into cancer wards seeing young kids and doing the right thing, and I presume not using the F word every sentence when they are speaking to the kids and other hospital staff. Yet, put them out on the court and it's like they have no consciousness whatsoever of how venal and idiotic they act.
 
#96
It's very odd, when you think about it. You have NBA players going into cancer wards seeing young kids and doing the right thing, and I presume not using the F word every sentence when they are speaking to the kids and other hospital staff. Yet, put them out on the court and it's like they have no consciousness whatsoever of how venal and idiotic they act.
Are you seriously confused about how interacting with sick kids in a hospital vs playing a rough and tumble sport may influence different uses of language? Or is this just another silly opportunity to act take a contradictory position?
 

Entity

Hall of Famer
#97
Lebron cursed at a fan but he didn't get a write up about his immaturity. Follow Lebron around a few games Sam and let some fans yell at him "Lebron you fn suck, who's coattail s are you going to ride next". See what response you get from Lebron.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#98
I don't buy the double standard argument. Cousins is the leader, the best player, the max $ guy, the face of the franchise. Of course he's going to get greater scrutiny than JT. Scrutinizing Cousins doesn't necessitate doing an article of every NBA player who is vulgar.

However, I wouldn't mind it all if there was a broader article about the subject that would include JT. It's very odd, when you think about it. You have NBA players going into cancer wards seeing young kids and doing the right thing, and I presume not using the F word every sentence when they are speaking to the kids and other hospital staff. Yet, put them out on the court and it's like they have no consciousness whatsoever of how venal and idiotic they act.
I really hate to burst your bubble, but DFC and JT aren't the only Kings players to curse.
 
#99
Well, yea - I mean .. I hear that stuff (and a lot worse) every saturday morning for pickup basketball at the Y. It happens.

But some of what Amick is saying should be said, just ... maybe not said in that way at this time ... in that sort of a piece.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
I don't buy the double standard argument. Cousins is the leader, the best player, the max $ guy, the face of the franchise. Of course he's going to get greater scrutiny than JT. Scrutinizing Cousins doesn't necessitate doing an article of every NBA player who is vulgar.

However, I wouldn't mind it all if there was a broader article about the subject that would include JT. It's very odd, when you think about it. You have NBA players going into cancer wards seeing young kids and doing the right thing, and I presume not using the F word every sentence when they are speaking to the kids and other hospital staff. Yet, put them out on the court and it's like they have no consciousness whatsoever of how venal and idiotic they act.
Yes, sadly, there is a life beyond "Little house on the Prairie".
 

Entity

Hall of Famer
Its obvious. Amick still lives in area he tried to interview cousins at some point and got brushed off. This is his retaliation. He was all smiles with Ron artest in several interviews and write up so the action clearly doesn't bother Sam as he represents it does. Just some personal payback.
 
I don't buy the double standard argument. Cousins is the leader, the best player, the max $ guy, the face of the franchise. Of course he's going to get greater scrutiny than JT. Scrutinizing Cousins doesn't necessitate doing an article of every NBA player who is vulgar.

However, I wouldn't mind it all if there was a broader article about the subject that would include JT. It's very odd, when you think about it. You have NBA players going into cancer wards seeing young kids and doing the right thing, and I presume not using the F word every sentence when they are speaking to the kids and other hospital staff. Yet, put them out on the court and it's like they have no consciousness whatsoever of how venal and idiotic they act.
Why didn't you come on here with such a strong stance against Isaiah when he dropped a loud F-bomb the other night when he thought he got fouled on a pullup 3? It was loud enough the mics picked it up and I heard it over a thousand miles away.

But yes, let's continue acting like Cuz and JT are the only pro athletes who swear during competition and that how you talk when visiting sick children in a hospital is the standard for language used by pro athletes during competition. We all obviously use the same language when playing sports/in the gym/with the guys as we do at our grandmother's Thanksgiving dinner table, don't we?

I'm offended by your use of the word "idiotic". Where's your standards? Would you use that term around cancer patients? I wouldn't. I think a "lower mental capacity" would be a more proper term. Tisk, tisk.
 
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VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
Why didn't you come on here with such a strong stance against Isaiah when he dropped a loud F-bomb the other night when he thought he got fouled on a pullup 3? It was loud enough the mics picked it up and I heard it over a thousand miles away.
Exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned "other players"...
 
There is no bigger fan of DMC than me (maybe Bricklayer) but I think people are too quick to jump on Amick here, allowing emotion to overcome common sense. Amick would not shoot from the hip lightly. He is a highly reputable journalist , one of few that I trust or respect.

Don't get me wrong. DMC has made massive progress both on and off the court but lets not pretend like he is completely over it. Its a long process and there will be, for want of a better word, relapses like this. Its all part of the process of growing up.

As for Amick not endorsing DMC for an all-star....that is hogwash! He had him in his team a couple of days ago. Amick is not against DMC. In fact he has written numerous positive articles about DMC when others were sticking the boots in. He is just doing his job and I can't fault him for that. You don't earn that type of reputation by doing the dirty on someone. He is one of the best NBA journalists going around. If this was from anyone else, I wouldn't blink but I trust Amick and he is certainly not he type to go off a couple of tweets and heresay. The guy definitely does his research and is well connected and respected in the NBA.
 
Oh the hypocrisy.

I've spent the past week defending my opinion that Cousins still has some improvement to make, mainly in his emotional control, and getting blasted as being blind and basically a hater. Now a national story comes out that essentially validates that opinion and the masses here dismiss it using a "two wrongs make a right" and "everyone does it" defense.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201107/you-end-believing-what-you-want-believe
It's not a case of 2 wrongs nor is it a case of every one else has BAD behavior, it's a case of the courts side swearing being part of the freeking game, DMC breathes just like everyone else... that is NOT a excuse for Cousins resperating.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
There is no bigger fan of DMC than me (maybe Bricklayer) but I think people are too quick to jump on Amick here, allowing emotion to overcome common sense. Amick would not shoot from the hip lightly. He is a highly reputable journalist , one of few that I trust or respect.

Don't get me wrong. DMC has made massive progress both on and off the court but lets not pretend like he is completely over it. Its a long process and there will be, for want of a better word, relapses like this. Its all part of the process of growing up.

As for Amick not endorsing DMC for an all-star....that is hogwash! He had him in his team a couple of days ago. Amick is not against DMC. In fact he has written numerous positive articles about DMC when others were sticking the boots in. He is just doing his job and I can't fault him for that. You don't earn that type of reputation by doing the dirty on someone. He is one of the best NBA journalists going around. If this was from anyone else, I wouldn't blink but I trust Amick and he is certainly not he type to go off a couple of tweets and heresay. The guy definitely does his research and is well connected and respected in the NBA.
Does his research on what however?

There was no real incident to provke this. That is why its a fluff piece.

Just to be clear Cuz did not get a technical, did not get thrown out of a game, did not get a fine...there was no "incident" here besides Cuz and some hecklers getting into it. And out of that we get a 2000 word essay blasted on the front page of every sports site 2 weeks before the All Stars are selected?

Uh huh. Timing looks completely innocent and necessary to me. This story was just screaming hot let me tell you. Hesitate and lose!
 
You know, Cap'n, for someone who says he wants to believe in Cousins, you don't appear to be trying that hard.
I don't want to believe in Cousins, he is a basketball player, not my mentor.

I want him to be the best basketball player he can be, while he is wearing the uniform of my favorite basketball team. I think his emotional instability is hampering his ability to be that player. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't care.
 
Don't obfuscate; it's beneath you. You know what I meant.
I did, and I thought I answered the question as such. I thought my answer made it clear about my mindset towards Cousins. I don't care about his personal life, I'm not looking for someone to look up to, I just want him to be good at basketball. That's why the idea that I'm hating on him is laughable, he is the best player on my favorite team, why would I point out his flaws without reason?

Before this article (which I place more weight in than the majority here seem to), I would easily state that Cousins was on the right path and had improved in ALL the areas I think he needs to improve in. This article has shaken the confidence I have in that stance. However, even when I was confident in his progress it was clear to me that he still had A LOT of improvement that needed to be made.

I have high expectations for the Kings and Cousins. These expectations are probably the reason why I desire to see more improvement while the rest of the members here are satisfied with the progress has been made (and simply was to enjoy it). I recognize and understand this. I was ready to walk away from this "discussion" until this article came to light and I thought that it would allow some people to reevaluate their thoughts. I was disappointed to see that most people just disregarded it since it wasn't in line with their opinions.