Should we rest Boogie, and focus on development over wins and losses?

[Warhawk]

Surprised nobody has jumped on this yet:

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/kings-cousins-dealing-injuries-talk-management

"After Monday’s 110-103 Kings loss the the Hawks, All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins admitted to playing with multiple injuries including his ankle, calf, shoulder and back.

Cousins acknowledged his desire to to continue to play through the various injuries but also expressed concern for his health said that he would “talk to management about it.”

Losing Cousins would further deplete the Kings' roster and impede not only winning but building the culture and style of play that George Karl, who was hired after the All-Star break, is trying to bring to California’s capital city."

 

[Iced Espresso]

This was here a short time ago, but we've seen some pretty brutal ball since then and Cousins is hurting right now.

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2015/3/17/8230503/demarcus-cousins-injuries-piling-up

DeMarcus Cousins has seen his fair share of injuries this season and the big man may be considering some time off to rest his body.

"Ankles, calf, shoulder, back," Cousins said before being asked if he is going to need some rest moving forward. "I don't know what's going to happen ... Of course I want to have the mentality of playing every game, but I also got to think about my health, so like I said, I don't really know what's going to happen, that's something I'm going to have to talk to management about, but as of right now I'm playing."

Also consider his meningitis episode, the Summer time Team USA, All Star game, and the stress of 3 coaches.

Currently the pick situation looks like this.

http://www.tankathon.com

4) LA Lakers 17-49 top 3 odds 37.8%
5) Orlando 21-47 top 3 odds 29.1%
6) Sacramento 22-44 top 3 odds 21.5%
7) Detroit 23-43 top 3 odds 15.0%
8) Denver 26-42 top 3 odds 9.9%
9) Brooklyn 27-38 top 3 odds 6.1%

We've got 16 games left, 8 on the road, 8 at home. Upcoming schedule

Home Clips
Home Charlotte
Home Wizards
Home Philly
Road Suns
Road Pelicans
Road Memphis
Road Houston
Home Pelicans
Home Jazz
Home Wolves
Road Jazz
Road Thunder
Road Denver
Home Lakers
Road Lakers

Towel or Tiger?

 

[VF21]

This would explain his quickness to argue with the officials and a lot of other stuff people have been observing. Of course, there are going to be those who quickly jump on the "Oh, it's more proof of tanking" wagon... I'm not even going to address that.

NOTE: I merged the two threads that were both about DMC potentially not playing since they were posted at almost exactly the same time.

 

[gunks]

I hate lins.

But I don't see why not at this point. There is some talent at the top of the draft. A few good bigs, decent PGs, and defensive SFs.

 

[Spike]

Well, the article confirms what most of us know (about the injuries). You can see it in his lack of ability to recently finish around the basket. Here's what's curious, though. He does seem to be wanting to play through it, whereas most teams in a similar position would shut down their stars until fully healthy.

If we were winning, this would be a relative footnote. Nobody is 100% at this point in the year, and you just have to play through the injuries, unless they are truly keeping you from contributing positively to the team. Cousins at 50% is likely better than anyone else at this team at 100%.
You do want to build upon what Karl is trying to bring to Sacramento. Cousins seems to want to be a part of at least giving things a go under Karl, knowing that he's a legitimate coach with experience.



If, Cousins however is somehow reading into Karl intimating that he doesn't want to build around Cousins's strengths (being a runner over being a brute), or in Karl believing that "you don't really need a superstar to win", then he may not want really to play for the guy (at least not through the injuries), and this is the beginning of the end. I don't think that's the case, but the situation bears monitoring as we head into next year. Karl's words concern me on a surface level, but not really at a deeper level...not yet. I'm confident of Karl having a bit of a "coming to Jesus" over the summer - which is a discussion for another time.

Honestly? My gut says if he's aching, he should be resting. If he can go, and feel that he can contribute positively, then let him play. It's about as simple as that.
Does Cousins know what a winning culture is like? Absolutely. He experienced it over the summer, as well as at the start of the year. Is it important to establish a winning culture with a team that's likely to (sigh, again) turn over a significant part of its roster? I'm not so sure about that one.

 

[VF21]

Sean Cunningham ‏@News10Sean 10m10 minutes ago
Kings coach George Karl said it was his preference that DeMarcus Cousins continue to play. Maybe compromise on minutes. #NBAKings

 

[IfAt1st]

Called it.

This is the next obvious step to the Kings losing many games and ensuring the FO gets their precious lottery pick to play with again this year. They had WAY too much fun with the last one to give up another chance.
First Rudy, (well, really, first Collison), soon to be Demarcus.

I have claimed for awhile now that I don't think this franchise WANTS to win this year, based on everything they've done and said this year. So Demarcus shutting it down would be EXACTLY what they would push for.
Plus, it fits what we see on the court - Boogie is killing himself and is getting beat to crap each night, so it's just a matter of time before he says "No mas."

I believe his right shoulder is close to a serious injury, with the way it has been repeatedly yanked down in the shooting motion the past 10 games. His lower back is getting punched 10 times a night, and I don't see how his vertebra can keep taking that punishment with the way he wrenches his back on those change-of-direction layups in traffic.

He's CRAZY to be Euro-stepping with his weight and power. His ankle should have already been sprained at least twice this year - he's incredibly fortunate not to have had serious damage already, IMO.

 

[c-webb1s#1]

wow, well its certainly not the way you want to end the season but at this point i think the losses are gonna pile up regardless.
I say rest DMC and rest Rudy for 5 or so more games...hell have them play every other night or something along those lines. The only thing we got going for us is that pick and id throw up if our 2 stars suffered a major injury by continuing to play in pain.

Get that high pick, trade it, come back next season healthy and with some good 3 and D players and lets make a playoff run!

 

[pshn80]

This team can't have team development without Cousins playing. And team development is what we need. The players that play whether the number is eight or nine or ten is the team. Keep Cuz playing. When he's played in playoffs a couple of seasons and he's 28 or 29 then sit him a little more. We want him to be productive at least to 2025.

 

[Bricklayer]

watch us rest him for that Lakers back to back to end things and turn some potential wins into wosses

Sorry big guy, need you to anchor several of my fantasy teams through the playoffs. I'll get back to you as soon as its safe to call it a season.

Since I have no idea what we'd be "developing" if Cuz does shut it down, I think its pretty safe to say if that happens the Grades will also be going on hiatus. In fact I doubt I'll even watch the rest of the games, which is a first for me in at least 15 years. We've got exactly 4 kids, none of whom I am terribly excited about. We're playing junkball. The season is lost. I think I'd rather spend the time on my Teams of the Great Centers series, maybe provide some education to the idiots in charge. Harass media members online about Cuz as All NBA...which will get harder if he shuts it down too prematurely. Quitters always lose and all that. At least honors when they are already being disrepected because of their team.

 

[kingsboi]

I believe that he is injured and all but I don't think it's a coincidence that all of a sudden he has a number of injuries that no body talked about until everybody saw that the Kings can't win even with Karl this season because of the turmoil. That being said, I say play the guy but limit his minutes, he will have plenty of time in the offseason to rest.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

watch us rest him for that Lakers back to back to end things and turn some potential wins into wosses.

****, I hope not. I feel damn near like a college football fan when it comes to the gd lakers: if we go 4-78, but we sweep the lakers, the season's not a total write off.

 

[Henkel]

Stop throwing good money after bad and shut him down, Rudy too. Forget this misguided notion that there's redemption to be had and let's be practical about this. Meaningless victories are theoretically valuable, not something I subscribe to considering it's Cousins 5th season, but draft position and injury concerns are very real. The lack of talent on this team is legitimate, so putting our current talent and future prospects in jeopardy for the intangible makes no sense to me.

 

[rainmaker]

Yeah, I'll ask the question.

How many of these injuries are related to a 6'11", 270lb center being asked to play in an up-tempo offense and assume the role of "rim runner"?

Say what you will, but some bodies are just not meant for that style of play and Cuz would obviously be a prime example of a body which isn't suited for it.

An 82 game schedule is already tough on many players and we've seen an increase in serious injuries even to guards. Asking a lumbering center to cover even more ground on a nightly basis at a higher speed is asking for trouble and I have little tolerance for it after going through the Webber fiasco. Some injuries are just freak accidents, can't prevent them but it doesn't mean you should passively encourage it, which a higher tempo does with a guy like Cuz.

 

[kingsboi]

Stop throwing good money after bad and shut him down, Rudy too. Forget this misguided notion that there's redemption to be had and let's be practical about this. Meaningless victories are theoretically valuable, not something I subscribe to considering it's Cousins 5th season, but draft position and injury concerns are very real. The lack of talent on this team is legitimate, so putting our current talent and future prospects in jeopardy for the intangible makes no sense to me.

History is not on our side as far as draft positions are concerned...if we can learn one thing out all this, it's that tanking will not be rewarded, at least not to the Kings because they haven't drafted in the top 3 in god knows how long...don't set yourself up for disappointment because it's highly unlikely Kings land in the promise land that is the top 3...so from there it's about the best talent on the board and how that talent fits on the team.

 

[kingsboi]

Yeah, I'll ask the question.

How many of these injuries are related to a 6'11", 270lb center being asked to play in an up-tempo offense and assume the role of "rim runner"?

Say what you will, but some bodies are just not meant for that style of play and Cuz would obviously be a prime example of a body which isn't suited for it.

An 82 game schedule is already tough on many players and we've seen an increase in serious injuries even to guards. Asking a lumbering center to cover even more ground on a nightly basis at a higher speed is asking for trouble and I have little tolerance for it after going through the Webber fiasco. Some injuries are just freak accidents, can't prevent them but it doesn't mean you should passively encourage it, which a higher tempo does with a guy like Cuz.

let's just hope Karl realizes this before he shortens his career. Ground bound players have a long shelf life, let's use him as such.

 

[jaysutton2003]

DeMarcus Cousins with Miriam Tolentino and 2 others
39 mins · " Can't be something that I'm not, I ain't never changing " ...

DMC just posted this on Facebook. I'm not sure exactly what this means... Is he referencing PACE?

 

[rainmaker]

Well, he posts that the day after Karl's interview.....

 

[Henkel]

History is not on our side as far as draft positions are concerned...if we can learn one thing out all this, it's that tanking will not be rewarded, at least not to the Kings because they haven't drafted in the top 3 in god knows how long...don't set yourself up for disappointment because it's highly unlikely Kings land in the promise land that is the top 3...so from there it's about the best talent on the board and how that talent fits on the team.

History has nothing to do with the lottery. Statistically speaking were unlikely to get a top 3 pick, but that has nothing to do with "the Kings". Having a higher selection, top 3 isn't relevant, is a quantifiably better asset then a lower selection. With nothing to gain by winning, at least from my perspective, put yourself in position for the better asset.

 

[sdballer]

Well, he posts that the day after Karl's interview.....

I really hope not but I increasingly fear cousins will be traded for better pieces that fit the pace vision rather than finally getting pieces that fit him.

 

[Bricklayer]

DeMarcus Cousins with Miriam Tolentino and 2 others
39 mins · " Can't be something that I'm not, I ain't never changing " ...

DMC just posted this on Facebook. I'm not sure exactly what this means... Is he referencing PACE?

Interesting to say the least.

It could also refer to his outburst last night, as in ain't ever going to calm down.

 

[VF21]

Interesting to say the least.

It could also refer to his outburst last night, as in ain't ever going to calm down.

He changed the post, removing the names of the other people. I don't think it had anything to do with the Kings, truth be told.

He posted a picture with his status update:

 

[Bricklayer]

Stop throwing good money after bad and shut him down, Rudy too. Forget this misguided notion that there's redemption to be had and let's be practical about this. Meaningless victories are theoretically valuable, not something I subscribe to considering it's Cousins 5th season, but draft position and injury concerns are very real. The lack of talent on this team is legitimate, so putting our current talent and future prospects in jeopardy for the intangible makes no sense to me.

Apparently you missed the part of my comment about my fantasy teams.

Keep on trucking big guy! At least for another week or two.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

He changed the post, removing the names of the other people. I don't think it had anything to do with the Kings, truth be told.

Someone needs to tell DeMarcus that his fanbase has severe PTSD and he needs to be very careful about saying things that might possibly be construed to hold any aspect of his tenure in Sacramento in a remotely negative light. In fact, it's probably best if he doesn't say anything at all. Scratch that, that would be misconstrued too. Maybe we just need to turn off the microscope and stop searching for the evidence Cousins is unhappy.

 

[kingsboi]

History has nothing to do with the lottery. Statistically speaking were unlikely to get a top 3 pick, but that has nothing to do with "the Kings". Having a higher selection, top 3 isn't relevant, is a quantifiably better asset then a lower selection. With nothing to gain by winning, at least from my perspective, put yourself in position for the better asset.

the best asset you can gain here is getting a top 3 pick...the Kings will gain an asset regardless but the question is will that asset be around or not.

 

[CruzDude]

Bajaden and I were chatting about this rest situation for Cuz and an idea came up. Why not rest him for a week or so including the coming 4 game road trip then call up Bhular and Stockton from D-league and get them some real NBA games to see just where they may fit down the road? Sort of a pre- preseason?

 

[Henkel]

the best asset you can gain here is getting a top 3 pick...the Kings will gain an asset regardless but the question is will that asset be around or not.

I get all that. The reason I said a top 3 pick isn't relevant to my point is any improvement in draft position is more valuable then victories at this point. Regardless of how it effects our odds of winning the lottery, which should be noted isn't statistically insignificant if you fall from 6th to 10th in the standings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft_lottery

 

[206Fan]

Bajaden and I were chatting about this rest situation for Cuz and an idea came up. Why not rest him for a week or so including the coming 4 game road trip then call up Bhular and Stockton from D-league and get them some real NBA games to see just where they may fit down the road? Sort of a pre- preseason?

I personally wouldn't mind resting Cuz because I don't want our big man playing in games while he's injured. I mean these games are pretty much worthless with Gay and Collison out. Let Cuz rehab until he's fully 100%. This team isn't winning this season...chemistry can be built in practice. Don't see how continuing to let Cuz play on an injury benefits anyone..

 

[Bricklayer]

I personally wouldn't mind resting Cuz because I don't want our big man playing in games while he's injured. I mean these games are pretty much worthless with Gay and Collison out. Let Cuz rehab until he's fully 100%. This team isn't winning this season...chemistry can be built in practice. Don't see how continuing to let Cuz play on an injury benefits anyone..

DOES NOBODY LISTEN???

Sorry big guy, need you to anchor several of my fantasy teams through the playoffs. I'll get back to you as soon as its safe to call it a season.

Go! Fight! Win! Big guy!

When the going gets tough, the tough hang in there until the bitter end!*



*of my fantasy leagues' playoffs

 

[randymoss1881]

We can loose every game from here on out and still not catch the lakers. ****ing pitifull you have an all nba player and you decide to go this route. Good luck getting a free agent to sign here dude would probably laugh when he sees a sacramento area code on his phone.