Cousins demanded a trade(Other fans: Stop proposing trades)

[pillwenney]

Seriously, I've assumed that others have missed my requests, but now it's in the title, so the next ones are warnings.

[SacKingZZZ]

One of the points that Adande made that was probably right is that it doesn't really matter. This is going to happen again and again pretty much regardless of the coach.

That's not necessarily true. I'm not going to bring up Westphals history again, but I know Payton was a similar jackass, but I don't remember him being run out of town left and right by his coaches.

[SacKingZZZ]

Cowbell Kingdom's podcast with Amick: http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/2012/01/0 ... situation/

Seriously guys, this is on Demarcus. Some of you guys really need to stop living in denial.

Nobody is denying Cousins being an a-hole, but the evidence is there for all to see, and if history wasn't the best indicator I think present day reality is, Westphal doesn't have a bright and shiny record with "problem" players.

I also found Petries last statement in that article about Westphal interesting. All he would say is that nobody is happy with how the team is performing. Glowing endorsement.

If Rodman, Artest, Payton, hell, even Derrick Coleman who was an alcoholic can stay in the league, I'm not too worried about Cousins.

I also loathe articles based on "sources". He's "selfish" yet, often times he's the only UNSELFISH player on the court. Makes you wonder where the lines are getting crossed.

[pillwenney]

You can try to go with that, but listen around. The vibe we're getting from everyone (and in some cases, it's just directly saying it) is that this is about Cousins, not Westphal.

I understand wanting to defend Cousins at all costs guys, but we can't ignore reality. JT was basically diplomatically saying that Demarcus was a cancer, and mnWI, who would know of the situation is saying that everybody seems to agree that this is Demarcus' fault.

[SacKingZZZ]

You can try to go with that, but listen around. The vibe we're getting from everyone (and in some cases, it's just directly saying it) is that this is about Cousins, not Westphal.

I understand wanting to defend Cousins at all costs guys, but we can't ignore reality. JT was basically diplomatically saying that Demarcus was a cancer, and mnWI, who would know of the situation is saying that everybody seems to agree that this is Demarcus' fault.

Yes, and I actually kind of like what Westphal did. Now, if the intention was to take the onus off of his own failures, well, that's sad but this could end up bringing this team together and save Westphals career. Time will tell and as I said that quote from Petrie didn't sound like a glowing endorsement of his coach.

It does not change the fact that Cousins isn't the only, or first problem player in this league. Great article here and worth a read if you haven't already:

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/1/2/2676173/demarcus-cousins-sacramento-kings-paul-westphal-hook

Sometimes personalities just do not work together, and Westphal is clearly the continuing factor here in regards to these types of situations. You can pick Cousins or Westphal when the time comes, I think I know who should win. There was a reason Sonics fans came out with some pretty specific warnings when he was hired.

Also, I have to hear what question JT was asked. I'm going to go out on a limb and guarantee the word "cancer" was posed in the question itself. I saw an interview with JT the other night and if you didn't hear the actual question and only his reply, you would be convinced he was pissed and complaining about playing time.

Cousins has to grow up, ballsy move by the Kings here, maybe it'll work. If not, oh well, move on and if Cousins feels like the organization turned their back on him they have another two years to get some type of value for him. It will go one way or the other, but once Westphal is gone, and he's on that real thin line even worse than last season because he's lame duck now, you have to think of the best option to move forward with.

[dozencousins]

I think most players would defend the coach . But that doesnt really mean that they dont truly side with DMC . Think about it if your a rookie and you want to play do you think your really going to speak against your coach ? Not likely you would likely side with him .
Even if your a vet you might have that same fear . I am not saying that DMC doesnt deserve some blame but really Westpaul seems to always have an excuse and he tries to make DMC his whipping boy and scapegoat thats not fair .
I see PW playing favorites alot . Their has been enough times were Tyreke or even other players like Salmons have bad games standing around like a deer in headlights but not admitt to their terrible games . But let it be DMC that does anything wrong or have a bad game he will clearly through DMC under the bus.
PW is the coach ( for now at least ) He needs to keep any issues in house .

[sl1mshad33]

I think that Cousins and Westphal are two separate problems. Westphal's problems as a coach have been stated here ad nauseum for the past several years, so I won't get into this.

DC is a locker-room cancer. He has had this reputation in high school, in college and now in the NBA. He is young and perhaps, in due course, he will get his act together. But I think given the implications that his behavior has for the entire team (with regard to team cohesion), the Kings should strongly consider trading him. Right now, the only thing DC has going for him is potential; in terms of actual production, he is not a clear-cut, bona-fide star like Blake Griffin or Kevin Love or even Andrew Bynum. Will DC ever realize his potential? Maybe, but is it worth having such a toxic personality in the organization? And how long can the team afford to wait?

If Sacramento keeps him around and allows him to continue to act like an ****, it will send the wrong message to other players--- that DC is entitled and can get away with things that others likely could not.

While I do see the argument that trading DC would be caving into his petty and ridiculous behavior, I think the Kings are best off sending him off to another team that is willing to give up draft picks and/or decent players in exchange for his "potential". Let his "potential" destroy someone else's team.

The longer he stays with the Kings, and the longer his reputation as an **** grows, the worse his trade value will become. Timing is therefore imperative.

Lastly, I don't think his behavior is just an issue of immaturity. There are plenty of other 18 and 19 year olds who have made the jump to the NBA, and I can't remember one who has so quickly developed a reputation as being a monumental ****. He is getting paid millions of dollars to act as a professional, both on the court and in the locker-room (and in the community too); teams shouldn't be forced to mortgage their future, paying him and letting him destroy team chemistry, while he grows up.

I wish he could come to Israel for just a few months to do boot camp in the army. He would get his ass kicked like he has never experienced before (and chances are the person kicking his ass will be a 20 year old girl who is 1/3 his size). I am not sure if this will completely solve the problem, but it couldn't hurt.

[sl1mshad33]

And guys, you don't have to worry about DC's character issues totally screwing over his trade value; as history has shown us repeatedly, teams will ALWAYS overpay for big men (examples: Jerome James with the Knicks; Ben Wallace with the Bulls; Tyson Chandler with the Knicks; Todd MacCullough with the Nets)

[SacKingsPejaFan]

Cowbell Kingdom's podcast with Amick: http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/2012/01/0 ... situation/

Seriously guys, this is on Demarcus. Some of you guys really need to stop living in denial.

Nobody is denying Cousins being an a-hole, but the evidence is there for all to see, and if history wasn't the best indicator I think present day reality is, Westphal doesn't have a bright and shiny record with "problem" players.

I also found Petries last statement in that article about Westphal interesting. All he would say is that nobody is happy with how the team is performing. Glowing endorsement.

If Rodman, Artest, Payton, hell, even Derrick Coleman who was an alcoholic can stay in the league, I'm not too worried about Cousins.

I also loathe articles based on "sources". He's "selfish" yet, often times he's the only UNSELFISH player on the court. Makes you wonder where the lines are getting crossed.

+1, so much. Unlike Evans and Salmons--who are the definition of "selfish" basketball players--Cousins actually passes the ball. So the question is "selfish" how? Cousins is passionate about winning; other guys on the Kings like Evans are passionate about getting their stats and being lazy. I'm not in the locker room or on the bench so I can't speak to whether Cousins is a jerk to have as a teammate off the court. But on the court, he gets his teammates involved and passes when it makes sense.

[old rem]

I GET how a player who believes he can be a star,would be peeved if he's being held back.If I can get $10 mill a year x 10 years and you are spoiling that....I think I got a gripe. Even so...you do NOT freak out after your rookie year if you already have a rep as a problem child. If Cousins sits on the bench a few games...maybe it's a reality check he needs.

[pillwenney]

I think that Cousins and Westphal are two separate problems. Westphal's problems as a coach have been stated here ad nauseum for the past several years, so I won't get into this.

DC is a locker-room cancer. He has had this reputation in high school, in college and now in the NBA. He is young and perhaps, in due course, he will get his act together. But I think given the implications that his behavior has for the entire team (with regard to team cohesion), the Kings should strongly consider trading him. Right now, the only thing DC has going for him is potential; in terms of actual production, he is not a clear-cut, bona-fide star like Blake Griffin or Kevin Love or even Andrew Bynum. Will DC ever realize his potential? Maybe, but is it worth having such a toxic personality in the organization? And how long can the team afford to wait?

If Sacramento keeps him around and allows him to continue to act like an ****, it will send the wrong message to other players--- that DC is entitled and can get away with things that others likely could not.

While I do see the argument that trading DC would be caving into his petty and ridiculous behavior, I think the Kings are best off sending him off to another team that is willing to give up draft picks and/or decent players in exchange for his "potential". Let his "potential" destroy someone else's team.

The longer he stays with the Kings, and the longer his reputation as an **** grows, the worse his trade value will become. Timing is therefore imperative.

Lastly, I don't think his behavior is just an issue of immaturity. There are plenty of other 18 and 19 year olds who have made the jump to the NBA, and I can't remember one who has so quickly developed a reputation as being a monumental ****. He is getting paid millions of dollars to act as a professional, both on the court and in the locker-room (and in the community too); teams shouldn't be forced to mortgage their future, paying him and letting him destroy team chemistry, while he grows up.

I wish he could come to Israel for just a few months to do boot camp in the army. He would get his ass kicked like he has never experienced before (and chances are the person kicking his ass will be a 20 year old girl who is 1/3 his size). I am not sure if this will completely solve the problem, but it couldn't hurt.

It's a valid question but the answer is, unfortunately, yes. You need a great big man to succeed in this league, and we're not a big market, nor are we a franchise with a great reputation for success. The only chance we'll have of acquiring another big with Demarcus' talent is through the draft. But even then, we have to get lucky enough to be in the right position, be bad enough to get into that position, and then we have to wait another couple years...we just don't have time for that. Too much is at stake to totally start over and we can't afford it. We have to at least try to make this work.

Regarding what you said about maturity, I don't totally disagree. I would say to look at it like this. Demarcus, with the maturity of an average 21-year-old, would be an absolute monster. Right now, he probably has the maturity of like, a 15-year-old. The hope is that he can get some of his emotional problems figured out and speed up that maturity. Hopefully by the team he's, say, 24, he has the maturity of a 24-year-old.

If he can and he can blend with Tyreke, then this team can be very very special. If he can't, we're f***ed, but we're also f***ed if we trade him without getting a top level big in return (which we won't if we trade him at his current value).

[RIPskaterdude]

You can try to go with that, but listen around. The vibe we're getting from everyone (and in some cases, it's just directly saying it) is that this is about Cousins, not Westphal.

I understand wanting to defend Cousins at all costs guys, but we can't ignore reality. JT was basically diplomatically saying that Demarcus was a cancer, and mnWI, who would know of the situation is saying that everybody seems to agree that this is Demarcus' fault.

Yes, and I actually kind of like what Westphal did. Now, if the intention was to take the onus off of his own failures, well, that's sad but this could end up bringing this team together and save Westphals career. Time will tell and as I said that quote from Petrie didn't sound like a glowing endorsement of his coach.

It does not change the fact that Cousins isn't the only, or first problem player in this league. Great article here and worth a read if you haven't already:

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/1/2/2676173/demarcus-cousins-sacramento-kings-paul-westphal-hook

Sometimes personalities just do not work together, and Westphal is clearly the continuing factor here in regards to these types of situations. You can pick Cousins or Westphal when the time comes, I think I know who should win. There was a reason Sonics fans came out with some pretty specific warnings when he was hired.

Also, I have to hear what question JT was asked. I'm going to go out on a limb and guarantee the word "cancer" was posed in the question itself. I saw an interview with JT the other night and if you didn't hear the actual question and only his reply, you would be convinced he was pissed and complaining about playing time.

Cousins has to grow up, ballsy move by the Kings here, maybe it'll work. If not, oh well, move on and if Cousins feels like the organization turned their back on him they have another two years to get some type of value for him. It will go one way or the other, but once Westphal is gone, and he's on that real thin line even worse than last season because he's lame duck now, you have to think of the best option to move forward with.

Damn, that's a great article. Pretty much shows 100% that Westfail just doesn't understand how to handle a team. And **** this team and it's ownership for passing on TT. Ugh.

[SacKingZZZ]

Well, I don't know about that, but it's certainly historical evidence of the "fool me once..." variety.

I'd be way concerned if the team was playing great, they were winning, and Cousins was coming out pissed but the truth is that the WHOLE TEAM has been lobbing grenades at Westphal for his lack of direction the whole year thusfar.

I still think Westphal needs more time, and he clearly knows his back is against the wall even bringing up the calls for his head 4 games in during his pregame interview yesterday. He's feeling pressure and I can't underrate his own potential personal instability at the moment.

This is going to be an interesting next 5 games, this could be make or break and I think it's odd that after the Payton/Seattle run in, Westphal lasted a whole 5 days after it was patched up. Poetic justice?

[PetrieUnderstudy]

SMH why does being immature mean he need meds, It could be just his upbringing. My question to you guys is his talent worth dealing with his attitude. I like Demarcus Cousins talent, but his talent is not of the level of the Tim Duncans, Shaq and Zos. Does being a very good player warrent investing a coaching staff just to deal with his difficult personality. Where do you draw the line?

Shake your head all you want. Don't discredit what I'm saying because I may be right. I didn't say taking meds would fix him but it could help if its a chemical thing with him. You could be right that it is his upbringing but whatever it is it needs to be addressed. We don't know. This issue is something his agent or someone within his "circle" needs to help him through. He needs to go to counseling (meds or not). Meds help to balance an individual so they don't get too high or drop too low. With the investment financially and in regard to the basketball team the Kings need take the approach they did with Hayes' heart concerns. Show loyalty that they're here to help. No one is perfect. Hell I feel like throwing my remote through the f'kn television. I can relate to his frustration. If the players, coaching staff, and organization aren't frustrated I'd be concerned because then that would show that playing like crap and losing is acceptable.

[pillwenney]

Well, I don't know about that, but it's certainly historical evidence of the "fool me once..." variety.

I'd be way concerned if the team was playing great, they were winning, and Cousins was coming out pissed but the truth is that the WHOLE TEAM has been lobbing grenades at Westphal for his lack of direction the whole year thusfar.

I still think Westphal needs more time, and he clearly knows his back is against the wall even bringing up the calls for his head 4 games in during his pregame interview yesterday. He's feeling pressure and I can't underrate his own potential personal instability at the moment.

This is going to be an interesting next 5 games, this could be make or break and I think it's odd that after the Payton/Seattle run in, Westphal lasted a whole 5 days after it was patched up. Poetic justice?

But it's not just those comments. Like Westphal said, this is just the tip of the iceberg. It's not comparable to how the other players behaved.

That's not to say that article doesn't make good points--especially the stuff with Thibodeau. Now, to be completely fair, Thibodeau's weirdness has kept a few teams from signing him in recent years. But we have that history of going for more media-friendly guys that we can supposedly "sell" to fans more. It's ridiculous and and stupid and annoying and it always has been. Fans like wins way more than anything else.

[RekeHavoc]

meh, **** cousins: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... ngs_010112

[LeBron's Time]

Cousins isn’t totally locker room cancer, definitely he’s mad at the locker room when the team was playing terrible and losing but when the team is winning he’s one of the funniest guy there. Some or most players don’t care if the team is losing as long they earn millions on their pockets, cousins isn’t like that, he cares about winning. He got balls to speak up or confront the coach and tell that the system they run isn’t working, everyone on the team is playing terrible, He wants change to stop the losing. What’s wrong with that?

If westphal didn’t like what he did…. “if you(westphal) think I’m a team cancer, then trade me”… I don’t see any problem on that.

I’m Filipino, in our Philippine league called PBA, my favorite team is “ginebra”, they also played terrible at the beginning. Star player on that team voice out the team problem in public, that they run a bad system, bad substitution pattern in other words bad coaching job. Team fans support the player they really like what the player did because they feel the same way. After that the team start winning. Sometimes player that really cares about winning need to do that, salute them for their guts and balls for the sake of the team.

Demarcus cousins isn’t the bad guy here, what he did is the right thing to do for the team with no direction. Paul westphal just over react because cousins tell him straight up that his system sucks, he can’t swallow the truth. Some fans of other teams and media just over react too because he is demarcus cousins, they don’t like cousins from day 1.

[pillwenney]

Cousins isn’t totally locker room cancer, definitely he’s mad at the locker room when the team was playing terrible and losing but when the team is winning he’s one of the funniest guy there. Some or most players don’t care if the team is losing as long they earn millions on their pockets, cousins isn’t like that, he cares about winning. He got balls to speak up or confront the coach and tell that the system they run isn’t working, everyone on the team is playing terrible, He wants change to stop the losing. What’s wrong with that?

If westphal didn’t like what he did…. “if you(westphal) think I’m a team cancer, then trade me”… I don’t see any problem on that.

I’m Filipino, in our Philippine league called PBA, my favorite team is “ginebra”, they also played terrible at the beginning. Star player on that team voice out the team problem in public, that they run a bad system, bad substitution pattern in other words bad coaching job. Team fans support the player they really like what the player did because they feel the same way. After that the team start winning. Sometimes player that really cares about winning need to do that, salute them for their guts and balls for the sake of the team.

Demarcus cousins isn’t the bad guy here, what he did is the right thing to do for the team with no direction. Paul westphal just over react because cousins tell him straight up that his system sucks, he can’t swallow the truth. Some fans of other teams and media just over react too because he is demarcus cousins, they don’t like cousins from day 1.

Dude, this is ridiculous. Like it's been said many times, this is the tip of the iceberg. A lot of stuff has happened, and his own teammates, while not wanting to alienate him, clearly feel as though it's him that's the problem and that he is the one that needs to fix things. It's one thing to calmly voice displeasure. It's another to be a consistent problem in the locker room--which all indicators point to Cuz being.

I wish it wasn't true too. But it is, guys.

[pillwenney]

http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/ar ... ill-d.html

He'll dress, but won't start.

[sacking123]

I still can't believe this is happening. But trust me pillwenney is right and he is thinking about both sides of the story here. DMC is a lot worse than we think, and that is not saying anything about PW positive or negative, this is about DMC first and foremost.