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Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:20 pm**

Read this snip on ESPN:

Heading into this June's draft, the one knock on DeMarcus Cousins was his demeanor could often be a little much to handle. It's part of the reason that despite all his talent, he fell to fifth in the draft to the Kings. Earlier this season on Nov 1., ESPN's Chad Ford reported "sources close to the Kings tell me that Cousins has earned his reputation for being difficult. Several players on the team have complained privately about his attitude and he's already butted heads with assistant coaches in practice." In the Weekend Dime on Friday, ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting similarly, which we've noted below.

It's certainly extremely early in Cousins' NBA career. He's only 20 years old. But so far, the center -- who's coming off the bench behind Samuel Dalembert now -- seems to be living up to his reputation. And it could continue to have adverse effects on his team as the season goes along.

and

"Worrisome murmurs this week emanating from Sacramento, where giving up 42 points to Michael Beasley and losing at home to a Wolves team that pretty much never wins on the road apparently aren't the Kings' biggest issues. Word is that handling rookie forward DeMarcus Cousins is proving to be an even bigger job for coach Paul Westphal and his staff than expected, even after the Kings hired Cousins' high school coach (Otis Hughley) in hopes of keeping the 20-year-old -- freshly relegated to a bench role -- plugged in. One source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Cousins was fined recently for clashing with members of Westphal's staff. I've also been advised that it's not one-and-done as far as such clashes go, which has created a level of tension that -- anticipated or not -- obviously isn't what the Kings need when they're already operating at such an experience deficit on top of their serious defensive frailties. No one doubts the potential possessed by the Kings' precocious tag team of Cousins and Tyreke Evans. But as one veteran scout warned me during summer league in Las Vegas, when tales and hints of Cousins' volatility and immaturity spread quickly: 'It's always risky to have two young divas on the same team.' Didn't take long for the Kings to find out."

Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:23 pm**

How does Mark Stein print this stuff before our lousy beat writers? Are they not in the mixed every day w/ what's going on?

Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:25 pm**

A month into the season and DMC i already proving his critics correct. Lets hope it's an isolated incident, but with the Kings luck, I doubt it.

Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:55 pm**

The fact that this is coming from Marc Stein tells me that this is a story being blown way out of proportion. The guy over-hypes everything more than FOX News. I wouldn't discount there being disagreements or conflicts between DMC and the coaching staff...the minutes he gets is very likely connected to this IMO. But I also don't see this as a uncorrectable problem. I also don't see this as an issue that needs to be handled in the press...which nobody is doing aside from some "unnamed sources close to the situation" (aka, the janitor I paid $50 for some dirt).

Quite frankly Petrie, Westphal, the Maloofs and everyone on the coaching staff knew full well what they were getting when they drafted DMC. It's now their job to turn him into a professional...not only by skill, but by attitude. I've seen nothing to suggest that they are not working towards that goal.

Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:58 pm**

^
KIE - so you don't believe he was fined by the team or you feel it's not a big deal? I would disagree with both - although it comes from Stein -- there have been other reports. Where there's smoke there's fire...

Posted: **Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:19 pm**

I have absolutely no idea IF he has been fined by the team, how much it was for if he was, or what he did to get fined...again, if he was. I also could also care less if he was. That's an internal personnel matter to be handled by the coach, player and GM. IF he was fined by the team for justifiable reasons, then I'm OK with that...they got to do what they got to do.

And NO, I don't think this is a big deal. He's a talented, immature kid that needs to learn how to be a professional player. He's either going to learn what it takes to succeed as a professional in the league, or he's going to fade into oblivion once his rookie deal is done. And it may take a while with a lot of internal clashes for that to happen. The team knew the risks when drafting him. They most likely also had a plan in place on how to deal with those risks. So, no, I'm not going to get all worked up worried over rumors of an issue that is part of highly predictable growing pains. I'm not going to start worrying unless he turns into a Latrell Sprewell or Rasheed Wallace brand of nuts.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:11 am**

tru6playa wrote:^
KIE - so you don't believe he was fined by the team or you feel it's not a big deal? I would disagree with both - although it comes from Stein -- there have been other reports. Where there's smoke there's fire...

It's this precise attitude that keeps people reading the New York Post's sports section. These claims, as of now, are completely unsubstantiated.

Not saying it's not true, just that we shouldn't be freaking out over something that literally could have been completely fabricated.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:25 am**

The Bee ran a story that stated Cousins was about suggest he come off the bench so someone's spinning.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/sports/kings/ar ... st-73.html

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:32 am**

If it's anything, I think it's probably unrelated to him coming off the bench. It may have to do with playing time, in which case it would be kind of justified.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:39 am**

mitchweber wrote:If it's anything, I think it's probably unrelated to him coming off the bench. It may have to do with playing time, in which case it would be kind of justified.

I think even this is unfair speculation...especially the inference that he's upset because of reduced playing time. What's to say that his playing time is not reduced as a result of his attitude? Yes, that suggestion is also speculation. It's equally logical, though, and IMO could be closer to the truth.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:43 am**

mitchweber wrote:If it's anything, I think it's probably unrelated to him coming off the bench. It may have to do with playing time, in which case it would be kind of justified.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:49 am**

To be fair, Chad Ford did reported something similar last week in regards to Cousins. Maybe, there is some truth in this. But with that said, guys like Ford and Stein usually exaggerate the initial report.

I'll wait until Sam Amick gets a hold of this. He is the only legitimate writer that most of us trust. It's unfortunate that the local beat writers for the Kings are lousy in general.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:51 am**

Given BSPN's track record, I don't put much faith into what they say. They need some good stories since their favorite team (the Heat) keep losing.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:19 am**

Hey, the way Cousins minutes have been handled lately I'd be pissed if I were him too. Might even have somewhat of a gripe considering the rather noticeable tailspin right around the time his role was reduced. Still, hope it's not true and hope even more so that Westphal doesn't try to be the "big dog" and nail his butt to the ground. That's how coaches find themselves in the unemployment line more often than not. Hmmm...now that I think about it, how did Westphals tenure in Seattle finish up? Hmmm...

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:37 am**

SacKingZZZ wrote:Hey, the way Cousins minutes have been handled lately I'd be pissed if I were him too. Might even have somewhat of a gripe considering the rather noticeable tailspin right around the time his role was reduced. Still, hope it's not true and hope even more so that Westphal doesn't try to be the "big dog" and nail his butt to the ground.

So a coach shouldn't try to discipline an immature rookie with a history of having an attitude problem? "Nailing his butt to the ground" might just be exactly what he needs to improve his chances of surviving in the league.

That's how coaches find themselves in the unemployment line more often than not. Hmmm...now that I think about it, how did Westphals tenure in Seattle finish up? Hmmm...

There's no comparison between the Seattle situation and what is (allegedly) going on between Cousins and the coaching staff. Maybe it's time you wake up to the fact that Cousins is an immature rookie who's not totally ready for prime time yet. Quit the hero worship and open your eyes to reality.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:57 am**

I'll believe it when Amick says something. I never buy into the ESPN guys.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 3:10 am**

I smell bs.

It just doesnt seem likely based on what we actually see on the court. Cousins seems to have a great attitude on the court and appears to be a good teammate. He says all the right stuff, he was happy to give dally the etarting spot and clearly understood that he is in a learning situation.

I just cant imagine that the guy im seeing on the court and in the media pulls a jeykl and hyde routine behind closed doors. What ive seen of the guy doesnt suggest that he is hard to deal with off the court.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:42 am**

Lightning Strike wrote:I'll believe it when Amick says something. I never buy into the ESPN guys.

Well here it is and it ain't pretty. Westphal may very well be repeating some of the behavior that got him ousted from Seattle. Tick, tick, tick, tick.....

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/12/kings-deny-growing-issues-with-demarcus-cousins-tyreke-evans/

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:11 am**

I find it hard to believe any issues are arising out of minutes. He leads the league in fouls and has already fouled out twice. His minutes are his own fault. It's not even like we can tell if Westphal is yanking him prematurely because he gets foul #quarter+1 as soon as he steps on the floor.

Posted: **Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:29 am**

Trade him to the Pistons for an unprotected first round pick and Daye or just Monroe.

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Cousin's clashing with coaches and players?

Cousin's clashing with coaches and players?

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Re: Cousin's clashing with coaches and players?

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Re: Cousin's clashing with coaches and players?

Re: Cousin's clashing with coaches and players?