Cousins & His Teamates

**Kingster** · 12-05-2012, 01:13 PM

I'll throw this one to the board. You're one of Cousins' teamates and see him continually F-up. And because he continually Fs-up, your team continually loses. You know the guy is the most talented guy on the team, but his head isn't right, so he's an underachiever, arguably the biggest underachiever in the NBA. So what do you do? Ignore it, and act as if it isn't really happening? Talk to the guy in pleasant tones about getting his head right? And what if that doesn't work? (And I think I'm safe in saying that it hasn't worked). Then what do you do? Is it time to go Kevin Garnett on the guy? Isn't it incumbent on members of the team to put major pressure on Cousins to get it together? Isn't that what veterans are supposed to do? So shouldn't Hayes, Garcia, Thompson, Tyreke and others have a group therapy situation with this guy and tell him what the deal is?

**PurpleHaze** · 12-05-2012, 01:37 PM

At least Boogie admits he's in a funk:

"I've been terrible," Cousins said bluntly but softly. "We're losing. I don't feel like I made improvements from last year. I really don't have any confidence at all. I'm just trying to think my way through it, but right now, I'm not finding anything."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

**Kingster** · 12-05-2012, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by PurpleHaze

At least Boogie admits he's in a funk:

"I've been terrible," Cousins said bluntly but softly. "We're losing. I don't feel like I made improvements from last year. I really don't have any confidence at all. I'm just trying to think my way through it, but right now, I'm not finding anything."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

"The suspension, ejection, outbursts – the drama is wearing thin on those other players in Kings uniforms."

I hadn't seen that article. The above observation is interesting, though, and seems to dovetail with the thrust of my post. I notice that Cousins doesn't really remark about his attitude toward the game and the refs and his penchant for distraction on the court. He's basically saying he's lost confidence because he's not playing well.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

**Dreadnought** · 12-05-2012, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by PurpleHaze

At least Boogie admits he's in a funk:

"I've been terrible," Cousins said bluntly but softly. "We're losing. I don't feel like I made improvements from last year. I really don't have any confidence at all. I'm just trying to think my way through it, but right now, I'm not finding anything."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

I'd rather him never admit that.

**Bricklayer** · 12-05-2012, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Kingster

"The suspension, ejection, outbursts – the drama is wearing thin on those other players in Kings uniforms."

I hadn't seen that article. The above observation is interesting, though, and seems to dovetail with the thrust of my post. I notice that Cousins doesn't really remark about his attitude toward the game and the refs and his penchant for distraction on the court. He's basically saying he's lost confidence because he's not playing well.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

That's a rather slanted takeaway from that article. Some relevant quotes in there:

"He came to camp in great shape and in a great frame of mind," coach Keith Smart said, "but after all those things, the suspension (for verbally accosting San Antonio analyst Sean Elliott), then having to reset, then early foul trouble. … The rhythm of that, and not getting shots to go down, not finishing at the basket, all those things tie in. And when you're losing, that's another setback. He just has to keep working through stuff."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

"Before the suspension, DeMarcus was doing some very good things, setting great screens, holding screens," Ray said, "and from what I saw last year, he is doing some things better. But he's a young player, and sometimes young people get frustrated. They worry about things they can't control, like when they don't get the ball, when they get it too late or in the wrong spot. With him, I see some of that."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/05/503...#storylink=cpy

Which makes sense. Maturity is a process.

**Glenn** · 12-05-2012, 02:26 PM

It seems Cousins should tape his ears shut unless Clifford Ray has something to say to him. Maybe Cousins should look up some tapes of Ray to determine if he is a guy he should listen to. Ray certainly is better to listen to than Napier. Yes, I agree that trading or dumping Cousins would be the single worst worst act this franchise has made. Given his mindset which about two people in this forum understand, criticism is the absolute last method to use if you want to motivate him. I doubt if anyone can be harder on Cuz than Cuz. I don't mean he gets a free ride nor be free from punishment but what Napier did yesterday was incredibly mean spirited and it is almost as if Napier wants to destroy this team.

I can't imagine any present player wanting Cuz to be gone as they realize as much as anyone what he can mean to this team. The cause of this team's problems is at a higher pay grade and Cuz is merely the symptom of the problem and not the problem itself.

**tyreeeke** · 12-05-2012, 04:34 PM

DMC needs his *** kicked, PERIOD. I believe Hayes could stomp him out. Sometimes a man needs his *** kicked.

**rainmaker** · 12-05-2012, 04:47 PM

Cuz does need to grow up, but there's another factor here. Most players go through a down period in year two or three. I think because Cuz had such a good sophmore year many, including myself, thought he'd just bypass the down year and keep his upwards trajectory. Doesn't always happen that way. He still does hve plenty of time to break out of his funk though. Blake Griffin is also having a down year by his standards. So's Hibbert.

One thing seems clear to me though and that is that the atmosphere around this team is terrible for developing young players, especially an immature one like Cuz. He needs to pick it up, but at the same time our coach and other factors seem to be effecting most of the roster.

**mac** · 12-05-2012, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Cuz does need to grow up, but there's another factor here. Most players go through a down period in year two or three. I think because Cuz had such a good sophmore year many, including myself, thought he'd just bypass the down year and keep his upwards trajectory. Doesn't always happen that way. He still does hve plenty of time to break out of his funk though. Blake Griffin is also having a down year by his standards. So's Hibbert.

One thing seems clear to me though and that is that the atmosphere around this team is terrible for developing young players, especially an immature one like Cuz. He needs to pick it up, but at the same time our coach and other factors seem to be effecting most of the roster.

I guess the results are one thing, but the effort and attitude has to be there. I don't mind Cousins' poor FG% and even poor shot selection - those I can bear with. What I can't stand is his lack of effort and all the Ts and suspension and what not. As a supposed leader of the team that simply can't be happening as often as it does.

**VF21** · 12-05-2012, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by tyreeeke

DMC needs his *** kicked, PERIOD. I believe Hayes could stomp him out. Sometimes a man needs his *** kicked.

Do you mean to sound dumber than a box of hammers or is it just some kind of gift?

**Mr. S£im Citrus** · 12-05-2012, 07:40 PM

I thought he was volunteering.

**tyreeeke** · 12-05-2012, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by VF21

Do you mean to sound dumber than a box of hammers or is it just some kind of gift?

I'm from the south, i'm sorry if we don't see eye to eye. Around here when a man whines and cries and acts entitled, we beat his *** and the humility he gains makes him a much stronger man.

**VF21** · 12-05-2012, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by tyreeeke

I'm from the south, i'm sorry if we don't see eye to eye. Around here when a man whines and cries and acts entitled, we beat his *** and the humility he gains makes him a much stronger man.

Oh freaking please. Your southern posturing is totally without merit. Talk is cheap, especially when you're sitting in front of a computer screen. Take it somewhere else, dude...

**Mr. S£im Citrus** · 12-05-2012, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by tyreeeke

I'm from the south, i'm sorry if we don't see eye to eye. Around here when a man whines and cries and acts entitled, we beat his *** and the humility he gains makes him a much stronger man.

Don't blame the south on your upbringing.

**tyreeeke** · 12-05-2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. S£im Citrus

I thought he was volunteering.

I have no doubt in my mind that I could take DMC behind the woodshed and work him like a rented mule. He's too emotional to be a fighter, he'd start crying as soon as I grabbed him by the balls and twisted.

**VF21** · 12-05-2012, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by tyreeeke

I have no doubt in my mind that I could take DMC behind the woodshed and work him like a rented mule. He's too emotional to be a fighter, he'd start crying as soon as I grabbed him by the balls and twisted.

You are ONE obnoxious post from being gone from this board. I'm saying it publicly so there's no confusion. KNOCK IT OFF!

**Mr. S£im Citrus** · 12-05-2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by tyreeeke

I have no doubt in my mind that I could take DMC behind the woodshed and work him like a rented mule. He's too emotional to be a fighter, he'd start crying as soon as I grabbed him by the balls and twisted.

I'd like a piece of that action.