Cousins Suspended One Game

[mac]

He did it on purpose. He should have been fined but not suspended. The Kings shouldn't trade him. It is that simple.

I completely agree.

In particular, we shouldn't trade him because we have no hope of assembling a great team without star players (because our FO sucks), and we have no hope of getting many stars other than through the draft. If say we were the Knicks or something I'm sure many here wouldn't be as strongly opposed to trading him away, because we would always be able to get talent back through FA or the likes.

[King Baller]

I'm not suggesting to ship him out for peanuts. If the right deal was there you'd take it. I would look to get a couple of nice players and maybe a pick. Something like Gortat, Dragic, and a pick for DMC and filler. I doubt the Suns would do it though!

The Kings need to consolidate talent. Not spread it out.

KB

[VF21]

I have a few points to make. First, it's absolutely amazing how much the "high post" count people in here defend DMC. This is just one of MANY incidents in his short time here in Sacramento. Second, the players in the NBA are the image of the business. They are the reason this is a multi billion dollar industry. The league would not just suspend him because they "have it out for him." That's not good for business. Third, saying that Amir Johnson was "attacking" a referee is ludicrous. I do think he should have gotten 2 games for throwing his mouthpiece but to say he was attacking a referee is a huge exaggeration.

It is time to move on from the DMC era. This guy isn't going to change. He's a distraction to the franchise. He needs to be shipped out.

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

[TyFreak Evans]

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

I will be honest with you, I do not like Cousins AT ALL. I almost think we would be better off without him.

However, I am not going disagree with everything that you said above, because I can see where a fan of DMC comes from, and sometimes I too feel that he has the potential to be a monster. I hope he proves me wrong. I want him to prove me wrong. I want him to mature. I want him to be the man. I want him to dominate.

[VF21]

I will be honest with you, I do not like Cousins AT ALL. I almost think we would be better off without him.

However, I am not going disagree with everything that you said above, because I can see where a fan of DMC comes from, and sometimes I too feel that he has the potential to be a monster. I hope he proves me wrong. I want him to prove me wrong. I want him to mature. I want him to be the man. I want him to dominate.

I am not a DMC fan per se. For me it is about the name on the front of the jersey much, much more than about the name on the back. Right now I think DMC is one of the few chances the Kings have to become relevant again. I am not ready to toss him aside quite yet.

As Bricklayer pointed out, we got Webber because people gave up on him and wrote him off all too quickly. I will admit that I wasn't overjoyed about getting him in the first place. It only took seeing him in one game, however, for me to realize that he was a key to our becoming something special.

I honestly believe that Demarcus Cousins could end up being someone so special and unique that he could almost write Kings history by himself. You do not give up on a talent like that until you have totally exhausted every other option.

I do understand where you're coming from. At least you're not spouting vitriol and proclaiming him to be a total lost cause.

Bottom line, it's about the Kings. Always has been and always will be. And I think that's true for almost all of us who are sticking around here right now.

[TyFreak Evans]

I am not a DMC fan per se. For me it is about the name on the front of the jersey much, much more than about the name on the back. Right now I think DMC is one of the few chances the Kings have to become relevant again. I am not ready to toss him aside quite yet.

As Bricklayer pointed out, we got Webber because people gave up on him and wrote him off all too quickly. I will admit that I wasn't overjoyed about getting him in the first place. It only took seeing him in one game, however, for me to realize that he was a key to our becoming something special.

I honestly believe that Demarcus Cousins could end up being someone so special and unique that he could almost write Kings history by himself. You do not give up on a talent like that until you have totally exhausted every other option.

I do understand where you're coming from. At least you're not spouting vitriol and proclaiming him to be a total lost cause.

Bottom line, it's about the Kings. Always has been and always will be. And I think that's true for almost all of us who are sticking around here right now.

Oh, please don't get me wrong, because for me its about the same thing as well.

[panda]

I am a new Kings fan, don't have a hometown team to root for (or even a team from my former town) so I probably have an outsiders view of Cousins. He has a reputation for doing dumb things and he is lauded for being a Hall of Fame talent. I see this suspension as a business move by the NBA. Yes, it was harsh, but at the same time, it may be the only way to reign Cousins in. As a long term business decision to protect both the Kings and the leagues investment in him, it makes sense. He is a player the league could promote around as older stars retire, and its better that he gets suspended now than blackballed like Iverson, or become a hazard like Artest or have a complete breakdown like Rodman.

That said, the timing of the suspension was horrible.

[rhythmless]

He did it on purpose. He should have been fined but not suspended. The Kings shouldn't trade him. It is that simple.

Cosign

The next trade should be the owners.

[KingsCitizen]

Sometimes, you just need a darling owner so that the NBA would pamper you. But right now, I feel really bad for DMC for this kind of treatment because our front office and the Maloofs don't have the balls to counter-attack Stern and the crap referees.

If George Maloof was tough enough to say I freak'n lost sleep to review this arena deal and dump it in front of a bunch of people who are so willing to give them money and support for a new arena, an act of fuc**n up Stern and the NBA for treating his star like this should like chewing a gum for him.

If DMC would turn into Sheed 2.0 and keep getting ****ty calls and suspension, then let it be. But don't let him walk. He'll come in cheaper when signs that extension. But we all know there will be that golden year for him because you can't deny his talent. Our team is nowhere near those Jailblazers that gave up on Sheed.

[Prince_XY]

I'm not suggesting to ship him out for peanuts. If the right deal was there you'd take it. I would look to get a couple of nice players and maybe a pick. Something like Gortat, Dragic, and a pick for DMC and filler. I doubt the Suns would do it though!

I thought you'll come up with something involving a star like a Kevin Love (the next Webber/Barkley who want to be traded to another team) trade. Thank God you are not Petrie.

[UK_King]

I knew this would be a suspension as soon as i saw it, definitely intentional IMO but largely irrelevant, it is a "part of the game" but that doesn't mean you have to like it, or you're a "sissy" because you're not a fan of nut shots and cheap shot elbows, I don't really understand the holier than thou nonsense in that respect. I've watched and played basketball most of my life but that means jack quite honestly.

I used to play Rugby in high school as well, but the amount of times i was kicked, punched in the ribs, bitten, stamped on in the ruck and scrum was it for me, i stopped playing after 3 years because i flat out hated that side of the game, and wasn't going to get involved in it. You're allowed to understand that something is "part of the game" and still take a dim view of it.

As far as Cousins goes, I'm willing to put up with just about anything when it comes to him apart from flagrant breaking of the law or something ridiculous like punching the coach or a ref because he quite simply could be our ticket out of this mess, and you don't give up on that barring what i described above. I just wish we'd give him the ball so he could at least get on that road to success.

[King Baller]

DMC everything will be OK if you just "THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN!!!" Early and Often, please

KB

[Spike]

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

Testify!

[LWP777]

Perhaps it's because most of us "high post" count people have been around a while and watched a LOT of basketball. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have times when I am very upset with Cousins and his choices BUT I also know that he is a rare talent, something that comes around for a franchise once in a blue moon if you're lucky. You do not toss that kind of talent out without first doing absolutely everything you can to salvage him as a player.

You seem to feel there is no benefit to urging patience with Cousins. I strongly and vehemently disagree. He needs guidance and he needs a strong coach to show him the way. He needs to work on his temper - which I think he has been doing recently - and he needs to curb some of his urges. Those things are doable.

Ron Artest was put under a microscope by the league and he survived and came out at the other end a better person and a good teammate. I think the same can happen with Cousins, who happens to be younger and without the same sort of anger issues Artest brought to the mix.

I personally do not think it was his actions per se that got him the suspension. I tend to believe it was more a result of him talking to the media (print and social) instead of just shutting up and not saying a word.

I get it. You don't like Cousins, you don't think he's worth trying to salvage and you think anyone who believes differently is just plain wrong. The truth of the matter is none of us know which side - if either - is correct. If you're right, it's another shot in the gut to the Kings. If I'm right, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't an oncoming train. I hope you don't mind, but I'll continue to look for the light.

I respect your opinion about Cousins and honestly I hope you're right. If he can get his act together like Webber did and become that caliber of player then I'd be thrilled. It's just my opinion that he doesn't have that make up. I feel like people on here attack me just because I take the other side. I'll get over it though!

[LWP777]

I thought you'll come up with something involving a star like a Kevin Love (the next Webber/Barkley who want to be traded to another team) trade. Thank God you are not Petrie.

There is zero chance that anybody would trade a Kevin Love type talent for him right now. Why would they? Love is a much better player than DMC is right now and he doesn't come with the baggage. I don't think DeMarcus would get a star back in return. I honestly don't even think the Suns would trade Gortat and Dragic for him!

Yeah, thank God I'm not Petrie! He's done such a wonderful job!

[LWP777]

He did it on purpose. He should have been fined but not suspended. The Kings shouldn't trade him. It is that simple.

I don't think you can fine him without suspending him. It was either do nothing or suspension. If you fine him then you are saying you believe he drilled a guy in the groin. That would demand at least a 1 game suspension. This debate is more about whether he did it intentionally or not....

[Jose]

I respect your opinion about Cousins and honestly I hope you're right. If he can get his act together like Webber did and become that caliber of player then I'd be thrilled. It's just my opinion that he doesn't have that make up. I feel like people on here attack me just because I take the other side. I'll get over it though!

Webber was traded into an organization that was well funded, well managed and on the rise. His dad beat some sense into him and helped him realize he had walked into a great situation. He was smart and made the most of it.

That is not the case with DMC. If/when he escapes this POS organization and lands on a well managed organization hopefully he'll have the motivation to turn it around.

[hrdboild]

And that's unknowable really. My point would be even if it was intentional, a backhanded tap during a play with less than 100% clear motivations that did not cause the other player any obvious dicomfort, draw a foul, or draw a technical, is pretty much never handled with a suspension. That stuff is going on repeatedly with DeMarcus now. You can say oh, he should know better. But know better how? A fine I could see. Something happened, so, fine. But at this point anything that is happeneing is resulting in huge deals that other players are not having to deal with.

Unfortunately there is too much money involved (not to mention we need him too much) for DeMarcus to respond appropriately, which is to completely smash OJ Mayo the next time we face them, and get his money's worth on the next suspension. Getting fined or suspended is one thing if you earn it. You can take that. Getting fined or suspended when other guys aren't for the same conduct is something entirely different. If Kobe was blocking out Boogie on that play and swung that same fist there is no way he gets suspended for it. That is where it crosses the line.

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

[VF21]

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

I have to agree. Once you know that your every move is going to be eagle-eyed, you don't do things to intentionally force the issue. This attitude always astounds me. Some people will keep beating their heads against a wall until they're bloody and bruised, somehow thinking the wall deserves it. The wall doesn't care. It's a wall. Demarcus can continue to challenge the officials or he can realize they're not being damaged by his actions. He's the only one who can turn this around and further misdeeds are not the way to do it.

[Glenn]

Brick, how is it justified for DeMarcus to attack OJ Mayo in their next game because Mayo got hit in the nuts and didn't like it? Are you trying to get him kicked out of the league?

There is nothing stopping a team mate for getting revenge.