The Sacramento Kings Are Starting To Show Some Cracks

http://deadspin.com/the-sacramento-kings-are-starting-to-show-some-cracks-1741709361



The Sacramento Kings Are Starting To Show Some Cracks


Tom Ley


11/10/15 12:39pm





The Sacramento Kings Are Starting To Show Some Cracks



It’s actually surprising that it took all of eight games for the Sacramento Kings, a team that spent the offseason doing whatever it could to claim the Most Dysfunctional Franchise award, to start experiencing some internal drama. But we’re finally starting to get down into the shit, with DeMarcus Cousins talking about “issues in house” and whispers about George Karl’s job security being heard.

Cousins returned to the floor last night after missing four games with an Achilles injury, but his 21-12 wasn’t enough to keep the Kings from dropping to 1-7. After the game, a despondent Cousins had some less-than-encouraging things about the team:




Who the hell knows what specific “issues” Cousins is talking about, but him cutting off one reporter who asked if they were on-court problems with a quick “not at all” seems telling.

Which brings us to this tweet from Sacramento radio host Carmichael Dave:

Carmichael Dave ✔ @CarmichaelDave
Can report there is concern internally over the style and effectiveness of George Karl. Very important 48 hours. Nothing off the table.
6:17 AM - 10 Nov 2015
 94 94 Retweets   52 52 likes


Put as much stock into that as you want, but given how this offseason went, it’s hard to give the Kings the benefit of the doubt when it comes to reports about internal strife.

And even though it’s only been eight games, Karl has done some downright eyebrow-raising futzing with the rotation. He’s been yanking players in and out of the starting lineup—he started James Anderson last night but only left him on the floor for seven minutes—and hasn’t really been offering consistent minutes to anyone. Third-year shooting guard Ben McLemore, who played 32 minutes per game last season and made some real strides, has been yo-yoing between 10 and 20 minutes of run per game. Given that the Kings don’t have much in the way of future draft picks, Karl putting a leash on one of the few promising young players they do have is less than ideal.

The good news for the Kings is that Rajon Rondo hasn’t yet gotten salty about anything. Should be fun when that inevitably happens, though!

Yep, they're still a mess:



bob
MY NOTE: Between Brooklyn and Cousins' increasing level of unhappiness I might have to start a 'death watch' thread. LOL.


.

Hmmmmm

Davy Lee + our own 2016 first and the less desirable of the twolves/mas picks and every second rounder we have for next 3 yrs for d.c seems to work out.

I'd even toss in k.o. just to end all the +/- discusions. Lol.

seems more likely to me that Karl is given the boot and soon.

he was a strange choice to begin with there anyway.


Brooks or Thibodeau would both be much better options IF the Kings owners really want to win

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/11/report-george-karl-wanted-to-suspend-demarcus-cousins-overruled-by-vlade-divac/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs








Report: George Karl wanted to suspend DeMarcus Cousins, overruled by Vlade Divac

By Dan Feldman

Nov 11, 2015, 6:44 PM EST



DeMarcus Cousins reportedly cussed out Kings coach George Karl in front of the team Monday.

That’s problematic, but what happened afterward might show even more dysfunction in Sacramento.

Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee:

According to league sources, Kings coach George Karl wanted to suspend DeMarcus Cousins for two games following Tuesday morning’s team meeting after the All-Star center allegedly directed a profanity-laced tirade toward the coach. The sources asked not to be identified because they are unauthorized to speak on the matter.

The sources went on to say Kings general manager Vlade Divac said Karl did not have authority to suspend Cousins nor would grant permission.

No wonder those close to Karl believe his job is in jeopardy.

Not only did he apparently overrule Karl’s suspension request, Divac publicly acknowledged the players haven’t bought into Karl’s system. Divac also reportedly asked the players whether he should fire Karl.

Remember, Divac inherited Karl as coach. There’s little evidence those two are on the same page, maybe even less than evidence Karl and the players get along. Between the players, coaches and front office, I’m not sure any sides mesh, though maybe Divac and the players.

And then there’s owner Vivek Ranadivé, in his own world and capable of interjecting himself at any moment.

Maybe Karl was right for wanting Cousins suspends. Maybe Divac was right for not doing it.

But the Kings can’t go on like this. Something has to give.

For what it’s worth, Cousins apologized, via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:

Follow

Marc J. SpearsVerified account
‏@SpearsNBAYahoo
DeMarcus Cousins apologizes in statement for words after loss Monday and says no one to blame for Kings' struggles.



That might placate everyone for now, but it won’t be easy for Karl and Cousins from here. Karl knows he lacks the power to discipline Cousins how he’d like. More worryingly, Cousins knows, too. That’s a tough dynamic to work in the best of times.

These clearly aren’t the best of times.



bob
MY NOTE: Karl is toast. Period. If Vlade won't let Karl run his own shop and Cousins is being a pain then it's just a matter of time before this happens again, and maybe again and again, and something cracks and it sure looks like Vlade can do whatever he wants.


.

Tyrone Corbin will probably be back as interim coach soon, I think the Kings have him on payroll as "interim coach in waiting" already.

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/maxwell-wouldn-t-give-you-bag-donuts-cousins?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo



Maxwell: 'Wouldn’t give you a bag of donuts' for Cousins
November 12, 2015, 2:00 am






It only took eight games, but the Sacramento Kings have already had a team meeting to address the state of the team.

You know what that means. Fire up the DeMarcus Cousins-to-Celtics chatter again.

Even if he’s available, Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell wants nothing to do with the talented center.

“I wouldn’t give you a bag of donuts for him,” said Maxwell. “I think that sometimes what you have are guys who are cancerous. I think he is a player who has tremendous skill set, but if you don’t have a lead dog in front of him and he’s your best player, I think it’s only going to be cancerous for your team.

“I really am not a big fan because of the way he’s acted on and off the court.”



bob


.

I agree with Max on this one.

Pete