There are always two sides to a story, but this polarizing figure has always said the right things in terms of “wanting” to win and putting the Kings back on the map.
The big difference now is that his consistent antics on the court during his tenure have generated a change of heart for many of his former supporters.
He stated in the interview that it’s his personal vendetta for the Kings to succeed. Anytime a player who has as much talent as Cousins says encouraging words like these, it generally brings excitement to the common fan but especially to his loyal supporters.
But if his goal of putting the Kings back on the map by the end of next season doesn’t come to fruition, most of his loyal supporters will most likely turn on him, just as many have already. Again, this is assuming he’s on the roster next season.
Owning up and making changes
The reality is that his perception of referees and the “three” media members, who he stated are against him, needs to change.
His critics aren’t always accurate in their criticisms of him overall, however they have made valid points regarding specific areas where Cousins has yet to acknowledge after six seasons.
This persistent comparison to other NBA players’ behavior on the court has to stop. Just because Draymond Green or Blake Griffin act in a “negative” way on the court doesn’t make it right for Cousins to act that way.
Cousins continues to state that the reason they are not held accountable the same way he is, is because they win. I agree with that assessment but since he’s not winning, a solution needs to be created.
Cousins has to make it a priority to stop complaining and play for the common goal he says he has: WINNING.
Acting the way he has on the court during the past six seasons will not help the Kings win many games. That’s a fact, not an opinion. His attitude on the floor has proven to either help his team win 33 games or less the past six seasons or contributed to a lot of losing.
Therefore, looking at it from a logical standpoint, the easy solution would be to change the way he speaks to referees and his coaches on the bench.
You can’t pick and choose when to be “the guy.” You cannot let criticism from anyone dictate your behavior. That’s not what a true leader does.
I was on the Cousins bandwagon for five and a half years because his Hall-of-Fame talent blinded me. But, there came a point in time when I realized that the ultimate goal for the city of Sacramento is to win an NBA championship.
Cousins’ continual denial of his on-court antics won’t help the Kings reach that goal. I don’t think anyone has ever blamed him 100 percent for the organization’s failures, at least not anyone who has a credible voice.
I state this because I get the impression that Cousins feels that way — that everything is his fault. Cousins didn’t trade Isaiah Thomas. He didn’t draft Jimmer Fredette and Thomas Robinson.
He wasn’t the cause for the Maloofs’ attempt to move the team twice. Not one credible voice is saying that, but yet he feels that way. It is evident by listening to his tone during the interview and from other interviews he’s given during media scrums.
Some say if he were playing in a winning culture he would act differently. Many of his supporters always bring up Team USA. I get that.
The problem is that the Sacramento Kings don’t have a better player than Cousins on the roster. Therefore, by default, he is the go-to-player who his teammates look for when seeking leadership on the court. On Team USA, he doesn’t need to provide that type of leadership because he’s not the best player on that team.
I will never question Cousins’ loyalty to the city, his amazing community service or the love for his teammates. I agree with many of the points his loyal supporters have argued throughout his tenure in Sacramento, but we also cannot cover the sun with one finger.
It’s easy to say the Kings are a dysfunctional franchise and that George Karl had a lot to do with the team not making the playoffs last season. I agree with both of those points but Cousins also had his faults in last season’s failures.
The truth is, Cousins needs to realize that by being the star player, he will always be looked at differently, held to a higher standard because that’s the nature of this rigorous business.
Cousins can’t escape reality but he can make changes that will benefit his career and the future of the Sacramento Kings.
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