Some heavy rumors swirling around Sacramento...

[pascat]

...that Cousins's days there are numbered. His last two games attitude-wise have been pathetic. Of course, people have been talking trade re: Cousins for awhile, but it got a lot more serious today, per my friend (a sportswriter in CA who was with the team all day today). The technical foul last game (a close contest vs. Golden State) was the straw that broke the camel's back.

My friend says two possibilities are virtually certain: complete staff overhaul or Cousins goes, and it's 100% either/or. He puts the odds of Cousins going at >90%.

I'm sick to my stomach. He's one of my all-time favorites at UK.

 

[miracle7s]

if you love Cousins you should be so happy and keep praying that he gets out of Sacramento. He needs to play for a contender and a real coach. Only way he won't suffer the problems he is.

 

[Orville Boggs]

Big Cuz to the 76ers by the all-star break.

 

[jockstrap_mcgee]

It's not going to happen, but go for it Phoenix. You know you want to.

 

[pascat]

Big Cuz to the 76ers by the all-star break.

Cousins for Okafor and Philly's #1 pick. Both teams would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Clive Gollings]

I hope all the UK players leave that team.

 

[pascat]

if you love Cousins you should be so happy and keep praying that he gets out of Sacramento. He needs to play for a contender and a real coach. Only way he won't suffer the problems he is.

I think that Cousins will benefit from a change of scenery, but not in the way you're suggesting. He probably thinks that Sacramento is a uniquely awful place. It isn't. Just wait till he gets to a city where the media don't know how to play nice. Cousins has it SO EASY in Sacramento, it's ridiculous. I'd rather DMC recognize what a golden opportunity he has there. Rondo getting passes to him on a silver platter for the next 3 years and two nice wings, both of whom can shoot. If he played hard every night, Sacramento would be much better. He's still reaching in lazily on too many plays, then complaining about calls left and right--though he has gotten somewhat better. All 6 of Cousins fouls tonight were because of a lack of hustle. I'll forgive him tonight though, because I think he knows he's done too. Also, Nerlens played a heck of a game tonight and ran Boogie all over the court.

There is a another basketball-related problem that I can't mention just yet, but will as soon as DMC leaves town. My friend spoke off the record to an Sac assistant coach tonight. What he said isn't a big deal and when I say it, it will be 100% anti-climactic, but the fact that the assistant was bold enough to say it at all speaks volumes.

 

[jwhite123]

Cousins for Okafor and Philly's #1 pick. Both teams would do it in a heartbeat.

I doubt the Sixers would. Adding Cousins wouldn't help them in the least bit with roster they have. Lose-lose for both situations, Sixers would rather have the draft pick.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Your rumors are no secrets..read the USA today..it already covers it. And cousins trade talks have been circulating for years now.

He plays for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade and probably won't this yr. And let's not act if he's lazy as you say...he is the only player in the nba avg atleast 24 points and 10 rebounds a game this year. It's not just him...their defense is abysmal which warrants some other moves. If anything, Cousins needs to be on a team where he isn't the only big time star...let it be built around someone else with him in the mix. I know Karl is like the 5th coach he's had there, but he's also pushing them at a much faster pace...I don't know if that's helping or not.

 

[pascat]

Your rumors are no secrets..read the USA today..it already covers it. And cousins trade talks have been circulating for years now.

He plays for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade and probably won't this yr. And let's not act if he's lazy as you say...he is the only player in the nba avg atleast 24 points and 10 rebounds a game this year. It's not just him...their defense is abysmal which warrants some other moves. If anything, Cousins needs to be on a team where he isn't the only big time star...let it be built around someone else with him in the mix. I know Karl is like the 5th coach he's had there, but he's also pushing them at a much faster pace...I don't know if that's helping or not.

I mentioned that Cousins trade talks have been going on for a long time. What is new is what has transpired in the last 24-48 hours. People in Sacramento aren't even hiding it now.

Cousins is lazy on defense AT TIMES. Tonight he was. Most nights, he's not, but it isn't incorrect or controversial to say what is obvious: He sometimes takes plays off and sometimes mails it in. He has a reputation for this. It's not a big deal. He frequently gets into foul trouble because he doesn't move his feet enough and instead opts to reach in. None of this is a secret. But you're exactly right. He cannot do it alone. Sacramento has some big decisions to make. If they keep Cousins, they must also commit to signing a big time scoring guard. If they get rid of Cousins, they are in even bigger trouble. Where exactly do you find somebody like him?

In Boogie's defense, I think he suffers from Shaq syndrome: he rarely gets the calls he deserves and gets called for too many fouls simply because of his strength. Tonight he absolutely abused Okafor so badly it was pitiful.

By the way, it is a testament to just how good Cousins is that he averages the 24 and 10 that you mention and still has a reputation for not giving a consistent effort.

My big hope for Boogie is that he aspires to be great and does not settle for being merely good. Settling into a good system goes a long way toward establishing that. DMC needs to do the rest.

 

[Nuke99m]

Celtics could put together a pretty good trade package.

 

[K_TIME]

At some point Boogie has to start winning....and given that Sacramento has gotten 2 solid PG (Rondo, Collison) and a wing scorer in Gay, and now a defensive first PF in Willie along with some other role player pieces (shooter in Bellinili), etc...It's past time for that squad to win to a point of at least gettign into playoffs.

I'll still say from watching Boogie...he doesn't give much effort at all on defense. Teams constantly put him in pick and roll and abuse his lack of desire to defend and breaks down the defense. For goodness sake...they just gave up 110 to Philly at home. It's time to admit...Boogie is part of the losing problem/culture at Sacramento...and he's my favorite UK player in pros, but it's a fair observation of him while even putting up ridiculous stats.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Name an NBA player that dosent take plays off? To the above poster, WCS has been hurt a good month now, so dont count him and Gay while a fine O player too isnt a very good defender. Love seeing Rondo show out this year. DMC to the Celts would be a great move, think he would respect the the team and tradition there and the fans would eat him up!

 

[Jkwo]

But I thought that they were going to take Cal from us, using Boogie as the bait?

 

[Katwatcher]

Your rumors are no secrets..read the USA today..it already covers it. And cousins trade talks have been circulating for years now.

He plays for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade and probably won't this yr. And let's not act if he's lazy as you say...he is the only player in the nba avg atleast 24 points and 10 rebounds a game this year. It's not just him...their defense is abysmal which warrants some other moves. If anything, Cousins needs to be on a team where he isn't the only big time star...let it be built around someone else with him in the mix. I know Karl is like the 5th coach he's had there, but he's also pushing them at a much faster pace...I don't know if that's helping or not.

Why any team would want Cousins is beyond me. I think he probably leads the league in ejections, has been a trouble maker with practically every team he has been on and no one seems to get it,

Karl being his fifth coach he's had there should tell you something about his presence on the team.jmho

 

[Re2126]

The team has a lot of problems, Cousins included.

But let's not pretend like Karl is some great coach. First round exits galore in his career. Even when he won coach of the year he had a first round exit. Made it to the finals once. Guy needs to retire and was a bad hire imo. He's the Marvin Lewis of the NBA, but 10% better.

24 and 10. That's why teams would want him. He's a star and basically all stars come with some type of baggage. I don't condone his behavior but he lives in a different world than us. He can act this way his whole career and continue making millions.

 

[EvilMD]

Cousins to New Orleans for their No. 1 pick. Please make this happen.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Needs a strong head coach. Really doesnt matter about the roster around him. Other than SA or GS, I just dont see any coach out there that can handle him and demand his respect, while also having the backing of the franchise. But neither of those teams need him.

 

[Nubb16]

...that Cousins's days there are numbered. His last two games attitude-wise have been pathetic. Of course, people have been talking trade re: Cousins for awhile, but it got a lot more serious today, per my friend (a sportswriter in CA who was with the team all day today). The technical foul last game (a close contest vs. Golden State) was the straw that broke the camel's back.

My friend says two possibilities are virtually certain: complete staff overhaul or Cousins goes, and it's 100% either/or. He puts the odds of Cousins going at >90%.

I'm sick to my stomach. He's one of my all-time favorites at UK.

Wtf would you be sick over him leaving a dumb organization? I'm pretty happy for him.

 

[khuff80]

Celtics could put together a pretty good trade package.

***What are you thinking said offer would look like?

Say Sullinger, 1st Rd. Pick next year & say Mc. Smart? I would think that should be enough. Maybe another 1st Rder. in '18....or that might be a tad much.

 

[Nuke99m]

***What are you thinking said offer would look like?

Say Sullinger, 1st Rd. Pick next year & say Mc. Smart? I would think that should be enough. Maybe another 1st Rder. in '18....or that might be a tad much.

The Celtics should have 3 first rounders (2 in the lottery) and 5 second rounders and a total of 13 selections over the next 2 years. You can put a lot together with just draft picks. Throw in Olynk (sp) or Zeller or Sullinger and you can put together a pretty attractive package.

 

[Blueaz]

It's not going to happen, but go for it Phoenix. You know you want to.

Please. Please. Please. Please.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Why any team would want Cousins is beyond me. I think he probably leads the league in ejections, has been a trouble maker with practically every team he has been on and no one seems to get it,

Karl being his fifth coach he's had there should tell you something about his presence on the team.jmho

Yeah bud nice try, you must not watch too much but your katwatcher? Blake Griffin leads in ejections and DMC is one of about 15 others that have been ejected once. He is 25 the most dominant offensive big in the lead, has one of the highest pers in the league this year and has a top PER in the history of the NBA, hella efficient.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

I doubt the Sixers would. Adding Cousins wouldn't help them in the least bit with roster they have. Lose-lose for both situations, Sixers would rather have the draft pick.

I don't think Cousins needs the city of Philadelphia at all. I know he doesn't cause problems off the court but I just get a bad vibe about him living in that city.

 

[JimBR]

Kareem Jabbar was often accused of taking plays off, not playing defense, etc. Cousins attracts negative attention deserved or not.

 

[Nuke99m]

 

[irishcat1965]

Why any team would want Cousins is beyond me. I think he probably leads the league in ejections, has been a trouble maker with practically every team he has been on and no one seems to get it,

Karl being his fifth coach he's had there should tell you something about his presence on the team.jmho

Wrong on everything except the number of coaches.

 

[KMKAT]

We all know the Lakers would also love to grab DMC, but DMC needs a particular coach who he respects. It won't be Byron Scott, and we know its not George Karl.
DMC to New Orleans? Not happening...AD needs more than DMC to make his team a playoff contender and their style doesn't fit DMC.

DMC to the East would be my first guess....and I would never help the Celtics or the Lakers no matter what they offered. Let them earn it through the draft. These 2 have been bailed out by the other teams in the league year after year.

How about coming to Washington to pair with Wall and Beal? That could be a dream fit, if they have enough to offer in return.

 

[Chuckinden]

I stopped trying to figure the NBA years ago. Playground basketball.

 

[Orange Soda King]

Go to Washington, play with Wall, Beal, get KD to come too.

 

[ia.ukfan]

Cousins for Okafor and Philly's #1 pick. Both teams would do it in a heartbeat.

Philly wouldn't do that in a million years. I don't think they'd trade Okafor straight up for Cousins.... They have a terrible roster, they didn't tank for three years to all the sudden strive for a small improvement. As long as Sam Hinkie is the gm they will continue to tank...

Name an NBA player that dosent take plays off? To the above poster, WCS has been hurt a good month now, so dont count him and Gay while a fine O player too isnt a very good defender. Love seeing Rondo show out this year. DMC to the Celts would be a great move, think he would respect the the team and tradition there and the fans would eat him up!

I can name a few players who don't take plays off. How about the entire Golden State Warriors team, especailly a guy like Dramond Green, but really the whole Warriors team plays hard all the time. I would add for the most part the entire Spurs team as well, although I would guess some of the old guys may slack a tiny bit here and there, but not much with Popavich and deep bench behind them, in particular Kawhi Leonard is a beast who always plays insanely hard. Russell Westbrook is a freak. The intensity level he brings is unbelievable. Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tashuan Prince, Marc Gasol, Chris Paul, and the list goes on.

I would say the average player on top 10 NBA team plays significantly harder then the average college basketball player. College guys don't understand that level of intensity, thats part of why Cal says stuff like his team is still learning how to play hard...

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Your rumors are no secrets..read the USA today..it already covers it. And cousins trade talks have been circulating for years now.

He plays for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade and probably won't this yr. And let's not act if he's lazy as you say...he is the only player in the nba avg atleast 24 points and 10 rebounds a game this year. It's not just him...their defense is abysmal which warrants some other moves. If anything, Cousins needs to be on a team where he isn't the only big time star...let it be built around someone else with him in the mix. I know Karl is like the 5th coach he's had there, but he's also pushing them at a much faster pace...I don't know if that's helping or not.

Boogie is one of my faves but if you don't think he takes plays off and doesn't hustle all the time then you don't watch him play very often.

 

[bthaunert]

Whenever a discussion on Boogie comes up, people always say that he needs this type of coach or that type of team and these type of teammates. Boogie needs to step up and be the man to lead a team, not be the man that needs certain siuations to happen in order for him to succeed.

 

[EvilMD]

He'd be a megastar in New York.

 

[Blueaz]

It's not going to happen, but go for it Phoenix. You know you want to.

Please. Please. Please. Please.

 

[UK90]

.

if you love Cousins you should be so happy and keep praying that he gets out of Sacramento. He needs to play for a contender and a real coach. Only way he won't suffer the problems he is.

Wait, so you don't think George Karl, who's merely about to pass Phil Jackson as the 5th winningest coach in NBA history, is a "real coach"?

Trying to scapegoat the coach gets lame after awhile. Boogie's had the same issues with every coach he's had up there, they can't all be bad. At some point you have to acknowledge that perhaps the issue is him and not them.

 

[EvilMD]

.

Wait, so you don't think George Karl, who's merely about the pass Phil Jackson as the 5th winningest coach in NBA history, is a "real coach"?

Trying to scapegoat the coach gets lame after awhile. Boogie's had the same issues with every coach he's had up there, they can't all be bad. At some point you have to acknowledge that perhaps the issue is him and not them.

All true. If you could find the right coach, though (and no, I don't mean Cal), that guy could make the others look foolish. Coach K got a lot out of him.

 

[marshalfan]

All true. If you could find the right coach, though (and no, I don't mean Cal), that guy could make the others look foolish. Coach K got a lot out of him.

There are 2 facts that are undeniable. The 1st being Cousins is a great great talent. The 2nd is he has had trouble in every place other than UK that he has played. You cannot continually blame everyone else.

I think Cousins probably has a heart of gold but he certainly has some issues. He will need to address those issues if he ever wants to be the superstar he could become.

 

[UK90]

The 2nd is he has had trouble in every place other than UK that he has played.

And it's worth noting that Cal only had him for a few months, hardly enough time for the marriage to go bad. And those were the months in which Boogie was playing for his draft position/first contract, and thus had extra incentive to be on good behavior.

Big difference between that and going the long haul with a guy who's already got his mega-millions guaranteed.

 

[KMKAT]

Karl does not play half court basketball; he likes to get the most possessions possible with defense as the category that will be sacrificed first.

I said at the beginning of the year that no way SAC should trade Boogie. Markets like that have to keep their superstars and build better around them. I think SAC did better this offseason, but Karl is not a match for this roster. Lots of wasted money going to him if the owner dumps him. ( 4years, 15M signed in Feb/2015 )

Would Boogie accept Thibodeau in SAC? He would probably wear on Boogie, but that team would get better overall. Right now, they're 2 games out of a playoff slot, and Rondo has improved that team. But you can't lose to Philly.