I don't get this.
I don't get it at all.
"Cousins is a cancer," (every Celticsblog user that is against the notion of bringing DMC in.)
If he is a cancer, why do so many players on his team vouch for him? When have players ever consistently said anything negative about him? He's a hot head? He commits and causes technical constantly? People focus on the negative side of him, but never realize he has never ever committed any grievances outside of basketball, and doesn't have any misdemeanors, or felonies. People once vied for Okafor, but hes already been on the path of alienating most NBA fans with ridiculous off court demeanor's.
Umm, did people forget Kevin Garnett once made Glen Davis cry? How rough he was on rookies? Punching players in the ball, and playing absolutely dirty?
I mean, honestly, I think chemistry is VERY important, don't get me wrong!
But Cousins is on another level. He increased his free throw percentage even though he has been at PF, and stretching the floor at an extraordinary 11.7 FTA, which is around the same territory as Durant, Harden, etc.
One simple question. Has anyone EVER watched a Kings game? They suck. They really do. They play like they have no passion, or no lust or desire to completely put their hearts into it. George Karl is a good coach, but his system doesn't focus on defense.
Yes, we're taking a risk by bringing in Cousins. But if Stevens cannot even control someone like Cousins, what makes us think he can control Durant, Carmelo, or even KG, (had they stayed during the Brad Stevens era.)
In this league, you need stars. I'm hesitant on what trade package it would take to get Cousins, but I think people still need to think logically, and not emotionally. If this team truly just needs a superstar, (which it has been shown is the one important thing we need,) then Cousins is our best bet.
I would love Smart to be our key clog defensively. (If we can keep him of course.) I think he has already has the makings of a glue guy/Draymond Green type of guy that is our leader vocally, and defensively is the one who'll set the tone.
At the end of the day, contending and merely being competitive are two different things. Chemistry is always important, but you know what instills chemistry? Winning. We can certainly win without Cousins, and can certainly be on the right track with Cousins. If a player like Cousins who has statistically proven that hes on the path, to being one of the greatest bigs to play the game, why wouldn't you want him?
All this issues with him being hot tempered, and angry can make any fan wary, but I really don't get this evaluation where we psycho-analyze every distinct incident that Cousins has done in the past.
Its the past.
Cousins is clearly becoming more open minded, and understanding certain things that he can and cannot do. And you also got to take into account the environment; Sacramento Kings is a mess. No one and nobody can dispute that.
Had Cousins been drafted by a better franchise, I think he would've excelled. Sometimes when we're young, bad habits occur. I think if there is any coach in the league besides Pop, Rivers, and maybe a select few, Brad Stevens can definitely tame this beast.