DeMarcus Cousins went from the U.S. Select Team in 2012, which practices against Team USA, to earning a spot on the Team USA Olympic team to represent his country in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He’s very happy about his progression on that front, but he didn’t seem too happy about the moves made by his NBA team, the Sacramento Kings.
Cousins’ issues with the Kings have been well documented and they didn’t do much to improve this upcoming season.
They got first-round draft pick Georgios Papagiannis, who happens to play center, Cousins’ position.
Cousins emphasized he is not getting involved in the Kings’ decision making. He’s leaving those duties to general manager Vlade Divac and the rest of the front office while he focuses on playing for the national team
“I do my job,” Cousins said Monday after Team USA’s practice at Mendenhall Center. “I can’t control (the draft). I control what I can control.”
Cousins said it’s not his responsibility to interpret the front office’s moves. His task is to play at a high level as a two-time All-Star.
“I really don’t understand it,” he said of the addition of Papagiannis, “but I do my job.”
The Kings took a different approach this offseason, avoiding high-profile free agents. Cousins said he did not offer the decision makers his opinion.
“I let them do their job,” he said.
It’s no secret Cousins wanted Rondo to return, he even joked about kidnapping him to make him stay. Rondo led the NBA with 11.7 assists per game last season, but the Kings did not attempt to retain him.
Although Rondo signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, Cousins said his feelings for Rondo “remain the same.”
“He’s like a big brother to me,” Cousins said. “Like I said, I can control what I can control. Management went their way.”
Cousins said the additions of Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Garrett Temple and Anthony Tolliver will provide needed versatility and defensive toughness.
Still they’ll likely find themselves missing the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year which will no doubt add to Cousins unrest.
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source: SacBee
