HoopsHype.com Rumors

A couple interesting comments from Kings players after what may or may not have been the final game in Sacramento: DeMarcus Cousins: "I played for the fans tonight. They stuck with us through this season, Since I've been here it's been the same thing, every year the same thing. I'm tired of it (losing) and I know they're tired of it, so this year is really going to be the decision. I just did it for the fans." Isaiah Thomas, asked how it felt after the game: "It's very weird because you just don't know. That might be the last time I ever shoot a basketball at Sleep Train Arena. So you just never know -- that's the scary thing about it. You might not see these fans, I might not be in this community anymore, you never know. So a lot of things are up in the air right now, and that's what sucks right now." Sulia

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas 

But losing has become tradition in Sacramento, especially in recent history. The franchise is 74-155 (.323) through his first three seasons. While looking in, it seems like a change of scenery would be alluring. But Cousins, even now under the powerful agency of Dan Fegan, insists he is not interested in being traded. “No, I am loyal to this organization,” he said. “The biggest reward to me would be, at the end of the day, hearing them say, 'He turned this around. He stuck with it through thick and thin and he made it happen.’" Bleacher Report

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

For Cousins, the NBA is a stage and he’s been cast as the villain. “They make you who they want you to be,” said Cousins, his voice sometimes muttered and morose, other times clear and confident.“... What people don’t realize is that this is the entertainment business. That’s entertaining. You draw up a big storyline of this is the bad guy and this is the good guy. If I am a bad person, let me do those things to be a bad person. Don’t make me into one." Bleacher Report

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

So instead, perception becomes the only truth to the observer, and Cousins is seen as abrasive, short-tempered and impossibly immature. When asked what the craziest things he’s heard said about him, Cousins coils with a sense of stunned perplexity. "Whooooo,” he let out, shaking his head. “That I need a psychiatrist. I have a mental problem. Things of that nature. That was pretty wild to me." Bleacher Report

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

In his words, the national interpretation of him is: “A talented, immature big man—that’s crazy.” He says it with a chuckle. But when asked what the truth is, he settles into a seriousness. “I'm a guy with a big heart who cares about people. I'm goofy. I like to have fun. I'm always joking around. The complete opposite. “I’m human. I mean, I’m not always happy.” Bleacher Report

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

But later in the interview, he admits there is a sadness that people don’t see the real him. "I mean it is [sad]. Of course I would like people to know the truth,” Cousins said. “But every person that says something, I can't run up to them and try to tell the truth, 'I'm not really like this.' Think what you want to think, but at the end of the day as many people that think negatively about me, there's some that think positively as well. Some people think I am a good person. I appreciate all that do, and those who don't, oh well." Bleacher Report

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

Jason Jones: DMC said ref Violet Palmer apologized for tech she called. DMC hopeful it gets rescinded, won't know until tomorrow. Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Referees, Violet Palmer 

Smart’s decision-making has been called into question, and we aren’t just talking about his choice to play DeMarcus Cousins nine minutes on Friday night. It has worn heavily on both fans and players for some time and now the clock is ticking. “It’s just tough as a player,” starting point guard Isaiah Thomas said following Friday night’s loss to the Mavericks. “I always say that when you have inconsistent minutes, you’re going to have inconsistent production. “It’s nothing we can control,” Thomas continued. “It’s how coach Smart likes to coach and you just got to go with it and always be ready at all times, because you never really know when you’re going to go in the game or come out.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Coaching, Isaiah Thomas 

Vincent Goodwill: Cousins on Mike Rice: "I give a lot of credit to the kids who took that because NORMAL kids like myself (smiles) wouldn't have taken that" Twitter @vgoodwill

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Mike Rice 

Jon Santiago: Smart on DMC benching: "What may have taken place or what people assume may have taken place, we got it all behind us and we moved on." Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

James Ham: DeMarcus Cousins acted as confused as everyone else that he barely played tonight. Told he wasn't starting at shoot around. Good mood. Twitter @James_Ham

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins 

Paul flailed his arms and threw his head back in an attempt to make it appear as though Kings center DeMarcus Cousins had fouled him. Cousins said it was "crazy" how bad Paul's acting was. "Yeah, that was pretty bad," Cousins said of Paul's flop. "He does it all the time. Hopefully, they'll catch him some more." Sacramento Bee

Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Flopping 

During the closing minutes of the contest, Sacramento native Matt Barnes got into a verbal-sparring match with a group of fans in the stands. After a loud and profanity-laced exchange, Cousins came over to the media table across the visitors’ bench to point out that he isn’t the only one who loses his cool. “I know people don’t like to see it,” Cousins said of Barnes. ”But at the same time, y’all got to realize that we’re human as well and we have emotions as well. So sometimes things are said. Maybe they shouldn’t be said, but at the same time, we’re just as human as the next person.” Cowbell Kingdom

Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Matt Barnes 

Ailene Voisin: Matt Barnes ripped into a fan seated jn front row. Cousins observes, walks to press table and asks "am I the only immature player?" Twitter @ailene_voisin

Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Matt Barnes 

Cousins had some choice words for Kings TV play-by-play man Grant Napear as he left the court while the telecast was still live. When asked if he wanted to comment on it, Cousins laughed. "No," Cousins said. "It'll give him something to talk about tomorrow. Tune in." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Grant Napear 

Grant Napear: For those of you asking ..DMC said hey Grant you'll have something good to talk about on your show tomorrow! I said thanks for listening Twitter

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Grant Napear 

Grant Napear: Not going to make a mountain out of a mole hill with Cousins tonight. I wasn't bothered by it. I'm just glad he listens to my show! I hope.. Twitter

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Grant Napear 

DeMarcus Cousins is still recovering from the collision with Mike Dunleavy Jr. during last Sunday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sacramento Kings center gave practice a shot, albeit briefly, on Friday afternoon. His availability for their next game against the Los Angeles Lakers remains up in the air. “He came out and gave it a shot to see what he can do,” Kings head coach Keith Smart told reporters yesterday. “And obviously, it’s still a little tender for him to run up and down the floor right now.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Injuries 

In the eyes of the NBA, a flagrant foul 2 and ejection were enough discipline for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins was not suspended for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls. He was thrown out of Sunday's loss to Milwaukee for landing an elbow to the back of Milwaukee forward Mike Dunleavy's head shortly after being called for a technical foul in the third quarter. Kings coach Keith Smart received the news in a conversation with Stu Jackson, the NBA executive vice president of basketball operations. "It wasn't anything that warranted a suspension or anything like that, so he's cleared," Smart said. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Stu Jackson 

Smart said he was "not shocked" that Cousins didn't receive his third suspension from the league. "I didn't know," Smart said. "I just stayed neutral. In this case, it was just a very unusual storm because you actually had an injury there as well as the other situation. So the whole focal point was moving forward anyway because you knew he wasn't going to be playing in this game for sure." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Stu Jackson