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 

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 

Sean Cunningham: Isaiah Thomas on the fans booing Spencer Hawes throughout the game: "When you say what you said, you deserve it" #NBAKings #76ers Twitter @News10Sean

Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Spencer Hawes, Isaiah Thomas 

Jason Jones: Isaiah Thomas had to contain himself from laughing when told Cousins said the elbow was unintentional, then said he wouldn't comment Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas 

Jason Jones: Thomas did say when watching the replay that Cousins got Dunleavy good with the elbow. Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas 

He's expected back in Sacramento in time for an extended nap and to begin mentally preparing for the second half of the season. And, of course, for the next installment and the next load of questions about the arena and possible move. "It's a love-love situation," Thomas said. "I love the fans of Sacramento. They opened their arms to me. But I also love the fans of Seattle. I've been a part of a town that lost a team, and I don't wish that on anybody. "If we left, I'd miss everything about Sacramento – the fan base, the community. That's definitely a second home. It's distracting. But my job is to play basketball … so I go day by day." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Isaiah Thomas 

Isaiah Thomas will participate in the 2013 Rising Stars Challenge after all, as "commissioner" Kenny Smith added him to the pool of players before Thursday night's draft. Isaiah was picked by Charles Barkley toward the end of the draft. (He was not, however, the last pick.) Joining Isaiah on Team Chuck will be Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Knight and Alexey Shved, among others. The top two point guards in the game, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving, landed on Team Shaq. Sactown Royalty

Sacramento Kings, All-Star, Isaiah Thomas 

Rosters set for Rising Stars Team Shaq: Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Andre Drummond, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Chandler Parsons, Dion Waiters, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Tyler Zeller, Kemba Walker. Team Chuck: Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Ricky Rubio, Tristan Thompson, Nikola Vucevic, Brandon Knight, Isaiah Thomas, Alexy Shved. Sulia

Ricky Rubio, Harrison Barnes, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, Klay Thompson, Nikola Vucevic, Kenneth Faried, Anthony Davis, Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Tyler Zeller, Bradley Beal, Brandon Knight, Chandler Parsons, Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Dion Waiters, All Star Game 

Just as Boston reporters asked Garnett about Jared Sullinger‘s absence from the Rising Stars Challenge, Sacramento’s contingent questioned Cousins about the snub of Isaiah Thomas. “I feel like that’s on the organization,” said Cousins. “There’s no reason Isiah shouldn’t have been in that game. He’s had an incredible year, and once again he’s not even mentioned, so I feel like that’s on the organization.” WEEI.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, All Star Game 

Cousins later went on to say that if there is one thing he's learned about the NBA, it's that it's a business, through and through, which is a culture shift that he says is new to him. "I'm a loyal guy," Cousins said. "I'm a family-orientated guy. But not so much in this league. You've kind of got to look out for yourself most of the time and always do what's best for you." Boston Globe

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, All Star Game 

Charlie Villanueva appeared stunned when told that Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas labeled him a “dirty player.” Villanueva then started to explain his side in the hard foul against Thomas in Tuesday night’s Pistons victory that resulted in an ejection and fine. He also took a few jab at Thomas, a second-year player. “Dirty player? Not at all,” Villanueva said. “He saw an open lane, I tried to block the ball and he’s 4-foot-11, a 100 pounds wet so he looks bad. I’m not a dirty player. I didn’t try to hurt him at all.” Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Charlie Villanueva, Isaiah Thomas 

Thomas is actually listed at 5-9 and 185 pounds, but Villanueva continued. “He has less than 100 games? I didn’t even know that. He was a rookie last year? I didn’t even know that. Shows how much I know about him,” Villanueva added. “I’m definitely not a dirty player. I know a lot of people that would testify to that.” Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Charlie Villanueva, Isaiah Thomas 

Isaiah Thomas: Had a great 2012. Had a beautiful son, completed my 1st season in the NBA & graduated college! Lookin fwd 2 what God has n store 4 me n 2013 Twitter @Isaiah_Thomas2

Sacramento Kings, Isaiah Thomas 

Thomas scored 27 points in his second start in the past six weeks and made one of Sacramento's two four-point plays in the second half as the Kings handed the Boston Celtics their third straight lopsided loss on a California road swing, 118-96 on Sunday night. "That guy has an infectious personality," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "He has that magnetism that brings players and people around to him. He brought that energy to start the game off right with him in the starting lineup. All our guards do a great job, but what he's been able to do is kind of give us a little injection of the steam that we need. He's done that, plus he's making his shots." USA Today

Sacramento Kings, Keith Smart, Isaiah Thomas 

Namely, sources close to key Kings players have told ProBasketballTalk that they are frustrated with the fact that point guard Isaiah Thomas isn’t starting and acting as the team’s floor general. Thomas finished seventh in last season’s Rookie of the Year voting, but arguably could have finished as high as second place when one compares his numbers to that of Ricky Rubio, who held that spot. NBCSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Coaching, Keith Smart, Isaiah Thomas 

As it turns out, the Kings players themselves are having a real hard time understanding the train wreck they’re a part of on the court every night. “They know that they’re playing terrible basketball right now,” said one source close to the players. “But they’ve thrown their hands up trying to figure out Keith Smart.” NBCSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Coaching, Keith Smart, Isaiah Thomas 

Inside Look: @boogiecousins addresses media in an @isaiah_thomas2 jersey. Twitter

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Coaching, Isaiah Thomas 

“We just gotta trust each other more and dial in more when the times aren’t good,” said Thomas. “We can’t just be that team when we’re winning – we’re all happy and we’re unselfish. We gotta be that even when we’re losing or when things aren’t going too well.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Isaiah Thomas 

Asked Saturday if he'd prefer to have a clear idea of when he'll enter games, Thomas answered, "Wouldn't you? I would. But I mean, that's coach's decision, and I'm a team guy, so I just go with whatever he chooses. I mean, I'll always know I'm going to stay ready, no matter what." Asked if he understands the reasoning behind the platoon, Thomas said, "I don't. I don't. But I mean, I can't control that. I can only control if I do get my name called to make an impact in the game." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Isaiah Thomas 

Isaiah Thomas: "Politics as USUAL" I'm numb to it.. They won't break me!! Ima go even harder... Everything in the dark always comes to light! #TMC Twitter @Isaiah_Thomas2

Sacramento Kings, Isaiah Thomas