Are you willing to stipulate that, while some Kings Fans acknowledge that Cousins' circumstances are not an "excuse" for his behavior, at the same time, Kings Fans do not all agree that his behavior has (or should have) exceeded our tolerance level?
The reason why I ask is because, whenever people talk about "making excuses" for Cousins' behavior, I feel like there is this subtext within those comments that involve an additional demand to concede that the behavior is therefore unacceptable.
Sure, I'm willing to stipulate that. I'm simply stating my tolerance level. I realize that everyone's tolerance level is different. As I stated earlier to VF21. If Cousins actions are acceptable to her, then there's no point in having further conversation. To me, there's justification for his frustration and anger, but not for how he acted those feelings out. But I understand everyone doesn't see it the same way I do.
Look, we all come from different backgrounds. We all grew up differently and with different core values. That's what makes the world go around. I think I'm right, and you think your right. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we don't. In which case I'm right of course!
Anyway, I'll leave it at that, and yes, I was alive when Wilt played, and while he did only play for three teams, he played for Philly two different times. After three years in Philly, the team that drafted him, he was traded to the Warriors because the owner didn't like Wilt's attitude. He spent two and half years with the Warriors and was then traded back to Philly, under new ownership for Nate Thrumand. Then later in his career he was traded to the Lakers where he won his second championship. For a lot of Wilt's career, he played on teams with average talent. He put up huge numbers, but didn't win. It's wasn't until Wilt got some talent around him, but more importantly, changed his game that his teams started to win.
If you go back and look at all the years Wilt played it really illustrates how valuable he was to his teams. On his return to Philly and playing with players like Billy Cunningham, and Hal Greer they won around 55 to 60 games. The one year that Wilt was injured and only played in around 15 or so games, the went right down the dumper. Same thing when he went to LA and played with West, Baylor, and Happy Hairston, they went from winning 60 games a year to winnng only 47 or 48 games. Wilt only played in around 12 or 13 games that season due to injury. When I said Wilt changed his game, I meant he became more of a team player instead of a stat player. By no means am I implying that he was trying to put up big stats, but that he thought he had to win every game by himself.
I think if we could put Cousins in a situation where he wasn't expected to be the savior every night, but a big part of the total answer, he'd be a better player. In fairness to him, I think he's learning how to do that. But I acknowledge your point, that it would be easier for him to do that if he had better talent around him.
