Cousins says he wants to stay in Sacramento

For all the headaches he provides, DeMarcus Cousins is a good basketball player. To me he's a younger version of Zach Randolph as troubling as that might sound. He does come with less off court baggage. The young big man can flat out play and provided that he's surrounded by a good team he'd probably less of a headache. Instead he's in Sacramento with teammates just as young as he is and not much veteran leadership. Good thing head coach Keith Smart appears to have broken through to the young man.

Earlier this year there was a reported rift between Cousins and former coach Paul Westphal. Then there was Lakers center Andrew Bynum saying he felt bad for Cousins for having to play in Sacramento. Reports were saying he was trying to force himself out of Sactown. Despite the troubling season Cousins has continued to perform and says he wants to remain in Sacramento.

“Sacramento is where I want to be,’’ he said. “I want to bring the organization back, help the organization get started back winning. I love the city of Sacramento. That’s where I want to be. End of story.


“We can dig a hole, throw that topic in there, cover it with dirt, pack it down. I want to be in Sacramento. End of story.’’  


Don't worry Sacramento, DeMarcus is in it for the long haul. Now about those Tyreke Evans rumors.  

Epstein blames Chicago bars and nightlife for past failures

Anyone that has been to the city of Chicago knows that there is a bustling nightlife there. Apparently new Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein knows it as well.

Epstein has credited the local bars and nightlife for ruining the careers of players of Cubs past. He also blamed it for the team's inability to win. I'm sure the billy goat, black cat, and Leon Durham might have something to say about it. Epstein is trying to change the culture there and bring a title to the Cubs and end the long suffering curse, just like in Boston.

Epstein says he's not going to tolerate Cubs players hanging out into the wee hours of the night.

"It's been a factor in ruining some careers," the team president said. "And I'm sure it's been an impediment to the Cubs in winning. ... The approach we're going to have is the opposite of laissez faire. We're not just going to say, 'Oh, that's the way it is. This is Chicago. Boys will be boys. I'm sure they're going to get enough sleep and I'm sure they'll show up the next day ready to play.'


"That's a failure on the organization's part. We have to take a very proactive approach in setting a high standard." 


Sheriff Epstein will be laying down the law. Hey at least outfielder Reed Johnson has his back.


"It's important for young players to recognize that you need to get your sleep," veteran outfielder Reed Johnson said. "This is your career. This is what you do for a livelihood. You need to treat it that way, especially in our park. You don't have that extra 10 hours when you wake up in the morning to get ready for that 7 o'clock night game.


"You've got to be able to get into that routine. ... I know I'm in bed probably by 9, 10 o'clock at night to get ready for that day game."

"If you do it year after year after year, it's definitely going to catch up with you," Johnson said. "You've got to nip that in the bud and get it under control. It's the best thing, not only for the player's career but for the team as well. We're going to need everybody at their best to put up as many wins as we can get."

For Epsteins sake he better hope this translates into more wins or some of the players who are having their "off field activities" taken away from them will be grumbling saying it doesn't make a difference if their out partying or getting a good night's sleep.