The Sacramento Kings are at the tenth spot in the Western Conference - practically eons away from the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors. Falling far behind the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers, the DeMarcus Cousins squad could only hope to get in the top five of the division. Moreover, the gradual meshing of James Harden with Ty Lawson and Dwight Howard appears to be pushing the Rudy Gay team further down the Klay Thompson dominated the conference.
While a number of issues surround the Sacramento Kings this NBA season, a particular concern that might see a significant change in the basketball team involves George Karl. Ever since the start of the NBA season, the basketball team has been battling rumors of a rift between the head coach and Cousins. While both parties continuously deny the accusations, speculations keep arising regarding the matter. Moreover, the latest reports claim that other members of the Sacramento Kings roster are turning against Karl.
"Players have tuned out Karl, privately seething over inefficient practices and shootarounds, and ineffective in-game adjustments from the bench," disclosed league sources to Chris Mannix of The Vertical. He added, "The dysfunction may have originated with Karl and DeMarcus Cousins, but it has spread through the locker room like an infection. Indeed, barring a surprising turn of events, it's more likely assistant coach Corliss Williamson finishes the season as the Kings head coach than Karl."
With the surprising firing of head coaches this season, Karl is speculated to be on the chopping block as well. Given that the Cleveland Cavaliers harshly decided to get rid of David Blatt due to his failure to maximize the potential of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Sacramento Kings might follow suit. Despite these rumors, Karl shared that he is focused on winning games and not on the hearsays regarding his job.
"I don't have any control over what other people are thinking or saying. That's their storm," said Karl via ESPN. The Sacramento Kings head coach added, "My preference would be it wouldn't be there. But there's always energy today. Then once something gets out, it magnifies and grows and becomes a storm. That's not my storm."
Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo appears to be nonchalant about the possible firing of Karl. He said, "I haven't heard it. I talked to my agent this morning, but it was just about how the team is doing, how the team morale was. But I haven't bought into it or read into too much of [the Karl reports]. It's just part of the business. Coaches fired, players being traded -- there's no difference."
