NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings' Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins Struggle, Rajon Rondo Takes Lead

By Mitch de Leon
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo

The Sacramento Kings faced an incredible dilemma when the NBA team lost two of its star players: Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins. With only Rajon Rondo then going solo in terms of leading the basketball squad, the experience and wisdom of the 10-season veteran became apparent in his performance. Even following the return of the Sacramento Kings' Big Man, Rondo continued to impress the fans and followers of the NBA team as well as the coaching staff and his teammates.

"I worked my (butt) off this summer and I'm continuing to get better," said Rondo in an interview with Alex Kramers, the Sacramento Kings correspondent for the NBA. The point guard went on to say, "Now, I still have room to improve. I want to improve my shooting, my free throw shooting, keeping my turnovers down. I still have a lot of room to grow."

Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl echo the sentiments of Rondo. According to Karl, the former Boston Celtics star has been working hard to return to his NBA All-Star form. Karl also noted that Rondo has been helpful in developing the younger players in the roster. Specifically, the Sacramento Kings head coach shared that Cousins greatly benefits from Rondo's presence in the roster. Moreover, the absence of Gay in the roster intensifies the need for a veteran playmaker in the court.

"Everybody gets paid," Rondo stated, referring to the absence of Gay and Cousins and the subsequent effect it had to the Sacramento Kings. He added, "We're all professionals - there's only about 420 of us. Our two main guys, our superstars, were out, but guys stepped up when needed. We were able to make a run at it, but we weren't able to get enough stops at the end."

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings once again faced problems involving Cousins. Following the suspension of the Big Man due to an injury he inflicted against Atlanta Hawks' Al Harford, the young NBA star announces his goal to improve on keeping his emotions in check. Cousins has been widely known as an explosive basketball star. Oftentimes, he has been seen lashing out on referees, players from the opposing teams, his own teammates and even on the coaching staff of the Sacramento Kings. However, Cousins aims to turn over a new leaf after serving his one-game suspension.

"I'm trying to better myself as a person every day," shared Cousins via the Sacramento Bee. The All-Star center added, "I'd be the first to admit I'm not a perfect person. I bust my (butt) on a daily basis to be the best teammate I can be. My delivery isn't always the correct way or other people's opinion of the correct way, but my heart is always in the right place, always."

Karl, whom Cousins constantly butt heads with, also came to his defense. According to the head coach, the NBA All-Star is simply a "frustrated guy that wants to win." Hence, Cousins' disappointment over his performance sometimes rubs people the wrong way. Karl added, "Sometimes it gets to him in a negative way, but he cares and wants to win. He lashes out sometimes in maybe a disruptive way, but he's doing it because he wants to win."

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