Cousins says losing coach Malone hurt: 'We're not the same team'

The Sacramento Kings dropped an ugly game to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, a result that's become far more commonplace than expected after the team started the season 9-5.

Following the hot start, the Kings went through a 2-8 stretch, largely without superstar DeMarcus Cousins, leading to the removal of head coach Mike Malone. It seemed a risky firing at the time, considering Cousins has clashed with other coaches, seemed to have an affinity for Malone and wasn't included in the team's decision-making process.

As the situation worsens under new coach Tyrone Corbin, who has led the team to a 3-7 mark since taking over, Cousins has begun to express his frustration.

"It's clear," Cousins said Sunday when asked if Malone's removal hurt more than people may have expected. "We're not the same team."

Even with the benefit of a healthy Cousins, the Kings of the last 10 games have been much worse than those of the first 24.

Cousins wasn't willing to blame Corbin, putting the onus on himself and his teammates to play better, but it's clear he's less than thrilled with how the season is playing out.

"We've got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves," he said. "Every time something doesn't go out way, we're shaking our heads, myself included. We've got to man up. It's on us. Period."

Cousins' individual performance hasn't been much worse on the offensive end, but his defensive effort and attitude appear to have regressed. It's probably too late for the 2014-15 Kings to make much noise, but Corbin and the organization can at least work toward instilling a culture and style that will carry into next season, assuming Corbin remains at the helm.