Divac: Kings players, coaches on same page following team meeting
After seeing his team's losing streak extend to six games with a 106-88 defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs Monday night, Sacramento Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins expressed the need for him and his teammates to air out their grievances and work through some in-house issues.
Less than 24 hours later, it appears Kings players and coaches alike have had the opportunity to communicate their thoughts and feelings in a team meeting.
"We had a problem in the family," general manager Vlade Divac said Tuesday, according to CSN Bay Area's James Ham. "We addressed it, we talked about it."
Divac mentioned that he was the one who called for a team meeting - Cousins originally hinted at there being a players-only meeting - shortly after the Spurs game.
"Wins heal everything," Divac said. "Obviously we don't have wins now and it explodes."
The Kings are 1-7 to begin the season, which makes them one of three Western Conference teams (Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans) with fewer than two victories under their belts. They're currently on pace to finish with fewer than 30 wins for the eighth year in a row.
"Just to make it clear, I believe in every single person in this room," Cousins said of his fellow Kings Monday. "We've just got to stay together."
Omri Casspi, who the Kings signed to a two-year, $6-million contract this past offseason, described the meeting as "good" and "emotional," according to ABC10's Sean Cunningham. He also revealed that Cousins sent out a text message last night to his teammates saying how much he cares about the Kings and wants them to be successful.
"All problems are fixable," added veteran Caron Butler. "They all are. If it wasn't fixable, I don't think I'd be over here sittin' talking to you guys."
The Kings hit the hardwood Wednesday night when they host the Detroit Pistons at Sleep Train Arena.