Sacramento Kings GM Vlade Divac is optimistic about his team’s chances this season, mainly due to the (supposedly) improving relationship between All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins and head coach George Karl.
Divac admits that there was a serious lack of trust between the two head-strong men, but that it’s all water under the bridge now.
Both Cousins and Karl have continually downplayed talk of any rift this summer.
Per the Sac Bee:
Q: What was your plan to settle things when the George Karl-DeMarcus Cousins situation became national news?
A: “I knew why (there was a problem). There was a lot of frustration with everybody, and (everyone) just needed time to get out of here, spend some time in the summer away from basketball, away from the pressure, the media. […] I was hoping I could use the summertime to individually talk to Coach and DeMarcus and find the right moment to bring them together. And I really didn’t pay attention to what people were saying about Coach and DeMarcus. I know he’s one of the best coaches and he’s one of the best players. They didn’t understand each other, they didn’t trust each other, but that all comes from frustration from the previous year. Actually, years for DeMarcus and the last 30 games for Coach.”
“My job was to take them away from each other and make sure I build the trust and start fresh. And I’m so happy with the meeting we had in Las Vegas, and they realized only together we can do it and separately we’re not going to do it, no matter how much talent and experience we have. […] And now we are on that page. Everybody. Not just DeMarcus and Coach but (assistant general manager) Mike (Bratz), the front office, coaches, players. And that’s what you need to hear.”
