This time of year, if a team has nothing to play for, the product can become unwatchable. Teams sense this to a degree and realize it’s in the best interest of the club to shut down star players with nagging injuries. No need risking a serious injury to a guy who is playing in meaningless games, right?
Well, that’s the thinking with the Sacramento Kings who are considering shutting down DeMarcus Cousins.
Kings coach George Karl said Monday that he spoke with Cousins about how they would approach the final weeks of the season. Cousins has been dealing with a calf strain, sore foot and a thigh bruise among other ailments for several weeks.
“We talked when he commented after one game that his body was beat up,” Karl said before the Kings faced the Grizzlies. “I said, ‘Instead of thinking about shutting it down, let’s try to find some days that you can get your body rested.’ We might schedule a piece of our games and (rest Cousins) again.” …
“I think Cousins likes to play and I think he’s doing it because he wants to play at a higher efficiency,” Karl said. “It gives me an opportunity to experiment a little bit. At home, I’d like to go in and (let Cousins play) every game. But on the road, I might experiment a little bit more.”
H/T: ESPN
