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Pacific Division: 5 Burning Questions for the 2016-17 Season

By Josh Cornelissen

November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Maccabi Haifa B.C. at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Maccabi Haifa B.C. at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Dave Joerger the Coach to Finally Reach Boogie Cousins?

DeMarcus Cousins is entering his seventh season in the league, and is playing under his sixth coach. The trail of head coaches chewed up and spit out by the disfunction of the Sacramento organization share one thing in common: they did not get full buy-in from Cousins.

Mike Malone came the closest, but didn’t last long enough in Sacramento to make a difference. George Karl most recently coached the team, and seemed wholly out of touch with his superstar. Cousins is brimming with talent on both ends of the court, but no coach has yet been able to fully unlock it.

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Cousins plays how he wishes to play, and shows glimpses of that seemingly limitless potential lurking beneath the surface. But none of his coaches have convinced Cousins to buy in, to lay all of his effort and energy on the court for his teammates. If Joerger cannot either, then his tenure with the Kings may be short.

There is reason to be optimistic as well. Joerger dealt with a locker room of questionable conduct and personal grudges, and he masterfully handled the group through the storm to cling to the playoffs.

Sacramento has high hopes for the season, hopes that the team as currently constructed has little chance of reaching. A new handful of subpar rotation players not pulling their oar on the ship will not help the team. DeMarcus Cousins is the key for the Kings, and Dave Joerger the man on the hot seat to unlock Cousins’ potential.