There isn’t a lot to say about the way the Sacramento Kings are playing basketball this season. However, it’s what’s happened after their most recent game that has the NBA world abuzz.
The Kings lost 107-97 to the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Tristan Thompson did his part, coming off the bench to score eight points and grab nine rebounds in 17 minutes of action. But it was still the latest loss in a season that sees the Kings sitting at 6-9.
After the game, Thompson was asked about how the Kings players get motivated after an opponent goes on a scoring run and whether or not that motivation has to come from Kings coach Luke Walton or should come from the players. Thompson’s answer was blunt, to say the least.
“No man in this world should rely on another man to inspire them,” Thomspon said. “No one should ever need a coach to inspire you. If you don’t get inspired in a game then you shouldn’t be on the court. Losing teams, losing players, you need to get inspiration from your coach. I’m not with that s–t. My teammates better not be with it.
“It’s not about Coach Walton inspiring you. This is not no freaking ‘Glory Road’ s–t. You better be ready to play. Your number’s called in a damn game, I don’t need no f–king coach to inspire me. Never that. Never have. Never will. The day I need a coach to inspire me is the day I’m f–king retiring. I’m a go play with my kids at the park.”
Thompson, who also said that the Kings should have gone 4-0 on their current road trip instead of the actual 1-3 they ended up going, seems to have inspired a lot of people around the NBA world with his epic and NSFW rant.
Time will tell if Thompson’s rant can fuel the Kings back in a positive direction, but the franchise hasn’t had a winning season since 2006 so don’t hold your breath.
[NY Post]
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.
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