Tristan Thompson has been around to know what it takes to play well and strut his stuff in the NBA. Although coaches play a role in helping guide players, the 30-year-old unloaded some comments that can be interpreted in more ways than one.
"I don't need no f--king coach to inspire me," the one-time NBA champions said to reporters after their 107-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "Never that, never have, never will. The day I need a coach to inspire me is the day I'm f--king retiring."
Thompson clarified that it was not a swipe at troubled head coach Luke Walton or his teammates. Rather, it was about reminding players that if they play the game, they should find their inspiration and not rely on others. If they cannot do that, they have no business on the basketball court.
However, most will continue to link that to Walton and some of the Kings players. While it is true that the game and players have changed from before, Thompson is a testament that he will play at his best level if he is fielded in.
But looking at the Kings right now, it may be a bigger problem ahead. There are internal issues and Walton is undoubtedly taking the blame.
It could be a case of not having the right coach to call the shots for Sacramento. Walton showed in the past he could lead a team. Unfortunately, he needed the right mix of players – not to mention mature ones who will align to his system.
De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III are top stars who have not flourished under his watch. However, that cannot be entirely blamed for that. It may be because they do not fit Walton’s strategy and need someone who they can fit into.
Walton may leave but that is no assurance the Kings will do better. It is a big mess and Vivek Ranadive just has to dig deeper to finally see his team make the playoffs after a long spell.
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