During the middle of the Kings' miserable second-half performance Wednesday against the visiting San Antonio Spurs, I noticed what appeared to be an autograph or some other personal writing on the sides of DeMarcus Cousins' white sneakers. When I saw the shoes afterward in the locker room, the writing clearly read, "R.I.P. Roscoe."
When I asked DeMarcus about it, the Kings center immediately became animated, telling me that his 18-week-old bulldog died last week after suffering an allergic reaction to a bee sting. "He just collapsed in his crate while I was on our last road trip," said Cousins, who lives with his boyhood friend Andrew Rogers. "We had an autopsy done and everything because we wanted to know what happened. The (veterinarian) said it was from a bee sting."
Cousins said he is getting another puppy Thursday.
Here are just a few late-night thoughts, musings, quotes, etc.:
. Kings assistant Alex English is picking the Spurs to win another title. "They are the best team in this league," said English. "Just look at their record. Everything about them ... coaching, shooting, the system. They're unselfish." And he forgot to mention that the Spurs just won three games in three nights in three cities - and Tim Duncan didn't even play against the Kings.
. Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard blitzed past Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton for a stunning reverse baseline dunk. The Spurs coaches believe the former San Diego State standout is special.
. The Kings caught a break when Marcus Thornton crumbled to the court with what appeared to be a left knee. He was helped to the locker room, but after being diagnosed with a left quad contusion, actually returned in the fourth quarter.
. What defense? The Spurs shot 58.8 percent and repeatedly exploited the interior.
. Joe, Gavin and Colleen Maloof attended the game and sat courtside.
. Two more reasons Gregg Popovich is easily the best coach in NBA - he was willing to bring back the volatile Stephen Jackson and is squeezing something out of Boris Diaw.
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