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Sacramento Kings Beat Detroit Pistons Despite Rumors Swirling Of Organizational Upheaval

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The Sacramento Kings handed the Detroit Pistons their third loss of the season in the team's first game since an upheaval within the locker room.

Many reports surfaced before Wednesday's game describing turmoil at virtually every level of the organization, from ownership to the locker room.

The team has been in disarray since head coach Mike Malone's firing nearly one year ago. The team promoted assistant Ty Corbin for a few months, then fired him in favor of bringing in current head coach George Karl.

In the offseason there were reports of Karl and star player DeMarcus Cousins clashing, and rumors Cousins would be traded. Finally, after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, frustrations hit a boiling point.

Multiple reports say Karl wanted to suspend Cousins for two games after Cousins cursed out Karl in the locker room after Monday's loss, but he was reportedly vetoed by General Manager Vlade Divac.

Divac then reportedly asked players at a team meeting on Tuesday if they thought the team should fire Karl.

"I'm not commenting on what happened in the meeting," Karl said. "That's family stuff and it stays in the family."

But he did respond to reports that some players, including Cousins, question his motivation, whether he cares more about his players or his win-loss record.

"Wow, I don't think those people know me very well," he said.

Frustration also appears to be within ownership as well, with minority owners reportedly upset with Vivek Ranadive, because they say he makes big decisions without consulting them.

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