The Sacramento Kings are taking it one step at a time as they figure out how to play alongside each other. Depending on how well franchise star/center DeMarcus Cousins will also be how far the Kings will go this season.

So far, the big man has missed plenty of games early this season due to back issues. But when he plays, he sure gives it his all but for him, he is playing bad and says he can do better.

"I've been playing like (crud), man," Cousins said via Yahoo Sports. "I say that's our problem, it's me. I've been playing like absolute (crud)."

For Cousins, staying positive is the key to get back on track.

"I've never been in a stretch like this, but stay positive, stay together, stay in the gym and let's try to figure out whatever it is that's going wrong," Cousins said. "I know it's a mental thing right now. It's hard to get in that rhythm when you're not seeing that ball go through the basket at a rate you're used to. But you've got to stay positive, that's all I can do."

"I don't want to make no excuses, but I've been playing like (crud)," Cousins said. "No other excuse."

Just last week, Cousins, point guard Rajon Rondo and head coach George Karl held a meeting and is said to be a very powerful one as they continue to understand each other better.

"It was a powerful meeting for all three of us," Rondo told Yahoo Sports. "We asked him to just sit with us so we can pick his brain and share our thoughts," Rondo told Yahoo Sports. "What I love about [Karl] is he's very open. George is not a dictator. 'What can we do positively? What can we do to improve?'

"If you can come into a meeting with no egos and everyone was humble, it just works out for the better," he added.