Welcome back to Chemistry 101, Kings fans.
Unfortunately since we last saw you, one of your prize pupils has gone to the dean’s office and may not be back for a while.
Sacramento rookie center DeMarcus Cousins again has had problems with social skills. Just when he’s aced all of his tests, he ticked off his class and reinforced the belief that he can’t play well with others.
This time, the fifth overall draft pick from Kentucky did more damage than a 20-point, 15-rebound game can repair.
According to Sam Amick, who broke the story Saturday night, Cousins was so unhappy about not getting the ball on the final possession in a loss to Oklahoma City that he charged teammate Donte Greene. Greene, who was the inbounds passer, took offense when Cousins said he was “too scared” to make the right play.
Yelling broke out. Punches ensued. Lines were crossed. And Cousins was yanked off the team plane to Phoenix.
It’s the immaturity we have seen all season from Cousins. He has been benched from the starting lineup, banished from practice and pulled from games for his sassy demeanor. His attitude has been palatable because has averaged 13.9, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists a game.
But his reaction Saturday night was too much.
Hopefully we’ll know how long the Kings will sideline Cousins soon after he meets with Basketball President Geoff Petrie on Monday. The guess here is that if Cousins is contrite, his punishment will end at one game and he would rejoin the team Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
That doesn’t salve the wounds he left, even if his punches didn’t connect. Greene will be bitter toward Cousins about his role in this debacle. Tyreke Evans, who received the inbounds pass from Greene, has to wonder about Cousins undermining the guard’s role as the team’s leader. And teammates have to wonder why Francisco Garcia was pleading to keep Cousins on the team plane.
These are the ingredients to divide a locker room. And there is no way this helps the Kings, who seemed to have a good nucleus building despite a 13-38 record.
Cousins’ passion is appreciated. You want players that want the ball. You want players who want to be the focus of the offense. And as we know from the 1970s New York Yankees, a little bit of yelling is good for team bonding.
But you don’t lose your cool and throw punches. That’s going overboard. That’s showing a lack of self control. If you do that off the court, then who is to say you won’t do that on the court?
Even with apologies, this controversy will linger – and probably in a negative way. Even with a 113-108 victory at Phoenix on Sunday night, Cousins’ latest outburst is too distressing to sweep under the carpet.
Cousins can have a season of double-doubles, but they won’t quickly bridge the chasm he has created among his teammates. And for all of that, there is no makeup test.
Copyright 2011/Bill Bradley
What do you think? Comment below.
