Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is serving suspension following a verbal altercation with Spurs color man and ex-NBA star Sean Elliott.
I just want to know why.
According to stories, Cousins was trash-talking San Antonios Tim Duncan during a game, and Duncan responded by rejecting a Cousins shot and scoring several baskets. Elliott commented on the Spurs broadcast: "Thats why some humility is in order. You think youre dominating Tim Duncan, you get it stuffed right back in your face. Timmy doesnt like to talk trash."
After the game, Cousins confronted Elliott about the remarks, though it was reportedly only an animated discussion, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The NBA said Cousins approached Elliott in a "hostile' manner.
What interested me is that the NBA even issued a suspension. Ive seen quite a few cases where sports writers were confronted by athletes, even yelled at, but no suspensions ensued. I had a Triple-A baseball player spit on my feet. I had another loudly and resentfully try to get me expelled from the locker room. I had an assistant football coach direct expletives in my direction for walking in the locker room. One Jazz players wife left me a profanity-laced phone message.
I didnt make a big deal out of any them, though I did report the aforementioned football coach to his sports information director. I got an apology but no suspension.
I always thought verbal altercations were an occasional part of the business. An athlete doesnt like something thats said in the media, he or she will often say something back.
No harm no foul.
Arguing over a broadcast doesnt seem suspension-worthy to me.
If Cousins touched, harassed or threatened Elliott, thats a different story. But if simple trash talking on the court is allowed, why not a little bit off the court, too?