In the latest episode of Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins vs. George Karl soap opera, the Kings star is blaming his coach for a one-game suspension that resulted from their sideline confrontation last week.
"That wasn't a suspension from the organization," Cousins told Yahoo Sports on Sunday after the Kings' 108-99 loss to the Jazz — their fifth straight. "That was one from the head coach. There's a difference."
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Cousins was banned from Friday's 107-100 loss to the Magic for what general manager Vlade Divac called "conduct detrimental to the team" after Cousins got into a verbal spat during a timeout last week in a loss to the Cavaliers. Sources corroborated Cousins' account to Yahoo, saying that Karl has long advocated (unsuccessfully) for Divac to suspend the franchise cornerstone.
According to The Vetrical, Cousins grew frustrated in his belief that Karl didn’t defend him enough to referees against the Cavs. Karl said Sunday that he and Cousins exchnaged "pleasantries" after the game, but Cousins disputed that claim.
"He hasn't said a word to me," he told Yahoo.
The relationship between Karl, an NBA coaching veteran, and Cousins, a dominant but sometimes uncooperative talent, has been rocky since its inception last season.
Karl's reported desire for the Kings to trade Cousins over the offseason worsened an already tenuous situation, and it has spilled over on occasion inside the locker room this season. Cousins has never been shy about his criticism of Karl while speaking to the media, and it was reported the Kings planned to fire Karl at the All-Star break.
But Karl has remained on as coach, even as the team's once-promising playoff chances wilted under a 25-40 record. Cousins, who is averaging 27.4 points and 11.5 rebounds this season, pointed to the team's tumultuous culture for another losing campaign.
"There is a lot of chaos," Cousins said. "Usually, there is just frustration with coming out and winning games. But so much extra stuff this season. Extra unnecessary stuff. It's a lot of stuff within.
"There are battles with guys that should be on your side."
