The Sacramento Kings have fined center DeMarcus Cousins for a “substantial amount” due to his recent verbal altercation with Sacramento Bee columnist Andy Furillo following a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 12.
The fine amount was undisclosed and there was no game suspension from the Kings, though the NBA is still reviewing allegations that the mercurial big man refuses to speak to the media according to his personal preference.
The Kings released the following statement:
“The Kings have a clear set of standards of conduct expected of our entire organization. As a result of negative interactions with certain members of the media that were not corrected after verbal warnings, we have decided to impose a substantial fine. If this behavior is repeated again we will be forced to consider further discipline.”
Cousins confronted Furillo in the locker room in a profanity-laced tirade after the columnist mentioned his brother, Jaleel, as part of a column that was critical of his nightlife choices — following the aftermath of the lawsuit him and forward Matt Barnes received after allegedly assaulting a couple at a New York City nightclub.
The newspaper also brought forth video proof of Cousins denying reporters interviews after they had named their media of association, namely a grudge with Leo Beas, Managing Editor of ESPN's TrueHoop subdivision Cowbell Kingdom, a website focusing on Kings coverage.
Follow Us
Subscribe