Former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins has a problem with the reaction to LeBron James‘ confrontation with Stephen A. Smith. James has been lauded by many for confronting Smith over comments made about Bronny James, and Cousins stated on X that he was vilified when he did the same to a reporter over a family matter in 2016.
“It’s cool when they do it, it’s a problem when I do it…I was called a villain, bully, thug when I confronted a reporter for speaking on my family. Got suspended, fined, and eventually traded. I look forward to getting my lick back!”
Cousins believes there has always been a double standard when it comes to him. While that might be true, he had put himself in a position to always be seen in a negative light with his actions over the years. When you repeatedly find yourself in the headlines for the wrong reasons, people are not going to see your actions through rose-tinted glasses, even if you might have been in the right.
As for the incident Cousins was referring to, it took place on Dec. 12, 2016, after a game between his Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers. The big man angrily confronted Sacramento Bee reporter Andy Furillo in the Kings’ locker room over his brother’s arrest being referenced in a column. You can check out the incident below.
Cousins was fuming, and he ended up paying a fairly hefty price for the outburst. The Kings slapped him with a $50,000 fine, but he was not suspended as he claimed in the post, at least not officially.
Cousins did miss the very next game against the Houston Rockets. The reason for that was a “planned rest,” but it could have been an unofficial suspension. Then, just over two months later, on February 20, 2017, the Kings traded Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans. It was reported at the time that his bad attitude played a big part in the team’s decision to part ways.
In Cousins’ mind, everything that happened back then wasn’t fair, and he reckons the reaction to James’ outburst proves it. The big man didn’t get a lot of support on social media, but one individual did come to his defense, Stephen A. Smith. Smith initially reacted to Cousins’ post by stating he completely agreed with him.
“Ain’t nothing wrong with what DeMarcus Cousins said here. I totally agree with him.”
Soon after, though, Smith sent out another post in which he pointed out one difference between the two situations.
“…..except for one point, DeMarcus Cousins. Your family was NOT on an NBA roster, playing on the same team as his father, who’s one of the top two players in history. But your point still has merit.”
Smith has been trying to defend himself ever since that incident took place. He clearly didn’t like how James confronted him in public and didn’t seem to believe he said anything wrong. LeBron clearly disagreed, though, and it will be interesting to see if he speaks on the matter moving forward.
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