DeMarcus Cousins admits he dislikes Chris Paul
By Sam Richmond
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins admitted that he and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul have a small beef during an interview with Grantland’s Bill Simmons.
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Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk transcribed Cousins comments about the all-star guard, which stemmed from a discussion about Cousins and Clippers big man Blake Griffin’s relationship:
"Cousins: “Just a little rivalry, but I don’t have a problem with Blake.”"
"Simmons: “Didn’t you guys almost get in a fight once?”"
"Cousins: “No.”"
"Simmons: “Altercation? Argument?”"
"Cousins: “No.”"
"Simmons: “Nothing?”"
"Cousins: “No.”"
"Simmons: “You sure? I feel like I was at a game where that might have happened.”"
"Cousins: “No.”"
"Simmons: “There was some talking?”"
"Cousins: “Probably me and CP, but not me and Blake. I don’t have a problem with Blake.”"
"Simmons: “Oh, you’re one of the guys who doesn’t like – there’s a lot of guys who CP kind of bugs.”"
"Cousins: “Yeah, I dislike CP a lot.”"
"Simmons: “CP does a lot of talking.”"
"Cousins: “I know.”"
"Simmons: What if you saw him off the court? You’d be OK with him, right?”"
"Cousins: “I don’t have a problem.”"
"Simmons: “The good news is you’re like 12 inches taller than him if you ever have – he’s like 5-10.”"
"Cousins: “I know. That’s usually how it goes. It’s the small ones.””"
"Simmons: “Could you play with somebody like that, who’s just like a Chihuahua, just barking at everybody for three hours?”"
"Cousins: “Yeah, because I’m the same way.”"
As Feldman notes, it seems the problem from these two solely exists because they’re on opposite teams, as Cousins admits he’s very similar to Paul at the end of the excerpt.
The good news for the viewers at home is that they aren’t teammates, which gives all of us something to keep an eye on when the Kings and Clippers face off next season.
Cousins had a career year in 2013-14, averaging 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
Watch Cousins’ full interview with Simmons below: