Fansided

DeMarcus Cousins hates the Los Angeles Clippers, honestly

By John Buhler

Nov 29, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is called for a foul against Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick (4) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is called for a foul against Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick (4) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

DeMarcus Cousins spoke freely about his dislike for the Sacramento Kings’ Pacific Division rival, the Los Angeles Clippers.

DeMarcus Cousins’ Sacramento Kings fell to their division rival in the Los Angeles Clippers on opening night at Sleep Train Arena, 111-104. Cousins, obviously frustrated, said the following about the Clippers franchise: “I hate them, honestly I do. I hate them.”

It makes sense that Boogie would have tremendous animosity versus a division rival who happens to play a chippy to aggressive brand of basketball. Cousins also plays in a physical manner that often rubs both the opponent and the officiating crew the wrong way. He is both immensely talented and immensely frustrated with all that has gone wrong in Sacramento since being drafted by the Kings in 2010 out of Kentucky.

Cousins is fresh off his first season as an NBA All-Star and made the All-NBA Second Team in 2014-15. His Kings are an interesting bunch led by eccentric owner Vivek Ranadive, new general manager and former Kings great Vlade Divac, and one of the best NBA head coaches to never win an NBA Championship in George Karl.

With Cousins’ immense talent and many new faces in the California capital, the Kings could potentially get back into the Western Conference Playoffs for the first time in a decade. However, the hatred Cousins has for the Los Angeles Clippers could come across as counter-productive. The Clippers didn’t win the 2014-15 NBA Championship, fellow Pacific Division foe Golden State did.

The Sacramento Kings don’t have to finish ahead of either the Warriors or Clippers to make the playoffs. However, they will likely have to finish in third place, ahead of both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers if Sacramento wants a chance at the seventh or eighth seeds.

Even if the Kings don’t finish with a better record than the Clippers, Cousins and company will have to channel their frustrations and beat their rival a couple of times to stay relevant in the wild, wild West. If Cousins’ is this angry after the first game of the season, imagine what he might do if the Kings fall ten games below .500.

Home/NBA