The NBA Players Association will appeal the NBA's two-game suspension handed to Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins stemming from a confrontation with San Antonio Spurs' TV analyst Sean Elliott.
Cousins confronted Elliott after the Spurs' recent win over the Kings when DeMarcus found out Elliott called him "immature" during the broadcast for trash-talking about Tim Duncan. Cousins fired back calling Elliott "immature" and apparently had a "hostile" confrontation.
According to John Greig [Cousins' agent], the union is continuing to investigate the matter, but already is convinced the penalty is too severe. Cousins was informed of the two-game penalty and did not play in the Kings-Lakers game Sunday in Staples Center. The immediate goal is to get the suspension lifted prior to tomorrow's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Calls to the Players Association were not returned.
"We will definitely have something more to say tomorrow," Greig added late Monday afternoon.
Obviously this kind of behavior is unacceptable and the NBA is right to suspend Cousins for his actions. Elliott used his head and walked away but had it been any other person, who knows if this may have gotten out of hand.
Nevertheless, even Kings head coach Keith Smart said it's best for DeMarcus to learn from this and accept the consequences. If Cousins wants to show he can mature, perhaps asking the NBAPA to set aside the appeal would be a step in the right direction.