DeMarcus Cousins Unwittingly Angers The Champs

On June 24, the Sacramento Kings drafted DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.  The 6-10, 290 pound forward/center averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks during his lone season at the University of Kentucky.  In the days since, it has come to light that Cousins preemptively and unknowingly may have created a potential grudge between his Kings and the two-time defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Sports by Brooks has posted a Twitter message, written by Cousins the night of the Lakers NBA Finals clinching victory vs. the Boston Celtics. The missive was directed at Lakers starting center Andrew Bynum.

“Bynum doesn't deserve to touch the trophy,” wrote Cousins the night of June 17.

At the time of the posting, Cousins could have relocated to Sacramento, Minneapolis, Newark or any number of NBA destinations.  One week later, he became an arch rival and potential target of the 16-time World Champion Lakers.

Cousins' shot at Bynum was both highly aggressive and not entirely accurate.  In the 2010 Finals, Bynum averaged 7.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Dating back to the first round vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bynum posted an impressive 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks, in LA's 4-2 series victory.

These postseason performances occurred on the heels of a regular season where Bynum averaged 15 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Cousins has all the ability and size in the world.  His most glaring negatives have always involved behavioral questions.  Comments like this will not work to improve the psychological opinion of Cousins anytime soon.  

Photograph Source: Bleacher Report