DeMarcus Cousins benched for second half for arguing with coach Keith Smart

DeMarcus Cousins is in serious need of an attitude adjustment. Now in his third year as a pro, you could make the argument that the former Kentucky standout has regressed. Statistically, Cousins is right where he has been throughout his career — roughly 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. But emotionally, he seems as bad as ever.

Cousins was benched for the second half of the Sacramento Kings’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night after an argument with head coach Keith Smart at halftime. He remained in the locker room when the rest of his team came out for the second half. According to the Sacramento Bee, Smart would not go into detail about what happened but said Cousins was benched for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

After the game, Cousins took responsibility for the situation.

“What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room but I was wrong,” he said. “But what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.

“(I shouldn’t) talk back. That’s the thing. I shouldn’t have responded back. Should have accepted what was said and stayed quiet. I messed up. I’m apologizing to all my teammates for it, for responding the way I did, and we’ll move on from it…I grow from all of my mistakes.”

If Cousins grows from all of his mistakes, he should be a giant when the season ends. Last month, he was ejected from a game but blamed the official. A couple weeks later, he told reporters he has absolutely no confidence in his own game. And then there was the whole punching an opponent in the groin thing.

The Kings are 8-18 and struggling mightily once again. At this point, Cousins has become more of a distraction than a potential solution to their problems.

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