Cousins' Fine for Outburst Cost Him Much Less Than One-game Suspension

SACRAMENTO -- $50,000 and an apology. That is the cost that DeMarcus Cousins paid for his recent dust up with Sacramento Bee reporter Andy Furillo. CSN California has confirmed the dollar amount through multiple sources and the Sacramento Kings All-Star center released the following statement through the team.
 
“There is a time, place and manner to say everything, and I chose the wrong ones. Like most people, I am fiercely protective of my friends and family, and I let my emotions get the best of me in this situation I understand my actions were inexcusable and I commit to upholding the professional stands of the Kings and the NBA. I apologize to my teammates, fans and Kings organization for my behavior and the ensuing distraction and look forward to moving forward and focusing on basketball.”
 
Cousins, 26, let his emotions get to him following the Kings’ 116-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 12. Still wearing just a towel, Cousins approached Furillo on his way back to his locker stall and said something to the reporter from The Bee. 
 
Once at his locker stall, Cousins and Furillo began to debate a story the columnist had written the week before that included the mention of his brother Jaleel and his arrest over the summer during a skirmish at a Florida bar. 
 
Furillo, on his way out of the locker room, defended the decision to include the younger Cousins. The two argued the point, with Cousins repeatedly telling Furillo that he didn’t care what he wrote about him, but to leave his family out of it. 
 
After approximately two or three minutes of discussion, the argument escalated and Cousins approached Furillo, which is when camera’s caught Cousins standing a few feet away from the veteran reporter. 
 
As soon as Cousins approached, Kings media relations members and guard Garrett Temple stepped in to defuse the situation. 
 
Cousins cooled down quickly and went on to hold a media scrum with reporters a few minutes later.
 
This isn’t the first run in that Cousins and Furillo have had over the last two seasons, but it was the first time the two have exchanged heated words. 
 
Cousins took exception to a piece late in 2015 when Furillo questioned his ability to lead. Furillo wrote in a later piece that, “If he’s truly a cancer on the team like half the town believes, then cut it out now, regardless of value received.”
 
If it’s any consolation, the $50,000 fine is substantially less for Cousins than what a suspension and game check would cost. A lost game check is calculated as 1/90th of their current salary, making a one-game suspension worth slightly less than $190,000 for the Kings’ big man.