Cousins says refs target him based on rep, despite new approach

Nobody in the NBA has amassed more technical fouls in the last three years than DeMarcus Cousins. While he's not yet a modern-day Rasheed Wallace, Cousins believes he carries a negative reputation among officials which he's trying to shake.

"I got a tech for saying, 'Good job, referee,'" Cousins told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears of one of his NBA-leading nine technicals this season. "I said, 'Good job. Good call.' And I got a tech? I swear to God on my kids. I have yet to have a moment where I just erupt or go off. I haven't had one of those, but for some reason I'm still leading the league in techs."

Cousins said he's attempting to adjust his fiery on-court temperament on the instructions of Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, but thinks NBA officials aren't giving him a chance.

"They're not trying to make it work," he said. "They're stuck in their ways, and it is so obvious."

Referees may well be operating with less patience this season. In the first two months of the campaign, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis earned their first career ejections, while Kevin Durant has been tossed thrice. The league also suspended Warriors guard Shaun Livingston and referee Courtney Kirkland after an incident Dec. 3.

Cousins added that fouls on him are often overlooked because he's a center - something long lamented by previous big men, like Shaquille O'Neal.

"Now it's to the point where teams are saying, 'Yeah, just go over there and beat the s--- out of him,'" Cousins said. "I don't get calls, and I'm not protected like other players are."