5 moments that cemented DeMarcus Cousins' mercurial reputation
Despite being one of the most talented players in the league, DeMarcus Cousins has had his accomplishments overshadowed by antics on and off the court.
From punching opposing players, to screaming at coaches, to riffing with announcers, Cousins has been a fixture in headlines for many of the wrong reasons.
The 25-year-old called attention to himself once again Thursday, as the Sacramento Kings issued the 6-foot-11 center a one-game suspension for detrimental conduct.
Here are five moments that have defined DeMarcus Cousins' tumultuous career:
Screaming at Keith Smart
After jawing with then-head coach Keith Smart during the first quarter of a 2012 game, Cousins took the argument to the locker room, screaming at Smart during halftime. The altercation didn't sit well with Kings management, as he was suspended indefinitely by the team.
Cousins didn't hide his lack of respect for Smart or his disapproval of his play-calling during the coach's tenure.
While Smart may have won the battle, Cousins won the war, as Smart was fired by Sacramento later that season.
Berating Spurs announcer Sean Elliott
Cousins' run-ins aren't exclusive to players and coaches.
The Alabama native earned a two-game suspension back in 2012 for confronting San Antonio Spurs announcer Sean Elliott in a "hostile manner." Cousins went on to apologize to Elliott almost a year-and-half later, but his run-in only strengthened his mercurial reputation.
Surprisingly, that wasn't the only time Cousins riffed with an announcer, as he also confronted Grant Napear in 2013, after the Kings play-by-play announcer was critical of the big man on his radio show.
Whipping Marcus Smart to the ground
Cousins wasn't going to let a player seven inches shorter push him around, earning an ejection after whipping super-pest Marcus Smart to the ground during the 2014-15 season.
Ironically, then-Boston Celtics shooting guard Marcus Thornton had praised Cousins for his maturity just days prior.
Punching O.J. Mayo in the groin
Boogie let his temper get the best of him in 2012, as he was hit with a one-game suspension after punching the Dallas Mavericks' O.J. Mayo in the groin.
Mayo didn't take kindly to Cousins' attack, ripping the Kings center after the game.
"Man, I was so pissed," he said to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "It's just, where does that come in in the game, you know what I mean? He's a talented player, has a chance to be an All-Star. But you do stuff like that, it takes you down a class."
The Cousins-Mayo beef continued this season, as the two exchanged words with each other in November, igniting a scuffle.
Seemingly calling George Karl a snake
After reports surfaced that head coach George Karl was attempting to trade Cousins, the center took to Twitter to express his feelings.
While there's no proof that Cousins was referring to Karl, the timing was suspicious.
Despite the controversy, he has yet to delete the tweet.