[Stardust]

http://sportifi.com/news/DeMarcus-Cousin...02317.html
DeMarcus Cousins, the fifth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, has had a rough start to his professional career with the Sacramento Kings.

The talented but volatile big man was fined by the team in October for arguing with Sacramento strength coach Daniel Shapiro over a matter of personal fitness, kicked out of practice for arguing with head coach Paul Westphal in November and last week he was removed from the starting lineup after twice grabbing his throat while opposing players shot crucial free throws -- a move which Westphal deemed unprofessional.

The most recent indiscretion, as reported by FanHouse's Sam Amick, was yet another volatile argument with Westphal after Cousins refused to reciprocate a high-five in the fourth quarter of an 84-79 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Cousins subsequently exchanged words with Westphal yet again and was sent to the bench for a long stretch.

This has led, according to NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper, to the Kings "having serious discussions" about sending Cousins to their NBA Development League affiliate Reno Bighorns.
Amick: Kings' New Castle Crumbling Amid Rumblings of Change

Howard goes on to write that "since kicking [Cousins] out of practice hasn't changed his sloppy focus, fining him hasn't improved his attitude and, most recently, pulling him from the opening lineup Thursday against the Bucks for giving a choke sign to the Warriors two nights earlier hasn't nudged him in the right direction," the D-League seems to be a real option for a player many thought to be the most NBA-ready big man available in this year's Draft.

"If that's what they feel is best, then I can't do anything about it," Cousins told Howard-Cooper. "But I don't believe that's happening."

While Cousins could probably rein his attitude in a bit to prevent a trip to the D-League, he's right that it probably isn't in the cards anytime soon. And it shouldn't be.