Charles Barkley was born and raised in Alabama. DeMarcus Cousins was also born and raised in Alabama. So you would think that the former NBA superstar and the guy who is doing his best to become a current NBA superstar would have some sort of relationship. But in a new Bleacher Report piece written by Ric Bucher, Cousins makes it perfectly clear that he does not like the Round Mound of Rebound. Like, at all.
In the piece, which you can read here, Cousins refuses to explain exactly why he dislikes Barkley. However, Barkley did speak to Bucher for the story and seems to think that it stems from something Barkley said about Cousins back when Cousins was still in high school. Barkley has also been very critical of Cousins over his first five years in the NBA—"Grow up," Barkley said when asked to give Cousins advice on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption early last year, "NBA stands for No Babies Allowed"—and it seems as though Cousins has heard every word that he's said. So Cousins told BR that he doesn't plan on speaking to Barkley ever again.
"I have no respect for you and I never will," Cousins told BR when asked about his frosty relationship with Barkley. "We will have nothing to talk about…Every time we see each other, there will never be words."
Cousins went on to say that he used to look up to Barkley. But after hearing some of the things that he has said about him, he's no longer a fan of his.
"Coming up as a kid and hearing that from one of the best players ever to come out of Alabama, a guy people grow up looking up to, to hear him say, 'Well, he's not that good…' I remember it like it was yesterday," Cousins said. "Then, coming into my rookie season, you take up for your ex-coach [Paul Westphal] and say I'm the worst thing that ever happened to Sacramento on national TV. Yeah, I'm going to remember."
That's not all he talked to BR about, either. Cousins also discussed his early struggles with the Kings, his distrust of the media, and who he is today as a player. It's worth a read, especially in light of how well Cousins is doing so far this season.
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[via Bleacher Report]
