Report: NBA Players Association appeals DeMarcus Cousins suspension

Nov 2, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The Sacramento Kings frontcourt has been decimated by a pair of suspensions to rookie power forward Thomas Robinson and center DeMarcus Cousins.

Robinson was suspended two games for his malicious elbow on Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko. Cousins, meanwhile, was booted for two games because he reportedly confronted Spurs color commentator Sean Elliott in a “hostile manner.”

Admittedly, the difference in severity of the two events is substantial. Robinson’s elbow certainly deemed the suspension. Cousins’ confrontation with Elliott, as hostile as it may have been, shouldn’t result in the same penalty.

The dichotomy between the two suspensions has invariably led to an appeal by the NBA Players Association. Per the Sacramento Bee:

DeMarcus Cousins’ agent told me a few minutes ago that the Players Association is appealing the two-game suspension the third-year center received … According to (the agent) John Greig, the union is continuing to investigate the matter, but already is convinced the penalty is too severe. The immediate goal is to get the suspension lifted prior to tomorrow’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Calls to the Players Association were not returned.

“We will definitely have something more to say tomorrow,” Greig added late Monday afternoon.

As unfair as the penalty may be, the public perception surrounding Cousins — he’s been typically labeled as immature, emotionally unstable and, by some, a coach killer — may make it difficult for the league to reduce the suspension.

Hat-tip to Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk.