Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is the best basketball player to come out of Alabama. One day, DeMarcus Cousins hopes to challenge that title.
You’d think Barkley would be a good mentor for the young Cousins, but that’s far from the case. Ever since high school, Barkley has criticized Cousins’ attitude. Although the criticism may be warranted at times, Cousins doesn’t see it that way entirely.
“I have no respect for you and I never will. We have nothing to talk about. So, yes, every time we see each other, there will never be words.”
Barkley doesn’t understand all of the animosity.
“I made a very conscious effort not to be too hard on him,” Barkley said. “I said he had a chance to be really good; I just told the reporters afterward that I was a little disappointed. Since then, I’ve also said he could be the best big man in the game if he’d just grow up. He’s never had a strong coach that held him accountable. I wish he’d had a Pat Riley or Gregg Popovich or George Karl or Doc Rivers that would’ve held his feet to the fire.”
Cousins would elaborate on why he doesn’t respect Barkley as a man.
“Coming up as a kid and hearing that from one of the best players ever to come out of Alabama,” Cousins said, “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. Then, coming into my rookie season, you take up for your ex-coach and say I’m the worst thing that ever happened to Sacramento on national TV. Yeah, I’m going to remember.”
Hopefully one day the two Alabamians will be able to talk things out.