It’s no secret that DeMarcus Cousins isn’t fond of Chris Paul.  He made it clear when he wouldn’t let his teammate Isaiah Thomas shake Chris Paul’s hand and he publicly said he doesn’t respect him and called him a cheater.

Well if you think he’s changed his position, you would be mistaken.

Cousins, speaking with Bill Simmons of Grantland, was talking about Blake Griffin when the Kings center turned the discussion to Paul as transcribed by ProBasketballTalk:

• Simmons: “I thought you guys had a little beef, right?”
• Cousins: “Nah.”
• Simmons: “Nothing?”
• Cousins: “Just a little rivalry, but I don’t have a problem with Blake.”
• Simmons: “Didn’t you guys almost get in a fight once?”
• Cousins: “No.”
• Simmons: “Altercation? Argument?”
• Cousins: “No.”
• Simmons: “Nothing?”
• Cousins: “No.”
• Simmons: “You sure? I feel like I was at a game where that might have happened.”
• Cousins: “No.”
• Simmons: “There was some talking?”
• Cousins: “Probably me and CP, but not me and Blake. I don’t have a problem with Blake.”
• Simmons: “Oh, you’re one of the guys who doesn’t like – there’s a lot of guys who CP kind of bugs.”
• Cousins: “Yeah, I dislike CP a lot.”
• Simmons: “CP does a lot of talking.”
• Cousins: “I know.”
• Simmons: What if you saw him off the court? You’d be OK with him, right?”
• Cousins: “I don’t have a problem.”
• Simmons: “The good news is you’re like 12 inches taller than him if you ever have – he’s like 5-10.”
• Cousins: “I know. That’s usually how it goes. It’s the small ones.””
• Simmons: “Could you play with somebody like that, who’s just like a Chihuahua, just barking at everybody for three hours?”
• Cousins: “Yeah, because I’m the same way.”

Later, the conversation turns to another polarizing player, Rajon Rondo.

• Simmons: So you think Rondo is the best point guard in the league?
• Cousins: Absolutely.
• Simmons: How much of that has to do with the fact that you and Chris Paul don’t like each other that much.
• Cousins: Nothing at all.

Cousins is more like one of the old school players who isn’t buddy buddy with everyone.  He’s also known for being volatile and having attitude and behavioral issues. He’s calmed down a bit and his production as a player has definitely improved.

– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)