It’s been quite a day of payback for DeMarcus Cousins.
Several hours after calling out writer Clay Travis on Twitter, Cousins was named by Commissioner Adam Silver to the NBA All-Star Game as a replacement for Kobe Bryant. The All-Star Game is set for Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden.
Cousins, who will make his first NBA All-Star Game appearance, ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring (23.8 ppg) and third in rebounding (12.3 rpg). Over the last 20 years, only five players — David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Kevin Love — have averaged at least 23.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in a season. Cousins is the first Kings’ All-Star since 2004.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, who will coach the West squad because the Warriors clinched the best record in the conference through games played Feb. 1, will determine who replaces Bryant in the starting lineup.
Earlier Friday, the former Kentucky big man called out Travis who, in 2010, predicted that Cousins would be arrested within five years.
Today’s the day!! Let’s all show him some love!! @ClayTravisBGIDhttp://t.co/t54K0tC6Pn
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) January 30, 2015
http://instagram.com/p/ye2rZfAHAG/
Travis responded by saying he would donate $5,000 to a charity of Cousins’ choice.
Incredibly funny and well played. RT @boogiecousins: Today’s the day!! Let’s all show him some love!! @ClayTravisBGID http://t.co/YvAQrXDRwl
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) January 30, 2015
Meantime, Travis has spent Friday retweeting seemingly every ignorant and offensive Tweet directed his way by folks unhappy with his targeting of Cousins.
It’s about as ugly as it gets.