The NBA also took their time deciding the punishment for Randolph and Perkins, with the decision coming a full five days after the incident, compared to Sacramento learning of DeMarcus' suspension a day later. The punishments for Randolph and Cousins were hardly even for what amounted to the same transgression. The loss of two games without pay essentially amounted to a loss of $90,000 for Cousins, as well as acting as an indirect punishment to the team itself.

Like it or not, DeMarcus has a target on his back, one that he put there. It's up to him to change public opinion.