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Grant Napear spent 31 years calling Sacramento Kings games. Then one tweet blew up his career. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Bonneville International Corp. was within its rights to fire the longtime Kings announcer after he responded to former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins with an “All Lives Matter” message during the nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death.
Napear was off work in May 2020 and watching coverage of the protests when Cousins, a Black former Kings star then playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, asked him on Twitter, now known as X: “What’s your take on BLM?” Napear replied that he was glad to hear from Cousins, then wrote: “ALL LIVES MATTER … EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!” That was enough to cost him both of his broadcasting jobs. Bonneville, which employed Napear as a KTHK radio host and the Kings’ play-by-play announcer, suspended him the next day and fired him one day later.
Napear spent the next five years podcasting before returning to radio last August as a daily host on Fox Sports Radio in Sacramento. He had also faced controversy for defending disgraced former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and later calling former broadcast partner Doug Christie a “coward” for not defending him after his 2020 firing.
That’s the same argument he made when comparing his Warriors’ teams to the 2026 76ers. Unfortunately, Durant also seemed to anger Klay Thompson with his explanation. Except … upon more reflection, Durant realized he actually picked the wrong team. “Obviously, the best team I played on was the Warriors. I want to say the 2019 team was crazy, but we got hurt. With Cousins at the five, that’s probably the best team I’ve been a part of on paper.” Durant said that team didn’t come to mind initially because he forgot Cousins was on it. Cousins missed a fair amount of time during the 2018-19 NBA season, which explained why he initially dismissed the Warriors.
DeMarcus Cousins on LeBron James: "I don't like the way he was treated in LA. And I and you know, we in this era now that you can't really speak on his behalf or is considered. Or we paid by Klutch, all this goofy shit. But for the most part, you know, I grew up in the era watching Bron, like create the blueprint for for the next guys coming up. So, I think he's a legend in this game hands down. I don't think there's really much for him to prove in this game anymore. I think he's solidified in his legend, but I think as of right now, it's just about giving him what he deserves."
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DeMarcus Cousins on Tim Duncan: It was either rookie or my second year. And you know you play Timmy enough you kind of pick up on the sh*t that he does. Tim got some tricks to his game that people don’t know about. So one thing he was infamous for is when he’s guarding the big he pulls you down on one shoulder so he can get up and block it. That sh*t used to frustrate. I’m like, “Yo, this a foul.” Yo, like I can’t jump if he’s pulling me down on one shoulder and blocking me. I’m like, “That’s a foul, bro.” So it got to the point it go so frustrating. I’m like, “You know what? I’m about to manhandle Tim.” Like, I just started going through his chest. So, I got maybe two, three buckets in a row. I get to popping it like, “Yeah Tim, you too little out here.” So, you know Tim ain’t really got too much to say. So, I think Tim ran off about a good 14 to 16 like just straight. No extra moves. Back down jump hook, turnaround jumper, face up jab off the bank. I’m just like, god damn. So, by the end of it, you know, he just say good game.
Oh No He Didn't: DeMarcus Cousins on where he wants to see LeBron James end up: "I think Bron in Minnesota with Ant Man would be must watch TV. They added LaMelo Ball who's also another exciting player. You put those three characters together I think we in for some good ball and possibly a championship run"
Run It Back: . @boogiecousins says trading for LaMelo Ball is a great move for the Minnesota Timberwolves 🔥 "They've been searching for a point guard to play with Anthony Edwards... could be really special, something the league hasn't seen." @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23
DeMarcus Cousins on Darryn Peterson: "Obviously, he deserves a chance to get drafted, and I don't think teams are going to hold everything that's happening for this young kid against him. But it does bring in some concern. It will make a team wonder or multiple teams wonder about personality, character, and things of that nature. Everything I've ever heard about this kid is he's a gym rat, super hard worker, good kid, come from a good family. But when there's a lot of smoke around your name, it's easy to get lost in the sauce and narratives can become true. I just want this kid keep his name clean, keep his nose clean, just put your head down to do the work."
DeMarcus Cousins: "Last night, I didn't like it. I feel like they switched up their style of play as far as allowing the offense to flow through KAT. It seemed like Brunson was more so worried about the headline, worried about being maybe the Finals MVP. That's what I saw in the moment. It didn't seem like it was the right form of basketball last night and I felt it was a lot of forced offense."
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DeMarcus Cousins on Victor Wembanyama: "Oh, he's special for a reason and, you know, he's still young in his career, but I think this kid has arrived now. I think we're getting past the point of potential. Like, we're actually seeing what this kid is going to be right now in the in this moment of his career. And that's scary because he still has a lot of growing to do. So, I mean, I think he's the perfect example of a young player coming in right now. The mentality, he cares about winning, it's not about the numbers, he cares about defense, like everything you want in a young franchise player, he's the perfect example of that. So, I mean, he's he's that guy for a reason. I mean, the numbers show it, the performance shows it, the presence shows it, the impact shows it. He's the real deal."
Run It Back: DeMarcus Cousins says Victor Wembanyama is the real deal 💯 "We're getting past the point of potential... that's scary because he still has a lot of growing to do. ... Everything you want in a young franchise player, he's the perfect example of it."
Clutch Points: "I put this [Game 1 loss] on Chet [Holmgren]. You have to step up and accept that challenge... he tucked his tail." DeMarcus Cousins on the Thunder big man getting outplayed by Victor Wembanyama 👀
Damien Peters: I asked DeMarcus Cousins his thoughts on potentially seeing LeBron James’ last ever game in the NBA. He gave an incredibly thoughtful and reflective response: “I think he’s got another 10 years left. For a guy who I grew up watching as a kid, I was a part of his camps as a young kid – it will be a sad day. I’m a guy that appreciates LeBron James. I know a lot of people hate him, I’m a guy that appreciates his legacy and what he’s done for the game and young athletes. Creating a blueprint on how to carry yourself on and off the court, how to take care of your body and be the ultimate professional. I appreciate everything he’s brought to the game. Whenever he decides to make it his last, I hope he gets the flowers he deserves”
