Hawks suspend and fine Josh Smith

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Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for conduct detrimental to the team.

The team did not reveal what that conduct was, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitiution reported that Smith was thrown out of Tuesday’s practice.

Hawks president Danny Ferry announced the suspension in a news release, saying, “Josh and I discussed the issue and he understood and accepted this course of action. We are confident that he will respond positively, learn from this experience and come back with a renewed sense of purpose to the team moving forward.”

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Kings reinstate DeMarcus Cousins

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kings small logoApparently, “indefinitely” is a euphemism for “one game.”

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended indefinitely by the team Saturday, was reinstated Monday after missing one game.

The Kings announced the reinstatement. Cousins practiced with the team Monday.

Cousins was suspended Saturday, one day after he had a profanity-laced argument with coach Keith Smart during  a loss to the Clippers and was ordered to remain in the locker room for the second half.

It was the third suspension of the season for Cousins and triggered plenty of speculation about the future of Sacramento’s leading scorer and rebounder.

In today’s Sacramento Bee, Ailene Voisin wrote that while the team suspension of Cousins was entirely warranted, the Kings also need to support Cousins.

And what to do about Cousins, who didn’t react well when informed of this most recent punishment? The Kings should consider anything and everything: rehiring his former high school coach, Otis Hughley, who was added to the coaching staff as a baby sitter/personal handler during Cousins’ rookie season; taking a tip from Phil Jackson and having one of their mental health consultants maintain a more consistent and high-profile presence. And while neither teams nor the league can compel players to undergo counseling, the Kings successfully pressured Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) into anger management therapy during his days in Sacramento.

The Kings don’t play again until Wednesday at Portland.
Cousins will be eligible for a contract extension following this season.
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Grizzlies officially sign Gilbert Arenas

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Gilbert Arenas is back in the NBA, officially signing Tuesday with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Released under the amnesty clause in December – and still due more than $60 million from the Orlando Magic – Arenas worked out for the Grizzlies on Monday. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal reported that Arenas appeared slender and shot the ball well during the workout.

The Grizzlies could use Arenas’ shooting ability as they are next to last in the NBA with 3.8 3-pointers per game. Arenas also can play point guard, which would help Memphis spell Mike Conley with someone other than rookies Josh Selby and Jeremy Pargo.

What the Grizzlies can’t use is any of Arenas’ past goofball behavior, ranging from silly posts on his Twitter account to bringing guns to the locker room, which got him suspended by the NBA for the bulk of the 2009-10 season.

Memphis is in Sacramento for the start of a four-game road trip Tuesday. Arenas is expected to join the Grizzlies on Wednesday in Portland, according to the Commercial Appeal.

The Grizzlies (25-18) have withstood several injuries to key players this season and are one-half game behind the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference standings.

A three-time All-Star, Arenas has averaged 21.2 points and 5.4 assists in 10 seasons with Golden State, Washington and Orlando. However, he had a series of knee injuries while with the Wizards that robbed him of some of his explosiveness.

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