DeMarcus Cousins attempts to block the shot of OJ Mayo – ©Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Early in the game, former Memphis Grizzlie and now current Dallas Maverick O.J. Mayo was heard yelling to a referee that he was hit by DeMarcus Cousins below the belt, which promoted shouting from Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle in the direction of Cousins.

Earl K. Sneed asked Carlisle what he hollered towards Cousins, though the coach played it off with a sarcastic remark:

Carlisle after having words with DeMarcus Cousins: “I really like him as a player and I was expressing that to him.”

Carlisle wasn’t alone in his venting though as Elton Brand made his feelings clear on the former Kentucky Wildcat:

Brand on Cousins: “He’s a young guy. I don’t even listen to young guys.”

But it was Mayo who delivered the biggest postgame blow, saying Cousins has “mental issues”:

Mayo on Cousins: “That guy has mental issues, man.”

In fairness, Mayo did give a semi-backhanded compliment to the Kings big man, stating he had the ability to be a franchise changing talent – assuming he wants it:

“He’s a talented player, he has the chance to be the franchise player but I don’t think he wants it.”

Cousins, when pressed after the game by the Bee’s Jason Jones said if he did hit Mayo, it was an accident and there was no intent.

Just weeks after a confrontation with San Antonio Spurs announcer Sean Elliot, who also blasted Cousins, the target on the Kings young big man appears to be growing even larger throughout the league. Teams are channeling in on Cousins’ overly emotional style of play and the more it seems to visibly frustrate him, the more aggressive teams will be in doing so. The only fix is for DeMarcus to let it roll off his shoulders – but that appears easier said than done.