There were two times in the locker room he (Cousins) tried to beat up George Karl. And that’s why he’s not given a chance. ‘Cause that coach’s circle? It is no joke… I thought George was one of the most racist.” — Nancy Lieberman
WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman recently dropped a bombshell during her appearance on the BIG3 podcast, where she recounted a lesser-known and explosive episode from NBA history involving DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins and legendary head coach George Karl .
According to Lieberman, tensions boiled over not once, but twice in the Sacramento Kings locker room. She claims Cousins “tried to beat up George Karl” on both occasions . She framed these incidents as pivotal—why, she suggested, the powerful circle of head coaches may have shut him out afterwards.
With the assertion that “that coach’s circle is no joke,” Lieberman implied that the fallout from these confrontations may have irrevocably altered Cousins’ standing in the eyes of NBA decision-makers .
Lieberman didn’t stop there. She leveled another shocking claim: that Karl was, in her view, “one of the most racist.” Drawing from her presence in team meetings, she said, “I thought George was one of the most racist…I sat in those meetings. It was unbelievable, ask Carmelo.” . The casual name-dropping (“ask Carmelo”) adds weight to her recollection, implying others witnessed the same behavior.
While neither Cousins nor Karl have publicly responded to Lieberman’s claims as of now, the revelations cast a harsh light on a complicated coach–player history. DeMarcus Cousins, once one of the most talented big men in the NBA, endured a career overshadowed by off-court distractions and strained relationships. George Karl, on his part, is remembered as a seasoned, demanding coach whose methods sometimes courted controversy—but this is the first time the word “racist” has surfaced so explicitly in connection with him from someone with Lieberman’s perspective.
It’s worth noting that Lieberman’s story emerged only this week on August 8, 2025, when PFSN (Pro Football Network) published her remarks from the podcast . Other outlets like Yahoo Sports echoed the claim, reiterating that “Cousins nearly ‘beat up’ Karl twice in the locker room” .
The statement adds color to an already murky canvas of Cousins’ NBA journey. Were these confrontations a reaction to perceived injustice or racial provocation? What’s clear from Lieberman’s tone is her firm conviction: that these episodes weren’t mere squabbles, but deeply meaningful clashes that shaped the trajectory of careers and reputations.
In the coming days, these claims could prompt reflection within NBA circles—especially around the power dynamics of coaches’ networks, the consequences of conflict, and the echoes of race in locker room conflicts. For now, fans and historians alike can only watch as this unexpected flashpoint reopens an old chapter with new scrutiny.
