Demarcus Cousins is beasting

[GreenFaith1819]

I wonder who his PG is these days............

I think Rondo has helped Cousins in that he doesn't have to play Point-center anymore, but at the same time you can't credit Rondo for his sudden splurge in three point shooting.  Extending his shooting range is something only Cousins could achieve, not something anybody else could make happen for him.

He's improved so far every season in the league, so seeing him step up another aspect of his game really isn't a big surprise. 

Still I do think Rondo has helped that team, since they have plenty of shooters / scorers which is basically the type of scenario where a guy like Rondo excels.

Still, can't hide the fact that the Kings are 0-4 when Cousins is out, even though Rondo was playing pretty well in that stretch.  No question how much impact Cousins has on that team.  The way they have played since his return, they are looking like a Playoff team.

Good points.

But don't under-estimate what a good, experienced PG can bring to the table.

Just ask Paul, KG, Ray Ray and Perk about that.

[max215]

I just saw this on another site:

DMC: 44.8% 3P%

Curry: 45.2% 3P%

Now, sample size and volume are different, but who expected DMC to become an elite three-point shooter?  Cousin is shooting nearly 4 3-pointers per game, making his outside shot a legitimate weapon.

He looks smooth shooting them, too. I find his handle and agility even more impressive. He's pump faking guys at the three point line and driving into the lane finishing with either hand on either side of the basket. For a 6'11" guy that weighs 275, that's impressive, and I don't know how you stop him.

Yeah, his stroke really is pretty nice. If he can maintain 35% or so from three, he's going to be unreal.

[crimson_stallion]

I wonder who his PG is these days............

I think Rondo has helped Cousins in that he doesn't have to play Point-center anymore, but at the same time you can't credit Rondo for his sudden splurge in three point shooting.  Extending his shooting range is something only Cousins could achieve, not something anybody else could make happen for him.

He's improved so far every season in the league, so seeing him step up another aspect of his game really isn't a big surprise. 

Still I do think Rondo has helped that team, since they have plenty of shooters / scorers which is basically the type of scenario where a guy like Rondo excels.

Still, can't hide the fact that the Kings are 0-4 when Cousins is out, even though Rondo was playing pretty well in that stretch.  No question how much impact Cousins has on that team.  The way they have played since his return, they are looking like a Playoff team.

Good points.

But don't under-estimate what a good, experienced PG can bring to the table.

Just ask Paul, KG, Ray Ray and Perk about that.

No question about that, but to be fair the Kings already had Collison before Rondo came around, and he's a pretty good PG as it is. 

Also Rondo went to a very hot Dallas last year, and they started losing in an epic way the instant he arrived there - despite the fact that most people felt Dallas (with all their shooters) was a great fit for him.

Rondo does look like he's playing the best he has in years though - pilling up those triple doubles.  I can't help but feel that he needs at least two high profile stars (Cousins, Gay) and a number of shooters alongside him in order to be effective.

[GreenFaith1819]

I wonder who his PG is these days............

I think Rondo has helped Cousins in that he doesn't have to play Point-center anymore, but at the same time you can't credit Rondo for his sudden splurge in three point shooting.  Extending his shooting range is something only Cousins could achieve, not something anybody else could make happen for him.

He's improved so far every season in the league, so seeing him step up another aspect of his game really isn't a big surprise. 

Still I do think Rondo has helped that team, since they have plenty of shooters / scorers which is basically the type of scenario where a guy like Rondo excels.

Still, can't hide the fact that the Kings are 0-4 when Cousins is out, even though Rondo was playing pretty well in that stretch.  No question how much impact Cousins has on that team.  The way they have played since his return, they are looking like a Playoff team.

Good points.

But don't under-estimate what a good, experienced PG can bring to the table.

Just ask Paul, KG, Ray Ray and Perk about that.

No question about that, but to be fair the Kings already had Collison before Rondo came around, and he's a pretty good PG as it is. 

Also Rondo went to a very hot Dallas last year, and they started losing in an epic way the instant he arrived there - despite the fact that most people felt Dallas (with all their shooters) was a great fit for him.

Rondo does look like he's playing the best he has in years though - pilling up those triple doubles.  I can't help but feel that he needs at least two high profile stars (Cousins, Gay) and a number of shooters alongside him in order to be effective.

Same can be said for ANY PG out there, I believe - not just Rondo.

As good as CP3 was / is - he couldn't get past LA (without Bynum) and with David West and Tyson in their primes.

And - right now - the clock is ticking on the revolving door of talent coming into Clipperland for CP3.

EVERY player out there - needs talent and the RIGHT talent to be successful. Chemistry is HUGE...Marky Mark Cuban couldn't figure that out.

How ironic that the FINAL PIECE that CP3 may need is a former CELTIC...........but anyways yes Demarcus is playing great right now.

[crimson_stallion]

I wonder who his PG is these days............

I think Rondo has helped Cousins in that he doesn't have to play Point-center anymore, but at the same time you can't credit Rondo for his sudden splurge in three point shooting.  Extending his shooting range is something only Cousins could achieve, not something anybody else could make happen for him.

He's improved so far every season in the league, so seeing him step up another aspect of his game really isn't a big surprise. 

Still I do think Rondo has helped that team, since they have plenty of shooters / scorers which is basically the type of scenario where a guy like Rondo excels.

Still, can't hide the fact that the Kings are 0-4 when Cousins is out, even though Rondo was playing pretty well in that stretch.  No question how much impact Cousins has on that team.  The way they have played since his return, they are looking like a Playoff team.

Good points.

But don't under-estimate what a good, experienced PG can bring to the table.

Just ask Paul, KG, Ray Ray and Perk about that.

No question about that, but to be fair the Kings already had Collison before Rondo came around, and he's a pretty good PG as it is. 

Also Rondo went to a very hot Dallas last year, and they started losing in an epic way the instant he arrived there - despite the fact that most people felt Dallas (with all their shooters) was a great fit for him.

Rondo does look like he's playing the best he has in years though - pilling up those triple doubles.  I can't help but feel that he needs at least two high profile stars (Cousins, Gay) and a number of shooters alongside him in order to be effective.

Same can be said for ANY PG out there, I believe - not just Rondo.

As good as CP3 was / is - he couldn't get past LA (without Bynum) and with David West and Tyson in their primes.

I disagree.

Up until the emergence of Steph Curry the past two seasons, Chris Paul has been by far the most complete point guard in the NBA.  His game is practically faultless, with no area of weakness.

You could put Chris Paul on just about any team with talent, and he will turn that team into a highly competitive playoff team.  Seriously - he turned the Clippers (the Clippers!!) into a playoff team his first year there, and into a legit contender in his second year there.

The challenge with Rondo is that he has a very specific set of skills, and a very specific set of weaknesses.

Rondo's greatest assets are his ability to run an offense (but his style requires him to have the ball a LOT), his ability to rebound at the PG spot, and his ability to use his length and athleticism to wreak havok on defense (when he's bothered).

His rebounding is always there, but to take advantage of his other assets he needs a group of guys who can play off the ball (e.g. Kobe / Melo might not work) and he needs a guy who can protect the paint (so the team doesn't get burnt when Rondo cheats on defense).

Rondo's greatest liability is his poor jump-shot and his poor free throw shooting.  The former means that you cannot afford to have any non-shooter on the court with Rondo (for example a Rondo / Crowder or Rondo / Turner lineup just wouldn't work) and the latter takes away his incentive to drive to the basket (since he's afraid of getting fouled and missing the free throws) and makes him a liability sometimes at the end of games. 

None of the above applies to a guy like CP3.  Of course he still has to have good players around him to win games, but his versatile enough that it doesn't really matter who those players are - as long as they are really good, his team will be competitive.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Yeah, well, I'd like to see him "beast" against Kelly. Then I'll be impressed.

[Snakehead]

The sentiment the OP has is my stance from day one on Cousins.  I think even with issues you are seeing a player that is not yet in his prime and is also the best Center in the league all around.  Also a Center who can shoot the ball and doesn't have any of the FT issues others do.

I think Cousins would work with this team too.  I do think he has a different type of attitude to him, but to me he reminds me of Rasheed Wallace attitude wise.  Both got angry and wanted to shoot.

In ways, the fire isn't so different from one you see with Smart or Crowder though I think both of them are more selfless and defensive minded.  I could see either one of them acting up on a bad team playing for maybe the worst organization in the NBA.  Not to excuse everything Cousins does, but I think he would work well with Crowder and Smart and he likes Thomas.  I think Olynyk would be perfect at PF next to him.

[Monkhouse]

The sentiment the OP has is my stance from day one on Cousins.  I think even with issues you are seeing a player that is not yet in his prime and is also the best Center in the league all around.  Also a Center who can shoot the ball and doesn't have any of the FT issues others do.

I think Cousins would work with this team too.  I do think he has a different type of attitude to him, but to me he reminds me of Rasheed Wallace attitude wise.  Both got angry and wanted to shoot.

In ways, the fire isn't so different from one you see with Smart or Crowder though I think both of them are more selfless and defensive minded.  I could see either one of them acting up on a bad team playing for maybe the worst organization in the NBA.  Not to excuse everything Cousins does, but I think he would work well with Crowder and Smart and he likes Thomas.  I think Olynyk would be perfect at PF next to him.

You bring up an interesting point.

Crowder at one point said he didn't come here to tank, and wanted to make the playoffs. On a team like the 76ers, where the intent to tank entirely, you can rest assured Crowder would voice his frustration.

Smart seems like a more laid back person, but like Crowder, would probably get upset too.

[Snakehead]

Crowder at one point said he didn't come here to tank, and wanted to make the playoffs. On a team like the 76ers, where the intent to tank entirely, you can rest assured Crowder would voice his frustration.

Yeah that's exactly what I had in mind.  I like that and I think the team was always giving a good effort but it seems like he was questioning everyone a little bit in a way not really different from Cousins.  I think he said he couldn't take being in that type of situation.  The Kings are over and over.

Smart just said about himself he was a type of player that hated losing more than he liked winning, similar to Westbrook.  I think Cousins and Crowder are along those lines too.

[PhoSita]

And, sorry for the third post in a row, but why on earth isn't there a nationally televised game between Cousins and Anthony Davis? That is the best big man match up the NBA has had in years.

Oh well, I'm sure we'll get all we can stomach of those guys on national TV once they're playing in New York and LA.

 

[crimson_stallion]

The sentiment the OP has is my stance from day one on Cousins.  I think even with issues you are seeing a player that is not yet in his prime and is also the best Center in the league all around.  Also a Center who can shoot the ball and doesn't have any of the FT issues others do.

I think Cousins would work with this team too.  I do think he has a different type of attitude to him, but to me he reminds me of Rasheed Wallace attitude wise.  Both got angry and wanted to shoot.

In ways, the fire isn't so different from one you see with Smart or Crowder though I think both of them are more selfless and defensive minded.  I could see either one of them acting up on a bad team playing for maybe the worst organization in the NBA.  Not to excuse everything Cousins does, but I think he would work well with Crowder and Smart and he likes Thomas.  I think Olynyk would be perfect at PF next to him.

Well said - TP!

I agree 100% and to be honest, if you look at the teams / organisations he has had to play for, I would be almost disappointed if he DIDN'T get visibly frustrated.

You don't want to see a star playing sitting there playing for a terrible team year after year, and be cool with it.  It just indicates a lack of competitive edge.

On the other hand look at other guys, like Kevin Love for example.  He got visibly frustrated with the lack of success in Minnesota, but he never seemed to handle it internally within the team.  He always seemed to have a tendency to make his unhappiness publicly known and when he eventually got truly tired of it he forced a trade.

Cousins (in my eyes) has dealt with the frustrations about as well as you expect an emotional and hyper competitive guy to.  When there have been issues he's always seemed to handle it internally (rather than air his dirty laundry publicly) and over all the years, despite the frustrations, he's still stuck by his team.   i don't understand why people can't see the honor in that. 

Sure he's gone off the rails a couple of times, but so have most of the greats over the years.  Paul Pierce tried to force a trade, Kobe tried to force a trade, Melo tried to force a trade, Dwight tried to get his coached fired (then pretended he didn't), Iverson refused to come off the bench, Rajon Rondo got fired from a team in the middle of the playoffs, Jordan has busted up team equipment, Lebron has kicked chairs...

There really aren't a lot of superstar players who will sit there and stick by a really bad franchise for 4 or 5 losing years.  That's old-school loyalty.

In fact, 'old school' is the best way I can describe Cousins.  He's not really like other players we see today.  He's got that 1980s / 1990s toughness to him.  I respect that.

I'd take an emotional / passionate / competitive Cousins over the soft, friendly and almost cartoon-like characters of many of today's superstars (Lebron, Durant, Howard, etc).

[tazzmaniac]

Haven't seen this article referenced.  I'm not surprised that Ainge would be hesitant on Cousins.  He's always seemed risk adverse to me.  If the Lakers really could have acquired Cousins for just the #2 pick and Randle, they were stupid not to do so. 
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/11/risk_price_tag_of_demarcus_cousins_seem_too_steep_for_celtics

[crimson_stallion]

Haven't seen this article referenced.  I'm not surprised that Ainge would be hesitant on Cousins.  He's always seemed risk adverse to me.  If the Lakers really could have acquired Cousins for just the #2 pick and Randle, they were stupid not to do so. 
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/11/risk_price_tag_of_demarcus_cousins_seem_too_steep_for_celtics

I don't really see much value in that article, to be honest.  It's all hearsay.  Nothing in there actually said by Ainge himself, just other 'sources' saying things like "I don't think he would XYZ", which ultimately means nothing at the end of the day.

The only thing Ainge went on record hinting is that he'd definitely be interested in making a run at Cousins, but only if the expected return was reasonable (i.e he still has enough talent left to make a competitive team).

In other words he's not going to trade Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson and the Nets pick for Cousins...because if he did our starting lineup would be:

Terry Rozier
RJ Hunter
Evan Turner
David Lee
Demarcus Cousins

To go with no bench - and no player (no matter how good) is good enough to lead that roster to a competitive season.

A lot of people (not referring to yourself here, btw) have linked to that article suggesting that the article is proof that Boston wouldn't go after Cousins, but it's not at all true.  If they could get him at a price that's justifiable, then he wouldn't hesitate.

If all the Kings wanted in the off-season was Randle and the Lakers #2 pick, then we might not need to give up as much as I thought. 

Marcus Smart + David Lee's expiring (for salary reasons) + Nets pick (if the Nets are still bottom 3 by the trade deadline) might be enough to get it done. 

I would do that deal without a second thought, and would even throw in their choice of Sully/Zeller/Olynyk if they want a big back.