Circa_1985_Fan
All-Star
Any questions??
Beast Mode Cousins
- Thread starter Circa_1985_Fan
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rainmaker
Hall of Famer
Will he be the best center in the league by the end of this year?
How about the end of the week?
But seriously, the learning curve on this guy is something I've never seen since Duncan. Eliminates problems almost overnight. He's quickly become a matchup problem for the entire league in the course of a couple months, and that's without getting calls to go his way. Scary how good he could be.
I feel compelled to add "a good coach" to that. It's pretty apparent that Keith Smart has made one helluva difference. Thank you, Geoff Petrie!!!
RookieOfTheDay
Starter
When Cousins is hitting that 15 foot shot it makes him nearly impossible to guard effectively. He's also got crazy hands. Some of the balls he catches almost look like he must have crazy glue on his palms or something. I don't even know if I'd trade him for Dwight Howard right now. Is that crazy talk?
The Hammer
All-Star
Not crazy talk. No way I trade him for Howard right now. Not even for LeBron. We're sitting on a gold mine. The rest of the league will find out soon enough.
He solves his one major problem (fouls) literally overnight, and the just starts blowing up. And pretty much with a direct correlation to how much he teammates get him the ball down low. His per 36 stats have been (shockingly, amazingly) pretty consistent since HE ENTERED THE LEAGUE. Now he's just getting the minutes.
And for the record, not for a second did I doubt this guy. Seems crazy to say, but I absolutely think we could be watching one of the top 5 big men of all time growing up before our eyes. What his he 20? Wow.
HighFlyingMonkey
Starter
I know the Hornets have a terrible record, but this frontcourt featured Emeka Okafor and Chris Kaman, both of whom are proven NBA veterans at the position, and both got absolutely manhandled. That was ridiculous. Can't wait to see who DMC trashes next.
deekay2o9
Bench
I don't think it is. A lot of rebounding is done with position and boxing out. Howard gets his mostly because of sheer athleticism/hops. Cousins is getting his without getting much lift. Once Howards hops are gone will he be the same player?
Fear the Putin
Starter
I'm not impressed by Cousins until he gives me a Marshawn Lynch-esque BEAST MODE highlight play
The Hammer
All-Star
He'll be better than Duncan and Gasol. He'll be better than Gasol by the end of the year, if not sooner. In his prime, if his prime is what it could be, I can think of maybe 5-6 big men in history that might be better: Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Shaq, maybe Willis Reed. He seriously has the potential to be in that company. And from the looks of it, Smart may be the coach to take him there.
ElRey
Starter
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves here. He's got a long way to go before being considered a Hall of Famer like those centers you mentioned.
Dime Dropper
All-Star
Hammer, steady on now! I could name many other bigs who Cousins has a long, long way to get to before he's even mentioned in the same breath, and that's really not a knock.
Certainly can solidify himself as a top 3 center by years end. Playing like a superstar.
Certainly can solidify himself as a top 3 center by years end. Playing like a superstar.
RookieOfTheDay
Starter
Better than Duncan? OK, you lost me.
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
Finally get recognition? From who? Haven't seen anyone question his talent in a while.
IfAt1st
Starter
Actually, what DMC is hugely lacking right now is a go-to move.
Something that will get a good likelihood of a score or a foul, even in crunchtime playoff 4th quarter basketball.
Until he gets one, he won't be comparable to the greats.
However, without a doubt he's the best center in the NBA the past week, AFAIK.
Something that will get a good likelihood of a score or a foul, even in crunchtime playoff 4th quarter basketball.
Until he gets one, he won't be comparable to the greats.
However, without a doubt he's the best center in the NBA the past week, AFAIK.
IfAt1st
Starter
Stop vulturing my posts and badgering me into replying to you and digressing the thread.
Rookie
Starter
Any questions??
Yeah..what beast? Tiger Lion or bear..oh my!
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
What? I'm not vulturing/badgering anyone.
So who wasn't giving him any recognition? That's more than a fair question given your post.
Cousins would get more recognition if not for the Westphal thing. His numbers are comparable to the top centers in the league while playing about 6 minutes less per game. Bynum will probably get a lot of pub for his game against softie Spencer Hawes while Cousins puts up bigger numbers versus two legit NBA centers. That's just how it is at this point. If he keeps on playing well, it will be hard for the press to overlook by season's end.
The Hammer
All-Star
Fellas, fellas. OF COURSE I'm getting ahead of myself. And I will, thank you. I don't feel the need to contain my exuberance. And that's what it is, exuberance. But, let's talk again in 5-8 years. That's all I gotta say.
Of course he's got a way to go. I'm predicting the future is what I'm doing. As exuberant as I am... there is a large part of me that simply won't be surprised if/when he gets to that level. Here's what I'll do... I'll say, right now, that there is a strong possibility that he's a top 6 of all time... but I will definitely, officially call it right now, that he WILL be, when his career's all said and done, be viewed at LEAST as a top 10 big man of all time. I do stand by that. Exuberance and all. Anybody wanna get on board with the early call on that?
RookieOfTheDay
Starter
Well one thing's for sure, we all hope you're right!
IfAt1st
Starter
I'm not going to take your bait to digress this thread into being about specific people on KF, instead of the players.
rainmaker
Hall of Famer
There's definitely more evidence to suggest he will, than won't. Still to early to tell. When you start talking top 10 bigs of all time, Cousins will probably need a ring or two, and the future supporting cast will be key.
He does have the talent though. What could really help him is playing in pretty much an era missing dominant centers. There's not another center in the league with half his talent.
Well, eight years into his career, Duncan was a seven-time All-Star, eight times All-NBA, eight times All-Defense, two-time MVP, and had three rings. Are you projecting anything close to that?
