Demarcus Cousins - More minutes or less?

[rainmaker]

I think I was one of the original to suggest that he play less minutes. I've been gone a week hunting deer in northern Lake County (hunting for me now is sitting in my walker in a quiet, out-of-the-way place in the forest hoping o see a deer pass by- one didn't). My original thought was in reaction to his excellent play on both sides of the ball in World competition in limited minutes. His play there was significantly better in my view than it was last season, both being quite good. My logic: maybe he played better because he played less and had more energy to do it. Of course the opposite approach might be better- play him a lot more minutes and force him to get in better shape and/or live with him playing tired and less effectively. As to the stats being massaged above, one important one is not included - wins and losses. In that area we, the team, and Cuz are not there yet.

He was able to expend more energy and focus on defense as that was his role. He was not asked to shoulder the offensive load or be the 1st option as he is here. In Spain he was often an afterthought on offense, used mainly to set screens. His job was to come in for short stints, play defense, rebound, set screens and try to get some putbacks in the paint.

You can't ask for that same level of energy going to being a defensive stopper for us while also having him be the focal point of our offense. I think we all hope he can take it up to another level defensively, and I think he can, but this idea we'd limit our best player's mins so he can concentrate on defense makes little sense.

You've got to be able to separate the level of talent on the rosters and the roles players were asked to fill. Almost every single player played fewer mins and had different roles for USA than with their NBA teams. By the nature of the international game along with the talent throughout the roster, shorter stints with maximum effort was expected. That is not the role these guys have in the NBA though nor is the talent on individual NBA rosters even in the same ballpark.

We don't have anywhere near the frontcourt talent or depth to even have this conversation, unlike on team USA.

 

[pshn80]

He was able to expend more energy and focus on defense as that was his role. He was not asked to shoulder the offensive load or be the 1st option as he is here. In Spain he was often an afterthought on offense, used mainly to set screens. His job was to come in for short stints, play defense, rebound, set screens and try to get some putbacks in the paint.

You can't ask for that same level of energy going to being a defensive stopper for us while also having him be the focal point of our offense. I think we all hope he can take it up to another level defensively, and I think he can, but this idea we'd limit our best player's mins so he can concentrate on defense makes little sense.

You've got to be able to separate the level of talent on the rosters and the roles players were asked to fill. Almost every single player played fewer mins and had different roles for USA than with their NBA teams. By the nature of the international game along with the talent throughout the roster, shorter stints with maximum effort was expected. That is not the role these guys have in the NBA though nor is the talent on individual NBA rosters even in the same ballpark.

We don't have anywhere near the frontcourt talent or depth to even have this conversation, unlike on team USA.

Thanks. Your comments put the issue in very understandable nod logical terms. Use him as we can to get wins for the team. Success will be measured by wins and losses, not on team stats or Cuz or other players' stats. The team has a lot to prove, a littl bit of a climb fom where they have been. Cu's minutes is not he issue.

 

[rainmaker]

Thanks. Your comments put the issue in very understandable nod logical terms. Use him as we can to get wins for the team. Success will be measured by wins and losses, not on team stats or Cuz or other players' stats. The team has a lot to prove, a littl bit of a climb fom where they have been. Cu's minutes is not he issue.

I'll say this too, regarding defense. Cuz will be more effective on that end when we have better individual and team defenders around him, particularly on the perimeter. Our perimeter players have been quite terrible at funneling the offensive guy to him and team-wide, we're poor at cutting down or off preferred angles and paths to the rim.

Our perimeter defense since Cuz has been with us has been awful. He's dealing with electric guards coming full steam at him after rubbing one of our defenders off near the 3pt line. Team defense and perimeter defense has to shift collectively and make reads quickly to be able to cut that penetration down and when there is penetration it needs to be sending a player where he doesn't want to go. That's also scouting and studying the game plan, being prepared for your opponent.

Watching the Spurs as an example, guys like Westbrook find it damn hard to get to the rim and it's not just because Duncan is back there. It's not Duncan contesting a guy like Westbrook time and time again at the rim and winning. It's rather the Spurs' team defense shifts and collectively shuts down penetration and when a guy like Westbrook does finally meet Duncan on occasion, he doesn't have the room to be as explosive as he would getting a running start from the top of the key. Can't give NBA guards 15ft to run at and juke the big. It's on the team collectively to slow down the penetration and put bodies in the way. The Spurs are the best in the league at taking away everything the opponent wants to do and forcing them to do the opposite. We obviously won't get to that level but we do need to close the gap, which is huge.

Cuz's lateral quickness can be quite a weapon if used correctly in a team-wide concept.

 

[randymoss1881]

Yes Cousins ability to get charges would even be better with improved perimeter defense as well as him giving more effort playing on a winning team. We just need capeable and willing defenders if a Malone can make a top 10 defense out of the Warriors roster
(Curry,Klay,Barnes,Lee,Bogut,Jack, and Landry) he can do it with us.

 

[Tetsujin]

Yes Cousins ability to get charges would even be better with improved perimeter defense as well as him giving more effort playing on a winning team. We just need capeable and willing defenders if a Malone can make a top 10 defense out of the Warriors roster
(Curry,Klay,Barnes,Lee,Bogut,Jack, and Landry) he can do it with us.

Well... The big difference is that he had Bogut there.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

Just to play devil's advocate: It seemed to work pretty well in the FIBA tournament.

Perhaps if we had players such as Anthony Davis, Kenneth Farried, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, etc to carry the load while Boogie is on the bench then it would be ok. Hell, even Drummond or Plumlee. But we have.... Ryan Hollins?

 

[Chubbs]

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but boogie has a new goal for this year. This writer thinks it's a totally ridiculous goal. Thoughts? 5 technicals or less for the season? Seems totally unreasonable to me.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/demarcus-cousins-locker-sign-technicals

 

[Bricklayer]

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but boogie has a new goal for this year. This writer thinks it's a totally ridiculous goal. Thoughts? 5 technicals or less for the season? Seems totally unreasonable to me.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/demarcus-cousins-locker-sign-technicals

Yeah, posted that over in the training camp thread, albeit in pic format rather than commentary. Works here too.

People forget that after Cousins got his 15th he went something like 6 weeks without picking up #16 on the second to last day of the season. If he keeps that same focus this isn't as ridiculous as it sounds.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I still don't know why he's decided to set this as a goal; what's the endgame?

 

[Bricklayer]

I still don't know why he's decided to set this as a goal; what's the endgame?

Repairing his rep/trying to fix his relationship with the refs so he gets more breaks.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

What, like, superstar breaks? Is he under the impression that superstars don't get technicals?

 

[Telemachus]

I still don't know why he's decided to set this as a goal; what's the endgame?

It was Reggie Evans idea. Told Cuz that it's hard to be a leader when you get ejected from games.

 

[63royals]

On Pardon the Interruption today, Michael Wilbon mentioned the 5 technicals thing and described DMC as a potential MVP candidate. I like hearing that.

 

[gunks]

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but boogie has a new goal for this year. This writer thinks it's a totally ridiculous goal. Thoughts? 5 technicals or less for the season? Seems totally unreasonable to me.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/demarcus-cousins-locker-sign-technicals

Aim for the stars, hit the moon?

I'd be happy if he cuts it down to 10.

To be fair, Cuz pics up more BS techs than anyone else in the league.... I'd be happy just to see his on court demeanor change, going along with a reduction in boneheadedness.... Cuz is a really smart guy, he knows when he F's up. Reining in a fiery personality is easier said than done, but not impossible. Most of the greats were hotheads. Its all about channeling that passion and energy. Cousins knows this.