DeMarcus Cousins

[cfechter]

On espn.com today John Hollinger (for those of you who don't know him, he's the ultimate NBA stat geek) had this to say about DeMarcus Cousins -

"There's no Durant in this year's crop, but there is one prospect who rates as an A-list talent, a freshman from the University of Kentucky named ... DeMarcus Cousins. You were expecting somebody else? Cousins has the fifth-highest rating in the Draft Rater's nine seasons evaluated. (The Draft Rater goes back to 2002, as college data from before that year is too spotty to use.) Based on that, the outlook for Cousins is quite positive. Of the eight previous players from 2002 to 2008 to rate 15.0 or higher, four became superstars: Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul. Of the other four, three have been very productive starters -- Rudy Gay, Luol Deng, and Drew Gooden -- and one became, well, Mike Conley. We had another three last year, and from that trio one was awesome (Tyreke Evans), one was good (Ty Lawson) and one didn't play a game (Blake Griffin). Cousins won't be the first pick because of questions about his character and coachability, and those are legitimate concerns. But there's no doubting his elite talent level."

I'm not sure about everyone else, but if this guy somehow falls to us I'd be ecstatic.

 

[Megalodon]

As would I .

 

[Oskor]

Hopefully other GMs are too afraid of his "questionable behavior" to pick him before us. But again, this could be just like last year. The player I really wanted (he who must not be named) falls to us and we pass for something Petrie feels is a better pick, and I'll be perfectly fine with that!

 

[roasthawg]

He projects to be an Al Jefferson type of player I think.

 

[Kingstime]

I would love hearing this dudes named called as our pick, character issues or not. 6'11 250 legit inside banging center, you can't get a better piece right now for our team than that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he's there for sure

 

[Jechtsphere]

Even if he does don't be surprised if we don't draft him either...I'd love to have him as long as he checks out. If Petrie is ok with him then so am I.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Who's this Cousins guy?

 

[bajaden]

Who's this Cousins guy?

He's Dwight Howards half brother...

 

[bajaden]

It was interesting to see Cousins today standing there with the other players as comparisons of size. He is one big hombre. Whiteside looked like somebody out of a prisoner of war camp standing next to him. By and large the majority of them looked skinny by comparison. And Cousins didn't look fat. He just looked big. Parakhouski looked like he had good size as well.

I was dissapointed in the 6'9" w/out shoes measurement on Aldrich. He seem surprised as well in his interview. He thought that maybe he didn't stand up as straight as possible. Not sure how you can grow over two inches with shoes. He couldn't figure it either.

Was a little dissappointed with Favors measurements, but just looking at him with the other PF's, he's a physcial specimen. A very athletic one at that.

It didn't help Daniel Orton's cause that he measured shorter than most had hoped for. Still tall enough to play PF, but might be a little on the sort side for a center. But maybe not when you look around the league.

 

[Vlade4GM]

It was interesting to see Cousins today standing there with the other players as comparisons of size. He is one big hombre. Whiteside looked like somebody out of a prisoner of war camp standing next to him. By and large the majority of them looked skinny by comparison. And Cousins didn't look fat. He just looked big. Parakhouski looked like he had good size as well.

I was dissapointed in the 6'9" w/out shoes measurement on Aldrich. He seem surprised as well in his interview. He thought that maybe he didn't stand up as straight as possible. Not sure how you can grow over two inches with shoes. He couldn't figure it either.

Was a little dissappointed with Favors measurements, but just looking at him with the other PF's, he's a physcial specimen. A very athletic one at that.

It didn't help Daniel Orton's cause that he measured shorter than most had hoped for. Still tall enough to play PF, but might be a little on the sort side for a center. But maybe not when you look around the league.

It's called thick shoes.

Disappointed with Favors? Why? It's not what you hope for (6'11, 9'3+ standing reach) but it's about what you expect. Around Okafor's measurements.

Orton's was disappointing, but he still measures up to 6'10 in shoes, which was what his height was listed at. Hopefully for him his athleticism can make up for his lack of height. His reach is good for his height, but like Aldrich, it's not great for a center.

 

[Andre87]

If we manage to get him - with Tyreke, him, Mandry & Brockman lineup we would be nba enforcers!

 

[bajaden]

It's called thick shoes.

Disappointed with Favors? Why? It's not what you hope for (6'11, 9'3+ standing reach) but it's about what you expect. Around Okafor's measurements.

Orton's was disappointing, but he still measures up to 6'10 in shoes, which was what his height was listed at. Hopefully for him his athleticism can make up for his lack of height. His reach is good for his height, but like Aldrich, it's not great for a center.

When I said a little disappointed, I guess I should have put emphasis on the word little. Or perhaps said tiny bit. No, I'm OK with his measurements. I was just hoping for a pleasant surprise like his being even bigger than advertised. Which does happen with players that young from time to time. And its still possible. Jason Thompson grew from 6'6" to 6'11" while in college.

 

[hammystyle]

When I said a little disappointed, I guess I should have put emphasis on the word little. Or perhaps said tiny bit. No, I'm OK with his measurements. I was just hoping for a pleasant surprise like his being even bigger than advertised. Which does happen with players that young from time to time. And its still possible. Jason Thompson grew from 6'6" to 6'11" while in college.

He also weighed in at a solid 245 with a 6.5% body fat. He's very slightly shorter than Dwight Howard was, 5 lbs heavier and even though Dwight came straight from college Favors is only 5 months older becauseh e's so young fo his class. Now I'm not saying he's just going to turn into Dwight Howard but the kid is going to be a monster.

At the least I'd say the measurements were a rousing success.

 

[King-Da-Yah]

He also weighed in at a solid 245 with a 6.5% body fat. He's very slightly shorter than Dwight Howard was, 5 lbs heavier and even though Dwight came straight from college Favors is only 5 months older becauseh e's so young fo his class. Now I'm not saying he's just going to turn into Dwight Howard but the kid is going to be a monster.

At the least I'd say the measurements were a rousing success.

I really wanted favors, I was right there with Tyreke bowing my head in disgust when I was watching the lotto. And I hear you on his measurements Baja, I was hoping for just a little bit more. Then again, maybe not since he is going to the Brooklyn Nets, he is a potential Kings killer in the making.

I keep hoping we end up with Cousins, but then I remember that I am a die hard Kings fan, it is my lot in life to suffer! Please let the losing stop, my first memories of basketball are of that one shining star in a Kings uniform (#2) and how when the team was finally competing at ahigh level he was no where in sight. I hope and pray the same thing doesn't happen to our ROY. Give him Cousins! Find a way!

 

[Vlade4GM]

When I said a little disappointed, I guess I should have put emphasis on the word little. Or perhaps said tiny bit. No, I'm OK with his measurements. I was just hoping for a pleasant surprise like his being even bigger than advertised. Which does happen with players that young from time to time. And its still possible. Jason Thompson grew from 6'6" to 6'11" while in college.

Yeah, I have the same reaction, but there was always that outside chance he was more around 6'9 w/shoes and fortunately for him that wasn't the case. Although it may not have made much of a difference. He could still have some growing left in him, but we'll never know for sure.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

He projects to be an Al Jefferson type of player I think.

But taller. An important distinction for a center

 

[PurpleHaze]

Another downer on Cousins as NBA GM's hesitate. Would Petire take the man-child if he could?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/frank_hughes/05/21/cousins.update/index.html?eref=sihp

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

I asked Jason Jones on Twitter if he thinks Cousins will fall to the Kings at 5 and this is what he had to say:

http://twitter.com/jejones_sacbee/status/14455560902

 

[sc3252]

I asked Jason Jones on Twitter if he thinks Cousins will fall to the Kings at 5 and this is what he had to say:

http://twitter.com/jejones_sacbee/status/14455560902

Yeah, that's what I was reading a little after the draft. This might be a reason why they don't trade up, maybe they don't view some of these guys as highly as us. Of course I always thought that this could be a "lets act like this guy is crap so Minnesota decides to pass", type thing.

 

[roasthawg]

The dropoff in talent from the fourth pick to the fifth is HUGE imo... I don't see Cousins falling past four but stranger things have happened I guess.

 

[KingsCitizen]

Some hope the Cousin slips, some Twolves players want Wes Johnson.

http://www.hoopsdaily.com/content/wolves-get-glimpse-future-will-it-include-more-orange

 

[Vlade4GM]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article...eMarcus-Cousins-Evan-Turner-Wes-Johnson-3476/

Watching Cousins' interview was really uncomfortable. At one point he was very irritated with with a question Givony asked. I know that the media tries to goat him, and I know he must get this crap a lot. It's just that he needs to learn to keep his composure. It really doesn't matter if this is something that is completely hyped up and the way he reacts to the relentless media barrage acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. The reality is that this perception of him is not going to go away and people are going to try to get to him, whether the perception is his fault or not. It's still his responsibility to keep his composure. It's only going to get worse in the NBA and all those veterans are going to relentless try to set him off and get him to lose his cool.

 

[bajaden]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article...eMarcus-Cousins-Evan-Turner-Wes-Johnson-3476/

Watching Cousins' interview was really uncomfortable. At one point he was very irritated with with a question Givony asked. I know that the media tries to goat him, and I know he must get this crap a lot. It's just that he needs to learn to keep his composure. It really doesn't matter if this is something that is completely hyped up and the way he reacts to the relentless media barrage acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. The reality is that this perception of him is not going to go away and people are going to try to get to him, whether the perception is his fault or not. It's still his responsibility to keep his composure. It's only going to get worse in the NBA and all those veterans are going to relentless try to set him off and get him to lose his cool.

Its not going to happen overnight. If anyone thinks that he can just wave a magic wand and be what everyone wants him to be, then thats unrealistic. In a later report Givony stated that Cousins had meetings all day long, including with the Kings, and some of the teams purposely tried to goad him into loosing it. By the time he got to Givony he was probably fairly tired of being asked the same questions.

Now its easy for you and I, or anyone else to say how he should react, but were not sitting where he is. There's no doubt that he has a long row to hoe. But as I said, its not going to happen overnight. Its going to take time. I'll be honest. I really don't worry about his temper or immaturity in that sense, as much as I just really want to know that he's dedicated to becoming as good as he can become.

To me, the most important thing, is that he's dedicated to getting into top shape and working on his game. If I'm convinced of that, then I would be willing to work with the immaturity issue.

I finally got to listen to the Jerry Reynolds interview on the rise guys. Toward the end of the interview they brought up Cousins and his lack of maturity, and how important an issue like that would be to the Kings. Jerry said it would depend on certain things. He said the current makeup of the team is one of the most enjoyable to be around. And that because of the type of personalitys on the team he didn't think that bringing in a player like Cousins would necessarily be detrimental.

He also pointed out that when the Kings drafted J. Will, he had a very similar reputation. And that J. Will probably did as much, if not more to put the Kings on the map as any player on the team. So it really depends on the make up of the team.

There's no doubt that J.Will was a hot head. I personally witnessed him loosing his cool with Funderburke right in front of us. I don't ever remember a persons face getting that red that fast. But Vlade stepped in and calmed things down.

 

[Bricklayer]

There's no doubt that J.Will was a hot head. I personally witnessed him loosing his cool with Funderburke right in front of us. I don't ever remember a persons face getting that red that fast. But Vlade stepped in and calmed things down.

We have no Vlade, which is a problem for taking in problem types.

On the flip side one potential advantage we have is that reke apparently wanted Cousins, and has played with him growing up. So if there is some connection there, with Reke as your franchise guy might be the perfect guy to keep him in line, and wiht the whole young crew we have an immature guy might be able to transition easier than he could on an older team of mature professionals where he was out of place.

 

[bajaden]

We have no Vlade, which is a problem for taking in problem types.

On the flip side one potential advantage we have is that reke apparently wanted Cousins, and has played with him growing up. So if there is some connection there, with Reke as your franchise guy might be the perfect guy to keep him in line, and wiht the whole young crew we have an immature guy might be able to transition easier than he could on an older team of mature professionals where he was out of place.

I heard about the Reke connection, but didn't know how strong it was. Hopefully strong enough to have influence if we end up with him. As I said, I'm more concerned with his commitment to the game than I'am his loosing his temper. Personally I like a player with a little fire in his belly.

If we were sitting down at 22, we would be lusting after a chance to draft a player as talented as Cousins. And we'd be envious of the team that did. Wringing our hands and whinning about how we're never lucky enough to get the top players. Cousins is a very talented player. And a very large one. If he's there, I take him, and head for home. If I have to babysit him for a couple of years, then so be it. But in the mean time, were winning more games.

I said last year that after Griffin, the player I'd draft was Tyreke Evans. Because I thought that after Griffin, he had the best chance to become a star. And at that moment, the Kings needed a star. Well Cousins has a chance to become a star. It might not happen. Its really all up to him. But if he wants to prove everybody wrong. If he wants to do the work. Then I'd bet fairly large sum that he becomes a star.

There was one thing that stood out to me about Cousins. And no it wasn't his temper. It was that he played with a sense of arrogance. He played as though he felt he was better than everyone else out there. Now sometimes that displayed itself as looking bored. But other times it displayed itself with fiery intensity. This is a kid that a one moment could look like a spectator, and the next moment be diving over the first row of seats after the ball. So I think he could be a special player. There's always a chance that he won't be. But if given the choice, and I have to choose between a player that can be special, and one that I know will be pretty good, but thats all he'll ever be, I'll take the gamble on the special one. Because you know what? Even if he's never the special player you want him to be. He'll still probably be as good as the other player at his best.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Its not going to happen overnight. If anyone thinks that he can just wave a magic wand and be what everyone wants him to be, then thats unrealistic. In a later report Givony stated that Cousins had meetings all day long, including with the Kings, and some of the teams purposely tried to goad him into loosing it. By the time he got to Givony he was probably fairly tired of being asked the same questions.

Now its easy for you and I, or anyone else to say how he should react, but were not sitting where he is. There's no doubt that he has a long row to hoe. But as I said, its not going to happen overnight. Its going to take time. I'll be honest. I really don't worry about his temper or immaturity in that sense, as much as I just really want to know that he's dedicated to becoming as good as he can become.

To me, the most important thing, is that he's dedicated to getting into top shape and working on his game. If I'm convinced of that, then I would be willing to work with the immaturity issue.

You're trying to turn this into a personal judgment of him and it's not. I tried to point out that I get what he was probably going through and I sympathize on a personal level, but basketball is a business and it's about evaluating players and getting the best ones. There's a purpose to teams trying to push his buttons and I agree 100% with their strategy, because that's how they find out about his composure. They grill all the players to a certain degree, and the point of them doing that is because it's not going to get easier once they become pros, it's going to get harder. Do you think the media, the fans, and his opponents are going to care about his feelings and how much he has to put up with? No, they're not. They're going to try to find any weakness and exploit it. This is just a test to find out if he can keep his composure, because if he can't handle the pressure emotionally, then it will affect his success and the team's success. If his emotional stability is a problem, then hopefully he'll be able to overcome it. If he can't, then a lot can go wrong.

Look, he's the 4th best prospect in the draft to me, regardless. Short of a catastrophic blow-up, there's not much that's going to change my mind about that. So obviously if he falls to us and Wall/Turner/Favors are off the board, I'm 100% for us taking him.

 

[KingNoy]

I've already stated my want for Wesley Johnson in other threads, so call me biased, SO...here's my opinion on Cousins.

Do I think he has talent? Yes. Do I think he can be successful at the NBA level? Yes. Do I think he'll fit in with the Kings organization? No.

Thats there my problem lies. If you look at our group of guys, they all hang out, they all get along, and they all respect our coach and the way the system is going. From watching Cousins' interview, he seems like the type of guy who will give the organization problems due to his hot headedness and lack of maturity. He even shook his head when asked about what he thinks about potentially playing with Tyreke.

He's gonna go from being a success all his life, to potentially having one of his worse seasons ever. How that affects him? I don't really know, but what I do know is that I'd rather have a guy who I know will give me 100% without any issues rather than being uneasy about a #5 draft pick who can potentially cause issues on and off the court.

 

[fnordius]

Coverage of Cousins at the combine. It ain't pretty.

May 23, 2010 - If there was any player who needed to perform well this week at the 2010 NBA Combine, it was DeMarcus Cousins. Not perform well on the basketball court, as he - and most of the other top prospects in attendance - declined to participate in most of the basketball drills.
He needed to perform well on the interview circuit and, at least from the media perspective, he failed to deliver.
The interviews with NBA General Managers and decision makers were obviously the more crucial interviews he would conduct this week, and Cousins may have assuaged some of their fears there, although I've heard conflicting reports about those performances. That being said, having only been privy to the interviews conducted with members of the media, that's all we, and fans around the world, have to go on. The results were, unequivocally, negative.

Full article here: http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/23/1483227/2010-nba-draft-combine-demarcus-cousins-fails

 

[bajaden]

You're trying to turn this into a personal judgment of him and it's not. I tried to point out that I get what he was probably going through and I sympathize on a personal level, but basketball is a business and it's about evaluating players and getting the best ones. There's a purpose to teams trying to push his buttons and I agree 100% with their strategy, because that's how they find out about his composure. They grill all the players to a certain degree, and the point of them doing that is because it's not going to get easier once they become pros, it's going to get harder. Do you think the media, the fans, and his opponents are going to care about his feelings and how much he has to put up with? No, they're not. They're going to try to find any weakness and exploit it. This is just a test to find out if he can keep his composure, because if he can't handle the pressure emotionally, then it will affect his success and the team's success. If his emotional stability is a problem, then hopefully he'll be able to overcome it. If he can't, then a lot can go wrong.

Look, he's the 4th best prospect in the draft to me, regardless. Short of a catastrophic blow-up, there's not much that's going to change my mind about that. So obviously if he falls to us and Wall/Turner/Favors are off the board, I'm 100% for us taking him.

Sorry Vlade, you misunderstood me. I wasn't pointing the finger at you all, which is why I carefully said that 'you and I, or anyone else". I was speaking in generalities. And of course, what I'm giving is my personal opinion, which is no better than yours. We're all shooting arrows in the air with no idea if they'll hit the target or not.

I went back and watched both segments of the interview again. There's no doubt he's uncomfortable doing them and justs wants to get them over with. He said as much. One telling statement that he made, was when he said, "when I was a 15 or 16 year old kid, and they were looking at me like I was a man". In a sense, he probably lost part of his childhood. He also appears to be a shy kid inside. His temperment is most likely a defense mechanism. Not that it matters how he got to be who he is right now, because your still stuck with it regardless.

As far as basketball goes, he says all the right things. But as they say, talk is cheap. The NBA is a different world. Its a world of men, and he's not quite one yet. One funny moment was when he was asked about being coachable, and he responded by saying that he played for coach Cal, and he's not easy to play for. That Calapari is a very emotional coach, but that they had a very successful season, so he though everyone on the team was coachable. The funny moment occurred when someone asked him if he could play for Calapari in the NBA. He got this big grin on his face and said Oh my god. He then put his face in his hands on the table, looked up and said I'm not going to answer that one.

I do agree with everything you just posted by the way. So I think we're in agreement for the most part.

 

[matthew76]

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/featur.../22/draft.combine/index.html#?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Big, big decision for (maybe) the Timberwolves at No. 4 or (probably) the Kings at No. 5. Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech has the edge to go third to the Nets as the first big man off the board, leaving the next clubs to make the call on DeMarcus Cousins of Kentucky, a potential force inside but facing a lot of skepticism about his maturity and commitment. Cousins laughingly blamed the media for the negative perception, said he has been dieting and working out hard since the end of the season... and then had the second-highest percentage of body fat among the 52 participants during the physicals. Said one executive of the questions Cousins is facing from teams: "If everybody is asking you if something's wrong, something's wrong."
• It gets especially interesting because the Kings can use the brute force. And Geoff Petrie, the head of basketball operations, will never shy from the tough, unpopular call. But Petrie does not draft questionable motors in the first round, and that's Cousins.