Demarcus Cousins
Position: C/PF
Hgt: 6'11"
Wgt: 270
Age: 23
Number: 15
Nickname: Boogie
College: Kentucky
Yrs with Team: 3
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: 2010 Draft Rnd 1 (#5)
Contract: 2013-14: $4.9mil
Strengths: high offensive skill level, great hands, mobility for a center, rebounding, power game
Weaknesses: maturity, rim protection, decision making, foul problems
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Highly skilled offensive big man that has a complete package of skills. Has range on his jumper out to 20 feet, although he had a down year from the perimeter last year. Might even have 3pt range in time, although that is obviously not where you want him. Might be the best ballhandling center in the league, and at 6'11" 280 is capable of occassionally leading the break. Unfortunately prone to overestimating his abilities there, and turning the ball over as a result. Very aggressive and physical both with faceup drives and in the post. Loves to lower his shoulder and use his bulk, and counters with quick spin moves over his right shoulder. Adds quick feet and soft hands for a formidable package, and can put up huge numbers against some of the league's best defenders. Lacks a goto move in the post at this stage (although is starting to develop a half hook), and actually prefers facing up against tough defenders. Started to overcome some of his shooting percentage woes last season, shooting 50% from the field after Jan. 1 with improved shot selection. With momentum and steps capable of rim rattling dunks, but while battling and scrapping around the glass often plays well below the rim, making him succeptible to blocks and alterations. Will often throw a wild shot off the glass and go chase it, ala Moses Malone, racking up 2 or sometimes 3 misses and offensive rebounds on a single possession, a trait which in his early career helped to both pad his offensive rebounding stats, and hold down his shooting percentages. One of the more talented passing big men in the game and capable of throwing brilliant passes from almost any point on the court, but as with his shot selection, his decisionmaking leads him to try to do too much, and the resulting turnovers have largely offset the assists. Will have to improve upon that, as Coach Malone has said he wants to run the offense through him this season.
Defense & Rebounding
Defense remains a hole on his resume. Has numerous tools, but it is clear now he will never be a shotblocker, which puts pressure on the franchise to find one as a wingman up front. More importantly, maturity and emotional issues have made his effort on the defensive end inconsistent. Can be a disruptive defender when focused. Very strong physically as a post defender and has tremendous hands, and combined with great anticipation led all NBA centers in steals. Particularly adept at stepping out up top and picking off lazy passes from guards to their bigs, and rumbling with it the other way for breakout hoops. Takes a large number of charges in lieu of the shotblocking, but when the tactic fails it only adds to persistent foul woes, which have been improving year by year (he led the league in fouls his first two years) but still hold his minutes down. Biggest issue is that he still needs to learn to compete on every play, and as his disputes with refs have escalated, far too often is slow to get back because he is arguing with a ref or pouting over a non-all. One of the league's best rebounders on both a per game and per minute basis. Stronger on the offensive glass than the defensive glass, but willing to chase the ball out of his area on both ends, and strong hands ensure almost any ball he does touch remains his.
Intangibles
Has settled in now as the NBA's poster child bad boy, but has never embraced the role. Has had numerous run ins with coaches, suspensions, led the league in technicals the last two seasons, but feels misunderstood. The explanation for that dichotomy seems to simply be immaturity. Highly emotional and thin skinned player who thinks the world is out to get him. Has a tendency to overreact to calls going against him and interpret criticisms as personal attacks. Intelligent and engaging personality away from the court, but still needs to control his emotions on it. Wants badly to be trusted, but hasn't yet acted in a trustworthy manner. Big year for him coming up, with a looming max contract and new ownership which has anointed him its franchise player and centerpiece.
Stats 12-13: 30.5min 17.1pts (.465 FG% .182 3pt% .738 FT%) 9.9reb 2.7ast 1.4stl 0.7blk 3.0TO
Stats Career: 29.8min 16.3pts (.448 FG% .167 3pt% .710 FT%) 9.8reb 2.3ast 1.3stl 0.9blk 3.0TO
NBA.com profile
Position: C/PF
Hgt: 6'11"
Wgt: 270
Age: 23
Number: 15
Nickname: Boogie
College: Kentucky
Yrs with Team: 3
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: 2010 Draft Rnd 1 (#5)
Contract: 2013-14: $4.9mil
Strengths: high offensive skill level, great hands, mobility for a center, rebounding, power game
Weaknesses: maturity, rim protection, decision making, foul problems
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Highly skilled offensive big man that has a complete package of skills. Has range on his jumper out to 20 feet, although he had a down year from the perimeter last year. Might even have 3pt range in time, although that is obviously not where you want him. Might be the best ballhandling center in the league, and at 6'11" 280 is capable of occassionally leading the break. Unfortunately prone to overestimating his abilities there, and turning the ball over as a result. Very aggressive and physical both with faceup drives and in the post. Loves to lower his shoulder and use his bulk, and counters with quick spin moves over his right shoulder. Adds quick feet and soft hands for a formidable package, and can put up huge numbers against some of the league's best defenders. Lacks a goto move in the post at this stage (although is starting to develop a half hook), and actually prefers facing up against tough defenders. Started to overcome some of his shooting percentage woes last season, shooting 50% from the field after Jan. 1 with improved shot selection. With momentum and steps capable of rim rattling dunks, but while battling and scrapping around the glass often plays well below the rim, making him succeptible to blocks and alterations. Will often throw a wild shot off the glass and go chase it, ala Moses Malone, racking up 2 or sometimes 3 misses and offensive rebounds on a single possession, a trait which in his early career helped to both pad his offensive rebounding stats, and hold down his shooting percentages. One of the more talented passing big men in the game and capable of throwing brilliant passes from almost any point on the court, but as with his shot selection, his decisionmaking leads him to try to do too much, and the resulting turnovers have largely offset the assists. Will have to improve upon that, as Coach Malone has said he wants to run the offense through him this season.
Defense & Rebounding
Defense remains a hole on his resume. Has numerous tools, but it is clear now he will never be a shotblocker, which puts pressure on the franchise to find one as a wingman up front. More importantly, maturity and emotional issues have made his effort on the defensive end inconsistent. Can be a disruptive defender when focused. Very strong physically as a post defender and has tremendous hands, and combined with great anticipation led all NBA centers in steals. Particularly adept at stepping out up top and picking off lazy passes from guards to their bigs, and rumbling with it the other way for breakout hoops. Takes a large number of charges in lieu of the shotblocking, but when the tactic fails it only adds to persistent foul woes, which have been improving year by year (he led the league in fouls his first two years) but still hold his minutes down. Biggest issue is that he still needs to learn to compete on every play, and as his disputes with refs have escalated, far too often is slow to get back because he is arguing with a ref or pouting over a non-all. One of the league's best rebounders on both a per game and per minute basis. Stronger on the offensive glass than the defensive glass, but willing to chase the ball out of his area on both ends, and strong hands ensure almost any ball he does touch remains his.
Intangibles
Has settled in now as the NBA's poster child bad boy, but has never embraced the role. Has had numerous run ins with coaches, suspensions, led the league in technicals the last two seasons, but feels misunderstood. The explanation for that dichotomy seems to simply be immaturity. Highly emotional and thin skinned player who thinks the world is out to get him. Has a tendency to overreact to calls going against him and interpret criticisms as personal attacks. Intelligent and engaging personality away from the court, but still needs to control his emotions on it. Wants badly to be trusted, but hasn't yet acted in a trustworthy manner. Big year for him coming up, with a looming max contract and new ownership which has anointed him its franchise player and centerpiece.
Stats 12-13: 30.5min 17.1pts (.465 FG% .182 3pt% .738 FT%) 9.9reb 2.7ast 1.4stl 0.7blk 3.0TO
Stats Career: 29.8min 16.3pts (.448 FG% .167 3pt% .710 FT%) 9.8reb 2.3ast 1.3stl 0.9blk 3.0TO
NBA.com profile
Last edited: