Predicting The Next Wave Of NBA All-Stars
By Bryce Olin
Apr 13, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) fights for position against Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins
The secret might be out on DeMarcus Cousins, and how good he can actually be, but because he plays on a terrible team in Sacramento, Cousins doesn’t get half the credit he deserves.
| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 81 | 28.5 | 5.3 | 12.4 | .430 | .687 | 8.6 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 14.1 |
| 2011-12 | 64 | 30.5 | 7.0 | 15.6 | .448 | .702 | 11.0 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 18.1 |
| 2012-13 | 75 | 30.5 | 6.4 | 13.8 | .465 | .738 | 9.9 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 17.1 |
| 2013-14 | 71 | 32.4 | 8.3 | 16.8 | .496 | .726 | 11.7 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 22.7 |
| Career | 291 | 30.4 | 6.7 | 14.5 | .462 | .715 | 10.2 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 17.9 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/3/2014.
Last season, Cousins had the fifth best PER in the league, posting a 26.1 PER. He averaged 22.7 PPG on 50 percent shooting from the field. This might have been Cousins last season as a player not many paid much attention too. So far in his career, his attitude and antics overshadowed what he was able to do on the court. After his summer stint with Team USA, I seriously doubt that will be Boogie’s narrative will have little to do with his play anymore. He’s ready to take that leap and be an NBA star.
The problem for Cousins might be the Kings. Last season, the Kings were better than they’d been in the past, with Rudy Gay and Isaiah Thomas each having good seasons alongside Cousins. They still only won 28 games.
This season, it’s hard to imagine the Kings being worse than they were last season, but with Thomas gone and replaced by Darren Collison. It’s not likely the Kings will be good. That could hurt Cousins in the public eye and create a situation very similar to the Kevin Love saga in Minnesota. It’s only a matter of time before Cousins wants out.