DeMarcus Cousins on the Right Track for Kings
by Tom Ziller on Nov 2, 2010 9:31 AM PDT
in Commentary
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PrintHas DeMarcus Cousins gotten off to a perfect start? Hardly. He leads the league in personal fouls, and because of that has only been able to play 23 minutes a game, despite starting all four of the Kings' contests. Twenty-nine of his 38 FGAs have been taken away from the rim, according to HoopData. He has just one block all season, fewer than Luther Head. His learning curve on defense has been evidently steep; he is a part of the why the Kings rate as one of the league's worst defensive squads early on.
But really, at this point, those are quibbles, because in total DeMarcus has been ballin'.
As bad as the defense has been, the offense is awesome. And Cousins is a huge part of that. Despite the reliance on shots outside the deep post, Cousins has shot 50% from the floor and drawn plenty of fouls. He's had more free throw attempts than any King (22), and trails only Tyreke Evans, who missed the opener, on a per-game basis (6.3 for Evans, 5.5 for Cousins). For players who have seen at least 50 minutes this season, Cousins is No. 14 in FTAs per minute, just a shade behind Brook Lopez; the only two other big men above Cousins in this category are Dwight Howard and Tyrus Thomas. DMC is the only rookie in the top 20.
Among the 11 rookies who have played 50 minutes, Cousins is fourth in True Shooting percentage (thanks to a lovely free throw stroke) despite the second-highest usage rate. He beats Derrick Favors and blows Blake Griffin away in defensive rebounding; he's actual No. 20 in the entire league in defensive rebounding.
No other rookie has scored as frequently as Cousins. Heck, of the 83 players 6'9 or taller who have played 50 minutes, Cousins is No. 10 in per-minute scoring, ahead of even Amar'e Stoudemire and LaMarcus Aldridge. Only nine big men have averaged more assists.
This is all based on an extremely small sample size, and is subject to a lot of noise. But I put it all out there to remind you that while Cousins has had some major problems early in this rookie season, he's still already been the best rookie in the nation and a solidly above-average starting NBA big man. That's huge!
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His terrible attitude though is bad for the team.
/Chad Ford’d
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
2010 Giants: WORLD CHAMPIONS!
by 49er16 on Nov 2, 2010 9:34 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
DMC is a headcase!
See! Chad Ford agrees with me! It must be true now!
/Voisin’d
Dip til I rip
by Muff209 on Nov 2, 2010 9:44 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
although
I think when we start winning and being closer to his team mates,
he’ll be more positive.
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 2, 2010 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh this is the 8 second violation
You can see him saying “How did that happen?”
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Nov 2, 2010 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
What makes this even better
is the Nun sitting behind him. Halloween a day early… or God attempting to bring strength to Paul?
rec'd, +1, FTW, This.
One thing that I noticed last night
That is a grown-ass man.
I’m not going to throw this kid under the bus by drawing Chris Webber comparisons, but I did note a couple of similarities.
First, he has great hands. Not as great as Webber’s, whose hands were off the hook. But great hands nonetheless.
Second, he has a similar “attitude” of the rookie Webber. Cocky and sure, and 100% sure in himself that he belongs. This will rub some people wrong from time to time, and I’m sure that it will lead up to the occasional spat with opponents, as well as his own coaches and teammates. But I would rather have a guys that needs to control his fire than a guy with no fire at all.
Third, he competes, and he strikes me as a guy that will do whatever he has to do to win. He looks like he has that C-Webb nastiness to him. He is a guy that will be loved by his fan base and loathed by practically everyone else. Evans may ultimately be this team’s best player and leader, but Cousins may wind up being the lightning rod.
Not to be a franchise shill, but I highly recommend that you go see this kid live if you have the means. He’s a room shaker.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Nov 2, 2010 9:43 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs
They Didn't Show it on the Broadcast
When Omri hit the corner three to put the Kings up 8 points in the 4th Quarter last night, DeMarcus was pumped! He was psyched up and giving out high fives to the Maloofs and everyone around them.
Sure, he’s self assured about his own skills but it’s fairly obvious he wants the team to be successful; he looks for his teammates during play and celebrates their accomplishments with fervor.
That’s a pretty good kind of fire to have.
by #12Pick...who? on Nov 2, 2010 10:09 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
They also didn't show DMC and Donte Greene doing karoake during a timeout
That was awesome and sad at the same time. Awesome because it just is, and sad because Greene didn’t get to play at all this game (and who knows for how long).
by clicc916 on Nov 2, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Here's the karoake
by jumpboi on Nov 2, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Anyone who links to Cuz singing "Just a Friend"
deserves a rec.
"Thank you, Coach (Theus). I'm about to kill y'all this half." --DeMarcus Cousins
He was psyched up and giving out high fives to the Maloofs and everyone around them.
I love that about him. I think it was the NJ game, when he came out from committing a foul (I believe), he went and gave everyone a high five, including the trainers and coaches. Love that.
Yeah, it was the NJ Game
When Cousins fouled out, they showed him pumping up his teammates and clapping and he yelled, “Let’s go Kings!”
by #12Pick...who? on Nov 2, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Noticed last night
Cousins had a difficult time defending the pick and roll. His early fouls and the Raptors’ first quarter run had much to do with this.
The refs seem to be on the lookout for Cousins. Both as a rookie and someone with “red flags” there seems to be no hesitance amid the referees about calling fouls on him. I think this is still a “welcome to the NBA” moment and would hazard to say that Cousins will not have the longstanding foul issues that JT does, especially since he is not grabbing jerseys, etc.
Yeah -
I think that it is more of a rookie thing than a Cousins thing. Checking the numbers the top five minute earning rookie bigs, fouls per 36 minutes:
Pekovic = 13
Asik = 8
Mozgov = 8
Cousins = 7
Favors = 6
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Nov 2, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Not to be pedantic
But McHale drafted Pekovic. Kahn did pay him more than any second-round pick had every gotten as a rookie, though.
by Tom Ziller on Nov 2, 2010 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
“I find this dinner to be…shallow and pedantic.” – Peter Griffin
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Nov 2, 2010 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
“I did not care of The Godfather…it insists upon itself.” – Peter Griffin
by #12Pick...who? on Nov 2, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Oops
of = for
Geez, if I’m gonna quote Family Guy, I had better get it right.
by #12Pick...who? on Nov 2, 2010 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
How can you say that? It's like, the perfect movie!
Check out my news parody blog, in which I make fun of current events @ liveonlocation.blogspot.com
"Put Kobe or Lebron in a wheelchair, and I can GUARANTEE Tyreke would demolish either. You might want to rethink what you just said." - MarcusC.
"I never read those trade threads. They seem to be mainly populated with the sports equivalent of people who think the Rapture is imminent." - andy sims.
Great data
Thanks, 214. Brad from the Prospectus didn’t seem to think Cousins would have long-term foul problems, so it’s good to see most of the rookie bigs are struggling in that department.
Yeah
It will certainly be a learning curve for Cousins.
I am curious if anybody has a link to some data about frequency of foul calls/accuracy of ref’s calls comparing the start of the season to the 2nd half.
The refs are often just as rusty as the players during the first few weeks of the season. It seems to me that the refs have called fouls with greater frequency than usual so far into this season, but I am not sure if this is just my perception, their general rustiness, or an unintended effect from the “no mercy” technical foul call changes.
by DirtyDribblers on Nov 2, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
or the kings are actually fouling up a storm
by DirtyDribblers on Nov 2, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I was at that game..Really a lot of the early fouls seemed really tick tacky type
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
The most difficult adjustment for rookies in general and bigs in particular is defense.
They are so used to just using the physicality to dominate and that doesn’t work when there are other skilled big boys on the floor. Reacting is more difficult than intiating.
This kid is 20 and in his 4th pro game. He didn’t need to play man to man D for Calipari and his Wildcat team defense was for him to just be a presence and soak up boards. He’s got some learnin’ to do but it looks like he is up to the challenge.
by betweentheeyes on Nov 2, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I personally think he is going to continue to get beat up defensively this year along with all kind of fouls.
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
The two things I personally am looking at with him
is whether he keeps his offense in the paint and whether he keeps his head up and doesn’t get too down or frustrating for his teammates when he gets frustrated this year. I think that if his defense and conditioning improve during his career, it will be because of how he carries himself during the offseason, not necessarily because of some type of improvement during the season.
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
Man, the pick and roll has been the bane of our existence for a few years now
But that’s why teams keep running it – it’s not easy to defend.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
Yes
but Cousins looked especially lost. I had some nice seats last night and could see the confusion on his face. He really seemed like he didn’t know what to do and the foul calls/scored points certainly bore that observation out. I am curious if it is a comfort issue; either way I am quite happy with his offensive output and he played well down the stretch.
by DirtyDribblers on Nov 2, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
That doesn't worry me too much
What worries me is when we get late in the season (as we have the last few seasons) and the team still looks clueless defending (and often running) that particular play.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
Exactly what disturbed me late last year
Blown rotations/assignments happen, but reacting like you have no clue (especially later in the season) is an entirely different matter.
Cousins has been a second half player
Just for the record, all last year while playing for the University of Kentucky, Cousins started slow and was a dominant force in the second half. He often got into early foul trouble, but I don’t recall him ever fouling out of a regular season game. Besides conditioning you might say that Cousins has concentration issues.
But one of the things that didn’t get said much about him during the draft process is that Cousins was for Kentucky and is now for the Kings a ‘closer’. I don’t know why, but he just seems to get stronger and to make better plays as the game goes along. Stupid mistakes disappear. His intensity level goes up and he stops waiting for the ball to come to him and more or less demands it.
He never did play a full 40 minutes at Kentucky. It will be really interesting to see if he learns finally how to play at full game for the Kings (or how long it will take before he learns to).
chronic
He's good.
I like.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
Post this at Netsdaily and Canishoopus.
Just for funsies.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Nov 2, 2010 11:10 AM PDT reply actions
No way
A) The Wolves and Nets fans didn’t pass up Cousins.
B) I wouldn’t want Celtics fans posting Rajon Rondo accolades here.
by Tom Ziller on Nov 2, 2010 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
On the other hand......
….I don’t want Rajon Rondo.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
wasn't that the Quincy Douby year?
though admittedly, a Rondo/Evans backcourt doesn’t make a lot of sense due to shooting.
Childress then flew to Greece and asked the team if they would pay him in gold bars, hookiers, weed, and marijuana. The rest is history.
by TheFifthMookie on Nov 2, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I also seem to recall that the Celtics where dangling Rondo for the 4th pick (Tyreke) and JT during the 2009 draft
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
by wallywagon11 on Nov 2, 2010 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions
ewwww
so not worth it
Childress then flew to Greece and asked the team if they would pay him in gold bars, hookiers, weed, and marijuana. The rest is history.
by TheFifthMookie on Nov 2, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
If the Kings have Rajon Rondo (whom they could have taken the year they selected Quincy Douby)....
…..they wouldn’t have Tyreke Evans right now. Or, at the very least, Rondo would not have the same value to the Kings that he does with the Celtics currently. His style didn’t fit with that 06-07 Kings team (he played defense after all) and he can’t shoot worth a lick. That C’s team is a perfect complement to Rondo. The Kings never were. That’s just the way it is.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Yeah, playing on a championship team that early in his carreer has effected him greatly,
He is in the absolute perfect system right now.
"Cousins is the Blaster to Evans’ Master, the Hammer to Evans’ Sickle"- HP
by tomroadrunner on Nov 2, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think people really understand how much Rondo was walking a fine line early on in his career
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
yeah
A bad situation (Think Reggie Theus), and his career probably goes another direction
Childress then flew to Greece and asked the team if they would pay him in gold bars, hookiers, weed, and marijuana. The rest is history.
by TheFifthMookie on Nov 2, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep Wally.
Or the fact that he can’t shoot. If he didn’t play next to Ray Allen, who is probably the best pure shooter in the NBA since Larry Bird or Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, it would be a major league problem.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
and it might still be
when Ray retires. I think the C’s will find a way to pry KMart from the Rox when Morey decides to cancel 24: Yao Edition, and they can continue their success.
by VenomySnicket on Nov 3, 2010 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I think DMC's foul problems are largely different than JT's
JT’s fouls are mostly the cheap kind of ticky tack fouls where he reaches in or over or grabs a jersey because he’s out of position and hasn’t learned to use his feet yet. DMC’s fouls seem to come mostly because of his aggression on both ends of the court. The thing that really blew me away last night late in the game was first that PW let him stay in the game with 5 fouls and that Cousins kept playing hard and contributing even though his next foul would have brought him out of the game. While the refs called an uneven game last night they certainly let him play at the end of the game last night. Cousins seems to me to be a pretty smart kid and I will be really surprised if he hasn’t figured the foul thing out by season’s end, far more than JT has so far.
"I make love to pressure" - Stephen Jackson
might have to wait till next year with Cousins
Usually young big men don’t stop fouling mid rookie year. Usually it takes place during one of their offseasons.
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
fantasy question
would you guys waive andre miller to add tony parker?
Yes.
I think Tony has a return to form this season.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
done and done
that’s what I’m thinkin. and I say we roll at arco tomorrow. go kings.
Cousins
Cousins was the best palyer in the draft. That is just starting to show itself. Wait until he is not a rookie and he starts getting calls. He is a beast when the ball is in his hands. If his head is on half way he will become the best player the Kings have ever had. Seeing him live he is eating centers up, really what will he be like in 2 years. WOW Go see the Kings live now while prices are still low
I am guessing one has not seen the stylings of Webber or Mitch "The Rock" Richmond
I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.
Did anyone notice
when tyreke and Dmc were playing in the beginning of the game,
there was no off ball movement.
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
I noticed that Landry and Beno and Casspi were playing at the beginning of the game as well
What’s your point?
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
when tyreke and Dmc are playing together
it seems to me,
that all it is is ether tyreke driving, or Dmc post up,
i didnt see one give and go
or pick and roll with those two.
in my opinon
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 2, 2010 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions
You must have turned the game off before the 4th quarter, eh?
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
One quarter out of four.
proves that DMC isn’t very motivated, if it takes us being down 10 points in the fourth quarter to win a game, for him to start moving then dosent that show about his character
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 3, 2010 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, your spelling is better
But not your inanity. We should cheer the small victories though.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~ Rogers Hornsby
baby steps.
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 3, 2010 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do you rain on parades.
even if the parade was lacking intelligence.
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 3, 2010 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do you rain on intelligence?
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Nov 3, 2010 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Because rains what it needs to grow.
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 4, 2010 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Is it that hard to type "rain is"?
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985...... On Twitter
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Mr. Know nothing is back!
Season must be here.
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
Never Left
Just Observed
I know i don't know it all... its just what my parents call me
by Mr. Know it all on Nov 3, 2010 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
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