Another Double-Double for DeMarcus Cousins Leads Kings Over Lakers

in the replay mentioned that he looked like a guard out there. I think he has some “guard” game, in that he has quite an array of offensive moves. I didn’t watch the game so I don’t know how to consider those traveling calls (and there were a few in game 1 too).

I’m excited about Donte’s play as well, here’s to hoping he’ll show some consistency.

As everyone virtually has said in the previous VSL game 1 thread, I love what I am seeing from both Cousins and Whiteside. I think Greene will take SF, with Casspi playing a few less minutes off the bench. So really that just leaves another guard that we need. Hopefully over the next few games someone will truly shine off Tyreke and Beno.

Bynum sucked for his first couple of years barring his injuries. Boogie is not going to be a 20-10 guy until he gets a few years to develop and moves up the hierarchy of the Kings.
I think the #1 option is Tyreke, #2 Landry, #3 Beno, after that it is wide open for someone to step up. Boogie could be the #4 by all-star break.

No one said a word about the record. I’m pretty sure all the discussion has been about Cousins and Whiteside.

And who cares who won? It’s summer league.

in reference to his footwork on the court.

I have to say I’m still waiting to see this hook-shot I keep hearing about.

Lacking a go-to to move after two summer league games? Really? I don’t want to see one move, I want to see a variety of moves, and that is just what DMC has showed us. I did not realize he could play so effectively away from the hoop. He has made mistakes but so far he looks fantastic.

By the way, his go to move is a power dunk, and a little flip shot over the left shoulder. Power dribble, body defender, create space, score and repeat. Easy-breezy.

If you listen to the most recent interview, Cousins is already talking about improving “little things” like where to post up his man, too low to the baseline, too deep off the block, and working to correct these little nuances. When did we ever hear about Spencer Hawes talk like this? Not a criticism of Spencer, but just a point of comparison. DMC is more refined as a post player after two practice games than Spencer in two years.

I want to see Cousins get in better physical shape. But as far as basketball ability, he is off the charts talented. Let’s enjoy it.

And while Pryz and Kaman are better than anyone in summer league, the advantage Cousins will have is he can use quickness, handles, and power. This is what Carl Landry does. He uses brute strength and a strong first step to get where he wants to go. So I am not worried about the defense. Cousins has skills to take any defender.

I like to see Cousins mixing it up, getting his feet, figuring out what works at this level before he falls in love with one particular move.

Early last season, Hawes was in love with his hook shot, and it was a disaster. Let DeMarcus develop a variety of weapons. It will serve him well against his extremely varied opponents.

Summer League favors quick, scrappy guards over guys who can play well in a structured NBA system. I agree that Sloan looked overmatched, but it was just two games.

And we don’t even know if Sloan’s deal was guaranteed or not.

Sloan hasn’t shown much yet. I am not sure why a player would sign a non-guaranteed deal now, because it limits his options to latch onto another team or oversees for guaranteed dollars. Maybe it is a partial guarantee? So he knew he could pocket some dough. Either way, I am not a fan of his game so far.

you know we have 2 point guards, right? And our biggest need is at the 2?

He’s the change of pace guard we sorely need.

As ESPN’s Zach Harper wrote:

With the Kings’ offense slow to get started and the Lakers packing the paint against a DeMarcus Cousins-centered attack, the Kings turned to Devan Downey to get something going. You may remember Downey as the scrappy point guard who led South Carolina to an upset of No. 1-ranked Kentucky in late January. Now he’s the point guard who found a way to penetrate into the Lakers’ summer league defense and get his team into a winning offensive flow.

Downey’s biggest downside — his size (5-foot-9) — is also probably what allows him to be so effective in a setting like this. There’s no true zone defense to prevent him from driving to the basket. Teams can pack it in against him, but they still have to abide by man-to-man principles for the most part. Downey capitalizes by finding holes in the defense that only quick, small point guards can get into. And when he gets deep into the defense, he makes things happen for his team.

“Once you get in that paint, it’s going to suck everybody in,” Kings summer league coach Mario Elie said." And it’s going to enable our players to get open looks."

The open looks were created with the penetration and good spacing. Donte Greene, Cousins and Wayne Chism benefited from the defense being taken out of position. Downey gave the Kings energy on both ends of the floor and the Kings turned a 9-0 deficit to start the game into a comfortable win. Downey was a pest to the Lakers’ guards and once again used his size — or lack thereof — to his advantage. He annoyed the Lakers with three steals and got the Kings going in transition.

Downey can’t change his size to fit the mold of what NBA front offices wish him to be. But he can find ways to make it work. Tuesday, he made it work.

Not exactly small PFs. plus he was double teamed much of the night.

we will ROY you.

Not Kwame bad, but definitely needs to improve that aspect of his game somehow

or at least that the coaches asked One and/or the other to take a back seat to the young big fella for the night.

Playing after getting smashed in the face. Playing with your nose full of gause and having blood run down the back of your throat so badly that you have to keep spitting it into your jersey, can be somewhat distracting.

if yes yum if no yuck.

I’m definitely never reading Pick and Scroll now!

Love everything about Cuz’s game,

He has all the talent he needs to become an All-Star, I’m already convinced. Whether he puts that together with the work required and the drive required is I think still an open question.

Yes, I pity the Timberwolves fans from the bottom of my heart.
(really!)

WE NEED A DMC.

I mean that in a good way he gushes.

LOL that not a great name to be stuck with.

As long as you make an effort, nobody’s going to give you crap about spelling and grammar.

Just about not using the reply button when you’re replying to someone. ;-P

and request the name change.