Even some of the league’s more fluid post players can’t escape from the innately mechanical...

Even some of the league’s more fluid post players can’t escape from the innately mechanical sequence of moves and counters on the low block, but [DeMarcus] Cousins – even on his more traditional back-to-the-basket sequences – seems to have turned the entire process into a whimsical artistic exercise. That doesn’t mean he’s always a virtuoso; turnovers are still a big problem for Cousins, and his drives toward the rim get a bit wild with surprising regularity. But Cousins loses control in his scoring attempts almost willfully, as if the initial, completely inaccurate attempt were only a setup for his own offensive rebound, or a single step in a full possession rather than the culmination of it.

Rob Mahoney, NYTimes.com's Off The Dribble

4 months ago Tom Ziller 24 comments 5 recs |

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My eyes went cross-eyed trying to read that

Sanka....you dead? Ya Man

by prowseinthehouse on Feb 7, 2012 4:06 PM PST reply actions

So this is a compliment to him?

That’s great!

Sanka....you dead? Ya Man

by prowseinthehouse on Feb 7, 2012 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

So this is a compliment to him?

not sure :>)

Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 8, 2012 9:18 AM PST up reply actions

Great find. Thanks

Good to see Cousins (and Smart) recognized for his ability and efforts on the national level.

by rstewartwest on Feb 7, 2012 4:06 PM PST reply actions

Nice praise for Cuz

I found this encouraging,

With that crucial foundation finally in place, Cousins has put up averages of 19 points (on 46 percent shooting) and 14.2 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. No 21-year-old has ever produced at such a prolific level in the history of the N.B.A., making Cousins’ success this year unprecedented.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Feb 7, 2012 4:07 PM PST reply actions 7 recs

It's nice to see him maturing as a person and a player this season.

I let people run their mouths while I run my business.

by baykine on Feb 7, 2012 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

Wow!

Maybe we shouldn’t trade him after all.

by kinglet on Feb 7, 2012 4:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Maybe water will remain wet after all.

I like your Jimmer very much. I do not like your JimmerJihadis™. - Ghandi Sims

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.

by andy sims on Feb 7, 2012 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

I hope so

and maybe Smart will remain Smart. As much as I thought calls for trading him were dumb, even though DMC seemed to be a Head Case, it seems more and more that he is either NaHC or it doesn’t matter.

by kinglet on Feb 7, 2012 6:04 PM PST up reply actions

What a difference a month and a new coach make

HERE WE STAY

THIS IS OUR TEAM

by kangsfan on Feb 7, 2012 10:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Bring me your red flags.

I’ll eat them for breakfast!

Is cowboyron a chiropractor?- Wallywagon11
its questions like these that make STR oh so lovely.

Who wears a Kings jersey and rhymes with "Nothing but net??"

by fffindeed on Feb 7, 2012 4:09 PM PST reply actions 6 recs

Cousins finally getting some attention. It's about time.

Cousins rarely does anything quietly, but his offensive dominance this season has flown squarely under the radar. He barely registers in discussions about the league’s up-and-comers, despite the fact that, at just 21 years old, he ranks third in the N.B.A. this season in double-doubles.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Feb 7, 2012 4:10 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

DMC IS AWESOME! ....[new yorker accent]

I hope he stays a King his whole career.

by DiegoKing on Feb 7, 2012 4:23 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

But Cousins loses control in his scoring attempts almost willfully, as if the initial, completely inaccurate attempt were only a setup for his own offensive rebound, or a single step in a full possession rather than the culmination of it.

Can only imagine how long it took Mahoney to get those words to paper.

Words of wisdom from the great Billy Dee Williams

Because I'm suave you can suck it, I'll ski on your lunch if I want.

"I'm a motorcycle of death, I ain't got no sidecar." - FDR

by wallywagon11 on Feb 7, 2012 4:30 PM PST reply actions

but to put paraphrases on paper, reconsider, then renege only to regurgitate isn’t noticeably nightmarish once the repetitive noise is nixed post-haste, mixed resplendently with synonym nuance till the point of nuisance nears prominently.

GREENE! You’ve been superfluously apostrophe’d! - andy sims
iashwash, you are the voice of reason - Holmdel

by iashwash on Feb 7, 2012 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs

TWSS

" 1 + 1 = 3 " - David Kahn

by Shizzo on Feb 7, 2012 7:58 PM PST up reply actions

But the end result was positive national coverage for Cousins, regardless of the twists and turns to get there.

Asked if the Kings had any intention of trading Cousins, basketball president Geoff Petrie said, "No."

by Slam_Dunk on Feb 7, 2012 9:04 PM PST up reply actions

Product of a guy thinking too hard...

And bit inaccurate. The writer implies he misses intentionally as opposed to what the reality is: A dude consistently trying to dominant and being relentless in that effort. When he comes up empty, it seems to me to be lack of explosive jumping, and quickness of his feet, not loss of control. His footwork and balance is superb for player his size.

The quantum leap I see in Cousins games, is higher degree of skill and patience in reading and reacting to defenses, not dribbling into trouble, running over defenders, settling for jumpers unless he wants the shot. The better he gets at this, and he is already pretty good, the more Coach Smart will feel comfortable calling his number.

Smart Era, y'all.

by bench_blob on Feb 7, 2012 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

It is a bit artful

and overall, I would not say incredibly inaccurate. Early in the season he really did look like Moses Malone, trying to lead the NBA in offensive rebounds by rebounding his own shot three times a game.

Lately, he has been pretty smooth, though he does seem to rely a lot on finesse, rather than strength, or trying to establish position to shoot a short jump hook or flip.

by MichaelMack on Feb 7, 2012 5:35 PM PST up reply actions

I like the part where he points out the uniqueness of Demarcus

how there has never quite been a post player like him in the league before… he’s not a true post player, but he’s a down low monster, who just seems to make his moves naturaly without making them look polished, he just goes to the rim and makes it happen

by AnkleMan on Feb 7, 2012 4:37 PM PST reply actions

I think the point is

that he is not a monster down low, scoring at least. His mid-range game is what is wildly impressive, along with his fantastic rebounding. I think when he does score more consistently at the rim, is when we will see people talking about him for the all-star game.

by MichaelMack on Feb 7, 2012 5:38 PM PST up reply actions