NBA: Player Rankings – Week 5

7. DeMarcus Cousins (C, Sacramento Kings)

Dec 1, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) pulls in a rebound against Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I have absolutely no problem with calling DeMarcus Cousins the best center in the league. Cousins has started the season off remarkably while posting averages of 21.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He also has posted a PER of 25.54, which is second in the league among centers. His play alone has kept the Sacramento Kings in games that they had no business being in. He leads his team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks per game. He has some of the best post moves in the league for a big man and has even worked on developing an outside jump shot. The one thing that has been most impressive about Cousins’ game has been his ability to control his temperament. Obviously the guidance of new minority owner Shaquille O’ Neal has helped Cousins in more ways that one.