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Sacramento Kings: Superman vs. Boogie

By Jacob Hammond

Dec 29, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) defends during the second half at the AT
Dec 29, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) defends during the second half at the AT /
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Defense

Dec 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Dwight Howard (12) blocks the shot of Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Dwight Howard (12) blocks the shot of Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Cousins is not known for his defense, however, he has been looking better this year. He is averaging 11 rebounds, but eight of those are on the defensive end. Also he is at one block per game and just less than two steals per game, which is tops among centers in the league. Cousins and Howard have gone head-to-head now in two games and Cousins has held Howard to a 14 points per game average. Now the hardest part of selling Cousins as an improved defender is how bad the Sacramento Kings have been on defense this season, allowing 104 points per game, 29th in the NBA.

Howard is a defensive specialist; he has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. This year he is averaging 13 rebounds per game and almost 10 of those are defensive. He is a beast around the rim with almost two blocks per game. However, this year the Houston Rockets are giving up 102.5 points per game, which is tied for 25th in the league. Howard is still one of the best defensive centers in the game, however, he has declined a little bit as the Rockets have not improved on the 102 points per game they gave up last year.

Advantage: Superman

Intangibles (everything else)

When Howard started his career he was the likable big kid, but then he wanted out of Orlando and went about it the wrong way. From that point, everyone’s view of Dwight changed, he became the guy that wanted to please everyone and someone who could not decide what he really wanted. Howard tries so hard to make everyone like him, he cares what others think about him a little too much. However, Howard has played on many good teams and has taken a team to the Finals. Furthermore, with James Harden the Rockets could be contenders sooner rather than later.

Cousins is the complete opposite of Howard, as it seems like DeMarcus does not care what people think about him and sometimes that shows in the way he plays the game. Cousins leads the league with nine technical fouls and he was the NBA leader last year with 17. Furthermore, Cousins has not had a chance to showcase his talent in the playoffs yet and it does not look like he will get the opportunity this year either. Now Cousins is only 23 years old and with Isaiah Thomas, and Rudy Gay, the Kings could make a run at the playoffs next year.

Advantage: Tie

Conclusion

Just purely on numbers you would have to give the nod to Cousins as he is playing so much better on the offensive end. However, with the way the Kings continue to lose games, it makes it hard to see him as nothing more than a good player on a bad team. Furthermore, with Houston siting eight games above .500 and Howard being the man in the middle of the team it is hard to not give the nod to him based everything else. More than likely Howard will get the starting nod and Cousins will be voted in as a reserve by the coaches as both of them deserve to be All-Stars this season.

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