Hoops Habit
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: The Evolution Of DeMarcus Cousins

By Gerald Bourguet

March 24, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
DeMarcus Cousins
March 24, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense

Everyone knows Cousins has the size and talent to score, but the defensive end has been a big area of criticism from his toughest detractors. This season, however, Cuz has made strides to improve his D and inch closer to being the defensive anchor this team will need to start working its way out of the Western Conference well.

On the boards, Cousins ranks seventh in total rebounds, third in rebounds per game and second in defensive rebounding percentage. Being so massive certainly helps in that regard, but Cousins knows how to use his size despite not being the most limber of big men.

There’s more to defense than rebounding, however, which is why Cousins’ improvement protecting the rim and racking up steals shouldn’t be overlooked. Just look at this block on John Wall in transition. It takes a special kind of skill to block a speedster like John-freaking-Wall on the break:

On shots from less than six feet, Cousins is holding his man to 52.8 percent shooting, 6.8 percent less than what those opponents would normally shoot.

You’ll occasionally see Cousins playing way off his man, either to conserve energy or because he hasn’t fully stamped out some of his lazier habits yet. For such a big guy lacking in the speed department, it makes sense that he’d only come away from the basket in emergency situations, though there are also the infamous instances where he just completely falls asleep:

But when Boogie’s needed to step up defensively, he’s usually been able to do so.

Take Sacramento’s recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did Cousins provide pressure on the ball at damn near half court, but he also perfectly hedged a screen and got the game-saving deflection to prevent Philly from even getting a last-second look.

Before the Suns game the following night, Karl seemed more impressed with his big man’s performance on the defensive end — quite a statement considering Boogie put up 33 points, 17 rebounds and three assists in that Sixers game.

“Last night’s game was maybe one of the best big guy performances I’ve seen and coached,” he said. “He won the game on the defensive end of the court, not the offensive end of the court.”

Next: Attitude And Leadership

Home/Sacramento Kings