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NBA: Players Under 30 Who Would Be Elite in Any Era

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Position: Center

Age: 24

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 270 pounds, 7’6″

Career Slash Line: .463/.159/.731

Career Averages: 31.0 MPG, 18.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.2 ORPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG

DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. Standing at 6’11” and 270 pounds with a massive 7’6″ wingspan, he overwhelms his opponents with raw physicality and a throwback tenacity.

In 2014-15, Boogie Cousins solidified his place as one of the league’s elite.

I’ve always held elite players to the standard of making the playoffs, but the Sacramento Kings are a special type of disaster. They went through three head coaches in 2014-15, including one interim, and fired Michael Malone after getting the team off to its best start of the Boogie era.

Even still, Cousins averaged 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.1 offensive boards, 3.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.

Beyond the numbers, Cousins is a bruising big man with the skill to play from the post and the finesse to take his man off the bounce from the top of the key. He relies a little too heavily on his jumper, but the proper coaching would help him improve.

No matter the era, Cousins would be a physically dominant force with the finesse to complement his power.

Next: MVP, Champion... But Elite in Any Era?