NBA Player Power Rankings: Change of the Guard

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

11. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Last Rank: No. 10

Position: Center

Age: 25

Slash Line: .447/.346/.721

Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 27.2 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 3PM

The Sacramento Kings are going to let the masses down once again. Despite having the best center in the NBA, the league-leader in assists per game, and one of the most productive scorers in the Western Conference, Sacramento is well below .500.

That doesn’t change the fact that Cousins has been one of the most productive and tantalizing players in the Association.

Cousins and George Karl clearly aren’t getting along, and everyone is still wondering why the Kings fired Michael Malone in the first place. That much has been established, and to ignore the tumultuous nature of this organization would be ignorant.

The reality is, Cousins is being held to the same standard as the stars before him: make the playoffs.

Cousins has been unable to lead the Kings to the postseason in any of his six NBA seasons. That’s a glaring flaw on his otherwise remarkable resume, which includes 2015-16 averages of 27.2 points and 11.4 rebounds that shouldn’t be possible for a center in the modern era.

Cousins is unfortunately paying the price for his organization’s incompetence, but the results should still be better than they have been.

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