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NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives in between Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) and center Marcin Gortat (13) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Washington Wizards 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives in between Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) and center Marcin Gortat (13) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Washington Wizards 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

11. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Last Rank: No. 10

Position: Center

Age: 25

Slash Line: .454/.338/.721

Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 27.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

While many have padded their statistics on bad teams in the past, few have done what DeMarcus Cousins continues to do. He’s genuinely expanding his game, including the addition of a relatively efficient 3-point field shot, and is committing to improvement on both ends of the floor.

Cousins is doing everything asked of him, but the Sacramento Kings seemingly refuse to win games.

Cousins continues to compile technical fouls, but Sacramento’s broken culture is hardly exclusive to his questionable actions. The head coach is essentially daring the front office to fire him, and the franchise player is performing at a borderline elite level on a nightly basis.

That simply doesn’t add up to Sacramento being 31-47.

Exhibit A: Cousins posted 30 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals on 11-of-21 shooting against the Portland Trail Blazers. Rajon Rondo complemented him with an explosive triple-double, Damian Lillard shot just 6-of-19 from the field, and still, Sacramento found a way to lose.

At this point, one can’t help but join the #FreeBoogie campaign trail.

Next: Missed Opportunities