Hoops Habit
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USA Basketball: Which Players Will Benefit The Most?

By Cameron Stewart

Jul 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA forward Paul George (13) dunks the ball against Argentina during a basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA forward Paul George (13) dunks the ball against Argentina during a basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA center DeMarcus Cousins (12) takes a shot during a practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA center DeMarcus Cousins (12) takes a shot during a practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins is a prime candidate for a career boost from being on the Team USA roster.

If you compiled a list of stranded superstars in the league, Cousins would be the first name on the list. I’m usually not a believer in players “needing a change of scenery” but nobody in professional sports needs one more than Cousins, who has wasted away the first six seasons of his NBA career playing for five head coaches under incompetent ownership.

The Kings have been a laughingstock for Cousins’ entire career and a toxic situation for Cousins, who is constantly mentioned in trade discussions but always ends up staying with the Kings.

The USA Basketball experience has to be a saving grace for Cousins and a much-needed vacation from his reality in Sacramento.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/757407262675652608

Being in a bad basketball situation lends itself to bad habits. It took Kyrie Irving two years to stop overdribbling and to involve his teammates more once the Cavaliers added LeBron James and instantly went from the bottom of the standings to the top.

Michael Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year in Philadelphia and looked like a triple-double machine in the making, but hasn’t shown signs of being a player who contributes towards winning due to his many flaws.

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    • Kevin Love came from a poor basketball situation in Minnesota and could be the closest comparison for Cousins, putting up numbers you usually only see in video games while continually missing the playoffs. Love still hasn’t found his footing to be at his most effective for a winner due to a few big flaws in his game (defense, playing on the perimeter while also maximizing his rebounding).

    Cousins is known for being hot-headed and letting his emotions get the best of him. His time with a great team and playing for a legendary coach could help him mature and put an end to some of his bad habits of whining and giving lackluster effort at times defensively.

    It’s extremely unlikely that Cousins’ statistics (26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game) improve, but we could see Cousins eliminate some of his bad habits and become a player who is more conducive to winning. If Cousins can improve his habits and keep his emotions in check, then we’re talking about one of the best 10 players in the world.

    On top of the actual basketball side of things, the Olympics give many fans an opportunity to watch Cousins play. Nobody will blame those who don’t tune into Kings games on a regular basis and the lack of exposure can lead many to make untrue assumptions about Cousins involving his game and personality.

    By being seen by the masses in a great basketball situation, basketball fans will see the positives that Cousins brings to the table instead of seeing the Vines of Cousins being moody.

    It was a relief to see Cousins turn the other cheek when he was held by former NBA lottery pick Yi Jianlian when the USA played China in an exhibition game on Sunday.

    https://twitter.com/Shaqtin_A_Fool/status/757371361895518208

    With Team USA, Cousins gets a temporary escape from the darkness that is his basketball situation with the Kings.

    Cousins will be 26 in August and it’s getting to the breaking point on if his bad habits will ever be fixed.

    Spending a month or two for Team USA might not solve the issues, but it could be a defining point of Cousins’ career.

    Next: Air Jordan