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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

12. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Position: Center
Age: 26 (8/13/1990)
Experience: 7th season
2016-17 Slash Line: .457/.388/.773
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 29.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.1 ORPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.8 3PM

If the 2016-17 NBA regular season were to end today, the Sacramento Kings would make the playoffs. 14-18 isn’t exactly a postseason-caliber record from a traditional perspective, but DeMarcus Cousins has done enough to put Sacramento in control of its own destiny.

Having won four of their past five games, as well as six of nine, Cousins and the Kings appear to be thriving at the perfect time.

The recent run began when Cousins posted 55 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks in a 126-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Cousins followed that outing with a number of strong showings, including his 30-point performance in a 102-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Cousins also dropped 32 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks in a 109-105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Any time a player scores 55 points and wins a game for their team, their ranking is going to improve. The fact that Cousins is averaging numbers that many legends never reached is a testament to just how special of a talent he is.

For perspective, Cousins is on pace to become just the third player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-2000 to average at least 29.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.