Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Superstars Keep Making History

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

14. DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Center
Age: 26 (8/13/1990)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .449/.355/.768
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.1 MPG, 26.8 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.1 ORPG, 4.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.8 3PM

With seven games remaining, the New Orleans Pelicans are 4.5 games back of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. It’s still possible for New Orleans to reach the playoffs, but it will take something of a miracle for that to transpire.

The future is bright in New Orleans, however, and the presence of DeMarcus Cousins is one of the primary reasons for optimism.

Cousins only appeared in two games this past week, but he firmly established what it is that makes New Orleans so intriguing. That started when he posted 29 points, six rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and a steal against the Houston Rockets.

It continued when Cousins went off for 29 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and one block during a 121-118 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Against Houston, Cousins and Anthony Davis combined for 62 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and three steals. Against Dallas, the dynamic interior duo combined for 59 points, 29 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and a pair of steals.

It seems to only be a matter of time, practice, coaching, experience, and better front office work before the Pelicans are bullying the rest of the NBA.