New Orleans Pelicans: 2017-18 player grades for DeMarcus Cousins

Strengths

At 6’11”, 270 pounds, DeMarcus Cousins is able to simply dominate the inside on a nightly basis, bullying his opponents in a Shaquille O’Neal-like manner.

Cousins shot 63.3 percent within three feet of the rim, mainly because there aren’t many big men in the league capable of matching his physicality, especially when combined with his eye-opening temper.

Where DeMarcus has truly expanded his game is on the perimeter.

With the NBA trending outwards, Cousins began to develop an outside shot, even before he was paired with AD. This past season, though, he upped his attempts to a career-high 6.1 per game while converting on 35.4 percent of them.

From 10-16 feet, Cousins thrived as well, shooting 48.6 percent, giving him the ability to face up from the elbow and go to work, unleashing his smooth outside shot or driving to the bucket.

Because of that physicality, Cousins was able to get to the free throw line over eight times a game, converting on 74.6 percent of them.

Arguably the most unique of Cousins’ skills is his passing ability, as he can work as a facilitator out of the high post or, strangely enough, as a ball-handler running a two-man game with Davis. He averaged a career-high 5.4 assists, taking advantage of the weapons at his disposal that weren’t available during his time with the Sacramento Kings.