Cousins evaluates his season

[5th pick sucks]

Facing high expectations after being selected fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, DeMarcus Cousins responded by producing one of the best rookie seasons of any player to wear a Kings uniform.

The 6-foot-11 center led Sacramento in total points scored (1,143) and rebounds (699), joining Maurice Stokes of the 1955-56 Rochester Royals as the only other first-year player to pace the team in both categories in franchise history. Cousins broke Lionel Simmons’ Sacramento-era record for total rebounds by a rookie in one season and became the first Kings player since Vlade Divac in 2000-01 to grab at least five rebounds in 72 games.

“I just think he’s only begun to show what he can do in this League,” says Coach Paul Westphal. “If he can commit himself to (improving), and I believe he will, he can be one of the top big men in the League.”

Among rookies, Cousins ranked third in scoring (14.1 points per game); second in total points, points per minute (0.5), rebounds (8.6) and double-doubles (26); and fifth in steals (1.0) and blocks (0.8). The Kings center’s production puts him in position to become the first Sacramento big man to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team since Brian Grant in 1994-95.

Yet, despite his remarkable numbers, the humble Cousins gave himself a strict assessment, taking pride in his own development but recognizing he still has room to grow in order to reach his full potential.

“I’d probably give myself a C,” he says. “I think I could’ve done better this year, but it was a learning curve for me.”

Unsurprisingly, the 20-year-old center’s all-around statistics vastly improved as the season progressed and he became more accustomed to facing top-level NBA competition. Over the final four months of the season, he increased his scoring average by four points while shooting more efficiently from the field, grabbed 1.5 additional rebounds, doubled his assists and contributed more on the defensive end with a greater number of steals and blocks.

“He’s matured, he’s more NBA-ready and he understands the game a little more,” says teammate Donté Greene, complimenting Cousins’ athleticism and jump-shooting ability.

“I think he’s consistently learned and improved in all areas, and it’s been a very successful rookie year for him,” confirms Westphal. “I think he’s handled (the pressure) a lot better than most of the naysayers thought he would.”

In addition to providing reliable scoring and rebounding, the multifaceted big man also registered 13 games with five or more assists, including a career-high eight dimes against the Phoenix Suns on March 29. Cousins finished third on the team in the category (204), behind guards Beno Udrih and Tyreke Evans, and his 2.5 assists per game are the most by a first-year center in franchise history.

Cousins, who averaged only one assist per game at the University of Kentucky, continuously found cutters underneath the basket that led to easy scoring opportunities for his Sacramento teammates, allowing Westphal to add a new dimension to the offense.

“(Cousins’ passing) certainly is a big part of our attack – he likes to pass and he’s good at it,” says Westphal, explaining Cousins didn’t have as many opportunities to showcase his phenomenal court vision in college.

“We just saw it in (pre-Draft) workouts, but I think he’s shown he can be a player who can move around to different spots on the floor and be very effective.”

In a season filled with notable achievements, one night shines brightest in Cousins’ rookie yearbook. Against the L.A. Lakers on January 28, he registered 27 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks en route to Sacramento’s exhilarating road victory over the long-time rival.

“(It’s) the highlight of my career,” he says.

In his subsequent return to STAPLES Center, Cousins put up one of his best performances in the Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam on the grand stage of NBA All-Star Weekend. The Kings center poured in a game-high 33 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three steals, after which numerous NBA legends raved about the first-year player’s immeasurable talent.

“I was impressed with him – I’d watched him here and there a little bit, but he looked like a man among men,” said Hall of Fame center David Robinson. “He really had some nice moves around the paint, he’s very confident, he attacks the basket – he’s going to be a star in this League, I think.

“I can’t think of any player (from my era) that would be as close to his style – maybe more like a Moses Malone type of guy.”

Former NBA star Darryl Dawkins was not only delighted by Cousins’ powerful finishes in transition, giving Cousins a perfect ten on one rim-rocker, but compared the Kings rookie to an eight-time All-Star and Hall of Fame center.

“Around the basket, (Cousins) is very good, he’s a good jump shooter and he can get up and down the floor,” said Dawkins. “He reminds me a lot of Bob Lanier.”

Cousins has, in turn, continued to take the personal accolades in stride, opting to praise the team’s dynamic potential over his own accomplishments when reflecting upon the biggest takeaways from his first professional season.

“We have so much room to grow,” he says. “(As) we continue to work, continue to grow, continue to trust each other, the sky’s the limit.”

Final Take

Before the season tipped off, a historic rookie campaign for the versatile Kings big man was projected, and he illustrated the extent of his much-desired skill set with each game. While he didn’t average a double-double, Cousins, along with the L.A. Clippers’ Blake Griffin, became the first rookie since Lakers All-Star Pau Gasol in 2001-02 to record over 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game and just the 20th to achieve the feat in the last 30 years.

While his statistics were outstanding, they didn’t demonstrate the quality that impressed me most about Cousins – his relentless passion. Late in the season, even with the team eliminated from postseason contention and the Rookie of the Year Award out of reach, Cousins’ competitive desire and will to win never wavered. In the second to last game of the year against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored a career-high 30 points against one of the League’s top defensive centers in Kendrick Perkins, nearly leading the Kings to another hard-fought victory.

As Cousins himself affirms, “the season (had) its ups and downs,” and like most rookies, he struggled with consistency, foul trouble and turnovers. True to form, the Kings center is the first one to own up to his limitations and is prepared to do whatever it takes to become an All-Star and League-leading rebounder.

“(I need to improve on) defense, work on my body and conditioning – just continue to get better all around,” he assesses.

With a full year of NBA experience under his belt and an entire offseason to refine his game, Kings fans can’t wait to see what Cousins has in store for an encore.

[HUBlackstar83]

I'm glad he's acknowleged that he needs to work on his body and conditioning. I look at Roy Hibbert and how he got in much better shape. Hopefully DMC uses that as a model. Imagine the damage he's going to do once he sheds that body fat and improves his conditioning.

[sackings916]

Its very encouraging that he acknowledges defense, his body and conditioning as his priorities he's going to work on. A lighter,quicker Cousins = a much more dangerous off the dribble game which would also get him better looks at passing lanes and jumpshots.

[boogie-reke]

And obviously cut the TO and stupid plays he's doing.

I just love this kid.. let's hope he can walk the walk though.

[5th pick sucks]

He's not even near his prime. This dudes gunna be an all-star. I really doubted the kid at first

[UKF]

He's not even near his prime. This dudes gunna be an all-star. I really doubted the kid at first

You say it best. I wanted us to take Favors because of the jaded background of Cousins, but he's shown me a lot.