DeMarcus Cousins. How good can he get?

[Worm Guts]

There are questions whether Cousins inside game will traslate? I suppose there's always those questions for prospects, but Cousins has 2 inches and 40 pounds on Beasley. It's not really the same questions.

[ahartleyvu]

Cousins thrives on playing against bigger guys. He is too quick for guys that are strong enough to hold him back. He abuses the skinnier/weaker opponents, but for some reason, he really tears up guys with legit size. He has a great spin, drop step, and has a great pump fake move.

[SSUBluesman]

There are questions whether Cousins inside game will traslate? I suppose there's always those questions for prospects, but Cousins has 2 inches and 40 pounds on Beasley. It's not really the same questions.

It is the same question, albeit asked differently. Anytime you're going to be playing against bigger, stronger, more athletic players the issue of how scoring inside will translate is one that will (and should) be asked. I say differently because Beasley was simply big/strong enough to score inside at a far higher rate in college vs. the pros, whereas Cousins has the post game/skills that should allow a smoother transition. I think one issue with Cousins scoring inside will come from his attitude when things get tough/aren't going his way (see WVU game) and the fact he does little else (no jumper, etc.).

[Mylie10]

There are questions whether Cousins inside game will traslate? I suppose there's always those questions for prospects, but Cousins has 2 inches and 40 pounds on Beasley. It's not really the same questions.

It is the same question, albeit asked differently. Anytime you're going to be playing against bigger, stronger, more athletic players the issue of how scoring inside will translate is one that will (and should) be asked. I say differently because Beasley was simply big/strong enough to score inside at a far higher rate in college vs. the pros, whereas Cousins has the post game/skills that should allow a smoother transition. I think one issue with Cousins scoring inside will come from his attitude when things get tough/aren't going his way (see WVU game) and the fact he does little else (no jumper, etc.).

You bring up the WV game, but he was triple teamed anytime he dropped into the painted area. He scored amongst all of the bodies draped over him. He held his cool and the only reason he was taken out of the game was because they needed to shoot from the outside. He was the main reason they were even in the game, because the outside shooting was horrendous.

[ahartleyvu]

PS Cousins does have a jumper. He can hit 3s, but I doubt he took more than 2-3 all season. He hits them in practice. I'm not sure what kind of 3PT% he would have, but it is certainly something he could develop.

[mattg]

in high school cousins had a nice face up game including a solid mid range J...

[Ajosu]

The discussion of Beasley is interesting given issues about Cousin's character concerns as well as how well his inside game will translate to the NBA.

At first glance they might seem related, but I think Cousins' issues are very different from Beasley's. Beasley was seen as a goofball and not serious about his approach to the game, whereas Cousins' emotions can get the best of him. Beasley is also a bit of a tweener, whereas Cousins projects to be a legit C in the NBA.

[carrottop12]

Anyway he turns into Kwame Brown 2.0?

[Jazzfan12]

Kwame's main issues were confidence and bad hands, Cousins is the exact opposite of that. I would say that Cousins' worst case scenario is Eddy Curry.

[sdhoops]

Everything this year has just screamed Zach Randolph to me. But I think he might fall into the team-concept better than Randolph.

Big body with good low-post skills + athleticsm to allows him to get his shot when he wants too. I think he could be a very good PF/C, all-star potential. Just a matter of getting into shape, otherwise we're looking at a better Eddy Curry.

Best Case I would say is a fringe all-star along the likes to a Randolph/Jefferson
Worst Case would be a better Eddy Curry

[Cammo101]

Everything this year has just screamed Zach Randolph to me. But I think he might fall into the team-concept better than Randolph.

Big body with good low-post skills + athleticsm to allows him to get his shot when he wants too. I think he could be a very good PF/C, all-star potential. Just a matter of getting into shape, otherwise we're looking at a better Eddy Curry.

Best Case I would say is a fringe all-star along the likes to a Randolph/Jefferson
Worst Case would be a better Eddy Curry

He plays a lot like Randolph, but I do not see him being the big time scorer Randolph is. Randolph is one of the most skilled bigs on the NBA.

I like the style comparison, but I would be shocked if Cousins could put up Randolph level numbers in the NBA.

[sdhoops]

Everything this year has just screamed Zach Randolph to me. But I think he might fall into the team-concept better than Randolph.

Big body with good low-post skills + athleticsm to allows him to get his shot when he wants too. I think he could be a very good PF/C, all-star potential. Just a matter of getting into shape, otherwise we're looking at a better Eddy Curry.

Best Case I would say is a fringe all-star along the likes to a Randolph/Jefferson
Worst Case would be a better Eddy Curry

He plays a lot like Randolph, but I do not see him being the big time scorer Randolph is. Randolph is one of the most skilled bigs on the NBA.

I like the style comparison, but I would be shocked if Cousins could put up Randolph level numbers in the NBA.

Right now, yeah it wouldn't even be debateable between low post skills between Randolph and Cousins. I do, however feel that he has good enough athleticsm and some decent footwork where he could develop those skills even more. I don't know if he'll ever reach 22ppg but I defintley could see him putting up about 18ppg which is still very respectable.

[ponder276]

in high school cousins had a nice face up game including a solid mid range J...

Indeed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-yCp9I85aE

Obviously his face up game/jumper is very raw and not at all NBA ready, but if he works hard on them in practice I don't see why he can't develop a decent face up game as his career progresses, though he'll always do most of his damage in the post.

I've said it before, but I definitely agree with Cousins' upside being a bigger Zach Randolph, with the potential to be a better defender (i.e. mediocre instead of poor) due to his superior size. In terms of downside I'll agree with Eddy Curry, if he lets himself get all fat. I still like him at #3, behind Wall and Turner but ahead of Favors.

[Sid the Squid]

The Eddy Curry comparison's are just awful..Did you know Curry averaged 6.4 rebounds during his senior year of high school? He's averaged 5.3 boards in the NBA with a career high of 7 boards per game..Curry's also incapable of passing out of a double team.

You guys really do come up with some stinkers.

[Jazzfan12]

Clearly it isn't perfect, but Curry was a skilled big man with weight and attitude issues coming into the NBA which is fairly similar to Cousins. That is his worst case scenario imo.

[mattg]

Clearly it isn't perfect, but Curry was a skilled big man with weight and attitude issues coming into the NBA which is fairly similar to Cousins. That is his worst case scenario imo.

the problem with that comparison is that it totally discredits Cousin's ability to rebound. You cant discount his ability to grab boards because out of all the skills out there, rebounding almost always translates the most from college to the NBA level. His production in limited minutes is staggering, that level of production on those minutes reminds me of Rasheed Wallaces high school numbers sort of.

[Blasphemy]

I say hes a a bigger Kevin Love

[Sid the Squid]

I say hes a a bigger Kevin Love

And I would of taken a bigger Kevin Love 1st in the 08 draft.

[NetsForce]

A bigger Kevin Love o_O... Rebounding and IQ wise definitely not.

[9abovetherim]

A bigger Kevin Love o_O... Rebounding and IQ wise definitely not.

how many games Timberwolves win this season?