DeMarcus Cousins. How good can he get?

[Zeitgeister]

I don't think there is a perfect comparison for Cousins. What I do think is that Cousins has the potential to be the best center out of the draft since Dwight Howard. Like others have said, the league is starving for good centers so it wouldn't take much for a guy like Cousins to shine. The guy has excellent physical tools, a real knack for scoring and rebounding, and a willing passer as well. He's only solid on defense right now but he has the elite tools to be a very good defender if he commits to it, and that's really what it will come down to. If he has the mentality and commitment to improve than he'll be one of the best centers in the NBA.

[chuckerz]

Well if cousins can stay focus on basketball, the sky is the limit for him. If his immaturity becomes an issue, than i expect him to be similar to Eddy Curry. Lots of skill just loads of off court problems.

[TAI8]

It's better to take a chance on a potential superstar than a forever doomed role player...

[TAI8]

Again not even close to a fat guy.

Body fat% is a better indicator of endurance and what to expect when the kids' metabolism isn't there to save him... that's the concern, not that he won't look good in a swimsuit or something

What the crap is this supposed to mean? That he's going to stop playing basketball all of a sudden and eat donuts all day?

[Liqourish]

I actually don't mind the body fat %.... if anything... I think it's a positive. Cousins is 6'11" & 290lbs with 16.4% body fat and can take over a game.... imagine if he turns half that fat into solid, lean muscle!! He could be damn near unstoppable. All he needs is to get onto a strength & conditioning program and grow into his body.

I'd much rather work with that than some 7 ft guy who's under 200lbs, stick thin, and doesn't have the ability to play in the post at all. Of course, that body fat % was just another reason for people to pile on the kid. But it's okay, he'll learn to deal with the media and with critics... he's already got a head start.

[Dry_Fish]

^^^ you want Eddie Curry?

[Liqourish]

Nope, and I don't view Cousins as Eddy Curry 2.0. Cousins is a much better player, rebounder, etc. Curry was always just a big body. Cousins is much more mobile/agile than Curry.

[Dry_Fish]

I guess you forgot Curry had a pretty good offensive game

[ponder276]

It's worth noting that a lot of players enter the league a bit overweight. Some maintain their weight, never fat but always a touch pudgy (like Paul Pierce), some blow up like a f*ckin balloon (like Curry), some slim up (like Haslem, who is now about 60-70 lbs lighter than he was in college), none of us know what is going to happen with Cousins and his body. If he can get down to around 270-275 lbs, and stay there, he should be an absolute beast, and it's really not too hard for a man of his size to shed 15-20 lbs. Even at his current weight he really does not have any mobility/quickness problems for a C, but at 270-275 he could be even quicker and likely jump higher, increasing his impact on d (where he is currently pretty mediocre despite his great strength and huge standing reach).

[510TWSS]

Eddie Curry never knew the meaning of the word, "pass".

[Esohny]

Eddie Curry never knew the meaning of the word, "pass".

Untrue. I'd bet a million dollars that he has said "pass the 2nds" plenty of times.

[Cammo101]

Eddie Curry never knew the meaning of the word, "pass".

Untrue. I'd bet a million dollars that he has said "pass the 2nds" plenty of times.

Agreed. He also made a few passes at men.

[Esohny]

Eddie Curry never knew the meaning of the word, "pass".

Untrue. I'd bet a million dollars that he has said "pass the 2nds" plenty of times.

Agreed. He also made a few passes at men.

Zing!

[AlriteWOLF]

Cousins is going to be beastly.

[_BBIB_]

I think it's interesting his reference that he's not going to be out their laughing on the court, that it's all business. Wonder if that was a subtle reference to the game of Dwight Howard.

He's also got really good handles for a 6'11 guy, and he says he likes the game of Gasol. A guy who shows power as well as admiration and capability for a finesse game like that, just shows even more how scary he could be.

[slimdogg694]

I think he'll be a complete bust..I feel like he is what Kwame Brown would've been if he went to college.

[BruceO]

I think he'll be a complete bust..I feel like he is what Kwame Brown would've been if he went to college.

you kidding right? How is he like kwame? Kwame had small hands, could not catch the ball and had no offense. He became a good post defender though. Kwame's flaw was he was picked first and he actually didn't know how to play the game. Cousins knows how to play the game. He can score in the post, has great size and has great rebounding ability which is translatable. Kwame got picked because of his athletic ability. COusins is being picked on skill and being dogged on for lack of athletic ability.
So when you say you feel such and such. I get the impression your reasons are not substansive and fickle

[slimdogg694]

Cousins isn't athletic?

[ponder276]

Cousins and Kwame could not be more different. Kwame is an athletic, defensive C with tiny hands, little offensive talent and no ability to handle pressure (the kid constantly blows layups and dunks and lets passes fly through his hands because he gets nervous). Cousins is a mediocre defender but has great hands, is very talented in the post and has great touch around the basket. Honestly you'd have trouble finding two Cs with more different game if you tried.

In other news, Chad Ford has Cousins at 6th overall:

Wizards - Wall
76ers - Favors
Nets - Turner
TWolves - Wes Johnson
Kings - Aminu
Warriors - Cousins

I think Aminu and Wes Johnson over Cousins is completely nuts, unless teams are REALLY concerned about his weight/attitude. I'm also thinking Favors over Turner is a little crazy. In terms of skills and physical tools alone Cousins should be above pretty much everyone but Wall.

*Edited for a typo*

[slimdogg694]

If Kwame played college ball, I am sure he would've looked good as Cousins.