DeMarcus Cousins. How good can he get?

[HtownPA]

You point was Bill Walton. LOL. You had to go decades back to bring out a fossil? That's like bringing up an example of a sober person getting in an accident, and saying drunk driving is not any more dangerous. Just because a lighter person gets injured doesn't mean 6'11"+ 290lb+ players are less injured.

Who are the heaviest 6'11+ players currently in the league? Shaq(325+), Yao(310-315), Curry(295), Oden (285-290) and Bynum(285). Let's take Shaq out of the equation, because he is old. Let's look only at players under 30 yrs old. Yao(0 games), Curry(7 games), Oden(21 games) and Bynum(65 games) missed several games again. I won't include Shaq, because he is old and had a full career.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4668100/

“The forces proven to occur just from landing following a jump are greater than five times body weight,” said Dr. Joseph Guettler, a researcher and orthopedic surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Did you know that Shaq has size 23 shoes vs a size 18 shoes that Yao and Oden wear? The impact on the feet is greatly reduced. Shaq is the exception. There's a reason he is the only 300LB+ force in the league. It's a genetic freak of nature to have size 23 shoes. Most 6'11+ players can't put on over 290 lbs without getting injured, their feet are too small to handle that much weight.

[_BBIB_]

The red flags have really been overblown. I think he has impressed people in work outs and his range is 2 to 5. I'm not buying all these mocks that have him falling to GS or Detroit. The only team with a legit reason not to get him is NJ, and they actually like him a lot. If they were convinced that he can play PF or that Favors does not have that superstar potential that everyone says i think they can draft him.

I dont know why people assume he cant be a PF at this point based on his combine numbers alone. He has to go out there and show it, noone knows for sure right now.

I think the red flags are overblown because of how few weaknesses there are in his game as a prospect.

He's got the size, the strength, he's got the wing span, standing reach, he's got the skills. And he had the production. So he's no short tweener nor does he have stubby arms. Nor was he a completely unproven project

So the only thing they can find on the guy is taking his intensity on the court and trying to turn that into him being a thuggish head case

[Jazzfan12]

A lot of these "Those off-court red flags are overblown" comments were applied to Beasley as well, and he's been a major underachiever who ended up just being bigger than everyone else in college and wasn't actually as good as his stats. I think that could easily happen with Cousins. However, I also think there's a good chance he could be a 25-12-3 player and the best center in the league so he should definitely be a top 4 pick.

[_BBIB_]

A lot of these "Those off-court red flags are overblown" comments were applied to Beasley as well, and he's been a major underachiever who ended up just being bigger than everyone else in college and wasn't actually as good as his stats. I think that could easily happen with Cousins. However, I also think there's a good chance he could be a 25-12-3 player and the best center in the league so he should definitely be a top 4 pick.

One of biggest concerns about Michael Beasley was he was considered undersized for his position. His biggest problems have been getting playing time and being a pick and pop guy instead of attacking the rim.

Comparing that to Cousins is laughable. Cousins has ELITE size for his position in the league and seeing how he will more than likely playing Center, hard for me to imagine him chucking up that many deep 2s and 3s in the NBA

A lot of people barring injury from this kid will be eating a whole lot of crow.

Jay Bilas a guy who said that Josh Smith would be a bust and although Josh Smith turned out to be a productive player, nothing will make people like Bilas and others look more foolish than when DeMarcus Cousins turns out to be All-NBA level talent

[tsherkin]

Cousins will work just fine next to an existing player who can only play the low block or the offensive glass because he has range, and good range, too.

He's been working out all summer, he doesn't look fat and everyone seems to be commenting on his work ethic and his attention to his conditioning. With the kind of offensive skills he has coupled with his size, he'll be fine wherever he goes.

I think the main advantage of his range, though, will be that he can bug out to the high post to run hand-offs and backdoor plays, and can be involved in the pick-and-roll more effectively than someone who can't shoot, so he's a threat to score from a lot of different places. I'm definitely feeling 18+ ppg from him. Maybe not right away, of course, but he's got that kind of talent if he stays healthy and in shape.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

It makes you wonder how big the red flags are on him. IMO he really could just as easily be the number one pick in the draft on talent. Its a weird draft for him too. He would be a good fit in Washington, but they are taking a PG despite already having one which will be hard to get rid of. Philly also has a need at his spot but are taking yet another wing. NJ is the one team that is actually good at his position. Minny could miraculously get him but their GM doesn't like his character and is somehow convincing himself to take Johnson who is not a fracnhise caliber talent. I think Sacramento would be interesting place for him to end. Between Cousins, Tyerke, and Casspi that would be a team that other teams would hate playing due to their sheer physicality

Put me on record as saying Cousins is a better fit in DC than Wall. The team need is for a physical presence at C. Cousins is a tremendous rebounder/scorer who can do things at both ends of the court. Blocks, steals, charges taken all show me a player who gives effort at both ends.

I think Cousins is talented and will have a whole lot of success in the NBA. Big men who can shoot and rebound like Mehmet Okur and Brad Miller have had long NBA careers. Cousins is bigger and more athletic than either of them. He's compared a lot to Zach Randolph, but Cousins at 19 has better shooting range than Randolph had. He's a better passer.

It's not my idea that Cousins be the first pick, but I'd rather see Cousins and at least one more lottery selection and a veteran than just Wall for the Wizards,.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The red flags have really been overblown. I think he has impressed people in work outs and his range is 2 to 5. I'm not buying all these mocks that have him falling to GS or Detroit. The only team with a legit reason not to get him is NJ, and they actually like him a lot. If they were convinced that he can play PF or that Favors does not have that superstar potential that everyone says i think they can draft him.

I dont know why people assume he cant be a PF at this point based on his combine numbers alone. He has to go out there and show it, noone knows for sure right now.

I think the red flags are overblown because of how few weaknesses there are in his game as a prospect.

He's got the size, the strength, he's got the wing span, standing reach, he's got the skills. And he had the production. So he's no short tweener nor does he have stubby arms. Nor was he a completely unproven project

So the only thing they can find on the guy is taking his intensity on the court and trying to turn that into him being a thuggish head case

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/DeM ... 318/stats/

When mentioning his intensity on the court the critics never seem to mention Cousins ranked overall #1 in Efficiency per 40 minutes, had the #2 Win Score per 40, the #2 Player Efficiency Rating per 40.

Pace adjusted per 40, Cousins: 24.5 pts, 15.9 rebs, 1.6 asts, 1.6 stls, 2.9 blks (with 3.3 tos and 5.2 pfs).

Grabbing that many rebounds alongside Patterson and a rebounding guard like Wall takes some intensity. Cousins had the 2nd best rebounds per 40.

I really have a hard time believing he'll be anything but great in the NBA.

[mattg]

The red flags have really been overblown. I think he has impressed people in work outs and his range is 2 to 5. I'm not buying all these mocks that have him falling to GS or Detroit. The only team with a legit reason not to get him is NJ, and they actually like him a lot. If they were convinced that he can play PF or that Favors does not have that superstar potential that everyone says i think they can draft him.

I dont know why people assume he cant be a PF at this point based on his combine numbers alone. He has to go out there and show it, noone knows for sure right now.

I think the red flags are overblown because of how few weaknesses there are in his game as a prospect.

He's got the size, the strength, he's got the wing span, standing reach, he's got the skills. And he had the production. So he's no short tweener nor does he have stubby arms. Nor was he a completely unproven project

So the only thing they can find on the guy is taking his intensity on the court and trying to turn that into him being a thuggish head case

When mentioning his intensity on the court the critics never seem to mention Cousins ranked overall #1 in Efficiency per 40 minutes, had the #2 Win Score per 40, the #2 Player Efficiency Rating per 40.

Pace adjusted per 40, Cousins: 24.5 pts, 15.9 rebs, 1.6 asts, 1.6 stls, 2.9 blks (with 3.3 tos and 5.2 pfs).

Grabbing that many rebounds alongside Patterson and a rebounding guard like Wall takes some intensity. Cousins had the 2nd best rebounds per 40.

I really have a hard time believing he'll be anything but great in the NBA.

Cousins was the guy who played the hardest and hustled the most on UK.

[wiltchamberlain]

You point was Bill Walton. LOL. You had to go decades back to bring out a fossil? That's like bringing up an example of a sober person getting in an accident, and saying drunk driving is not any more dangerous. Just because a lighter person gets injured doesn't mean 6'11"+ 290lb+ players are less injured.

Umm yeah... I'll just nod and pretend that analogy made sense.

Who are the heaviest 6'11+ players currently in the league? Shaq(325+), Yao(310-315), Curry(295), Oden (285-290) and Bynum(285). Let's take Shaq out of the equation, because he is old. Let's look only at players under 30 yrs old. Yao(0 games), Curry(7 games), Oden(21 games) and Bynum(65 games) missed several games again. I won't include Shaq, because he is old and had a full career.

Let's take Shaq out of the picture because he is old, or because he proves my point?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4668100/

“The forces proven to occur just from landing following a jump are greater than five times body weight,” said Dr. Joseph Guettler, a researcher and orthopedic surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Did you know that Shaq has size 23 shoes vs a size 18 shoes that Yao and Oden wear? The impact on the feet is greatly reduced. Shaq is the exception. There's a reason he is the only 300LB+ force in the league. It's a genetic freak of nature to have size 23 shoes. Most 6'11+ players can't put on over 290 lbs without getting injured, their feet are too small to handle that much weight.

Finally you're making some sense, and you have an article to prove your point.....wait a minute.
Did you read the article? In case you didn't let me sum it up for you, the study focused on the fifth metatarsal which is a small bone on the outer edge of the foot. This bone takes a lot of heat in a game of basketball and is subject to potentially major damage, so I guess that's all she wrote for poor DeMarcus Cousins. But wait, the whole point of the article is that the stress put on the fifth metatarsal is highly treatable even using brand name store bought inserts, which don't compare to the sort of custom made insets all NBA players get.

As far as Shaq's shoe size goes I'm slightly confused at the placement of this info as the size of a person's foot or shoe size wasn't mentioned once in the article you used as evidence in fact the articles focus was more on people with high arches, not small feet.

Since you gave me an interesting article I'll give you one back. This is an article by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
http://www.aapsm.org/basketball.html

Not once does it mention weight, but it does mention genetics,

"Chronic, or overuse, injuries can be caused by inadequate warmup, poor conditioning, improper and ill-fitting shoes, worn out shoes, or a biomechanical deformity that causes undue stress on the foot and ankle."

P.S. After looking at this whole post I also realized that near the beginning of you post when you were so adamant to take Shaq out of the equation because he proves my point

Let's take Shaq out of the equation, because he is old.

you were only too happy to cite Shaq as an example when you thought he proved your point.

Did you know that Shaq has size 23 shoes vs a size 18 shoes that Yao and Oden wear? The impact on the feet is greatly reduced. Shaq is the exception.

Real Classy.

[peachbucket]

Carolos Boozer, except 5 inches longer. 23 points and 12 rebound guy.

[BruceO]

I lol'ed at the post two places above. Although the dude you were arguing with made me think about something undeniable, most of these guys with high weight were dominant but they were not on the floor as often as they wished and were injury prone. I think cousins losing ten to fifteen pounds puts a lot more confidence in him. Personally I love him, but I love those type of players. Rasheed, Rodman..

[HtownPA]

You point was Bill Walton. LOL. You had to go decades back to bring out a fossil? That's like bringing up an example of a sober person getting in an accident, and saying drunk driving is not any more dangerous. Just because a lighter person gets injured doesn't mean 6'11"+ 290lb+ players are less injured.

Umm yeah... I'll just nod and pretend that analogy made sense.

Who are the heaviest 6'11+ players currently in the league? Shaq(325+), Yao(310-315), Curry(295), Oden (285-290) and Bynum(285). Let's take Shaq out of the equation, because he is old. Let's look only at players under 30 yrs old. Yao(0 games), Curry(7 games), Oden(21 games) and Bynum(65 games) missed several games again. I won't include Shaq, because he is old and had a full career.

Let's take Shaq out of the picture because he is old, or because he proves my point?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4668100/

“The forces proven to occur just from landing following a jump are greater than five times body weight,” said Dr. Joseph Guettler, a researcher and orthopedic surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Did you know that Shaq has size 23 shoes vs a size 18 shoes that Yao and Oden wear? The impact on the feet is greatly reduced. Shaq is the exception. There's a reason he is the only 300LB+ force in the league. It's a genetic freak of nature to have size 23 shoes. Most 6'11+ players can't put on over 290 lbs without getting injured, their feet are too small to handle that much weight.

Finally you're making some sense, and you have an article to prove your point.....wait a minute.
Did you read the article? In case you didn't let me sum it up for you, the study focused on the fifth metatarsal which is a small bone on the outer edge of the foot. This bone takes a lot of heat in a game of basketball and is subject to potentially major damage, so I guess that's all she wrote for poor DeMarcus Cousins. But wait, the whole point of the article is that the stress put on the fifth metatarsal is highly treatable even using brand name store bought inserts, which don't compare to the sort of custom made insets all NBA players get.

As far as Shaq's shoe size goes I'm slightly confused at the placement of this info as the size of a person's foot or shoe size wasn't mentioned once in the article you used as evidence in fact the articles focus was more on people with high arches, not small feet.

Since you gave me an interesting article I'll give you one back. This is an article by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
http://www.aapsm.org/basketball.html

Not once does it mention weight, but it does mention genetics,

"Chronic, or overuse, injuries can be caused by inadequate warmup, poor conditioning, improper and ill-fitting shoes, worn out shoes, or a biomechanical deformity that causes undue stress on the foot and ankle."

P.S. After looking at this whole post I also realized that near the beginning of you post when you were so adamant to take Shaq out of the equation because he proves my point

Let's take Shaq out of the equation, because he is old.

you were only too happy to cite Shaq as an example when you thought he proved your point.

Did you know that Shaq has size 23 shoes vs a size 18 shoes that Yao and Oden wear? The impact on the feet is greatly reduced. Shaq is the exception.

Real Classy.

I'll add Shaq. 53 games played. It's unrealistic to expect Shaq to play over 60 games in his late 30s, so we gave him a pass. All 5 of the heaviest players missed several games due to injury.

I am not going to write a 5 page paper with references for every aspect and factor. I thought that link was enough to give him an idea of the forces involved. He can do the math on 6'11"+ players and figure it out. A shoe size is easily found on Shaq's NBA profile. It's not that hard.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shaquille_oneal/bio.html

Wears a size 23 shoe

Write it down. Cousins will miss at least 20 games to injury next season.

If you need another link to read, go here.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 15048.html

Nonetheless, Jensen said weight is a prominent factor in leg and foot injuries. If Yao lost 5 percent of his body weight, or roughly 15 pounds — putting him around his rookie weight of 296 — that could be up to 60 fewer pounds of force per stride.

There are tons of sources with more information. Just do your homework. Shoe sizes are available for Yao and Oden. Just do a google.

[Cammo101]

If somehow this kid slips past the top 3 it will be a crime. Cousins is the answer to any team that lacks a post player or size. Alot of people are fooled by his size but he has a quick first step in the post but he can also slow it down and make you pay for leaving your feet. The kid is legit and John Wall might not be the best player on his college team come draft day.

All the posters who actually watch the games now *get it*.


Cousins is going #1 come June.

LOLZ

[Cammo101]

I was the first person on the planet to declare Cousins as the 1st pick in the entire draft. Way ahead of everybody else ..He's a fricken monster.

I'm so proud of my boy.

[Cammo101]

People have got it all along. No one has said Cousins has not had a great year. But, that does not necessarily mean he should be picked in the top 3.

Well you certainly dont *get it*

You still have Favors drafted ahead of Cousins on your latest mock


Watch some actual hoops!!

[Jazzfan12]

Dear God, you had Whiteside as a top ten pick all season long.

[Cammo101]

Dear God, you had Whiteside as a top ten pick all season long.

Not true, though I had him there for a while.

This dude consistently called me out though.

[Worm Guts]

I'm not sure where you have room to gloat. You still had Cousins going outside the top 10 when he was making those comments.

[miltk]

,,,,as good as chris washburn

[nba_addict]

I like what Coach Cal said of Sac after they picked Cousins.