At this point, the tale is out on Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins: he’ll be awesome if he can harness his atomic attitude and a massive bust if he can’t. Let’s say it’s that cut ‘n’ dry – it isn’t. I know, but we’re just saying it is for the sake of argument. Whatever. Why don’t we just say Animal Collective is band people like listening to, since we’re just saying things that aren’t true. May I continue, please? Fine. Let’s just say Cousins is either an absolute bust or a star in this league and we’ll know either way in six months. No one questions this kid’s ability. No one is predicting he’s going to get pushed around on the floor like a mop head on linoleum. Generally, if Cousins fails, most people predict it will be his attitude that does him in. Realistically, he’d have to be an absolute terror to get in his way so much that he becomes ineffective or ineligible on the floor. He’s an athletic 6’11? powerhouse that can already outmaneuver and outmuscle many other bigs in this league. I like the odds he won’t get in his own way. There are plenty of rookies who never capitalize on their talent because they’re lazy or meek or distracted, but that’s not the wrap on Cousins. The wrap on Cousins is that he’s moody and aggressive, which are characteristics you want in your bruising power forward, no? Yes? Yes.
He led the summer leagues in rebounds and averaged a double-double in five games. He averaged 15/10 at Kentucky and he only played 24 minutes per game to do it. That’s a per36 of 22.5/15. And, hey, we got through the entire summer without him doing anything nuts. And even if he does, there’s no reason to think it’ll stop him from being a productive player. He doesn’t just have to have a bad attitude, it has to be bad enough to stop him from playing. Fantasy hoops is all about little bets, well-considered guesses. My guess is, Cousins will be a solid ninth or 10th round pick come October.
Season Projections: 33 mpg/.540/.645 /0 3pt/15 pts/7 rbd/1 ast/1 stl/2 blk/2.5 tov
