When an NBA star is born, he automatically has a reputation to uphold. Set aside the skill and athletic ability and what do you have? You have a high profile athlete with a mindset that can go one of two ways.
DeMarcus Cousins has made a living on proving his critics wrong and everyday is a storybook of his reputation. Some claim “he is the bad guy,” while others say he is simply misunderstood.
What Cousins has shown on the court mentally is not a true representation of his character.
Like Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, Cousins is very passionate about his profession and it shows on the court.
“The thing is about me and Draymond is that we are very similar and I think that a lot of people know that,” Cousins said. “I don’t really know what it is but we just clicked.”
Green’s NBA record may not indicate that he has any problems with character issues, and mainly because of the success he has had with the Warriors. Cousins on the other hand, has been put on the back burner due to a subpar under .500 Sacramento Kings the past six years, multiple head coaches and front office changes.
After seeing tremendous success at Kentucky and winning SEC Rookie of the Year, Cousins would finally taste success by earning a gold medal for his country in the 2014 FIBA World Championships.
Following the successful experience in Spain, Cousins would then make consecutive NBA All-Star games in 2015 and 2016. These past couple of years has proved that Cousins has taken his game to the next level.
Next up, Rio.
Cousins has solidified himself as the best scoring big man in the league and he will take that confidence into the 2016 Olympics.
What will the Olympics teach him? A bigger pathway towards success and desire to win in Sacramento. Making the USA basketball Olympic roster has always been regarded as an extremely significant part of a player’s career.
Earning a gold medal playing with the best players in the world and with all eyes watching is what really transforms a players mental identity.
This is potentially the biggest moment in Cousins career and bringing a gold medal to Sacramento may reestablish the hope for Kings basketball. Any positive news to Sacramento is beneficial.
Leadership is what coach Krzyzewski preaches and that’s why the leaders of each NBA team partake in the Olympics. Yes, Cousins is a leader, but he is not at the level where he could be due to all the things I have listed above.
The 2016 Olympics will be a great event where Cousins can showcase his leadership qualities and silence many critics.
“I’m ready to share my experiences with my teammates and get the season kicked off on the right foot,” said Cousins. “It’s about bringing up the small detailed things that go under the radar. In Sacramento I have a much bigger responsibly, those smaller things I can’t really focus on that much and then here I realize that those things are just as important.”
Sacramento fans agree that Cousins is the best big man in basketball and so do most of his Olympic teammates.
“DeMarcus is a bulldog out there,” said Kevin Durant after defeating Argentina in Las Vegas. “I think what 15, 16 rebounds? That’s kind of unheard of in the Olympics.”
Cousins has indicated that defense, shooting and passing will be his emphasis this summer and it has shown early. In their first game against Argentina, Cousins went 4-of-6 from the field, scoring 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. In his second game against China, he posted 12 points and seven rebounds.
Cousins punished the Argentinean front court, getting sent to the line eight times and converting six of those free throws.
Klay Thompson of the Golden State warriors had nothing but praise for Cousins after the victory.
// “He was unbelievable he had eight rebounds in the first quarter, he’s going to be a force in Rio,” said Thompson. “Thank god we have big men like Cousins, I think we have the best big’s in the Olympics.”
The notoriety and respect Cousins has gained so far from players and coaches is just a preview of the type of respect he has been seeking. But that will only come with winning in Sacramento, which is something Cousins stresses about every time he steps on the court.
Expect Cousins to have a major impact on the Olympics and transformation in his leadership abilities. Team USA returns to action July 26th in Oakland against China.
[Keep it here on CowbellKingdom.com, as we will provide Kings fans with LIVE frontline coverage Tuesday night. Follow us on all social media platforms @Cowbell_Kingdom]//
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