Shocking how DeMarcus Cousins was let go by the Houston Rockets after I thought to myself he could play in Houston beyond this season seeing how his former Kentucky mate John Wall was on the Rockets. DeMarcus Cousins even got on social media and gave the Houston Rockets fan-base words of encouragement through the James Harden saga which ultimately came to an end as James Harden grew more and more disgruntled by the day. The Houston Rockets have decided they want to raise the tempo once their prized free-agent acquisition over the off-season Christian Wood returns to the lineup and felt DeMarcus Cousins was not fitting in with the style they are looking to play. I don’t blame them Christian Wood is a severe mismatch at the center position and will be running centers out of the gym with his athleticism and foot-speed on fast-breaks. Not to mention he shoots over 35 percent from the 3-point line and is more than qualified to play the center position in today’s position-less league at a height of 6’10.
On to DeMarcus Cousins who is now a free-agent and is looking like the one piece which could put a current contender for the title over the top, those teams include the Clippers,Nets,and the Lakers. All 3 teams could use some help at the center position but no team makes better sense for DeMarcus Cousins than the Los Angeles Lakers. We were never able to see the big 3 of LeBron,Davis,and Cousins last season in the bubble but it’s perfect timing this time around for DeMarcus to join the Los Angeles Lakers. Observing the Lakers this season they don’t look like the same team that was overpowering teams with their length and athleticism when they had the likes of a Javale McGee,Dwight Howard,and Anthony Davis in their rotation last season but where they have improved is becoming a better offense when LeBron James takes a breather. Last season it seemed like once LeBron James hit the bench the Lakers only hope was hoping Rajon Rondo and Antony Davis could make the same connections they made in New Orleans until LeBron James got back in the game.
Adding an attack guard like Dennis Schroder certainly helps as he can get to the basket and convert at the rim with lay-ins and collapse defenses while getting the ball to cutters and out to shooters but come playoff time I wouldn’t want to rely on him to be a consistent 3rd scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, that is where DeMarcus Cousins steps in. No disrespect to Kyle Kuzma I am glad he has embraced being the glue-guy for the Lakers but at this point I am not expecting him to become a legitimate third option for the Lakers, he can be erratic throughout a game offensively and Montrezl Harrell can get his own offense also but come playoff time I’d rather see him converting on drop off passes and pick and rolls or lobs. DeMarcus Cousins can be relied upon to be that 3rd option for the Lakers and playing alongside former teammate Anthony Davis will only help elevate his play. Anthony Davis once showed up to a baseball game donning a New Orleans Pelicans DeMarcus Cousins jersey in hopes of convincing DeMarcus to stick around but he shocked the NBA world by taking a $5 million dollar offer from the Golden State Warriors.
DeMarcus Cousins was taking 3 pointers like a madman in Houston that will change on the Lakers, playing alongside a leader like LeBron James DeMarcus Cousins will be fed the ball relentlessly on the low-block and all that will be asked of him is to give the Lakers consistent scoring off the bench. Not enough is said of Anthony Davis’s ever evolving play-making skills, couple that with Marc Gasol who is also one of the best play-making bigs in the game and the Lakers could have an offensive attack which could be unstoppable come playoff time. DeMarcus will also give the Lakers physicality on the low-block which they currently lack and someone to go to in half-court sets when opposing defenses look to lock in and take the ball out of LeBron or Davis’s hands on traps and double-teams. Cousins can punish teams when he gets single coverage and he will have an immense amount of room to work with specially when LeBron and Davis are both on the court at the same time, he can convert on kick-out 3’s and screen and rolls with LeBron and Dennis.
To conclude at this point in Cousins’s career he won’t be tallying 30+points and 15+ rebounds consistently any longer but he is certainly capable of big performances in the playoffs for the Lakers or any contender whom happens to sign him. DeMarcus Cousins has always been a scorer and he will always identify as one till the day he retires, he has never been known for his defense,rebounding,or shot blocking although he is pretty decent at all 3 but the man specializes at scoring the basketball which is what the Lakers need. DeMarcus can shoot the post-fade away from the post,he can pump-fake and take defenders off the dribble from the top of the key,he’s got an array of moves with his back to the basket and can muscle his way to the rim, those are things Gasol and Harrell can’t be relied upon to do come playoff time. I’m sure LeBron and Davis will be getting in touch with Rob Pelinka this coming week, till next time.
D-NBA 