Post by Haberino on Jan 4, 2011 16:14:08 GMT -5
DeMarcus Cousins
6'11 260, 24 years old
B+ C- C- B- B+ A
Power Forward/Center
6'11 260, 24 years old
B+ C- C- B- B+ A
Power Forward/Center
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Note: DeMarcus Cousins fizzled out after an awful rookie season beset by foul, attitude, and weight trouble. He spent three seasons in Europe working on his game and his attitude, and has become a dominant player. His teammates all spoke glowingly (glowingly!) of him. The question now is whether his return to BBS will be the same talent with a different personality, or if all the pressure and the increased physicality of the BBS game will cause Cousins to crumble.
Strengths: A force in the paint. Cousins has great footwork, surprising quickness, and a dominant back to the basket game. He has touch out to 13 feet or so, and an excellent jump hook. A very good rebounder. Cousins can pass a little, too. He's got skill on defense but his weaknesses there outweigh the positives. Expect high strength and an above average inside rating.
Weaknesses: He is very, very prone to mistakes. He forces a bit on offense, leading to charges and turnovers. He is a very physical defender without using his head much, leading to terrible foul trouble. That wasn't the case in Europe, and Cousins has slimmed down ten pounds since his last days in the NBA. His range is limited, but nothing too shabby for a young big.
Overall: An excellent talent who is primed to make a big return to his home country. Cousins' early emotional problems look to be gone. If this means he's also forcing the issue less, avoiding foul trouble and turnovers, then Cousins has it in him to be a superstar big man. Don't expect great shotblocking, but 20/10 is very reasonable.
Draft projection: Top 3.
Best case scenario ratings: A/C/C-/B+/A
