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Golden State Warriors: Can DeMarcus Cousins be Solid on Defense?

By Andrew Ites

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to a call during the first half of a NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center on January 20, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to a call during the first half of a NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center on January 20, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors’ offense could be unstoppable with a healthy DeMarcus Cousins, but will their defense suffer with Boogie at center?

The Golden State Warriors added a fifth All-Star to their roster by signing DeMarcus Cousins in free agency.

Boogie is one of the most skilled centers in the league, and could be a great fit in Golden State’s offense, but his defense has been much-maligned during his career.

Individual defense is a difficult thing to quantify in basketball, but ESPN’s defensive real plus-minus is the best defensive metric, in my opinion.

Here are Cousins’ defensive real plus-minus numbers since ESPN began recording the stat in 2013-14 along with his ranking among centers:

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2017-18: 1.60 – 32nd

2016-17: 0.64 – 47th

2015-16: 3.25 – 5th

2014-15: 4.71 – 1st

2013-14: 1.86 – 16th

The numbers show that Boogie’s defense has been inconsistent over the years, and the eye test supports that conclusion as well.

He has hustle issues on the defensive end, and his tremendous size limits his mobility.

His mobility will probably be even more limited once he comes back from his ruptured Achilles. Suffering that type of injury at Cousins’ size is basically unprecedented, and no one knows what to expect from him when he can finally get back on the floor.

Fortunately, the Warriors have some other options if Cousins struggles on the defensive end next season.

Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney have both proven to be versatile defenders during their young careers. And Steve Kerr can always whip out the Super Death Lineup and put Draymond Green at center to close out games.

Next: Is Adding DeMarcus Cousins Worth the Risk?

It remains to be seen what Cousins looks like once he comes back from injury, but I wouldn’t hold out hope that he becomes a great defender.

However, his incredible skill on the offensive end will be valuable for the Warriors even if he’s unable to play above-average defense.

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