Golden State Warriors signing DeMarcus Cousins was a huge deal this offseason, but according to S/I, they didn’t even sign a top-65 player.
There’s not as much disrespect as the headline suggests since Sports Illustrated ranked the Golden State Warriors superstar center DeMarcus Cousins given that he’ll be out for the first half of the season.
However, not even top 50, come on now. Here’s part of their explanation.
Read the whole 50-100 rankings here.
"His raw stats—on part with prime Shaquille O’Neal—haven’t translated to elite team performance. And, at 28, he is still plagued by emotional outbursts and ejections. Nevertheless, Cousins was correct when he called his summer signing a “chess move,” as the Warriors can slow-play his rehabilitation, lighten his load, and afford to hold him to a higher personal standard.If healthy, Cousins would have placed in the top 25, but SI’s Top 100 is a one-year exercise, and this ranking assumes Cousins will miss roughly half the season, play reduced minutes upon his return, and perform at roughly 60% of his capabilities due to his age and the serious nature of his injury.More from Blue Man Hoop3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunionGolden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadlineGolden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World CupGolden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court"
They’re right. Cousins’ stats last season were absolutely incredible. His size plus agility along with long-distance shooting is a combination that the NBA has yet to ever see.
Cousins averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.6 blocks and 2.2 threes per game last season. That combination had never been seen before in NBA history. He can just do it all.
And, at 6-foot-11, 270 pounds there are is hardly any player that can anything to guard Boogie.
However, Boogie was ranked behind Myles Turner for the same reason that Kristaps Porzingis was ranked outside of the top 50. It’s the injuries. Those two are clearly top-20 players. They’re both in the top five of their respective position and have showcased their elite talent.
Cousins, who really doesn’t have anything to prove in Golden State, will be playing for that next contract. He signed for $5.3 million yet is worth almost four times that.
If Cousins comes back the player he was prior to his injury, a feat not many accomplish than he’ll be likely to sign for the most next offseason. That’s a big if though.
Kobe Bryant, although later in his career, went through a similar Achilles’ rupture and was never the same. Albeit Kobe still rehabbed and became a viable starter, he wasn’t the Kobe that young 90’s kids knew.
Cousins has something to play for, and that should motivate him to help the Dubs win their third straight Finals.