Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr hints at potential second unit role for DeMarcus Cousins
Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors head coach, hinted at a potential second unit role for DeMarcus Cousins upon his return from injury.
The Golden State Warriors marquee offseason addition, DeMarcus Cousins, has been shooting around with the team. Continuing to rehab from his 2017-2018 midseason Achilles rupture, Cousins should be on the court either prior to or just after the All-Star break.
Upon his return, he might not get the position he craves.
Per Complex, Steve Kerr commented on DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins potential role.
"“I think you’ll see us use him in that David West role from the last couple years, when David anchored the second unit,” Kerr said in an appearance on Tolbert & Lund. “I think you’ll see us play through DeMarcus once he’s back, and we’ll put him on the low block and have guys cutting around him.”"
To say the least, the comments from Kerr are quite interesting.
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An injury away from a max contract this past offseason, it’ll be fascinating to see if a second unit role is ok with Cousins. The 6-foot-10 big put up numbers never before seen in the league last season.
Now, albeit on the league’s most talented team of all time, he’s going to accept a second unit role? Something about that just seems off. Cousins is too good to be used in the ‘David West’ role. Part of this may have to do with the surprisingly terrific play of starting center Damian Jones.
Of players averaging at least four shots per game, Jones is leading the league in field goal percentage. He’s also been a solid defensive option and has really cemented himself as a capable starting center.
On the other hand, Kerr has to also understand that the Golden State Warriors have the league’s worst bench. They’re scoring less than 25 points per game, the only bench to not hit that threshold. That’s a serious issue and a reason to worry moving forward.
Cousins could provide a playmaking spark to enhance to the bench to at least be a middle-of-the-pack second unit.
While Cousins’ career might not be what it could’ve been, he will get the chance to excel. Whether on the second unit or in the starting lineup, Cousins should be effective and most likely will still be on the court down the stretch in close games.
Next. Warriors: 3 way too early overreactions to the season. dark
Cousins will change the entire face of the team, and moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how they use him.