Golden State Warriors: DeMarcus Cousins is the x-factor

The Golden State Warriors have a shot at winning a third straight NBA championship and DeMarcus Cousins could turn out to be the team’s x-factor.

When the Golden State Warriors signed DeMarcus Cousins in the 2018 NBA off-season, many saw the acquisition as overkill.

The Warriors were fresh off their second consecutive title and the third in four years. With the championship culture already in place and a roster already containing four All-NBA level players. Did the team really need another All-Star to be added to the mix?

Well, believe it or not, but the signing of DeMarcus Cousins may turn out to be crucial to the Warriors success. Many had believed that he would simply be the cherry on top of an already solidified dynasty, however, Cousins may have a bigger impact than anyone could have predicted.

Entering the season, the Golden State Warriors had a total of four centers on the team. Then, a recent injury to Damian Jones cut the rotation to just three centers. Of these players, Cousins is the only one with more than three years of playing experience.

Furthermore, Cousins is the only one of the bunch that has proven to be a reliable player. Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney have the potential to produce at a consistent level, but it is uncertain if they are capable of playing big minutes in the NBA Playoffs. As a result, Cousins’ importance to the team has instantly been magnified.

Cousins, a four-time All-Star, would usually have no problem handling an increased role. The plot-twist here is that he is still recovering from an Achilles injury that has left him sidelined since last season.

The Warriors will need Cousins to step up and fill in the void in their center position. If Cousins’ body fails him and doesn’t allow him to produce at the level that the team needs, the Warriors could be in some trouble down the road.