DeMarcus Cousins continues to add value to the LA Clippers
DeMarcus Cousins isn’t the same All-Star we think of when we hear his name. Injuries have taken that player away from us and left us with a bench big who has bounced around from team to team over the last few seasons. Now, he finds himself with the LA Clippers.
Cousins is on his second 10-day contract with the team and while he probably doesn’t have a big role with the team once Serge Ibaka comes back, he’s doing enough now where he should be signed long-term.
Even if he does fall out of the rotation, DeMarcus Cousins has proved that he adds value to the LA Clippers.
Last night in the win versus Portland, Cousins might have had his best game. When he checked in for Ivica Zubac, it was easy to tell he was feeling well. He came in with a high motor and was scrapping from the start. In 13 minutes, Cousins finished with 11 points on four of six shooting, six rebounds, and an assist. His passing was much better than the stats show, however, with several scoring plays starting from a post up by him.
Even if last night was the absolute peak of the Cousins that the LA Clippers get on the court this season, it’s his locker room presence that is adding value. After the game, Cousins spoke to the media and made sure to pump up his teammate, Paul George, who had just willed the team to victory.
"“He leads by example. He comes in and he works every single day. Every night he steps on the floor, he’s going to give an A+ effort. One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen lace ‘em up. We gotta stop the PG slander. It just won’t be accepted around me…Every chance I get, I’m gonna give him his flowers.”"
From a former All-Star and Team USA member, that means a lot. If he’s saying these things to the media, we have to imagine he’s just as vocal on the sidelines and in the locker room. Having someone come in and completely buy-in on this team and their players within just under 20 days under contract says a lot about this franchise.
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This year’s iteration of the LA Clippers seems a lot more cohesive and like they get along. Adding someone like Boogie to that was a risk but if he is continually propping up his teammates like this, he adds value. With a buyout signing, that’s all you can hope for.