DeMarcus Cousins Demands Trade From Kings

He'd be more efficient in Portland getting less minutes and shots, and playing for a better team. Cousins has not had a good start to his NBA career, but you have to give up an average starting small forward for a center with real star potential.

Fair enough. Unless I'm thinking of someone else here, I seem to recall you being fairly down on him in the past

Derrick Blows?

Him too, but I was actually talking about possibly confusing Lamrock with another poster who was critical of Cousins.

My approach to NBA analysis is still evolving. Cousins hurt the Kings last year, but it is hard to expect efficiency from rookies on bad teams. Despite the Kings' record and all the coach drama, he is actually off to a pretty good start this season. No guarantees but I like him better than Wall as a prospect.

No guarantees but I like him better than Wall as a prospect.

I agree with you here. Cousins already has a pretty good footwork, his development is limited by his maturity though.

I'd honestly would like to have him in my team, if I was a GM, he's a complete headcase but it's manageable. I'd have his 5 offensive rebounds per game, even if he was a complete headcase.

why do i have the feeling that those offensive rebounds were from his own misses? iirc he has bad fg% for a big man. can't be assed to check, posting from an evil apple tool.

0.443% from the field. 44% is a bit low for a big man - But considering he doesn't quite play like a big man yet (case in point, his maturity) it isn't that concerning.

Those rebounds aren't from his misses either, though I see why you'd think that.

phpBB [video]

He needs to improve his shot selection and reduce his fouls. Other than that, I think this guy can be pretty much a beast - because he has the body (although he's not that athletic) and the skills.

Most of his fouls are reach-ins by the way, so he can defend in the post without committing too many fouls.

I didn't realize looking at raw field goal percentage was something people still did. Cousins has a true shooting percentage of .519%, as he gets to the line a lot and isn't too bad from the stripe. Nothing special by any means, but enough to elevate him into "productive player" status (last year, he had the team-killing combo of 27.2% usage and a TS of just .484%)

Him too, but I was actually talking about possibly confusing Lamrock with another poster who was critical of Cousins.

It's more likely to be me than Lamrock. I believe Lamrock previously labelled Cousins as the best rookie from last year's draft, ahead of former teammate Wall.

I think the Derrick Blows thing can be retired. Rose's game has developed immensely since his rookie year & he's worthy of all the praise that he is getting.

I didn't realize looking at raw field goal percentage was something people still did. Cousins has a true shooting percentage of .519%, as he gets to the line a lot and isn't too bad from the stripe. Nothing special by any means, but enough to elevate him into "productive player" status (last year, he had the team-killing combo of 27.2% usage and a TS of just .484%)

I can't speak for everyone but I was looking at both. As you noted, it's nothing special (albeit an improvement on last year) and not up to par with other bigs. In any case, it's his attitude that remains the bigger concern, the talent is there and the efficiency should hopefully continue to improve.

I think the Derrick Blows thing can be retired. Rose's game has developed immensely since his rookie year & he's worthy of all the praise that he is getting.

I'd certainly agree, though it could still be argued that Derrick blows by defenders on a regular basis.

I think it's safe to say now that all are in agreement about Rose's undeniable talent and skill.
Since he's still the reigning MVP we can't just let it be that there is nothing to criticize about Rose anymore. So here's a new criticism for us to reflect upon...

MVP Derrick Rose: Is he humble because he really is or because he has the IQ (not basketball IQ) of a brick that's why he appears humble? Discuss.

Being a poor student doesn't necessarily mean he's a drooling moron. I'd suggest that's just his personality, same with guys like Duncan and Durant.

I'd say it's his personality... but he's already looking for a bigger market.

It's probably a little of both. I doubt you can be a top 2 NBA point guard without being somewhat intelligent. Still, Rose isn't the most articulate, and probably not terribly learned. He seems smart enough to realize that though. I'm sure the Bulls organization has something to do with Rose's public persona.

I'd say it's his personality... but he's already looking for a bigger market.

Who is? Or who isn't?

Exactly -- who isn't looking for a bigger market? Of course, they want to showcase themselves but they should be a little more professional about it. That's where Cousins personality blows it all to hell.