Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Today from KSRCollege.com, comes this look at Demarcus Cousins via Lee Snodgrass, who is covering the UK guys in the NBA:
We have all known DeMarcus Cousins could/would be good at both the collegiate and NBA level. Yet what DeMarcus has done lately has been impressive indeed. As of right now, Cousins is playing like one of the best big men in the entire league, with his numbers up there with NBA elites like Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin (I still have to double check Love’s numbers to make sure they aren’t some sort of hoax sometimes). In fact, Cousins’ season stat line is awfully similar to the Western Conference’s All Star Center Andrew Bynum…
Bynum:
PPG RPG BLKPG PER
16.3 12.6 2.1 21.85
Cousins:
PPG RPG BLKPG PER
16.3 11.3 1.3 21.13
The points per game are identical, and Bynum is only a shade above him in the other categories. I do not really understand the PER statistic except that it is some way for a number cruncher to prove things we already know like that Lebron is really, really, good at basketball. If Cousins had begun his current surge just a little earlier, he very well could have been an All-Star. The past six games Cousins has averaged a whopping 22.0 points per game and 14.2 rebounds per game. The Timberwolves missed out on a killer frontcourt tandem when they selected former Syracuse star Wesley Johnson instead of Cousins (in homage to my idol Bill Simmons: KAHHHHHHHN!), so take note of the two players’ so NBA careers so far, Mr. Nerlens Noel.
Cousins’ sophomore campaign certainly got off to a rocky start, with problems with his now former coach and the trade request that may or may not have occurred. So his impressive numbers this season thus far become even more so considering how the year began for him. While the Kings are a lousy 10-19 and Cousins still has to deal with having Jimmer Fredette as a teammate, the future is encouraging for Cousins. And Cousins’ play in the NBA continues to pay dividends for UK basketball, proving Cal knows how to develop more than just point guards, and next year Anthony Davis will further bolster that claim. The expedited maturation of Cousins this year shows strong signs of a long and productive NBA career for our beloved Boogie.
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February 19th, 2012 at 11:17 am
yep
February 19th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Like it or not Kevin Love is an excellent basketball player. And as far as having Jimmer on his team, a couple weeks ago I remember seeing Cousins up from the bench swirling a towel when Jimmer got on a hot streak and drained a deep three. I wonder why you are so negative about these two players.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:35 am
This probably just wishful thinking but, I’d like to AD stay around and develop more physically for the NBA.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:36 am
This is probably just wishful thinking but, I’d like to AD stay around and develop more physically for the NBA.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
UK cheerleaders just won the national 2012 cheerleading championship! Way to go, the BBN just gets better and better!
February 19th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I am a big fan of Cal and what he has accomplished at UK, but to give him credit for developing Boogie and his current NBA success is a real stretch. Boogie had the natural ability & skills before he ever met Cal. Did Cal help? Sure. But it would be like crediting John Wooden for Abdul-Jabbar’s success, Dean Smith for Jordan’s, Tubby for Rondo’s, etc. Their success was likely going to happen regardless of or in spite of their college coach.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
On the other hand, if you want to use Jorts as an example where Cal was a major contributor to his development, then that is legit.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I think the per stat stands for ‘per minutes’.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
If Noel wants to be the #1 pick he knows where to attend college.
February 19th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
I like boogie because he played at UK. I also like tater tots
February 19th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
#8 PER actually stands for “Player Efficiency Rating” and is used to compute a player’s entire production into one number. Without getting too complex, it takes into account a player’s minutes, how productive he was in that time (pts, reb, ast, etc), how efficient he is (FG%, turnovers, etc), and gives out a number that tells how efficient and productive a player is in his time of play. Usually, a PER above 20 is good, and a PER above 25 is outstanding. Therefore, LeBron’s current PER of 32 is completely ridiculous.
PER has plenty of haters, and I can’t say that they are wrong. However, I do find it to be an interesting way to measure a player’s effectiveness. Either way, Big Cuz’s PER is rising! He is playing incredible this season, I can’t wait to see him once he hits his prime in a few years.
February 19th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I think you have to give Cal a lot of credit for Boogies success. If he had went to play for a lot of coaches he may have proven too much for them to handle and his career could have easily taken a different path. Renaldo Sidney is a perfect example of what could have happened.
February 19th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Enjoyed this article. Need to hear more from this author! GO BIG BLUE!
February 19th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Where is Evan Turner? hahahah What about Derrick Favors? J-Wall and Boogie are the two most successful from the top 5 of that draft class
February 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Also, just saw Jorts on a NBA commercial for BBVA bank!! (Along with Sebastian Telfair. didn’t know he was still alive)
February 19th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Sick that the T-Wolves didn’t draft Cousins. Stupid.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Great to hear that The Big Cuz is rocking the house!
February 19th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Great article. Luv some Boogie!