Los Angeles Lakers: How a healthy DeMarcus Cousins could fit with the Lakers next season
DeMarcus Cousins
With news from Lakers head coach Frank Vogel via the Los Angeles Lakers YouTube channel, regarding Cousins injury update, Vogel was quoted as saying:
“He’s on track to get healthy by the playoffs, and we’ll have to see where he’s at with rhythm and conditioning, and timing and all that stuff. But there is a possibility he returns this season, yes.”
With his release, this dashed any hopes of the Lakers fans seeing Cousins in uniform this season. However, with coronavirus pushing the season back due to the restrictions in place, it is not impossible for Cousins to hit the floor this season.
Cousins has been through injury hell the last two years and allowing his body the time to heal, and for Cousins to get mentally and physically, right is the correct thing not just for Cousins himself but for the Lakers franchise.
Cousins has been doing all the right things in his recovery from his torn ACL in his knee. He has been rehabbing correctly and keeping his diet clean. He has also stayed with the team for stretches and is making sure that he is building relationships with his teammates so that when he comes back the natural chemistry is there.
All these things are perfect for his potential future with the Lakers.
One area in which there has been trouble in the past with Cousins has been his attitude. There has been zero chatter about Cousins’s attitude spilling over, which shows that Cousins has turned over a new leaf in that regard.
If Cousins can get fully healthy and he re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers, they are going to be an absolute nightmare to deal with offensively.
Before his injury, Cousins was one of the most physically imposing and dominant offensive weapons in the post since Shaquille O’Neal.
With a vast array of post moves, Cousins could get to the rim with ease and get easy buckets. If that wasn’t working, Cousins could also back you down and put a hole in your chest and dunk right in your face.
One of the more underrated areas of Cousins game is his passing. Capable of making passes in transition, from the post, and in double team situations, Cousins alongside his teammate Anthony Davis, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo are the premier passing big men in the NBA.
Cousins is also no slouch on the defensive end. Capable of blocking the ball at an above-average rate, Cousins’ defensive abilities command respect both in the post and around the perimeter.
If Cousins can get anywhere near the player he was with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, then the Lakers could have their 3rd star for a discount price.