National Basketball Association

John Wall gives the Pelicans advice on how to handle being DeMarcus Cousins' teammate

Published Feb. 20, 2017 5:03 p.m. ET

Fox Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off an incredible deal by landing All-Star DeMarcus Cousins in a blockbuster trade with the Sacramento Kings that changes the complexion of Western Conference playoff race at the midway point of the season. Cousins will now be paired with a formidable teammate – and fellow University of Kentucky alum – in Anthony Davis. He also has the opportunity to start fresh with a new team and teammates.

Cousins has long had a fiery reputation around the league – both on the court and off. As Cousins begins a new chapter with the Pelicans, former Kentucky teammate and current Washington Wizard John Wall shared his perspective on life with Boogie in an interview with FOX Sports' Chris Broussard.

"What it is is you know he’s already big – he’s like a bully," Wall said. "He plays with so much heart and drive he wants to be great he kind of gets misread."

"He had a bad rep early on," Wall said. "You can tell him that, he won’t get mad. And I think now he’s trying to change his ways but when you do it. He’s trying to put that behind him but, it’s kind of tough. Whoever his point guard is, whoever his coach is, whoever it is, if he gets a great bond with you and feels like he can trust you, he’ll go to war with you."