National Basketball Association

Sacramento Kings: The Boogie Monster

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most dominate forces in the NBA today. However, where does the Sacramento Kings big man rank among NBA bigs?

The Sacramento Kings’ star center DeMarcus Cousins, also known as “Boogie Cousins”, is one of the most talented players in the league. So, where does he rank among big men? If you ask me, I’d say at the top, and that it’s not even really that close.

Cousins is a player who plays with passion, heart, and anger. While this can sometimes haunt him, it often times brings out the best in him. At 6-foot-11 and weighing in at 270 pounds, Cousins is physically intimidating, and his style of play matches it.

Dominate big men in the NBA are seeming to make a slow, but steady comeback. Throughout the past few years, the league has transitioned to a shooters league. However, I think it will ultimately wind back where it was years ago, a league dominated by big men. As they say, history does repeat itself.

But with that being said, lets dive into some player comparisons.

Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) argues a call with referee James Williams (60) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Blind Resume Test

Just a quick tutorial: the Blind Resume Test is a tactic used by many among the Basketball Twitterverse. In essence, you present four anonymous players and their stats. You then proceed to pick the best line out of the group – blindly.

Taking away favorites, you’re forced to pick the best line.

Player A :18 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, 51.3 FG%, 85.8 FT%, N/a 3Pt%

Player B: 26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, 45.1 FG%, 71.8 FT%, 33.3 3Pt%

Player C: 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, 54.2 FG%, 81.1 FT%, 34.1 3Pt%

Player D: 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.4 blocks, 51.6 FG%, 78.0 FT%, 28.1 3Pt%

So, which player are you taking?

Feb 24, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) and forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) defend during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Blind Resume Reveal

Player A: LaMarcus Aldridge

Player B: DeMarcus Cousins

Player C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Player D: Anthony Davis

Cousins leads the group in points, rebounds and assists. In addition, he finished 3rd in the NBA in scoring with 26.9 points per game, and finished 5th in rebounding with 11.5 points per game (he is only player to finish top 5 in both categories in the past two years).

What is even more impressive than that? Cousins was the only player in the NBA last season to finish in the top 25 in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game, and steals per game.

As impressive as the stats may be, the biggest part of Cousins’ game is his attitude. He has a passion for the game, and a passion for winning. While his attitude often plays a large role in his games, you can make the argument he plays better when he is mad.

May 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac and head coach Dave Joerger during a press conference at the Sacramento Kings XC (Experience Center). Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

A Shaky Foundation In Sacramento

This season will be DeMarcus Cousins’ 7th season in the NBA. During those seven years, Cousins has had six different head coaches, three different General Managers and two different owners. How many other NBA players have had that amount of change in a 7 year span? Very, very few.

As embarrassing as it is to the Kings’ franchise that their own player called Sacramento “basketball hell”, it is true. Sacramento has not made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season.

With a shaky foundation to build on, it is not surprising that Cousins’ growth has been stunted. Cousins has yet to play full back to back seasons with the same coach at the helm. Think about that, that is 6 seasons of change, every time the Kings’s players finally get comfortable with the new coach, he is gone.

This speaks not only for Cousins, but for the entire King’s organization, how can you build a successful franchise with a shaky foundation? You can’t.

Oct 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates with guard Ty Lawson (10) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Quit On Cousins

Despite all of the issues in the Sacramento Kings’ front office, DeMarcus Cousins has proved he is one of the most dominant forces in the league.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Cousins continues to improve his game and has even expanded his game shooting 33.3 percent from 3PT land last season. He has a passion for the game and a will to win every night, it’s not the attitude that the problem, its how it affects him.

When talking comparisons, Cousins’ attitude is often the focal point of conversation, and ultimately the thing that holds him back in some people’s minds. I look at it in a different light. Take Russell Westbrook for example, he has the same attitude and will to win.

Whats the only difference? He is on a winning team. If Sacramento can get their head on straight, play as a team, and stay healthy (which is a lot to ask for), they could possibly sneak into the 8th spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Does DeMarcus Cousins have an edge to him? Yes, all the great players do. Does he let that edge get in the way of winning? Yes, and that is the problem.

Although, as mentioned before, it is not his fault. You simply cannot keep a beast locked up in a cage and expect him to be happy.

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