Cousins making positive improvements

OAKLAND – Do the Warriors have a third Splash Brother?

Demarcus Cousins joked he once was during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Now that he is in a Warriors uniform, though, Cousins has a chance to earn the nickname. He auditioned fairly well at least at the end of Wednesday’s morning shootaround.

Then, Cousins splashed a mix of 3-pointers and pull-up jumpers on the first day he participated in team non-contact drills. What will that be like when Cousins can show that in an actual game?

“It’ll be magical,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson predicted.

For now, the Warriors can only dream. Cousins will sit out when the Warriors (3-1) host the Washington Wizards (1-2) on Wednesday at Oracle Arena. The Warriors have no timetable on when Cousins will return from a left Achilles tendon injury suffered in late January when he played for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors cleared Cousins on Monday, though, for team drills that include ball handling, skill work and games of 5-on-0. He might also participate in light scrimmages with the team’s young players. With the Warriors having a day off on Tuesday, their morning shootaround session marked the first day Cousins increased his workload.

Demarcus Cousins getting some shots up. They look good

“It’s good to see him working out and sweating,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. “He’s just putting that work in every day to come back. He’s anxious to come back. We’re all anxious to have him. It’s going to be a process for him to finally get back on the court. But I think he’s moving in the right direction.”

That is because Cousins, a four-time All-star, offers more than just size and strength with his 6-foot-11, 270-pound frame. In the past four seasons, he has also shot 35.1 percent from 3-point range. That is pretty good for a big man.

“He’s one of the very few,” Thompson said. “It shows the skillset he has and what new dimensions he can add to our teams with the floor spacing and ability to see the game.”

Who knows when Cousins can show that in actual game. For now, the Warriors remain encouraged with Cousins’ rehab and mentorship toward the team’s young players, most notably thirdyear center Damian Jones. As Thompson said, “Demarcus is an amazing leader and a great teacher.” Demarcus Cousins does an interview during Golden State Warriors Media Day in Oakland on Sept. 24.