Peace and playoffs
Cousins finds a new home, relishes chance to give his career a fresh start
CALIFORNIA— DeMarcus Cousins spent his first eight seasons in the NBA chasing two things—peace and the playoffs.
After signing with Golden State as a free agent, the fourtime All-Star center has no doubts he’ll finally find both, and that those will help dispel the notion that he’s a bad teammate.
“Just a chance to play for a winning culture,” Cousins said on Thursday. “I also have a chance to play with some of the most talented players of this era. Those two things alone, that pretty much sums it up.”
Looking relaxed while sitting on a stage next to Warriors general manager Bob Myers, Cousins was at ease during a news conference at the team’s practice facility.
Golden State’s fiery big man seems content in his new sur- roundings and wants the hardware to show for it.
“Every guy said let’s go get another championship,” Cousins said. “They are a wellestablished team and they could have easily been like, ‘ No, we don’t need him.’ But they were excited like a team that’s never accomplished anything.”
While his signing in Golden State drew mostly groans from around the NBA, Cousins didn’t need much persuading to join the two-time defending champions. He has never played in the postseason, is coming off Achilles surgery in January and didn’t attract much attention in free agency until signing a $5.3million, one-year contract with Golden State.
From the Warriors’ side, it’s a case of the rich getting richer. They’ve won the championship three of the past four seasons with an attack heavy on perimeter shooting and defense. In the 6-foot-11, 270-pound Cousins, they now have a dominant presence on the low block as well.
Cousins averaged 25.2 points and career highs in rebounds (12.9), assists (5.4) and minutes (36.2) with New Orleans before getting hurt.
“I’m progressing weekly, which is a positive,” Cousins said. “As far as a timetable, to be determined. I have to be smart about it. I’m in a unique situation as well where I’m not needed right away. Time is kind of on my side so I have a chance to get to 100 percent. Making it to the playoffs won’t be an issue for this team obviously. Once the basketball part comes, everything else will take care of itself.”
The 27-year-old with a quick temper and a history of piling up technical fouls at a rapid rate showed a playful side when he joked about the possibility of fighting with new teammates Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, two players with whom he’s had on-court issues in the past.
“Might as well,” Cousins said as the crowd laughed.
I also have a chance to play with some of the most talented players of this era DEMARCUS COUSINS