This topic contains 21 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar Demarcus Oneal 13 years, 6 months ago.

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  • #21889
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    hoodwink
    Participant

    King’s Cousins keeps it light back home

    MOBILE, Ala. – Sometimes it takes a mother to see the truth in her child’s eyes, to hear the hurt in his voice. • Monique Cousins knows her oldest son, DeMarcus, well. • Even in casual conversation, she is comfortable standing. And she has stood up for her son enough to know the criticism he has heard doesn’t fall on deaf ears. • The DeMarcus Cousins Monique knows is the one she sees in a slew of family pictures on the dinner table in her new home in Spanish Fort, a Mobile suburb.

    Cousins, whom the Kings drafted No. 5 overall in June out of Kentucky, recently purchased her new home after signing his rookie contract.

    There are photographs of Cousins playing with his five siblings – four sisters and a brother. Snapshots of Cousins as a toddler, with the familiar look that is now his game face.

    Bad attitude? Lazy? Immature?

    The criticism just doesn’t mesh with the image she has of her son. And Monique, who raised him without his father in the picture, has watched how he has dealt with being told he has the kind of disruptive personality that can kill a team’s chemistry.

    Before the draft, pundits talked about him being uncoachable. All along, Cousins said the talk didn’t bother him.

    But mom usually knows better.

    "Sometimes when you hear it so much you don’t give yourself enough credit," Monique said. "Not that you act upon it, but it kind of gives you a low self-esteem in a way. So you make yourself OK by not worrying about it. So a lot of times you might hear him say ‘I don’t care’ when he really does. … ‘I don’t care’ is just a Band-Aid on that situation."

     

    Hiding his playful side

     

     

    Here in his hometown, Cousins isn’t a problem child. He’s considered quite childlike – a fun-loving kid in a man’s 6-foot-11 body. This is where you see glimpses of the off-court persona that is the opposite of what the Kings want to see on the floor as they open training camp this week.

     

    This 20-year-old "teddy bear" will sit on the gym floor at LeFlore High School and laugh when former classmates suggest he now has the money to treat them to McDonald’s. He enjoys the banter with former teachers and administrators.

    These are the same teachers who smile when discussing how well Cousins works with children, even playing duck, duck, goose with them.

    Yes, this is a side of Cousins rarely seen. Perhaps you might call it the real Cousins. Just don’t expect him to go out of his way to show you this side. He has grown accustomed to detractors who bring up past incidents while not citing the fact he hasn’t had any major problems since he was in the 10th grade.

    "It does bother me, but at the same time it really doesn’t," Cousins said. "I know what type of person I am. Everybody makes mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. But to hold something like that over somebody’s head when they was such a young age, that’s crazy – that’s petty, really. But it really doesn’t bother me."

    To better understand why Cousins takes this approach, you first have to understand his early high school years.

    He wasn’t big on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit in middle school. But by the end of his freshman season at Erwin High School in Birmingham, Ala., some were already rating him the top player in his class.

    "That was the crazy," Cousins said.

     

    Attitude adjustment

     

     

    Monique Cousins said the family was private and close-knit. But raising one of the best high school players in the country without his father around changed things.

     

    Cousins said that was the start of adults taking credit for his oncourt success. Some promised to "deliver" him to schools in exchange for favors.

    Then during his sophomore year at Erwin, there was an altercation on a school bus with a faculty member. Cousins was suspended for the rest of his sophomore season.

    He enrolled at Clay-Chalkville High in Pinson, Ala., as a junior but was ruled ineligible when state school officials said coach Robi Coker recruited Cousins. Coker and Cousins deny any recruitment.

    Monique said she was told her son could attend school anywhere in Alabama but couldn’t play for Clay.

    So Monique moved her family back to Mobile, where Cousins was born and Monique was raised.

    And it’s where things began to change for Cousins.

    "After making my mistakes in Birmingham, I knew I really had to change if I’m trying to make it," Cousins said. "I started listening a lot more, surrounding myself with better people, better role models if you want to say that. Just changed my whole mind-set on life and tried to be a better person."

    LeFlore had the right people in the right places to help Cousins begin to change.

     

    Getting on track

     

     

    Sitting in her office adjacent to the gym, LeFlore physical education teacher and former athletic director Sherry McDade recalled the first time she met Cousins.

     

    It was homecoming, and McDade was in charge of the motorcade. Along the route, the motorcade was blocked by Monique Cousins’ truck while she registered Cousins for school.

    McDade still smiles when she recalls walking into the school office, where Cousins told her it was his mother’s truck that was blocking the path and that he was an incoming junior who wanted to play on the basketball team.

    "I said, ‘Well, bend down,’ " McDade recalled. "And he bent down, and I hit him upside his head and said, ‘I’m Sherri McDade, I’m the athletic director here at LeFlore, and we want to welcome you.’ "

    LeFlore was already a basketball power in Alabama. The school had won a state championship the season before Cousins arrived.

    And after the drama in Birmingham, LeFlore proved to be the perfect landing spot.

    Eric Lovett was an assistant basketball coach. He was also Cousins’ algebra 2 and precalculus/trigonometry teacher.

    Lovett had heard plenty of negatives about LeFlore’s newest player. And when Cousins ducked his head to enter his math class, Lovett recalled seeing a teenager who had been worn down by the rumors and attacks on his character.

    "You only hear so many negative accounts, so it seemed like a situation where they were forcing his back up against the wall," Lovett said. "So it’s a ‘who can I trust?’ kind of thing.

    "I don’t think people realized you’re talking to a 16-year-old kid. He has a talent, and I think they were putting the expectations on him because of his talent and not realizing this is a 16-year-old kid that has to grow up."

    So the plan at LeFlore was to treat Cousins like a kid. The coaching staff was cautious not to jump at every rumor and not to hold the past over his head.

    "You hear some stories, and you get concerned, but once I met his mom and met him, it didn’t reconcile," said then-LeFlore head basketball coach Otis Hughley. "I would have taken him 10 out of 10 times."

     

    Managing his emotions

     

     

    When he wasn’t getting bombarded by allegations off the court, Cousins took a physical beating on it. Smaller players would hit him, and because of his size, officials allowed the rough play.

     

    But instead of fighting back, Cousins learned to let Hughley and the staff fight for him. They dealt with the officials while teaching Cousins how to control his anger.

    "If someone inflicts pain on you, what do you do?" Monique said. "So it’s also a discipline to feel pain and not to retaliate and put the energy in its right place. No (previous coach) was teaching him that. (They) were like, ‘Just suck it up.’ … Eventually (his anger has) got to go somewhere."

    Cousins wanted the discipline Hughley and his staff provided. He liked the fact Hughley treated him no differently than he did other players.

    Hughley will continue to play a major role in Cousins’ career. He will join his former star in Sacramento as an assistant coach on Paul Westphal’s staff this season.

    " ‘Marc’ is misunderstood in a lot of different ways," Hughley said. "And he’s like a lot of good kids. He wants discipline, and he wants a good environment. I think it was just a good fit. He was with someone who was going to care for him as much as the last guy on the bench."

    The challenge for Cousins in high school was how to channel his emotions. Hughley’s approach helped. No one wanted to see Cousins become meek on the floor. But it wasn’t easy for Cousins to manage those emotions in the face of constant criticism.

    "We were walking down this hallway," Cousins said, referring to the hallway outside his former driver’s education class. "And I said (to assistant coach Dion Lawson), ‘Lawson, I’m going to stop playing the way I play. I’m just going to be quiet.’ He said, ‘Marc, you can’t lose that fire. That fire is what’s going to get you to the next level. You’re going to have to learn how to tame it, but you can’t lose that fire because a lot of people don’t have it.’ "

    Cousins showed some of that fire during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He channeled that into an impressive spin move and dunk, not a technical foul.

    It’s now part of his persona. He didn’t lose the fire at Kentucky, where he was the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, and he doesn’t plan to lose it with the Kings.

    "When I get going, I zone out," Cousins said. "So somebody might start talking trash, and I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ I’m fired up, and I guess you can say that gets me in a little trouble, but I’ve just got to control it. Then again, anytime I play with no emotion, it feels like I’m going through the motions and I’m just another player on the floor."

     

    Finding motivation

     

     

    The fire is usually out away from the court.

     

    As he made his way through the hallways of LeFlore earlier this month, Cousins was greeted with hugs by faculty. He shook hands and told jokes to anyone he bumped into.

    If not for the uniforms worn by LeFlore students, Cousins would blend in on campus. Dressed in a baseball hat (before a trip to the barber), a white T-shirt and basketball shorts and shoes, Cousins enjoys being part of the crowd.

    There were countless stories of how "Big Marc" or "Big Cuz" took time to play or speak with children in his hometown.

    It’s a contrast to what many have heard about Cousins. And even though she probably knows this side of Cousins as well as anyone, Monique admits that sometimes she has heard so much negativity, the positive stories can catch her off guard.

    Cousins calls himself "a family-oriented guy" and says, "I just like kids." It’s not something Cousins goes out of his way to disclose, even for his critics.

    "I care, but if you just go by what you read, that’s not really getting to know a person," Cousins said. "Me going out my way (to show a different side) is pointless because they’re not trying to see it anyways. Because the people that want to get to know me, they’re going to go the extra mile to get to know me."

    Cousins isn’t shy about his goals for his NBA rookie season. He wants to play well and be recognized.

    Cousins won’t beg his detractors to like him. But he won’t completely tune them out, either.

    They are part of his motivation.

    "When I’m on the court, I’m trying to show you – especially the people that doubted my basketball skills," Cousins said. "I want to be the Rookie of the Year. I didn’t get a chance to be the Player of the Year in college. I need my own individual award. I want mine."





     

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  • #406862
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    at their Media Day last Friday that there were some major red flags that popped up on Cousins and that’s why they didn’t take him.  Like he’s a ticking time bomb/violent crime waiting to go off.  I was pretty pissed after they took Wes, because I think Cousins is a much better player.  I guess the Wolves did a bunch of home work on him just to make sure they weren’t missing out, but he came back with some huge negative marks, and not just immaturity, real psycho, thought I’d let you know what six figure front office management/scouts are saying about Big Cuz compared to this puffy piece.  Hope he puts his best foot forward, seems like a good kid to me, but we never really get to find out what teams know about these kids.

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  • #406864
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    Jlv2010

    that Cousins will be ROY this season.  End of discussion.

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  • #406867
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    The Wolves Front Office guys said the best case scenario for Cousins is that he will completely fail with his first team, but become a beast with his second team.

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  • #406871
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant
  • #406876
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    Mr. 19134
    Participant

     I am still upset over the Sixers not taking Cousins and we got Turner who by all accounts is atleast the 3rd best player in the draft I can only imagine how Wolves fans feel after they passed on Cousins, then traded Al Jefferson, and brought in a slew of small forwards who will start over their Small Forward anyway.  The Wolves should of atleast got Monroe who would of fit in perfectly with Rambis’ system as a facilitating Center.  But instead of Cousins starting at Center next year you guys got Darko…wow….but I do like the Wolves roster and their gonna be my first franchise in 2k.  Northen Lights do you think Wes can play shooting guard?

     

    And back to the Sixers passing on Cousins.  Collin’s was high on favors and brought in Cousins and Favors to play one on one.  A radio personality here in town was at that workout and said Cousins completely dominated Favors.  Collins thought Favors could be a defensive force in the league but they said he had no clue how to stop Cousins.  Not only that there was suppose to be conditioning issues with Cousins, but they said by all accounts Favors was winded first and was visibly fatigued during the end, and Cousins was still in beast mode.  

    The Sixers never even put Evan Turner through a real workout because if they did they would of found out that he still can’t come off screens and shoot, and that he isn’t comfortable on offense when the ball is not in his hands.  That would of told them he doesn’t fit well with Jrue Holiday and they would be crazy to pass on the chance to draft a franchise big.  

    And the Nets should of drafted Cousins over Favors because one, Cousins was BPA, and 2 Cousins can clearly play power forward because that’s what the Kings got him listed at to start the season.

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  • #406877
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    Mr. 19134
    Participant

     Oh and Northern Lights what is your prediction on what Beasley will do this year and how the Wolves will use him.  I think we argued before on what Kahn was thinking bringing in all these small forwards who don’t posses point forward skills and thats the type of players that fit with Rambis but the Wolves have a lot of talent nonetheless.  

    I like a starting 5 of 

    Flynn

    Webster/Johmson

    Beasley/Brewer

    Love

    Darko

    It’s a shame that Wes probably won’t get a chance to start now that Beasley is in the fold but there is no way you can start him over Beasley.  And I think Beasley is best suited at power forward but can play small forward efficiently. 

    And would you trade Beasley today for Evan Turner?

     

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  • #406887
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    boxn1
    Participant

    This may be a shock to you northern lights,many guys going into the draft get the same knock,and most times it doesn’t apply because its human nature for people to evolve and mature. Amare is one that comes to mind right now,but there are many more.

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  • #406888
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    OhCanada-
    Participant

    Beasley and Love are going to be complete studs.

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  • #406899
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    sacphil_08
    Participant

    Wow i never knew that the timberwolves "did their homework" and went as far as saying his best case scenario is messing up big with his first team and then being a stud with the next team. The timberwolves organization is sour that cousins wouldnt work out for them in the predraft workouts. Stephen curry also in 09 refused to work out for the twolves in predaft workouts as well. This is just david kahns rebuttal for basically being denied. I’ll live with it as a kings fan though. And when cousins is abusing kevin love and whoever else the wolves have up front he’ll feel stupid. Its funny actually because in the summer league when the kings played the twolves kahn was saying little subtle remarks about cousins all game. Its obvious that kahn cant be taken seriously so i really don’t pay any mind to anything that happens in minny i just think its hilarious that minny tried to tarnish cousins’ rep by saying he was such a bad guy

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  • #406920
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    TheFactionCoalition.com
    Participant

    As a Kings fan I think the Wolves front office bashing of him is perhaps the highest praise PRIMO has gotten all season. When it comes to drafting, and honestly probably all front office moves, you do the opposite of whatever the Wolves think. Best case scenario he completely fails for his first team? I can’t believe that guy has a job.

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  • #406957
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    Demarcus Oneal
    Participant

    thats why the t-wolves in the last three drafts picked flynn over jennings and Curry, traded away OJ Mayo after drafting him, picked corey brewer over noah, chandler, fernadez, and aaron brooks

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  • #407000
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    bobbyb
    Participant

    Forget Cousins , Monroe all the way. big up louisiana

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  • #407795
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    You have the two biggest thugs in the League on the same team, a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. 

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  • #407797
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    traded away OJ Mayo after drafting him, picked corey brewer over noah, chandler, fernadez, and aaron brooks

     

    You do realize there Front Office people have changed since then, right?  Remember, there were four other teams besides the Wolves who didn’t think Curry was going to be as good as he is, Memphis taking Thabeet, Thunder taking Harden, yet the Wolves are the ones that fucked up, huh?  I’ll take Rubio and Flynn over those two any day.

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  • #407801
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    because he didn’t work out for them, same with Curry, they didn’t think Curry because the didn’t think he was a PG, I guess Memphis didn’t either, who would you rather have Conley or Curry?  They didn’t take Cousins because he’s a violent crime waiting to happen.  Did you see him at the combine, with his pants half way down his ass?  Pull your pants up, this is your job, would you personally go to an interview looking like that?  I like him as a player, but after what the scout told me, I’m glad they didn’t take him, I won’t even go into specifics over what they found doing background research on him.  JR Rider 2.0.  

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  • #407806
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    BasketBalAllan
    Participant

    I am curious on who you think the other "thug" is on the Kings.

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  • #407857
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    involved in a murder, doing 130 something down the freeway, model citizen, huh?

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  • #407858
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    NorthernLights666
    Participant

    the Kings implode this season.  Going to be fun to watch.

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  • #407869
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    Grandmama
    Participant

    tried posting video

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  • #407997
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    bobbyb
    Participant

    Northern Light   , people forget when a guy starts playing well what happened in the past. Look at mike vick, he was an exectioner and now he is a hero because he can play well, that shows how messed up this country is.

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  • #408710
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    Demarcus Oneal
    Participant

    wtf is wrong with you Demarcus is a thug for having his pants half way down his ass at the combine so i guess everyone with baggy pants is a thug now huh? you irrational arguments have no merit and no facts. Demarcus is passionate player which leads sometime for him to being too emotional, I rather have a player who cares too much. Your obviously just an angry T-Wolves fan who is angry your team was stupid enough to pass over Cousins or  mad that eh didnt want to workout for the team or play their, speeding does not make you a killer in Tyrekere case and both Demarcus and Tyreke have never been accused of any violent crimes. People like you who are so ignorant and bias piss me off but DEarcus will does his thang cuz haters gonna hate

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