[d-ravParticipant]

First off, i’d like to confess of being one of those people persuaded by the media’s concocted image of Cousins supposed notorious reputation of having bad behaviour and being a negative influence to his team (thus leading me to believe that neither Kings nor Warriors should gamble on him). However, after having watched several visions of his summer league play, he is anything but! Foremost, he played with agrresive intent while maintaining a cool, controlled approach. All the while, he displayed an advanced offensive skill set (dominance on the low block through various post moves and rebounding, popping 20 footers, nifty passing and setting screens), and willingness on D also (staying with his man, blocking his man’s shot and on the weakside). If anything, his only knack should be his weight. Minus agility/mobility and athleticism, this guy has SHAQ written all over him!!! ARGUABLE, but at this stage, i think his offensive repetoire is more advanced than D12’s now. Kudos to the Kings for not buying into the media.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

Shaq cant make a 15-17 foot jump shot

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

What does it mean to “watch several visions”?

[JNixonParticipant]

He’s more Rasheed Wallace than Shaq.

Shaq was even bigger, stronger, and also much more athletic. Cousins also plays below the rim and uses footwork more so than Shaq has (Shaq just used brute strength and athleticism most times).

[SteroidParticipant]

His footwork is years ahead. Very few big men; moreover, 19 year olds come into the league with good footwork. Some big men never develop good footwork. Yeah, I don’t think he is as athletic and powerful as Shaq either, but he definitely can be a handful in the paint just because of his size. He can add some power by getting in the gym and he’s only 19, so I’m sure he’ll put on some muscle (hopefully not fat) through the years.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

I think he is more Shaq since Sheedwas much more of a PF then a Center aand faced the basket alot more but Shaw was much bigger and way more athletic

[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

Here’s my comparison: Less athletic Derrick Coleman?

When I first saw the title of the post, I thought, “Oh, great; another post from ‘thenewkid.’ I hope it doesn’t say, ‘DEMARCUS COUSINS = GARNETT! WHITESIDE = HOWARD!'”

Or was it the other way around?

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

Damn the Sac Kings have been lights out in the draft the last two years! They could turn this ship around fast and battle it out with The Thunder over the next decade…Damn sucks to be me,cuz im a Clips fan!lol

[thparadoxParticipant]

Shaq was twice as quick as Cousins is.

Don’t underestimate shaq’s footwork in the post. Shaq’s body control, balance, etc are underrated.

Part of the reason why shaq was so dominant is that he was explosive…. I’m not sold on Cousins being explosive…. if he’s not very explosive he needs more footwork, basketball IQ and skill to make up for it. We shall see.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

It is still summer league. He will meet guys stronger as well as long when the season starts. Shaq was a better athelete than Cousins will ever be. Cousins is NBA ready to bang, but 82 games plus maybe playoffs will not be easy on him if he does not watch his weight and eat right.

[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

“Minus agility/mobility and athleticism, this guy has SHAQ written all over him!!!”

Shaq’s combination of athleticism, agility, size and strength is what really made him special.

He clearly doesn’t have the athleticism of an Amare, Dwight, or a young Shaq. However, he already possesses excellent footwork, skill, size/strength and feel for the game, which are attributes that will surely mask his lack of explosiveness.

[stanford hoops]

don’t see the Rasheed Comparision as much as I see zach Randolph but more athletic

[joecheck88Participant]

cousins has looked really good skill wise, but what will make hiom special is if he can hustle and work hard. sometimes he settles for jumpers a little to much(he shoots it very well) and he doesnt always run back on defense hard at times. i know its knitpicking but i think we all knew he had these skills, lets wait and see what a whole nba season does to him.

and no he isnt shaq, howard, or amare. he is kind of like a taller elton brand.

[TONYDABOSS77Participant]

i See The Same Thing

[SpencerIsHawesome2Participant]

Game winning 12 foot jump hook shot by cousins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hoodwinkParticipant]

like the legendary Kings assistant coach Pete Carril said, Cousins has his own style. I’m not sure any comparison is a very good one.

[romeeezybabyParticipant]

The similiarities are all there! Both big man who can put the ball on the floor, have great passing ability, and has a nice face up game to go along with a solid back to the basket post game. Cousins who is evidently more stockier than C-Webb (Cousins listed at 270-280 lbs), and can probably afford to lose about 10-15 lbs back to his high school weight. Even at his current weight, he still plays the game at a high level, and has shown his dominance thus far in the NBA Summer League. Although, it’s against Summer League competition, Demarcus has a bright future ahead of him if he continues to work hard and keep his weight down.

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Yall can look it up if ya want but earlier I said that Cousins was Shaq in Miami.. Remember when he first signed there and they won a championship?? He lost some weight and started running the floor a little more.. I still think that he is that kind of player but with a decent jumper.. I didnt realize his J was that good.. Im not sold on it yet because its just summer league but it looks solid..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I love the Webber comparisons..Except Webber was more atheltic but Cousins passing skills are terrific..I saw him play in High School and he was hanging out on the perimeter like a guard..When he got to Kentucky Coach Cal had him stay in the post..He’s shown his inside & outside game…76’ers fans will regret the Philly management passed over this guy…

Where are all the guys on here that gave me a hard time last November? When i said Cousins will be a top 3 pick..He wasnt a top 3 pick but he’s showing he should’ve been the number 2 pick…

[GrandmamaParticipant]

Dude it’s the summer league, and he was playing against a bum who will never make the League in Jon Stiemsma from Wisconsin…..Wait until he has to play against legit NBA centers before you claim him to be Shaq…Did you really just say he has Shaq written all over him? WTF

I love when players have a few good games in the summer league and they’re anointed future MVP’s…happens every year.

Willingness to play D? You need to watch him a little harder, or look up D.

[lalailaParticipant]

and this is way i keep telling he is #2 prospect with BIG chances to be even the best in the draft..

There is the same DeMarcus who is a monster on a block rebound everything score in low post has nice touch and footwork PLUS how about his crossovers?spin moves? all his ball handling..shooting from the perimeter..and most interesting looks like while Monroe haven’t already shown his biggest strength Cousins looks like 300pounder Greg with his no look passes outlet passes and 5ast m4stl tonight..man this is just summer league but he is
DOMINANT.

[dipt1982Participant]

I’m surprised nobody’s thrown out the ‘BIGGER’ Big BABY comparison, he can knock down 15-18 foot jumper, good size for play under the rim, and a knack for the ball and being aggressive. Either way, he will be a very good player in this league with his size, footwork and mid-range jumper. The Kings are really starting to put it together, now if they can keep every in Sacto??? That’s a whole different thread altogether…

[SteroidParticipant]

Glen Davis is more athletic than Cousins too. Davis is deceptively quick for his size. However, Cousins does have a decent 15ft jumper. Cousins has a little bit of everything. The only knock on him is his explosiveness and athleticism. I’m sure he can get up and throw it down occasionally, but he doesn’t have the ability to do that on a regular basis. His sound fundamentals in footwork and rebounding will take him a long way in the NBA.

It’s not too late for him to become more athletic. Some guys are natural athletes, but most get into the gym and work and become athletes. Genetics play a part too, and some people just never get it because they aren’t blessed. It seems obvious that Cousins didn’t take conditioning and being in shape too seriously in high school and 1 year out of college isn’t going to change that too much. If he really works at it, he can really gain some explosiveness and more power by getting a personal trainer and hitting the gym.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

1 thing everyone seems to be forgetting is that the summer league is basically a pickup game where guards normally ballhog and steals the show..Its rare to see big men be successful in that setting…But he’s dominanting

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

What I think is most promising for Cousins, besides how he is playing is that when Westphal was interviewed and asked what was going to be the biggest focus on improving Cousins over the summer he said conditioning, getting him to lose at least 10 to 15 pounds by the start of the season, which is definitely possible. People tend to forget just how hard training camp can be on guys who never really worked out as much as they should have.

[Author]

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