Boogie Bounces Wolves with Game-Winner!
July 15, 2010 by Andrew Nicholson
DeMarcus Cousins is putting the NBA on notice.
Wednesday night, with the Kings trailing by one and time winding down, Cousins iced the Timberwolves with a pretty jump hook from the left block with 2.8 seconds left in regulation to give the team the go-ahead 79-78 victory.
“It’s a big-time play and it got the team the W,” Kings veteran forward-center Jason Thompson, who arrived in town before tip-off to support his brother and young teammates, said afterward.
Watch – Cousins’ Game-Winner.
Sure, it’s summer league, but by notching three straight double-doubles and leading the team to victories on three consecutive nights, the Kings rookie big man is showing the League he’s serious about aiding his teammates in putting Sacramento back on the map.
After his latest stat-stuffing performance — 22 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and one blocked shot – Cousins summed up his scintillating Vegas Summer League showing to-date simply.
“I’m just doing what I do and having fun doing it,” he said smiling.
For his latest demonstration of uncanny confidence and versatility, Cousins chose to silence the Wolves with a move he’d been struggling with of late.
“They’ve been getting on me about my hook shot every day, telling me I’m not jumping high enough, and basically I’m not getting any lift on my hook,” Cousins said with a shrug. “So, I actually did the move the correct way and knocked the shot down.”
Along with his latest boogie-worthy outing, the Kings proved yet again they’re dedicated to winning in Vegas together.
Donté Greene recorded 13 points, three assists and three rebounds, while his fellow forward teammate Omri Casspi stepped up to contribute 13 points, four rebounds and one steal. In his first summer league start, Tyrese Rice added 10 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Hassan Whiteside notched six points and seven rebounds in his third consecutive start. Though he’s drawing a lion’s share of the attention, Cousins like Tyreke Evans before him, continues to deflect the applause and lauds his teammates’ production.
“Donté’s been producing, Omri’s been producing, the guards – everybody’s putting in effort to help us win,” Cousins said humbly. “It was just a good team win tonight.”
By winning in three different fashions – a blow out, a strong second-half finish and a nail biter – with varying lineups, Kings Summer League team coach Mario Elie echoes Cousins’ sentiment and adds his appreciation for the Summer League team invitees who’s minutes have alternated each contest.
“We have good kids on this team,” he said. “It’s tough for me each game to play a certain guy. The good thing about our squad is these guys are ready to play. So, next game I’m going to go with Sylven (Landesberg) and maybe give Lee (Cummard) and Connor (Atchley) some more minutes, and these guys have been real respectful of that. I like their patience. They understand our veterans and our rookies have to play, and all the guys when their number is called, they’re ready — it’s a great squad I have.”
Watch – Kings-Wolves Highlights.
Heading into the Kings lone summer league off-day, Cousins is averaging 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block per game in less than 31 minutes of action. Sacramento’s 3-0 record is currently only matched by its next opponent, the Toronto Raptors.
In order to keep the Kings rolling through Vegas, Cousins says it’s a matter of keeping their team principles in place.
“Just stick together, keep playing smart ball, playing team basketball, making that extra pass and just playing some tough defense,” he said.
Catch the Kings-Raptors contest from COX Pavilion on Friday at 3 p.m. PDT on NBATV and NBA.com Broadband.
Watch – Kings-Wolves Postgame: Coach Elie and DeMarcus Cousins.
Watch – Kings-Wolves Postgame: Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson.
Stats – Kings-Wolves Box Score.
Tyreke Touts Cousins’ Knack for the Game
“He’s shown me a lot,” Tyreke Evans, who’s training twice a day in Vegas in preparation for USA training camp, which begins on Monday, said. “He’s shown me he can take his time in the post. He’s a kid who wants to score and get rebounds. He has an all-around game — that’s what I like about him.”
LeBron James and Jonny Flynn Praise DMC, Too
“Give me John Wall or DeMarcus Cousins for ROY this year. Them young cats been balling in Summer League,” the Heat’s new No. 6 tweeted after the game.
“DeMarcus Cousins is really good. Very impressive,” the Wolves’ point guard tweeted.
Media Members Also Wowed by Kings Rookie
“When Cousins goes glass, the ball just finds him. That’s talent,” ESPN.com’s David Thorpe tweeted.
NBA.com Rankings: Cousins Snatches Top Spot on Rookie Ladder.
ESPN.com Daily Dime: Cousins Continues to Dominate.
What’s impressed you most about the Kings No. 15’s Vegas Summer League play? Please share your thoughts on DeMarcus Cousins in the comments below.
For continued Vegas Summer League coverage, stay current with Kings.com/SL10.
I was pulling for Cousins long before he landing in Sacramento. When we took him at #5 I knew we could use his skills. I was never worried about his maturity level because we have some great vets on the team to help guide him and mold him into a true great. Having the chance to really look at his game in VSL this past few days, his foot work is seriously impressive. With a nickname like “Boogie”, he doesn’t disappoint. For a big man he just moves. He’s been smart and aside from a few missed layups, he’s been good with the ball. In three contests thus far, he’s tallied a double double. It’s no wonder we find this soon to be 20 year old atop the rookie rankings this week. A familiar sight for Kings fans and a trend we hope continues and turns out as good as Tyreke’s ride at the top!
YEAH! thanks for the update. I would like to say that Cousins is a grown man he pass like C-Webb and Fast as Hakeem Olajuwon and Strong as Shaq. OHMY! and we have Tyreke in the other hand.
What a game! God I can't wait for the regular season, DeMarcus is a beast!
*Landed
minnesota (david kahn) is crazy for passing on dmc. it may go down as one of the worst gaffes ever. think darko instaed of carmello. wes johnson may be better than darko, but cousins could be one of the nba's top 2 centers for the next decade. johnson is a role player. thanks, minny!
Cousins is going to prove to be the best player in the 2010 draft! He is a Franchise Center. The smokescreen that teams threw out to throw off other teams from drafting him was cut through by Kings GM Geoff Petrie. If Cousins DOES become a quality center, then there are 4 other GM's that are just STUPID! Cousins could very well become a dominant center in the league. The VERY FIRST time he touched the ball, he was DOUBLE TEAMED! What does that say about what other teams think about Cousins? In 3 games, he has been doubled the entire game, yet he has averaged 18+ points and 11+ rebounds. That is pretty impressive for a 19 year old (soon to be 20) rookie. He looks great already. I have watched every summer league game, and the announcers have all been GAA GAA about "Boogie"! He has been very impressive individually, and has made all of the players around him better. I am so impressed with his passing ability. He has an all around game that has impressed all the players/coaches/announcers that have seen him play.
I got home just in time to watch the last 5 minutes of the Game… it was nice to watch this game, feeling like its November in July! Keep up the good work Cousins