DeMarcus Cousins doesn’t normally make friends on the court, and for good reason.
DeMarcus Cousins and Joel Embiid have a beautiful big man bromance going
Boogie and Embiid gave each other props after slapping each other’s butts mid-game.
Boogie’s 29.1 points per game is third-best in the NBA to only Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. The Kings’ 6’11, 270-pound big man spends more time punishing defenders with his unique blend of brute strength and offensive skill than he does admiring the abilities of any other big man in the NBA.
But that changed on Monday in the first quarter of the Kings’ narrow 102-100 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid was called for traveling after he slid his feet before trying to put a move on Cousins on the low block. What ensued was something no one expected: the two traded laughs via ass slapping.
Boogie says he rarely heaps praise onto an opponent, and he provided another reason why against the Sixers. Cousins posted a game-high 30 points (10-for-20 shooting), seven rebounds, and two blocks, including a game-saving rejection of Embiid’s potential go-ahead three-point shot.
Embiid voiced his frustrations with the game’s final play on Instagram, tagging his photo with a location of “Bullshit Land.”
But as it turns out, it was the Sixers’ rookie who impressed Cousins most. Embiid nearly matched the Kings’ All-Star with 25 points (8-for-17 shooting), eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Boogie had nothing but praise for the talented Philly prospect after the game.
“I like that kid a lot,” Cousins said after the game. Later, he joked: “I don’t give a lot of people props, but I like that kid a lot. I think he’s got a great chance at being the best big in the league... after I retire.”
Embiid sent props back at Boogie, according to CSN Philly, noting: “He’s good... He scored when it mattered.”
Cousins, a two-time All-Star, has long established himself as a supreme offensive force in the NBA. Embiid, in just his first season, is averaging 18.7 points and 2.4 blocks in just 24.7 minutes per game.
The Sixers rookie has already shown his versatile offensive skill set, and if these two guys become friends off the court, the NBA could enjoy some seriously quality talent at the center position for years to come.
