After posting double-doubles in six straight games, DeMarcus Cousins has come back to Earth this week. In the Kings' last three games, their star center has averaged fewer than 10 points and 5 rebounds a game.
DeMarcus Cousins not happy about benching, recent play
The Kings center, who has struggled on their recent road trip, did not play in the fourth quarter of their win at Washington on Monday.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
That came to a head against the Wizards on Monday, when Cousins played only 26 minutes total, and none in the fourth quarter, after being dominated on both sides of the ball by Emeka Okafor, who finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Sactown Royalty, SB Nation’s Kings blog, has more on the drama in Washington last night.
According to Sacramento coach Keith Smart, opposing teams have begun to adjust to Cousins (courtesy of the Sacramento Bee):
“I would say that (Cousins is) game planned against. You’re not going to get an easy post up. You’re not going to get the ball in your sweet spots. You can even hear players on the side saying, give him that shot, give him that shot, take away the post ups. As soon as you get into the post they’re coming in being physical. These are guys that know how to play against big people. They’ve played against the Shaq’s and all these different players in their careers so they know how to play against big guys on the block. So you go back and look at all the games where guys are getting into him and tonight wasn’t the night for him.”
That’s part of the adjustment process for a young player, who needs to learn to adjust to the adjustments that teams make against him. As the scouting report about your game gets around the league, it’s crucial to have counters ready when teams learn to take away your strengths.
The important thing is to keep a calm head and not let the first signs of adversity throw you off course:
Pray for me ...
— demarcus cousins(@boogiecousins) January 29, 2013
Ahh, youth.
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