DeMarcus Cousins has earned a second 10-day contract with the Clippers and may turn out to be a keeper for the rest of the season, writes Mirjam Swanson of The Orange County Register. The 30-year-old center was out of the league for about six weeks after the Rockets waived him in February, but he was ready to play when he arrived in Los Angeles.
“I’ve put an incredible amount of work to get to this place,” Cousins said. “I feel great, my body feels great. I’m in probably the best shape I’ve been in my entire career. At this point, it’s about going out there and just putting everything together and just trying to continue to show that I’m healthy and I’m here to play this game at a high level. I understand the situation that I’m in, whatever opportunity is given to me, I plan on just taking full advantage of it, just controlling what I can control.”
Cousins has gotten into four games so far with the Clippers and is averaging 4.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per night. Coach Tyronn Lue said the six-time All-Star is making a strong effort to fit in.
“Every single day, he’s working to try to pick up what we’re trying to do, and trying to get better,” Lue said. “For sure, every day. He’s coming in with the young guys early, putting in the work, going over the plays. He gets conditioning in, he does all the right things that he’s supposed to get his self to where he wants to be.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Suns coach Monty Williams credits a “pretty vulnerable conversation” with helping to turn around Mikal Bridges last season, according to Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports 98.7. Bridges has become one of Williams’ most trusted players, ranking second on the team in minutes this year. “He’s always been a great kid, a great person,” Williams said, “but when I saw him take that conversation the right way, kind of knew he had a chance to grow, he had the capacity to grow as a player and a person.”
- Anthony Davis is close to making his return, but Lakers coach Frank Vogel doesn’t expect it to happen Monday against the Jazz, tweets Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Davis hasn’t played since February 14 because of a right calf strain and tendinosis.
- Warriors forward Eric Paschall is going through controlled individual workouts and hopes to practice with the team after its current road trip is finished, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). Paschall suffered a hip flexor strain that has kept him out of action since April 2.
I want to see Clippers vs Lakers in1st rd.
Celtic – Warrior game was a good one tonight. Curry is special. Tatum answered tonight. And Jabari looked good. But needs to get in shape. Dude I didn’t see any muscle tone. And Wiggins had a quite gm and had 22 pts. I still like Wiggins. Lots of stories in this game. Tatum n Curry, Wiggins solid both ways. Kemba with a solid game. Celtics hanging and coming back. Both benches played well. Jabari debut.Fun game. I don’t see how you can count out a Healthy Warriors team next yr. They are going to be tough.
The real question that needs to be asked here is how can the Warriors count on Klay being anything close to 100% at or near the start of next season.
His situation is no better than John Wall’s was this season, it’s actually considerably worse. Wall could have chosen to play in the bubble last year, but Thompson isn’t even expected to be ready to play on opening night in October. Wall has already missed 20 games so far this season, so expecting Klay to play more than half the games next season is asking an awful lot.
I think Thompson is done. He might have a 2 or 3 month hot streak if he works out in the offseason but I see it going off a cliff from there. Unless of course he abuses certain performance enhancing drugs…
Yeah you’re probably right in 80% of the cases. But Klay Thompson has several things on his side of The Ledger.
Unmatched personal traits, work ethic, and dog attitude. He is a different guy and lives breathes eats basketball, and is doing everything to come back as close to what he was before as he can. He won’t be the top-tier defender because he’ll lose some quickness and lateral Etc, but Klay is six -seven and that shot won’t go away. He never really drove to the basket or created his own shot when he was on top of his game, so offensively he will be similar to what he was before. Spot-up Marksman who can go on hot streaks and shoot from anywhere on the floor. At that size he’ll be able to get his shot off no problem before injuries and after injuries.
On defense he’ll become a regular guy out there PLUS the mental toughness and that’ll be enough to be a “good” Defender. You give me a decent physical and dog mentality and I’ll take it. Klay Thompson will be fine.
I would agree there’s no way Klay is 100% next year
But disagree that he’s worse off than Wall. Wall’s game is/was based on speed, Klay is one of
the best shooters of all time. And wasn’t incredibly athletic to begin with. He could still come back and avg 20 ppg on 40% 3FG% and I wouldn’t be surprised.
But defensively he’s probably done being a + on that end, which is going to hurt GSW.
Thompson at 90% is still better than 95% of the NBA players. Wall’s game was all about speed which he will never get back all of it. Klay has always been a catch and shoot player. So with Wiggins and Curry on the floor at the same time they will not be able to double and triple team Curry. Wiseman will need to be guarded in the paint so now Green will be the only weak link on offense. Green’s passing ability will test every defense they go against next year.
As long as he does it right, gets stonger. Gets in gm shape and they manage him right. He’ll be a great addition come playoff time. He’s a proven guy. And Wiseman can help team D as a rim protector. I agree on D is where you will see biggest change.
He’s been sitting for over two yrs. It’s not the same leg. Walls injury was worse. Yes he will need time to get in gm shape. Probably be gm managed too. But all goes as planned, I don’t see why not, unless you are a hater. He should be 100% for end of yr and playoffs. Which is all that matters. Wall is a bad comparison. Klay doesn’t need his speed like Wall does. That was biggest part of Walls gm. Klays biggest part of gm was shooting and scoring. He can still run off picks and with Curry and Warrior offense will get plenty of gd looks. He might not be Klay of old. But you look at Hayward another shooter, scorer. He can still be very productive IMO. Yeah he will have to prove it. But it’s not Wall. It’s Klay different players different teams.
Pretty exciting game Al. Fun to watch. Tatum was a monster.. Unstoppable. Curry same way but just not enough last night.
They have to try to get another chip for curry in the bay. At. All. Costs.
DMC you are legend!