Nuggets backup center DeMarcus Cousins was highly productive in the team’s first-round loss to Golden State, carving out a niche on Denver’s bench, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post.
“DeMarcus, to be playing 10 minutes a game and to be having the productivity that he’s had, and the efficiency that he’s had, is really remarkable,” said head coach Michael Malone. “And I told him after the game (Game 4), you know, everybody wants to play more, but it’s important for DeMarcus to know the impact he’s having is real.”
In the five-game series, Cousins averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in just 11.4 minutes per night, sporting a blistering shooting line of .655/.667/.733. He scored 19 points in 15 minutes during Denver’s 102-98 Game 5 defeat on Wednesday.
“He gives us a calming influence, somebody that we can — instead of trying to go up and down, go crazy — settle down, play inside-out basketball,” Malone said. “He’s gotten JaMychal Green layups and dunks at the rim, he’s kicked out for open threes, and then the last part of it, now you can step out on the perimeter and play pick-and-roll with Bones Hyland. We know DeMarcus sets really good, physical screens, and he gets guys open.”
Cousins is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he says he’s not sure if he’ll be back with the Nuggets next season, per Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com.
“I honestly don’t know what the future holds,” Cousins said. “A lot in this short time has transpired. I’m still trying to get over the fact that G.P. (Gary Payton II) hit that big shot, right? I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity. I’m happy to be a part of this group. I’m happy with the opportunity that was given to me from Mike [Malone], [president] Tim [Connelly], [general manager Calvin] Booth. To answer that question, I can’t right now. I don’t know what’s future holds.”
Here’s more on the Nuggets:
- Count Will Barton and Monte Morris among the teammates who hope Cousins is brought back for 2022/23, Kennedy writes in the same article. “Anytime you have a guy like that, you always want him back,” Barton said. “Like I say, he’s still DeMarcus Cousins — a guy who, when he’s healthy, is a very good player. Those are not my decisions; I’m not in management. Obviously, if I have a voice in the fight, I definitely would love to have him back. He was big for us on and off the court, [a] presence in the locker room. We’ll see what happens.” Morris echoed that sentiment: “Signing Boogie, man… I love him to death. A guy that would pick up 19 points in a do-or-die elimination game just shows how much heart he has, how much love he has for the game. I’m definitely proud of him… He’s a great guy.”
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider link) and HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan explore Denver’s roster possibilities in their offseason guides.
- Malone is optimistic about what Denver’s future holds despite the team’s first-round exit, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “The future’s definitely bright,” Malone said. “I think we also have to understand that Jamal Murray to start the season next year is not going to be the Jamal Murray [we know] right away. I think it’s going to be a buildup, him getting comfortable and confident out there.”
- Warriors forward/center Draymond Green was effusive in his praise of Nikola Jokic after Game 5, notes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “It’s an honor and a pleasure to play against someone so talented and so skilled,” Green said of Jokic. “Usually when you have a guy that’s that talented and that skilled, they’re a little soft. He’s far, far from soft. He’s an absolutely incredible player.”
- In case you missed it, Jokic said if the Nuggets offer him a five-year, super-max extension this offseason, he plans to accept it.
Valiant effort by the Nugs, just too huge a talent disparity. I hope the roster looks very different next season. They have a glut of average, small guards and undersized ineffective power forwards.
Well said
Lots of flat feet waiting ….
Hoopsrumors? More like Poopsrumors. Heh ha ha ha heh chuckle chuckle snort snort hehe
I mean the injuries to two key players for them makes that disparity so large. You add Murray & MPJ and not only does the starting 5 get better, but the bench gets a boost. Health should be their main concern, and trying to bring back Boogie.
Honestly if they can just sign a defensive wing they will be in good shape next year. Gary Harris would be a good signing with the MLE as they really missed his perimeter defence and they could move Barton to more of a bench scoring kind of Role. Not sure if they will be able to afford Cousins as he will want more money/minutes but if they can they could have a really good team next year.
Starters:
Murray
Harris
Porter
Gordon
Jokic
Bench:
Morris
Bones
Barton/Rivers
J-Mike/Jeff Green
Cousins/Naji
This team would have depth and options to trade some pieces such as Zeke Naji or Monte Morris to upgrade
Bones ready for 6 more mpg
Porter as 6th man if they are contenders next year
Pay the Joker!
From second rounder to the best big in the Game.
Everyone will agree with you if you just say…
“From second rounder to the best player in the game”
Cousins is hoping someonw will bite and give him a multiyear contract, something like 3 yr 20m.
He’ll get a two year deal with a team option. If nothing else, Boogie showed that he’s more than deserving of a spot on just about any roster
Yes, but he’s tired of making minimum.
Cousins might be a good pickup for the Bulls if they can slot in his salary (I assume he is looking for more than the vet min). DJJ is probably moving elsewhere as I doubt the Bulls will continue to pay him 9mil.
DEN and Cousins were a perfect fit because (more than any other team in the league) DEN runs their offense through their C, and thus can maximize his special skill set on that end to where his deficiencies aren’t (relatively) significant. If some 2k’er FO thinks they can just plug him in to their rotations and expect the same results, they’re likely to be disappointed.
I wonder if there exists a team willing to give Cousins a chance to be a starter. He was a beast before his injury.
The game has changed and he’s also older now. He would be more effective coming off the bench. Besides, Kings and Pelicans never won anything with Cousins.
@Michol
OKC never won anything with Durant, Harden and Westbrook? Your point? #teamsport
They never even made playoffs, not even one yr.
@Michol
So. Boogie can’t pull a team to a chip by himself.
This is my point with Cousins and the Bulls. He plays close to the basket, which is what they need and are not for some reason getting from Vucevich, who keeps hiking up 3bricks instead of jump hooks where he is almost unstoppable.
Cousins would fit well and get more boatds.