“Boogie-Brow:” What DeMarcus Cousins Means for New Orleans Pelicans
By Eddie Chan
After the New Orleans Pelicans made the trade for DeMarcus Cousins, what does the future mean for the “Boogie-Brow” combo in the Bayou?
For more nearly a month, the New Orleans Pelicans have been aggressively pursuing another big man, to play alongside Anthony Davis. Rumors had Jahlil Okafor and Brook Lopez linked to the Pels. But in the end, the team reeled in one of the best big men in the NBA. Now, DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi are New Orleans Pelicans.
With these new acquisition,s what does it mean going forward for the team? One thing for certain is that the dynamic is about to change, and change real fast.
For Omri Casspi, who nearly became a Pelican back in 2012, it isn’t entirely clear just yet to how effective he will be. He has had his playing time limited this season in Sacramento. Playing in only 22 games, he has averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. Casspi is truly a marksman shooter, averaging a 45.3 field goal percentage and 37.9 percent from three.
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If Casspi proves worthy of playing time with the Pelicans, he may be coming off the bench to help balance the second unit. And if so, Casspi’s reliable three-point shooting could drastically help boost the team’s accuracy from long-range. New Orleans currently ranks 17th in the league in three-point percentage.
As for DeMarcus Cousins he is currently having one of his bests seasons of his career. Boogie is averaging 27.8 points, 4.8 assists and 10.6 rebounds per game. He’s also shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 35.3 from three. In league standings, he ranks fourth in points—Anthony Davis right behind at the fifth spot—and ranks second among big men in assists per game.
With four games scoring 40 points or more, he ranks second among all big men. In first spot, however, that name again would be Anthony Davis. Davis has six 40-plus-point games.
Cousins brings a playing style, which is not only something the Pels need, but is sought after by many:
“Bully Ball.”
Cousins plays the position of a true big man and can bully ball his way inside the paint. He has the strong body and the athletic skills to push, jump, grab, shoot and pass. All of these are qualities of a superstar. They are also necessities to surround both Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
Perhaps more frightening for opposing teams is that there are two freakishly-athletic big men standing at 6-foot-11 guarding or attacking the paint area. For teams playing small ball, the “Boogie-Brow” combo will be a disruption on both ends of the court. Expect plenty of head scratching by opposing coaches in games to come.
With nearly five assists per game by DeMarcus Cousins, much-needed ball movement by the Pelicans should also improve. Jrue Holiday’s assists should tick upwards as well. This is due to New Orleans now having two new gifted shooters and attackers, to finish off his dimes.
The biggest change of all, is that playoffs hopes have seen a revival for the Pelicans. This has created excitement in fans, something that has really needed to be rejuvenated. The Sacramento Kings, without their superstar, are surely to fall within the standings. That leaves four other teams competing for the eighth spot:
The Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even if New Orleans does miss the playoffs this season or fall in the first round, the Pelicans still has a trio of players in Davis, Cousins and Holiday (assuming he resigns) as enticing recruiters during free agency. Perhaps other sharpshooters, such as J.J. Redick and Ersan Ilyasova, will be possible targets.
Next: New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis Wins MVP At NBA All-Star Game
For the time being, eager Pelicans fans have to have excitement in witnessing what this newly “Boogie-Brow” duo can do for the city. With a drastic change of dynamics, this could possibly be a new era and a new beginning. This new era begins as NBA action resumes for the Pelicans on Thursday, February 23. They will battle the Houston Rockets at home, for the city to witness.