New Orleans Pelicans Analysis: DeMarcus Cousins, A.K.A. Boogie is King
By Brandon Suir
After attending the New Orleans Pelicans game versus the Kings last Friday, Brandon Suir (@BrandonSuir) talks about how DeMarcus Cousins played like a true King of the court.
It’s hard to say it any other way: DeMarcus Cousins A.K.A. “Boogie” is a basketball King.
I don’t always get to attend Pelicans games, but when I do… I’m sure there’s a lame joke here but I lack the cleverness to think of it. A big shoutout to my buddy for calling me up asking if I wanted tickets. And another shoutout to my place of work, for allowing me to leave a few minutes early to drive to New Orleans. I really need to make more games to see Boogie and AD together.
Last Friday’s game was a big one. Not in terms of playoff implications. New Orleans has very small chances of that at this point. No, this game was a big one regarding one man: DeMarcus Cousins.
This would be the first game Boogie would play against his former team, the Sacramento Kings. Cousins has called Sacramento his home his entire career, until he was traded last month to New Orleans.
A trade that was so one sided you really have to question the value the Kings really placed on Cousins. The Pelicans essentially landed Cousins, in exchange for a used bicycle. And in the wake of the All-Star Game, so Cousins did not even need a plane ticket back to California.
Cousins downplayed the significance of facing his old team. We did not believe a second of it. Especially considering he played like a man on a mission from the jump. The Pelicans routed the Kings 117-89 and Boogie nearly did it himself.
On a night where he felt he had something to prove, Boogie turned in a performance that generated a huge standing ovation, by the time he checked out the game for good. Cousins went 12-21 for 37 points, with 13 rebounds and 8-11 on free throws. I once said DeMarcus Cousins has the potential to be the next Hakeem Oljauwon, if he gets his mind right. Last night’s game was an indication of that.
Not that Boogie wasn’t the only one putting in work. Anthony Davis totaled 19 points and 14 rebounds, in addition to. It truly was a glimpse into what these two can accomplish together.
Being in attendance last night, one could feel the electricity surging through the Smoothie King Center.
Should the Pelicans manage to retain DeMarcus Cousins, there’s certainly a bright future ahead for him in New Orleans.