Predicting Basic Stat-Lines For All 5 New Orleans Pelicans Starters

DeMarcus Cousins

"2016-17 Season Stats (per ESPN.com): PPG: 27.0 RPG: 11.0 BPG: 1.3 Potential 2017-18 Season Stats: PPG: 29.5 RPG: 11.3 BPG: 1.7"

Closing out our list is maybe the most important contributor for a successful Pelicans season. Last year, New Orleans conjured up a deal that brought two of the most electrifying big men in the game today together onto one team. DeMarcus Cousins is a stupendous player with skills that appear as though they were crafted by the basketball gods themselves. With an incredible inside game coupled with a reliable outside shot and a knack for crashing the boards Boogie is easily one of, if not THE best center the NBA has to offer.

And even with this label, the big man has yet to taste the sweat flavor that playoff basketball has to offer. Not once in his 7-year career has Cousins played into May. Maybe it’s been due to a lack of a supporting cast? Perhaps it’s the past coaching staffs fault? Or maybe, it’s solely because of DeMarcus Cousins!

Whatever the reasoning is, Cousins seems hungry for a chance to play postseason basketball. As soon as training camp started, reports of Cousins and Davis’ chemistry improving was subsequently cast into the world of Mass Media for all to see!

“The high-low game”, “The pick and pop.” You name it, apparently the duo have been working on it.

Throughout Cousins’ career a lot of allegations have come out in regards to the center being a “numbers guy.” By this, we mean he’s a player who seems fixated on putting up the best statistical numbers possible, regardless of how it may impact their team. Well recently,  according to Jim Eichenhofer of NBA.com, “Boogie” may have put those rumors to bed.

MUST READ: Pelicans Predictions – Cousins To Finish 2nd In NBA In PPG

"“Everybody wants to be ‘The Man.’ But just being ‘The Man’ by yourself is not going to help you win games in this league,” Cousins said. “The league is way too talented, way too competitive. Just having the talent of AD on my side, it definitely helps the burden, and I know he feels the same way.”"

This is where things get a little interesting, however. While Cousins has stated he doesn’t wish to be ‘The Man’, he may find himself as the number one offensive option by default. With guys like Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis on the floor, defenses can’t afford to double up Cousins without potentially being punished by someone else. Because of this, Boogie should find himself in more one-on-one situations than he’s typically accustomed to.

When looking back on Cousins’ career, it’s apparent he’s always been the best guy on his respective teams. Because of this, opposing defenses knew to double, or even triple team him if need be whenever he was on offense. How did this effect Cousins you may ask?

Well, just looking at the last 3 seasons alone Cousins has managed to rank 5th, 4th and 6th (respectively) in the league in PPG averages. In fact, the year in which he ranked 4th in the NBA was in 2015-16, when he averaged a (then) career high of 26.9 PPG while playing for the Sacramento Kings. A large part of this success was due to the strong point guard play the Kings possessed during that season. The funny thing is, that same point guard is now the starting guard on the New Orleans Pelicans!

MUST READ: Player Breakdowns – DeMarcus Cousins

Rajon Rondo, while playing his lone season in Sacramento, made Cousins’ job a lot easier when it came to putting the ball into the basket. With his ability to feed his teammates the rock, Cousins’ scoring numbers again should only benefit from having Rondo run the show in NOLA. This, with the idea that he’ll be in the most solo coverage situations he’s ever been in, should surmount to a big scoring year for “Boogie.” Not to mention Davis has made it abundantly clear that he would take the backseat to Cousins on offense if it were in the best interest of the team.

Next: Pelicans Nab First Preseason Win Last Night V. Bulls

While he should have a stellar year in all categories, if Cousins doesn’t have a career year in points, I’d be shocked.