DeMarcus Cousins UNFOLLOWS the Pelicans on Instagram
By Joshua Lea
The NBA offseason is unofficially underway and DeMarcus Cousins made headlines by hitting the unfollow button on social media.
DeMarcus Cousins and the New Orleans Pelicans have a bit of work to do this offseason. The need to resign is vital for the growing success the Pelicans seek. However, Cousins may have different ideas. It’s no secret that the NBA has become intertwined with social media.
Twitter has created a hashtag called “NBA twitter”. While many players and athletes use Twitter, Instagram is also becoming a large platform for NBA players to use.
Naturally, fans and media follow these players and athletes. The fans follow for access into the lives of their favorite players. Media members follow for the same reason, but also because a story may present itself. In the case of DeMarcus Cousins, the story presented itself.
Half of all news is driven by social media. It’s where most people get the news of the day. TV, newspapers, and radio aren’t dead just yet. However, they are having to figure out new ways to grow revenue. I myself, also work in the field of radio. I manage a Spanish sports station in Oklahoma City. We are an affiliate of ESPN Deportes radio, but, I digress.
With social media being such a powerful entity, DeMarcus Cousins would have to know that someone would notice when he unfollowed the Pelicans. I wish I could say that NBA players don’t drop hints as to their plans for the offseason. But, they do.
This is the Instagram post that sparked the headlines for Cousins. A fan asked him why he unfollowed the Pelicans on the comment thread. Cousins responded, “because I’m grown.”
Why would DeMarcus Cousins choose to unfollow the Pelicans?
Now, no one really knows why Cousins unfollowed the Pelicans. If you scroll through his Instagram, you’ll notice that he’s not following any NBA team. He’s still following Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo. My advice to all Pelicans fans is to simply not panic. If he does decide to leave the Pelicans. We will be alright.
GM Dell Demps has already said he intends to bring in more free agents. If Cousins does leave and play for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pelicans can bring in someone to team up with Davis. My pelican debrief homie Mark wrote a fantastic piece about the possibility of Rondo being a higher priority than DeMarcus Cousins.
I, for one, once said the Pelicans are not better without DeMarcus Cousins to combat the social media narrative that was growing with the Pelicans late-season rally. The Pelicans didn’t help my argument when they swept the Portland Trailblazers in the playoffs. However, the missed Cousins during the Golden State Warriors series.
Next: Who should the Pelicans resign?
Cousins would have been an excellent addition to guard Draymond Green. However, we can help the cards that we are dealt. The same applies to free agency. If we are blessed with a full house or a double-down 11, then great. If not, the Pelicans will adjust and regroup.