Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Three Reasons Why DeMarcus Cousins May Or May Not Re-Sign With The New Orleans Pelicans

By Mark Nilon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans walks onto the court before a game against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans walks onto the court before a game against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
New Orleans Pelicans DeMarcus Cousins
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 22: DeMarcus Cousins /

The Opportunity To Win Now

Though NOLA had one of its best seasons in franchise history, towards the end something seemed to be missing. Throughout the Semifinals series against Golden State, it appeared the Pelicans, like so many other teams, were simply outmatched in regards to star-power. Had Cousins suited up, maybe things could have played out a bit differently.

The Pelicans got off to a slow start to the 2017-18 season. Losing three of their first four, it appeared as though the Davis/ Boogie pairing would never surmount to anything than a failed experiment. Then, by late January, they seemed to finally find their groove. By the time of Cousins’ injury, the team accumulated a record of 27-21 and were pleasantly positioned in the conferences third seed. Had it not been for the final seconds of the teams 115-113 win over the Houston Rockets on January 26th, we may have seen a completely different/ equally as dominant Pelicans squad. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

At 6-11, 270 pounds, the center can hit a mid/ long range jumper just as easily as he can flush it down at the rim. During his tenure in New Orleans, he has shot 47% from the field and an impressive 36% from deep. Through his brief 2017-18 campaign we were also introduced to the wunderkind known as “point-Boogie.” Cousins was able to accumulate a career high total of 257 assists in just 48 games this season (5.0 APG). The versatility he possesses on the offensive side of the ball is rivaled by many few. Because of this, defenses seem to struggle when facing off against such a talent.

MUST READ: Though Harden Won MVP, AD Is Still More “Valuable” 

By adding this type of play to the already impressive Pelicans team, it could spell danger for opposing organizations. Had they had Cousins in the second round this year, the outcome could have been different. Now is that a guarantee? Of course not! Still, throughout the series it appeared NOLA needed a little extra something in order to take down the Warriors. Could Cousins be that “something” moving forward?