DeMarcus Cousins never doubted he could turn back the clock. He just needed an opportunity to twist the dials.
Making the first start of his Nuggets career, Cousins bludgeoned the Rockets for 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes of work Friday night. The absence of Nikola Jokic (non-COVID illness) didn’t hurt in the least. Cousins’ bruising, imposing play made sure of that.
It was the first time Cousins scored at least 31 points since Jan. 22, 2018 – five teams ago, when Cousins was with the New Orleans Pelicans.
“Nobody replaces Nikola Jokic, but Cuz is pretty damn good,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who’s been Cousins’ biggest proponent since before he even arrived in Denver. Malone said he and Denver’s front office watched Cousins work out before he signed with Milwaukee. Once the Bucks cut him – a result of a calf strain, according to Cousins – Malone and the Nuggets jumped.
“Most people had given up on him,” Malone said following Friday’s 116-101 win. “All you need is somebody to believe in you.”
Malone always did. He’d tell anyone who listened that when they were together in Sacramento, he never had to worry whether Cousins would show up on a given night. Cut from the same cloth, Malone said he always appreciated his effort and his intensity.
That aligned with the Nuggets’ need for accountability in the locker room. Numerous players said Cousins, a four-time All-Star, garnered respect immediately. But his policing has been pragmatic, a lesson he said he had to learn at other stops throughout his circuitous journey.
Cousins acknowledged he’s had to cater his message depending on which locker room he inhabited. But he was always going to be himself, encouraging his teammates, egging on the crowd, jousting with opponents or sharing his thoughts with officials.
“Me and him are talking junk all the time,” said Rockets veteran Eric Gordon. “The dude had a very impressive game. You would expect him to try to go at us after just being here last year. … I’ve always respected and loved his game. Even when he was (with the Rockets), he definitely means well. A lot of people don’t understand him, but he means well. And he’s always ready to compete.”
On one instance Friday night, he greeted teammate Bryn Forbes at a timeout and shared some advice. While he was on the bench, he barked defensive coverages at JaMychal Green. When asked about it after the game, Cousins explained he has his eyes on the postseason and wanted to build good habits over the final 19 games.
Malone credited Cousins for losing eight-to-10 pounds upon arriving in Denver, controlling his emotions as best he can and accepting his role behind Jokic, the reigning MVP. As Malone said, 29 teams weren’t calling. But their loss has been Denver’s gain.
Cousins was so good Friday night that he was selected for the in-arena post-game interview instead of Will Barton, who’d set the franchise’s all-time 3-point record.
“Let’s not forget who he is,” Barton said. “… When healthy, he’s still DeMarcus Cousins, right?”
Cousins was a force inside, a threat from outside and an unselfish playmaker when the situation presented itself.
Cousins wouldn’t ever be mistaken for Jokic, but their playing styles aren’t that dissimilar.
“He keeps on playing like this … you don’t have to run Nikola into the ground,” said Malone, who suggested the Nuggets might have the best center tandem in the NBA.
On at least two occasions Friday night, Cousins pleaded for Malone to use his challenge call. Even though both times Malone opted against it, he had no problem with the suggestion since it revealed a window into Cousins’ investment.
“It’s very satisfying,” said Cousins when asked what it’s meant to him to take advantage of his latest stop. “It’s even a better feeling to have a coach that believes in you, an organization that believes in you.”
