Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

PG on Cousins' debut: 'Still got a lot left to give'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 07 April 2021 00:58

LOS ANGELES -- Less than a minute into his first game as a member of the LA Clippers, DeMarcus Cousins maneuvered his way around Enes Kanter, tapped an offensive rebound to himself and scored on a putback right in front of a delighted Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

Making his debut for the team after signing a 10-day contract on Monday, Cousins' seven points, four rebounds and two assists in seven minutes during the Clippers' 133-116 blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at Staples Center.

"He was great," said Paul George, who hit six 3-pointers and finished with 36 points. "He's an All-Star. He's still one of the most skilled bigs in the league. He can finish, he rebounds. I thought you saw a little bit of everything from him tonight, and he showed he's still got a lot left to give."

The Clippers are the latest stop for Cousins since serious injuries threatened his All-Star career. Cousins tore his Achilles in 2018 with the New Orleans Pelicans and had a long rehab before returning. He then suffered a quadriceps tear during the first round of the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors in 2019. He returned and played in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors and then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, only to tear his ACL before the 2019-20 season began.

After missing all of last season, Cousins returned and played in 25 games with the Houston Rockets this season before he was released. It has been a grueling and long road back.

"I've put an incredible amount of work to get to this place," Cousins said. "I feel great, my body feels great. I'm in probably the best shape I've been in my entire career. At this point, it's about going out there and just putting everything together and just trying to continue to show that I'm healthy and I'm here to play this game at a high level.

"I understand the situation that I'm in. Whatever opportunity is given to me, I plan on just taking full advantage of it, just controlling what I can control."

Cousins provides the Clippers with some much-needed depth at center with Serge Ibaka (back) missing his 12th consecutive game. Cousins set screens, pulled down two offensive rebounds and drew fouls to go to the line four times in his first game since Feb. 17.

"Cousins was good," Clippers head coach Ty Lue said. "[It's] just tough because he doesn't know as many plays right now, so we're limited offensively. But he's a problem [for opponents]. He is a big load, he can post up, he can shoot the 3, he can pass the basketball. ... Just getting him into shape and getting him acclimated to what we are trying to do offensively and defensively, but we already know he's a big talent."

Cousins also has some familiarity with this Clippers team. He's former teammates with recently acquired Rajon Rondo, and he played with George on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and with Patrick Patterson in college at Kentucky.

Cousins said he doesn't see many weaknesses on the Clippers, who have won two straight with routs over the Lakers and Blazers.

"Obviously they have a two-headed snake in Kawhi [Leonard] and PG," Cousins said. "And obviously everybody else's job is to make their job easy. I think this is probably one of the most complete teams in the league. I just bring whatever I can to help this team and elevate it. I don't really see this team lacking much."

George said he is looking forward to seeing Cousins regain his All-Star form with the Clippers.

"He can really play at a high level still," George said. "So I'm looking forward to him getting into a groove, him seeing the floor and just being a great teammate for us."

Read 291 times

Soccer

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona have rewarded Fermín López's early-season form with a new...

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBorussia Dortmund have again dominated the German football headline...

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi acknowledged he has reinvented his style of play since...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOrlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has sustained a right abdominal s...

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFOR MOST OF his 13 years in the NBA, Bradley Beal has had a good se...

Baseball

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's trial in the Dominican Rep...

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Two days before the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason beg...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated