Except that has zero correlation to him becoming a good player. That sense of humor will go a long way to keeping him fit and enhancing his post moves
The voice of reason. See I can't say that because people keep saying I am viewing him through blue tinted UK glasses. I fully expect him to do well in the NBA... IF he has the right franchise behind him. Edit: to A_p30 - Ask Zach Randolph if it's important which team you end up with, ask Trevor Ariza, just because you have talent doesn't mean every situation is right for you... no matter how hard of a worker you are or what your personality is like.
I won't ask Z-Bo because I wouldn't believe a word he said. The Jail-Blazer situation in Portland was unique. Not very often in NBA history do you have that big a collection of knuckleheads on one team. Even still, you can't assume playing on another team would have solved Z-Bo's problems and made him a better citizen. Maybe, maybe not. IMO, the big problem in Portland happened when they gave him the humongous guaranteed contract. That is when Z-Bo went into his worst, full jerk-mode IIRC. I don't understand your point on Trevor Ariza. He isn't that talented and it took him several years to develop into an effective role-player. Not sure what the comparison to Cousins is. Z-Bo is a much better example but I don't think him playing in Portland slowed his basketball development. I believe the wrong situation can indeed slow a player's career but that excuse is still a big cop-out the vast majority of the time people use it. If Cousins doesn't do well, my first instinct is NOT to blame the franchise, but him. Please understand I'm not rooting against Cousins; quite the opposite. I'm just looking at him coldly and objectively. The Rockets are a good organization but couldn't help Eddie Griffin, even with a "player's coach" like Rudy. Some guys will just plain fail and it isn't the team's fault. You can put Kwame Brown, Olowokandi, Darko Milicic, Stromile Swift, Darius Miles and a truckload of other players in that boat.
... but it does have something to do with being alert, aware, intelligent and mature which flies directly in the face of the major criticisms he has been receiving. A better work ethic might comes with some age; what is he, 19? I don't get the comparisons to Derick Coleman; he was moody and aloof. This Cousins kids seems like an affable sort: putting his arm around strangers to coax them into interviewing, bending down to talk to the little tyke. All those point to a kind of emotional intellect that seems far more promising than the early reports... and nothing at all like Derick Coleman. Time will tell but it seems more hopeful.
seriously? You don't think where Z-Bo was playing has anything to do with the fact that he struggled? Not at all? Trevor has said that where he played prior to going to the Lakers made it difficult for him to grow as a player... once he was in LA he was able to play and succeed. I just think objectively that you are seeing only one possibility and that is that everything that the media says about him is true. Perception is not always reality and regardless of where he goes he will do well, how well I honestly believe has to do with which team he ends up with. That doesn't mean it's an excuse, it's just how I feel. Eddie Griffin had WAY more problems than DeMarcus could even think of having. So that's a very poor example. Sometimes issues outside of basketball have more of an effect than anything else. The main issue that people have with Cousins is his lack of work ethic. Work ethic is something you can change. He's not stupid, nor is he a druggie, nor does he have a huge entourage to encourage bad things... instead he's a KID who just doesn't like to work hard. That can be changed. He can learn a better work ethic. Will he be a Michael Jordan-esque star... no... but could he earn himself an all star selection? absolutely Some people when they are 19 years old are very mature and have their own will to succeed, others still need to learn what they need to do in order to accomplish their goals. I have no doubt that being around people who can teach Cousins exactly what he needs to do will force him to become a better worker and succeed to compete on a high level in the post. That's not always true with the other people that you have mentioned here... Kwame Brown just isn't going to get better... he plateaued and even working with a solid team couldn't help him improve (that's why he was traded). Darko just wasn't as good as people thought he was going to be... and don't even get me started on Olowokandi. I agree that saying that "the right situation" will help a player is overused... but in Cousins' case it's actually true.
Can this kid shoot? He's got the "girth" of Dwight Howard; hopefully, his offense is better than Superman's O.
Mark me down as thinking he will be a star. I think he will be better than Dwight Howard on offense. I don't think he will be any better at rebounding and defense though.
If Cousins comes into the league serious and ready to put in work, he will be dominant within his first two seasons.
You can change work ethic, but will his work ethic change if he's banking a guaranteed seven figures a year without even really trying? You need a real reason to change like that, and guys making millions a year don't find too many of those reasons. He can be a star, if he gets into shape and applies himself in practice and over the offseason he'll be an All-Star every year - but he's also got a potential to be out of the league in a few years. Most likely is that he has a few big games, ultimately bounces to a few teams as a decent role player before finding his feet and finally realizing some of his potential in his mid-to-late 20s. I don't think the team that drafts him will see the best of him.
I wouldn't say "not at all". A situation can affect a player. I'm saying Z-Bo would have been a head-case wherever he went. As a basketball player, Z-Bo's talent wasn't stifled in Portland. He was productive there. Fine for him to say that. Lot's of players say that when they have their best seasons. Maybe it's true for him. Playing off Kobe Bryant can do that for players. Ask Derek Fisher. I never implied I believe EVERYTHING "the media" says about him. But one of his own teammates didn't even give Cousins the usual glowing endorsement. Then "the media" asked Cousins about his own college reputation and he took no responsibility for it. If that isn't a red flag, I don't know what is. Pathetic if you ask me. It's possible Cousins could wind up an All-Star, but I'm discounting that as a likely outcome wherever he goes. If he does well or fails, we can debate the reasons later. Regarding work ethic, very few people learn it after reaching 20. It CAN be learned later on, but don't hold your breath. That is a fact. A few do, but the vast majority (which is where Cousins likely lies) do not. I can't think of many dedicated NBA players who weren't hard workers when they first came into the league. One exception: Some guys become dedicated when they get older in order to extend their careers.
The kid is ultra talented, and if he decides to mature, he can be a force. It just depends where he goes and who coaches him. I'd really like to see him be a dominant center in this league, but does he want to be? I'm not gunna say he will bust or be a star, to early and the NBA changes a lot of kids games (i.e Beasly, Oden)
Houston drafting Cousins would hurt less than the Kings and T-Wolves drafting Cousins. He's a bigger risk for those team, because they are going to expect to him to do more than he would have to do with Rockets. He's going to have to be a good starter by day one - the end of year one for those teams to really succeed. If Cousins comes to the Rocket, I'd imagine in the beginning, no matter how good he will probably be a role player or complimentary player of sorts, because of the quality of players we have. Definitely coming off the bench, if Yao is healthy. Unless DC, just explodes with 20-10 out of the gate. We be able to recover faster or be just as good in future season, if Cousins is not as good as projected. I think Cousins would become a better player Houston, because he'd be practicing against Yao Ming, the spunk of Jordan Hill, and the defense of Chuck Hayes and Jared Jeffries. What other teams in the league can give him that kind of competition in practice? If he does well against our guys, then he is going to be pretty special player. While, if he does decent or ok, he could certain become a solid starter. I would really like to see him play against Hilton Armstrong, I think that would show people how much better he really is than Whiteside and Orton. His offensive game is near very good with a decent shot, good post moves, and good agility around the basket. People say "oh might turn out to be another Eddy Curry or Derrick Coleman," which is not necessarily a bad thing talent wise. I think the attitude thing might be what alot posters and critics cannot get over ... which is a cause for some concern, because you do not want a locker room cancer. If he has those players above offensive talent, brings good enough defense, and keeps a head on his shoulders, then I think we could easily win the West (if #11 is around for the playoffs). Talent-wise, this team would be better 08-09 team, except Battier be somewhat worse.
Do you guys think "Attitude problem" could also mean a lack of effort at keeping in shape? I am not worried about him being Joey Dorsey like as much as whether he is serious about keeping himself in shape to play the NBA game. DD
Being affable and having a sense of humor still doesn't have anything to do with being mature. Bad conditioning can be an indication of poor work ethic. It doesn't indicate maturity at all, and having a sense of humor and putting your arms around strangers has no correlation to maturity either. As for being intelligent and alert, you can be both while still being a horrible bball player. Olowakandi is a good example of this.
