It's predraft career prediction time :grin: I don't think any player in this draft epitomizes the high risk, high reward big man more than Cousins. Extreme wingspan and length? Check! Average atheleticism and lacks explosiveness? Check! Number 1 in college PER for the last eight years? Check! Ridiculously high body fat percentage and questionable mental makeup? Check! So do you guys think Cousins will be the next Eddie Griffin? Or will he someday be in contention for best C in the league? Or will he fall in between and just be an ordinary role player?
Can't vote until I see who drafts him. If Morey drafts him, STAR! BTW, Eric Dampier was the 2nd best center in the league, you know?
I don't think I've ever been more excited or compelled to acquire a guy with the type of bust potential he has. That should tell you something about how high his upside and possibility of being a dominant physical force is. He's a "safe" pick provided he keeps two variables under control: his motor and his weight. Granted, that's easier said than done but his size and current skill level make him an impact player on day one. The rest will be up to him, his trainers and coaching staff to keep him in check. Knowing that information a GM has to ask himself if he feels his staff is up to the challenge of keeping a player like that under control otherwise he'll be the second coming of Eddy Curry. But yeah, agreed with meh that I can't vote until I see who drafts him. That would explain why my analysis might appear so contradictory. Which organization he ends up with could have a LOT to do with his future in this league.
the body fat % and the questions about his work ethic and overall mental makeup paint a picture of a guy who won't work too hard to become dominant.
I'm on the side that thinks he will be a good NBA player. Think Andrew Bynum when he's healthy, but with more offensive skill.
Please someone enlighten me. Was there a big man with great potential but with motivation/attitude problem ever became a superstar before in NBA?
He won't be a star in the NBA. Doesn't have the mentality for it. I could see him playing hard his first 3-4 years in hopes of getting a big extension. I could also see him not developing and being a big disappointment from early on.
Cousins has that rare combination of Power & Finesse; his both Strong & Agile, with a great touch around the rim and range all the way from three ... he kind of reminds me of a more physically imposing Pau Gasol, who's game Cousin's admires weirdly enough!? <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wnG9HC_ucbI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wnG9HC_ucbI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Also the whole attitude problem has been seriously overblown, specially by people who barely have even followed this kid ... his a good kid who needs to be put in the right situation, in order to learn to fulfill his potential! --RB
If he gets drafted high probably a bust, because he will think he is the next shaq. If drafted low then he may work hard to try and prove people wrong, and may make him realize he has to earn respect.
There's a reason why I added the emphasis on who draft the guy. Because these players aren't finished products. Hence, the word potential. You might remember of a certain sure-fire #1 pick. Was a headcase in college. Butted heads with his first NBA coach, traded 50 cents on the dollar to another team. Where he wore out his welcome in 3 years and again traded to a 3rd team 50 cents on the dollar. Then he became a premier power forward in the game under... you guessed it, Rick Adelman.
If only I had a nickel for the number of players who "needed to be put in the right situation". That is by far the most overused excuse for failure in the NBA. If Cousins has greatness in him, it will come out. If he doesn't, it won't. The NBA isn't a place for fragile personalities like this guy. His complete lack of accepting ANY responsibility for his reputation is a huge red flag.
I like this comparison in the sense that Coleman was very skilled, but never became the player he probably should have. I can see this happening, but for the sake of the league and Cousins i hope it doesn't.
This. I'll also add the Zach Randolph comparison as well. Cousins will be able to put up numbers, and might even become an all-star. But you'll always have the feeling that he's wasting his talents and that it's a shame he never reached his potential.
If you haven't done so, watch the video link. Watching Cousins being interviewed, I'd say no. However put the mic in his hand and he becomes a totally different character. What does this have to do with basketball? I don't know but it's intriguing. The guy has poise and a sense of humor and a humility that comes through... which gives me hope for him.
