DeMarcus Cousins is considered one of the premiere big men in the NBA, but Coach K and USA Basketball reportedly see the Kings star in a different light.
Cousins is in his third year participating in USA Basketball mini-camps during the summer, but has yet to make the desired impression on Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski. Cousins has been criticized for his attitude, lack of running the floor and his inability to be a top flight rim protector.
Add in the fact that Cousins could lose his spot to a former Duke Blue Devil, and you can see why he might have an issues. Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee is reporting that Cousins was visibly shaken when he learned he may lose out to Mason Plumlee.
At this point, Cousins’ friend Andrew Rogers joins us and displays tweets from ESPN and other news outlets indicating that Colangelo and Krzyzewski favored Plumlee over Cousins. My sources suggested that the competition among Cousins, Drummond and Plumlee remained wide open and that Friday’s scrimmage and ensuing exhibitions would be crucial. Yet when he saw the tweets, Cousins appeared visibly shaken.
Q: Have you heard anything about your chances?
A: Nothing. They don’t really tell us much. I saw Coach K in the elevator, but we just chatted.
Q: How disappointed would you be if you don’t make the team?
A: I would be crushed. Everyone knows how much I want to do this. This is my third year here (two with Select Team), and I don’t run from any challenge. I would be crushed, but I’m not a quitter. I would come back and try again.
Cousins was outplayed defensive Friday night by Plumlee. Cousins is money on the offensive end, but USA Basketball doesn’t lack for offensive explosion.