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DeMarcus Cousins On Kings Slow Start: “I’m Not Really Concerned At All. I Believe This Is Our Year”
In order for the Sacramento Kings to take the next step this season they must have a focused DeMarcus Cousins. The former Kentucky center averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. Over the summer, Cousins was a late invitee to the U.S. Olympic training camp and almost made his way onto the team. The Kings opened up 0-3 on their first road trip of the season, but Cousins isn’t worried. The fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft believes he has the ability to take over games. DeMarcus Cousins joined KHTK in Sacramento with Grant Napear to discuss the strengths and weaknesses in his game, his confidence in the Sacramento Kings this season and not yelling at referees over bad foul calls like he has in the past.
What’s your biggest strength and weakness right now?:
“I believe just the toughness and energy I bring to the table. I believe that carries us far and I have the ability to set the tone of the game at the beginning of the game, and usually my teammates play off of me. Just that in itself helps us a lot. I wouldn’t say I really have a weakness, but … I do feel like there’s a lot of areas in my game that I need to improve on, but I wouldn’t consider them a weakness.”
Did the 0-3 start deflate the team at all with the opening trip?:
“No. In my mind, no, because when I revert back to thinking like, ‘Man, maybe it’s happening again,’ I just think how we were last year. If this team was in that situation last year, how would it have been? … Just the strides we have made as a team have been like crazy, so I know we are on the right path and I am confident about this team this year. It’s still super early on. I’m not really concerned at all. I believe this is our year.”
Do you feel you are still struggling over not yelling at referees over bad foul calls?:
“I feel like I am improving, but at the same time, and like I said earlier, it’s easier said then done. Every player in this league complains to the ref. That’s basically part of the game. Those calls affect the game and us as players know that. If I was one of the players off the bench and got lucky enough to get some time, I shouldn’t be complaining because I am not really affecting the game. As one of the best players on the team, me in foul trouble affects the game. Of course I am going to complain and if I feel like it’s a bad call, I am going to say something. That’s that.”
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