Earlier than accidents derailed his profession, Demarcus Cousins was an elite modern-day middle. The Kings star had the power and ability to dominate within the paint but in addition had a candy soar shot and will financial institution one from anyplace on the court docket. He developed the power to play effectively along with his again to the basket and from the perimeter or past the arc resulting from his admiration for 2 Corridor of Famers.
On the Membership 520 Podcast, the crew requested the 34-year-old which participant he modeled his play type after. Cousins defined that since he grew up in Alabama, a state with no NBA crew, he adopted a number of franchises and idolized a number of gamers. He then named Carmelo Anthony and Shaquille O’Neal as his two greatest inspirations. The former Kings star said,
“I say my recreation is sort of like a Mutt (A canine whose mother and father belong to totally different breeds)… I had lots of favourite gamers. My primary was Carmelo Anthony. The way in which he transfer with the ball, his measurement, the physicality, the finesse, the mixture of each. I fell in love with it… Clearly, I like Shaq with simply his dominance and the intimidation that he performed with.”
Cousins defined that he was drawn to Anthony resulting from his innate capability to play iso in opposition to any participant and drain buckets. He additionally wasn’t solely a shooter. The retired ahead had the power to muscle his technique to the rim and dunk with authority or end with finesse.
Quite the opposite, O’Neal had just one play type as a result of he didn’t want one other. The middle is arguably probably the most dominant participant in historical past. He was unstoppable within the paint and did as he happy when not double-teamed. He’s the gold commonplace in his place and the function mannequin for bodily gifted gamers like Cousins.
The four-time All-Star additionally named Amar’e Stoudemire and Pau Gasol among the many gamers he idolized rising up. He claimed that the previous Suns star’s method mirrored Anthony’s, which appealed to him. Quite the opposite, the Lakers icon Gasol was sleek on the court docket and infrequently relied on power and athleticism to get the higher hand.
Cousins’ response explains rather a lot about his taking part in type. He has shades of each participant he talked about and managed to have the identical impression as they did earlier than accidents ravaged his profession.
