DeMarcus Cousins is asking for another chance in the NBA
Now 32 years old, DeMarcus Cousins played a total of 48 games last season for two different NBA teams. The former Kentucky Wildcat was effective in an off-the-bench role for the Milwaukee Bucks (17 games) and Denver Nuggets (31 games), but he has not yet found a new home for the 2022-23 season.
The 11-year veteran is looking to change that.
In an interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Cousins talks about the mistakes he’s made throughout his NBA career and how he’s looking to make another comeback — no matter what the role is.
With the 2022-23 NBA season just a couple of weeks away, Cousins is still a free agent, and arguably one of the most talented available. It’s been four years since his last All-Star appearance (which included him making the team four straight years from 2014-18), but he’s not looking to come back and be a star. Cousins wants to prove he can be a valuable locker room piece and contribute to winning.
He wants to remove himself from the negative public perception that has followed him for years.
“Have I made mistakes? Absolutely,” Cousins told Haynes. “Have I done things the wrong way? Absolutely. For that, I’m very apologetic. But I’ve done even more things the correct way and I’ve done even more positive things compared to my negatives. I just don’t want those positives to be overlooked. And obviously, whenever it gets to the point where the negatives outweigh the positives, you should probably move away from him. That’s just how life goes. But I don’t believe I’m in that boat. I’m just asking for a chance to show my growth as a man and a player.”
Cousins was known as a bit of a wildcard (to put it lightly) during his high school days, his one year at Kentucky, and his early NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. But there was plenty of misrepresentation, too. The majority of his coaches have praised his abilities on and off the court. He’s a beloved figure among the Big Blue Nation despite spending less than a full calendar year in Lexington.
“I think the misperception of me is that I’m this angry monster that just goes around bullying people, beating people up, uncoachable, and a cancer in the locker room,” Cousins added. “I think it’s all false. I played for coach [John] Calipari, a legendary coach. I was more than coachable. Steve Kerr would attest to that and coach [Mike] Malone. Obviously, you can always go back to my time in Sacramento. I was a young kid. I was still figuring this business out. I was ignorant to a lot of things. I handled a lot of things the incorrect way, but I’ve also learned from those mistakes.”
Poorly timed injuries a few years back derailed what looked to be a promising, long-term career for Cousins. He’s been working his way back to 100 percent health over the offseason though and is ready to contribute in any way he can. Don’t be surprised if an NBA team comes calling for Cousins at some point throughout the long season.
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