Demarcus Cousins makes case for Most Improved Player

by:Ally Tucker04/21/12
  Columnist Tolulope Oladele of The Bi-College News makes a case for Demarcus Cousins being named the NBA's Most Improved Player. In the last eight games alone, Cousins has averaged 26.9 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks. Oladele makes note of Cousins' vast improvement in consistency in the latter portion of the NBA's shortened season. Since the departure of former Sacramento Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal, Cousins has undergone a bit of a transformation on and off the court.  
Cousins' incredible play has grabbed the attention of his teammates: "He's a new player," Tyreke Evans said. "I'm happy for him. He's done a great job of just going out there and playing and helping us. No arguing with anybody on the team. Just staying focused, and I'm happy for him."
  According to Oladele's article, Cousins is averaging 18.2 points per game on the season while grabbing 11.1 rebounds. Both numbers show drastic improvement from last year's averages of 14.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.   Even opposing players are starting to take notice of Cousins' improvement. Cousins garnered a compliment from one of the game's most respected veterans, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.  
"He's getting better and better," said Tim Duncan. "Every time we play them, he's getting better. He's getting more comfortable with his role. He's expanded his game and he always plays hard, so he's getting better."
  Demarcus Cousins has been putting up the kind of numbers lately that belong in the same conversations as some of the NBA's very best big men. Though Cousins is not on a playoff contending team, he has shown a growth in maturity as well as growth in the effort and consistency of his play on the court. Cousins has put himself squarely in the conversation for the NBA's "Most Improved Player." I wouldn't be surprised to see Demarcus Cousins become an all-star caliber player in the NBA in the very near future. It's always good to see a former Wildcat doing well for himself. To read the entire article by Tolulope Oladele, which speaks very highly of Demarcus Cousins, go here.

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