Robinson and Cousins: A Formidable Frontcourt
Be afraid; be very afraid. Two big men brought together by the hands of fate; two big men whose futures may be linked by time and circumstance. Two big men who pair together to form a formidable frontcourt.
Thomas Robinson says he is “Perfect” at getting rebounds. His boast reminds me of Pacman working through the maze to eat all the white dots, avoiding the four ghosts, Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde, who can kill him. In the NBA, that translates to snatching rebounds off the boards, all the while avoiding the dreaded NBA Officials.
Thomas Robinson joins the Sacramento Kings’ frontcourt to pair with Demarcus Cousins, as the 5th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at those rebounds, he speaks so highly about. ESPN lists him as a 21-year-old, 6’ 9” 244-pound junior out of Kansas, with a 7’ 4”wingspan. He didn’t see too many minutes of game play in his freshman and sophomore years, averaging 7.2 and 14.6 minutes respectively. It wasn’t until his junior year when he played an average of 31.8 minutes per game, when he was able to showcase his talents. Here is where he averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Not too shabby!
Demarcus Cousins was drafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, also at the #5 pick. Both were fortuitous drops to the Sacramento Kings. Currently, Demarcus in his 2011-2012 season as an NBA player, averaged 18.1 points and 11.0 rebounds, with a PER of 21.72, according to his stats. Although, it is like comparing apples with oranges, the similarity is uncanny and will no doubt not be the first of many comparisons of these two young talented big men, who will be manning the court.
Demarcus has only had one college year to compare to Robinson’s third year stats. In his 2009-2010 season with Kentucky, he averaged 23.5 minutes per game, averaging 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds. Suffice it to say, both men had very successful college careers. Cousins with two years under his belt in the NBA is making his presence known to the world. No reason not to expect likewise for Robinson. These two guys are expected to comprise one of the best frontcourt duos in the league.
Going forward, the question will be how these two big talented men pull their wares together, each a Pacman in his own right, gobbling up rebounds, while avoiding Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. Let the games begin.