The All-NBA teams were announced earlier today and it was stacked with familiar names. One of those familiar names was our very own DeMarcus Cousins. He is the first Sacramento King to appear on any All-NBA team since Peja Stojakovic in 2004, who was also a second team All-NBA selection.
Chris Webber is the only Sacramento King to ever earn a first team All-NBA selection, which he did in the 2000-2001 season. Its impressive that Webber was able to do that with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and others in his peer group. Webber made the All-NBA second team in 1999, 2002, and 2003. Stojakovic and Mitch Richmond are the only other Sacramento Kings to appear on All-NBA Squads, and both were multiple time selections. Hopefully Cousins can join all three of those franchise legends in repeating this feat, and join Webber as a first team All-NBA member someday.
DeMarcus Cousins had a special season, despite playing only 59 games. He averaged 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists this year, and all of those numbers were career highs. Cousins was forced to fight through Viral Meningitis, among other lingering injuries, and that took a lot out of him.
The All-NBA teams are chosen by sports writers and broadcasters. They all select a first team, second team and third team. They can only select two guards and three bigs, so its not necessarily a collection of the best 5 players on the first team.
Mar 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) passes the ball against the New York Knicks during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The All-NBA first team featured two unanimous selections in Stephen Curry and Lebron James. Marc Gasol, Anthony Davis and James Harden rounded out the squad.
The second team was loaded with talent. The four players joining Cousins were Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul.
Third team featured Tim Duncan, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving.
For the most part, the writers and broadcasters seemed to get it right, even though some might quibble with who is on which team.
DeMarcus Cousins is loaded with talent and showed this season that he can be the best big man in the NBA. He should make many more All-NBA teams in his future, and I also think this is another step in the right direction in regards to the narrative surrounding Cousins. He continues to improve his image around the NBA, and recognition from sports writers and broadcasters around the NBA is a good indicator of that.
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