DeMarcus Cousins Named to All-NBA Second Team

Feb 24, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) between plays against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) between plays against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Sacramento Kings 108-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s official, DeMarcus Cousins has been named to the All-NBA second team for the second straight consecutive year. Cousins received 32 1st team votes, 28 2nd team votes, and 33 3rd team votes.

Cousins was unlucky to miss out on 1st Team honors. DeMarcus arguably had better numbers and was more effective than DeAndre Jordan, who was named ahead of DeMarcus on the All-NBA first team.

The Kings regular season record was likely what was holding Cousins back from being named to the 1st Team. DeMarcus was the only player from all three All-NBA teams who didn’t make the playoffs.

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DeMarcus had one of the best seasons of his career averaging a career high 26.9 points per game, whilst reeling in 11.5 rebounds per game; he also shot 45% from the field and 33% from the perimeter.

We saw a different DeMarcus Cousins this season. Mainly due to the push from former Kings head coach George Karl, we saw Cousins playing a lot on the perimeter. While he was effective at times shooting the 3 ball, most of the time Cousins would take ill-advised shots or turn the ball over because he was trying to drive from the perimeter.

Mar 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

As the season went on Cousins started to get the ball down low more, in spots where he is most dominant, and it resulted in Cousins getting more baskets and drawing more fouls. It’s how he should have been playing all year long.

Cousins shouldn’t take the three-point shot completely out of his game because he has proven he can hit the long ball; he just needs to take fewer shots from out there.

Under Dave Joerger, we can expect to see Cousins playing predominately in the post, where he is most effective and should have been all season long.

Nonetheless, Cousins has been acknowledged as one of the NBA’s top players and one of the best big-men in the league for a second consecutive season. One of the lone bright spots after a rough season for DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings.