OAKLAND – Wearing both a contagious smile and a calm demeanor, DeMarcus Cousins seemed comfortable while he was on stage Cousins' positive body language did not not only revealed his state of happiness by signing with the Warriors and sacrificing relative wealth in the hope of helping them win their fourth NBA championship in five years. He also captured his state of mind while he was relaxing from a left Achilles tendon that he injured almost seven months ago.
"My expectations, I plan to come back and be the same dominant player, even better," said Cousins. during his introductory press conference Thursday at the installation of warriors practice. "Nothing will change."
over losing with the Sacramento Kings for 6 ½ seasons and then on his recent injury last season with the pelicans of New Orleans. Cousins then signed with the Warriors with their mid-level taxpayer exception ($ 5.3 million) in the hope that their winning environment and their team culture will bring out its best.
To subscribe to the Planet Dubs podcast click here. With an average of 21.5 points on 46% shooting and 11.0 rebounds and four participations in the All-Star NBA, Cousins expressed his willingness to sublimate these figures to integrate with his teammates Stephen Curry Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond. Green. Warriors general manager, Bob Myers, and Cousins said he could still offer his mix of dominance, shooting and pbading poles, a huge improvement over the Warriors who relied on a Zaza Pachulia and an unexpected JaVale McGee last season. It's a different dimension. It's not something we've ever had as a low-level threat, "said Myers," I'm excited. "
Before the 6-foot-11, 270-pound proves its dominance Cousins must first prove that he can overcome an injury that has kept him away since Jan. 27. Reported completely cure his Achilles before needing it. to reinforce it.
"Rehab was fine. I'm getting stronger and stronger every day, "said Cousins. "I'm progressing every week, which is positive, and when it comes to the schedule, we'll sit down and talk as a team and figure out what's best."
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What will the Warriors find best?
Myers offered a window on the team's thinking when he spoke to Cousins before both parties agreed to an agreement. Myers lyrics: "You deserve to play basketball in the playoffs."
Myers did not just say it because Cousins has not played in the playoffs yet of his eight-year career in the NBA. Myers said that because the warriors will monitor his recovery to ensure that Cousins becomes completely healthy when the playoffs begin in mid-April.
Therefore, the Warriors will not be worried about the possibility that Cousins misses the training camp. put aside until the next calendar year. How long, however, would the Warriors want to join Cousins both as a starter with four other All-Stars and by playing an offbeat role with the reserves?
"Who knows what time, but we will certainly have a few months, if not more, before the playoffs to get him to acclimatize to what we are doing and for him to feel at home. comfortable, "said Myers. "The goal is to have as much time as possible without pushing it back in. We do not need to throw it out there."
Maybe that might explain why 29 Other NBA teams seemed reluctant to acquire Cousins. Only Warriors have enough talent and continuity to absorb the prolonged absence of Cousins
"I have to be smart about it, I'm in a unique situation where I'm not needed right now" said Cousins. "Time is a little on my side, so I have a chance to reach 100%." When I think I'm at this point, I'm going back. "
For More Insight In determining this schedule, 27-year-old Cousins spoke with various former and current NBA players who also injured their Achilles. These players included one of the best NBA dunkers (former Atlanta Hawks striker Dominique Wilkens), one of the league's top scorers (former Los Angeles Lakers goalkeeper Kobe Bryant), a former teammate of the San Antonio Spurs striker Rudy Gay. player (Dallas Mavericks goaltender Wesley Mathews) and current teammate (Warrior forward Jonas Jerebko)
Each of these players has had successes and failures.
After breaking his right Achilles tendon on January 28, 1992, the 32-year-old Wilkins, 28, also averaged 29.9 points for 46.8% of the catches the following season, a slight increase over the previous year's output, while it was posting an average of 28.1 points on 46.4%. Wilkins then played another seven years and made two other All-Star appearances.
After injuring his left Achilles towards the end of the 2012-13 season, the 35-year-old Bryant returned only eight months later. He however needed an end-of-season surgery on his left knee after playing only six games in 2013-14. Bryant then played 35 games in the 2014-15 campaign before tearing the rotator cuff on his right shoulder. Bryant then retired after the 2015-16 season after averaging 17.6 points on 35.8% of shots, his lowest scores since his second NBA season.
After tore his left Achilles tendon on January 19, 2017, Gay 31 years took a reduced role of scoring last season with the San Antonio Spurs (11.9) versus his career averages (17.8). Still, he shot a career high of 47.1 percent on the pitch. After breaking his left Achilles tendon in 2014-15 with Portland, Mathews has since recorded worse shooting numbers with Dallas in 2015-16 (38.8%), 2016-17 (39.3%) and 2017-18 (40.6%) as his career. average across nine NBA seasons (42.7 percent). After missing all of his second NBA season at 23 due to Achilles tendon tearing, Jerebko has since played seven more seasons without any problems.
"I was not really trying to answer to get through .. I just wanted to see what was the state of mind of each guy and compare it to mine," said Cousins. "Some of the positives, I took it in. And some of it I put it out – it's an injury that can be overcome. I'll make sure that I prove it."
Cousins walked around the Warriors' training facility Thursday without any noticeable clarity. Showtime, who is producing an upcoming documentary about Cousins, has released a clip this week showing Cousins receiving a mbadage and treatment in a bain-marie on his left Achilles tendon. Who knows when that means that Cousins can begin to test his Achilles in the weight room and train at court. Medical experts say the average recovery time is eight to ten months.
"It's the worst, honestly. Just waking up each day doing exactly the same thing, that can drive you crazy, "said Cousins." But I take it as a test. It's just another hurdle to overcome and I use it as fuel to move on to the next step. Then I continue the process. It's hard. No lies. But I know where I want to be. I know what I can do And I can not wait to get back to the field. "
And Once That Happens?"
"My main goal is to win a championship. That's what I'm signing, "said Cousins." I bring a toughness. I bring a skill that they've never had before with rebounds, pbades and scoring skills. I bring a bit of everything and some [technicals] along the way. "
Cousins spoke with a mischievous tone about his technical faults, but he did talk seriously about his aspirations for the title of champion and his return to dominance. made by appearing in peace with his new situation.
"I am stubborn. I like that about myself, "said Cousins. "I never resign I am a fighter I feel that I can overcome that I will continue with this state of mind."
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