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The Insider Podcast of Warriors
OAKLAND – Relax, Warriors fans, DeMarcus Cousins does not come to the Bay Area to deceive the good vibes around your favorite NBA team. There are more than five million reasons why he wants you to believe him.
When Cousins contacted the Warrior architect Bob Myers 17 days ago to see if the defending champions would be interested in his services, Myers paused. Not to examine his own thoughts but to consult the All-Stars who would share the locker room with a man perceived as a barrel of dynamite.
The answers, resoundingly and generally, were yes. Team leader Stephen Curry signed. Draymond Green was easy; he is always looking for new talent. Klay Thompson is easier because it is naturally maintenance free.
As for Kevin Durant, he also took a break. He had a question: He comes for $ 5 million?
When Myers responded that Cousins was indeed willing to accept the mid-level exception of $ 5.3 million from the team, Durant was sold. He said it was all he needed to know.
Cousins, 27, earned about $ 80 million over his eight-year career. His salary last season in New Orleans was just over $ 18 million. Once on the free agent market in July, he had to know that even after surgery on his Achilles tendon, the teams would be willing to offer at least half to a proven star. Yes, even with his "luggage".
Yet he was there, barely in the 2nd day of the free agency, offering himself to the Warriors at a very reduced price
"When he made the gesture that he was there. "He wanted to come for our team, it's not words." It's an action, "said Myers Thursday, after Cousins was introduced as a warrior." That means "I want to win, and money is not the most important thing. "
" You do not come on our team if you are looking to be the top scorer or if you are looking for statistics. not the place to come for that.We are the place to come if you want to win. "
The Warriors reached the NBA Finals four consecutive seasons, winning three championships. They went through the former Cousins team, New Orleans, in the playoffs heading for the title last month.
Cousins could not play, because of his injury, but he was able to experience the series, even by proxy. First time.
"It's just a chance to play for a winning culture," said Cousins. "I also have the chance to play with some of the most talented players of that era.These two things alone, that sums it up pretty well."
Cousins' reputation is that of someone who plays with a chip on his shoulder that sometimes can be detrimental. He was suspended twice for exceeding the technical foul of the league. He was sparred with coaches, hit with the media
Almost all those times were in Sacramento, with the unfortunate Kings, whose last winning season was in 2006, when Cousins was 15 years old.
Cousins generally behaved last season "
" In a winning culture and a winning environment, I think we all behave a little better, "said Myers. "Sometimes, when it's not going that way, it's harder, he saw one side of the NBA that a lot of our players have never seen, there's growth that comes with that." There is growth in being someone who quits (college) after his freshman year and comes to the NBA as a top pick and should lead a team as (19 or 20 years old.) C & # 39; is an adjustment for everyone.We'll all go through there. "
" He is now at the point in his life and career where he has seen the hard side of playing basketball professionally. Although he has made a lot of money and has done a lot of things, he wants to win. "
That Cousins is a productive player who thrives in the midst of success seems to be the popular opinion." His former general with the pelicans, Dell Demps, involved as much on The Warriors Insider Podcast this week Hall of Fame keeper Gary Payton, who spent a lot of time with Cousins during the Olympics, agrees
So, naturally, Cousins, who signed a contract with several of his new teammates in the hope of establishing a better relationship. "It's a good group of guys, easy going people, maybe outside of Draymond," he says. laughing. "But it's a great group. I think we're going well. "
They'll have to do it because that's the only way Cousins gets a $ 5.3 million bet win.
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