DeMarcus Cousins is having an absolute monster season for the Sacramento Kings. Boogie has established himself as maybe the best big man in basketball this year, averaging a 26.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Cousins also made his second-consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game on Sunday night, scoring eleven points in the West’s 196-173 win.
One of the reasons Cousins is so dominant in the low-post is because he plays an ugly game. He bulldozes his way to the basket and is relentless around the rim. He also intimidates defenders with his grimacing expression and body language. The same attributes that once had Cousins labeled as immature are inarguably critical to his superstar status at the moment.
When talking to reporters ahead of the All-Star Game, Cousins was asked about his infamous facial expressions and the effect they have on his opponents. Courtesy of The Sacramento Bee‘s Jason Jones:
“I’m an ugly dude,” he said. “I really can’t help how my face looks. You’re just gonna have to take it. Some people like it, some people don’t. It’s just my face.”
“If I was shorter, I don’t think I’d be intimidating. They’d be like, ‘That’s a little ugly person.’ Because I’m big, intimidating.”
Cousins might be a little hard on himself, but he does have a point. Realistically, any 6-11, 270-pound person is going to be intimidating to the general public no matter what their face looks like, but the Kings superstar does have a bit of an aura about himself that adds an extra layer to it.
I’m sure it doesn’t really bother him, though, considering his so-called “ugly” face has helped turn him into one of the best young players in the NBA.
(Via The Sacramento Bee)
