Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were supposed to start the 2018 NBA All-Star Game together for Team LeBron, which would have made them the only teammates starting with each other in the game (Steph and KD were starting on opposite squads).
Then came Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury that put the Pelicans’ playoff hopes in peril, Cousins’ impending free agency in question and forced a replacement selection of Paul George to Team LeBron. Cousins was in L.A. for the All-Star Game and stood on crutches in front of the stage during introductions.
Davis, however, made sure everyone remembered Cousins was supposed to be on the floor with him as the game started by wearing Cousins’ No. 0 All-Star jersey rather than his own in a nice nod to his injured teammate.
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) February 19, 2018
Davis and Cousins have only played together for less than a full season, but it’s clear the two have become very close in the year they’ve been on the same team. Davis said earlier this week that he expects Cousins to be back “stronger than ever” and back with the Pelicans next season, and hopefully he’s right. The two fit next to each other so well and Boogie is such a unique talent that hopefully he can overcome the Achilles injury that has so often derailed careers.
Boogie, predictably, was touched:
My brother! 🙏🏿 @AntDavis23 pic.twitter.com/FNY9hESIs0
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) February 19, 2018
