LOS ANGELES – Less than a minute into his first game as a member of the LA Clippers, DeMarcus Cousins maneuvered himself around Enes Kanter, using an attacking kick for himself and striking back in front of a delighted Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Cousins ’seven points, four rebounds and two assists in seven minutes during the Clippers’ 133-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers made its debut for the team at Staples Center on Tuesday after signing a ten-day contract on Monday. signed it.
“He was great,” Paul George said. He hit six three-pointers and finished with 36 points. “He’s an All-Star. He’s still one of the most skilled players in the league. He can finish, he’s jumping back. I thought you saw a little bit of everything about him tonight, and he showed that he still has a lot to give. “
The Clippers are the last stop for Cousins since serious injuries threatened his All-Star career. Cousins tore his Achilles in 2018 with the New Orleans Pelicans and had a long rehabilitation before returning. He then suffered a quadriceps tear during the first round of the playoffs with the Golden State Warriors in 2019. He returned and played in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors and then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, only to have his Tearing ACL before the 2019-20 season begins.
After missing out last season, Cousins returned and played in 25 games with the Houston Rockets this season before being released. It was a grueling and long road back.
“I put an incredible amount of effort into getting to this place,” Cousins said. “I feel great, my body feels good. I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in my entire career. At this point, it’s about going out there and just putting everything together and just trying to show. that I I’m healthy and I’m here to play the game at a high level.
“I understand the situation I am in. Regardless of the opportunity I get, I intend to take full advantage of it and control only what I can.”
Cousins gives the Clippers a depth in the center, with Serge Ibaka (behind) missing his 12th straight game. Cousins set up screens, pulled down two offensive rebounds and made mistakes to go to line four times in his first game since Feb. 17.
“Cousins were good,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue said. “[It’s] just hard because he does not know so many plays, so we are offensively limited. But he’s a problem [for opponents]. He’s a big load, he can post, he can shoot the 3, he can pass the basketball. … To just get him in shape and adapt him to what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively, but we already know he’s a great talent. ‘
Cousins also has some familiarity with this Clippers team. He was a former teammate with Rajon Rondo recently acquired, and he played with George in the U.S. Olympic team in 2016 and with Patrick Patterson at the University of Kentucky.
Cousins said he does not see very weak points on the Clippers, who have won two consecutive games with the Lakers and Blazers.
‘Clearly they have a two-headed snake in Kawhi [Leonard] and PG, “Cousins said. And everyone’s job, of course, is to make their job easy. I think this is probably one of the most complete teams in the league. I bring just what I can to help and increase this team. I do not really see that this team is missing much. ‘
George said he was looking forward to seeing Cousins regain his All-Star series with the Clippers.
“He can really still play at a high level,” George said. “I look forward to him getting into a groove, he sees the floor and is just a good teammate for us.”