28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one block per game.
Those are the numbers that DeMarcus Cousins is averaging this year through seven games played. While improvement has been steady throughout Cousins’ career, he can attribute his incredible offensive start to the 2015-16 campaign to the newest weapon in his arsenal – a long range shot.
Prior to the regular season, pundits believed Boogie’s newfound range was a fluke, especially for a big man that’s talented enough to continually dominate in the post.
Albeit early, DMC has proved otherwise. His newfound range has opened up his inside game and allowed him to head to the charity stripe 11 times per game, a career-high.
He converts an average of nearly two three-pointers per game – a feat only accomplished by 25 other players in the entire League. Add that to the fact that he hoists nearly four a game, and his 45 percent three-point percentage ranks best among NBA centers and is identical to that of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
DeMarcus Cousins 3-Pointer Shot Chart
While four threes per match for a center certainly isn’t common, take into consideration that 100 percent of his made threes this season have come on assisted passes – which means he’s not forcing the shot or looking for it on his own.
His ability to break down defenses poses a bigger threat than ever before, which is a scary thought, considering he’s an All-Star without the ability to knock down a trey.
In games that No. 15 has been able to fully partake in, the Kings are 4-2. With continued success at his current rate, Tom Ziller of SB Nation believes Boogie could be in the MVP conversation.
“It would appear we've underappreciated Boogie's potential to be legitimately great. Like, MVP consideration great.”
To read more analysis on DeMarcus Cousins' start to the season, click here.
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