by Boogie shows Kings fans, team love during the breakaway season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
DeMarcus Cousins has nothing but love for the Kings and their fans.
Speaking to NBA legend Paul Pierce and Rachel Nichols on SHOWTIME Basketball’s “What’s Burnin'” podcast, Cousins shared his thoughts on Sacramento’s surprise 2022-23 NBA season and his joy for Kings fans.
“It’s dope,” Cousins told Nichols. “I’m just happy for the city and the fans because they really deserve it. That’s an incredible fanbase, they’re the definition of standing through thick and thin.
“Incredible fanbase, they more than deserve it, so I’m excited for them. Excited to see where this team goes.”
The 32-year-old was also asked what he thinks of the Kings’ success this season and couldn’t help but praise the work the team has done so far.
“I think they’re super talented,” Cousins told Pierce and Nichols. “Young team, full of energy, full of excitement, you can see they enjoy playing together.
“You can tell they’re having fun.”
Sacramento (36-25) seems to be having a lot of fun this season as it sits at the top of the Pacific Division, currently three games ahead of the Phoenix Suns (34-29) in the division and the Western Conference as a whole.
A lot of the Kings’ success has to do with how consistent they’ve been, how hard they play for coach Mike Brown and how healthy they’ve been this season, according to Cousins.
“They’ve been doing those three things all year and I think they’ll continue to do that so I can see the Kings come out at the top of their division,” Cousins added.
While Cousins has had a rocky relationship with the Kings in the past, the free-agent center appears willing to move on, stating in November 2022 that he would be “happy” to help Sacramento break its historic playoff drought .
Despite injuries slowing down the four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA roster, he has proven to be a valuable asset off the bench.
In 48 games (seven starts) with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets last season, Cousins averaged 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15 minutes per game.
Overall, over the past two seasons, Cousins has started in 18 of 89 possible games and averaged 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.1 minutes per game.
While he’s no longer the imposing presence he once was with the Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, it’s clear Cousins can still help a team that needs major backup.
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Whatever happens, Cousins enjoys Sacramento’s success from a distance.
And Kings fans would love nothing more than a reunion with one of the team’s biggest stars of the past decade.
