Draymond Green Tight-Lipped as DeMarcus Cousins Opens Up About Struggles with Golden State Warriors: A Revealing Look Behind the Scenes
In the annals of the Golden State Warriors’ storied history, few moments are as enigmatic because the 2018-2019 season while DeMarcus Cousins, one of the NBA’s maximum bold facilities, joined the squad. The group, already bursting with superstar electricity, seemed unstoppable. But behind the glittering facade of a championship run lay a story of battle, edition, and in the end, unfulfilled capability—a tale that till these days, remained largely untold.
A Surprising Addition to a Championship Roster
The Golden State Warriors, underneath the route of then-General Manager Bob Myers, had already established themselves as a dynasty with two championships under their belt. Yet, the choice for dominance by no means waned. So when the opportunity to feature DeMarcus Cousins to their already star-studded lineup arose, it become a no brainer.
Draymond Green, one of the Warriors’ emotional and defensive anchors, was on vacation in Greece when he heard the news. “If you can get DeMarcus Cousins, you f**king get DeMarcus Cousins,” he reportedly told Myers, reflecting the excitement and high hopes surrounding the acquisition. Cousins, a four-time All-Star, was expected to be a force on both ends of the court, despite coming off a serious Achilles injury.
The Struggle Behind the Scenes
However, as with many things in life, reality did not live up to the hype. Cousins arrived at Golden State not as the dominant force he once was, but as a player on the mend, both physically and mentally. His transition into the Warriors’ intricate system was anything but seamless.
In a candid discussion on The Draymond Green Show, Cousins reflected on his time with the Warriors, revealing the challenges he faced. “I would say it was a hurdle I had to jump over. And you know, it was a lot for me, even coming back, learning the system,” Cousins admitted. The Warriors’ offense, often perceived as free-flowing and effortless, demanded a high basketball IQ and relentless mental engagement. Cousins found himself struggling to keep up, his rhythm off, and his confidence shaken.
2018-2019 DeMarcus Cousins on the warriors 💔 https://t.co/1xfbaq2Vq2 pic.twitter.com/OYpVwW6jgr
— Osama🌟 (@forgiveOsama) November 14, 2023
Cousins painted a vivid picture of the internal battle he fought. “It’s like, in that office, people think it’s just so free-flowing, but it takes a lot of IQ to play in that office, and your IQ never turns off,” he explained. The weight of expectations, coupled with the physical limitations of his body not fully cooperating with his mind, created a tumultuous environment for the big man.
The Silence of Draymond Green
Interestingly, Draymond Green, who is rarely at a loss for words, had little to say during Cousins’ recounting of those difficult days. Perhaps Green understood the unspoken struggles of a teammate trying to find his place in a well-oiled machine. Or perhaps it was because, despite the hurdles, Cousins eventually did carve out a role for himself.
In simply 30 games, Cousins controlled to contribute a mean of sixteen points in line with recreation, turning into an critical piece of the Warriors’ bench. His contributions helped the group live on course for what many hoped would be a historic three-peat. Yet, fate had other plans. Cousins suffered another injury, and Kevin Durant’s season-ending Achilles tear during the NBA Finals added insult to injury. The Warriors’ dreams of a three-peat were dashed, and Cousins’ time with the team ended after just one season.
A New Chapter for Cousins
Following his short stint with the Warriors, Cousins’ career took a nomadic flip. He played for several groups, such as the Denver Nuggets, however in no way quite observed a everlasting domestic inside the NBA. His final appearance came throughout the 2022 season with the Nuggets. After failing to secure some other NBA agreement, Cousins opted to take his competencies overseas.
In a twist of destiny, Cousins rediscovered his love for the game whilst gambling for the Taiwan Beer Leopards inside the T1 League, wherein he gained the Finals MVP. Despite this fulfillment, Cousins made it clean in a February interview with HoopsHype that he has no plans to go back to the NBA.
“I know I’ve had my time there. There was a point where I was trying to make that happen. But the place I’m in my life now, just with everything I’ve got going on, just outside of basketball, I’m in a good place,” Cousins said. The former NBA star has found peace in his journey, focusing on life beyond the court and embracing the future with optimism.
