Portland Trail Blazers should bring Boogie to Rip City
The experienced, productive center the Portland Trail Blazers need may have just come on the market. DeMarcus Cousins will fit in nicely with the Blazers.
There has been more conversation of late over what the Portland Trail Blazers need to improve the team. A big man or a wing. To be clear, in this case, “wing” refers to a small forward, shooting guard, or point guard. Most say Portland needs a big man. The minority believes the more significant need is a wing.
Since CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic have been out with injury, point guard Damian Lillard has been doing some heavy lifting. He could use more help, especially in the frontcourt.
The following is a breakdown of the Portland Trail Blazers’ stats over the last 30 days.
| Player | Minutes | FG% | FT% | 3PTM | PPG | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO |
| Lillard | 35:37 | .461 | .919 | 4.6 | 31.6 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
| Trent Jr. | 35:12 | .449 | .840 | 4.1 | 19.3 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| RoCo | 32:49 | .440 | .900 | 1.8 | 8.8 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| Kanter | 30:17 | .554 | .703 | 0 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| DJJ | 26:54 | .525 | .682 | 0.8 | 8.7 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Melo | 25:38 | .389 | .838 | 1.6 | 14.4 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| R. Hood | 24:10 | .395 | .600 | 0.7 | 6.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.8 |
| Simons | 23:34 | .455 | .882 | 3.1 | 12.9 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 |
| H. Giles | 14:10 | .415 | .800 | 0.1 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 |
| N. Little | 13:00 | .571 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 |
This leaves little doubt about Damian being an All-Star. It also adds fire to his case for him being an ASG starter. Many things can be pulled from this statistical breakdown. But circling back to the beginning, the debate of the teams’ need.
Ask, and it could happen
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to go smaller, younger in frontcourt when Christian Wood returns and this allows Cousins to find an opportunity elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2021
It looks like the Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are about to part ways. Thank the basketball gods! Now the Blazers won’t need to trade for an effective big; they can sign one. This is, of course, if Neil Olshey gives Cousins the best offer because Portland isn’t the only team interested in him. But removing the contract from consideration, the Blazers do have a lot to offer the 11-year veteran.
For instance, a title-contending team, currently sitting with home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Also, an opportunity to start even when the team gets back to full health. Playing alongside a bonafide All-Star.
Consequently, looking at it from Boogie’s side (that’s his nickname for those not hip). His skill set is somewhat like that of Enes Kanter‘s. The biggest difference being that Cousins can shoot the three-ball and block shots. Cousins also has some experience playing alongside another big. Also, he’s a better passer. Rip City fans are all too familiar with Cousins’ day alongside Anthony Davis.