It seems crazy to think that it’s been 15 years since DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall wreaked havoc together at Kentucky. It’s even crazier to realize that neither of them is in the NBA anymore.
Wall struggled with injuries and missed plenty of time in the final stretch of his career. Cousins, on the other hand, drew a bad reputation for his strong character, and injuries also pushed him away.
Cousins’ personality was always a talking point. Even so, John Calipari, his coach, knew that he was also more than worth the risk. That’s what he told NBA teams before the Sacramento Kings eventually took him at No. 5.
John Calipari had strong words for DeMarcus Cousins
“If you want something easier, then take somebody else,” he said, according to ESPN. “If you want to take on this challenge and make him one of the best players in the NBA, then he has it all. He’s got the size, the mind, and he’s smart enough to remember plays and make adjustments. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever coached.”
DeMarcus Cousins is still active and looks like someone who could contribute to any NBA team, even if it were for limited stretches and coming off the bench in certain matchups.
He will go down as one of the most talented big men in recent history, and it’s sad to see how his reputation may have pushed him away from the game when he still had so much more to give.