Kings season primer: DeMarcus Cousins’ role expands

Bee Sports Staff

Updated October 25, 2015 3:00 AM

The Sacramento Bee provides a primer for each of the 15 players on the Kings’ roster entering their 2015-16 campaign, which begins Wednesday, Oct. 28, at home against the Los Angeles Clippers. View the rest of the profiles here.

Much has been written and said about the relationship between Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and his coach George Karl. At the team’s media day, Cousins said he and the veteran coach met in Las Vegas, “and we talked our differences out like men.” The relationship, Cousins said is “solid.”

So proceeding on that premise, Cousins begins his sixth NBA season as an All-Star, and a center recognized as one of the the league’s best. No wonder. He averaged a career-best 25.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game last season. He was limited to just 59 games, partly because he developed viral meningitis in the season’s first month.

Cousins reportedly is in the best shape of his life. He also will be asked to play on the perimeter more, perhaps safeguarding from the physical wear-and-tear of playing the post. Can he put together another All-Star season, and help lead the Kings into playoff contention?

PLAYER BIO: DeMARCUS COUSINS

Position/jersey: Center, No. 15

Height/weight: 6-11, 270

Age: 25

Experience: Five years

Prior to NBA: Kentucky

Key 2014-15 stat: Averaged a career-high 1.7 blocks.

Comment: Team anchor on both ends of the floor aims for second All-Star Game appearance and first playoff berth.

Jason Jones