When everyone is lamenting that the Lakers' veteran Schroeder only took a contract of more than 5 million yuan, he had to join the Celtics, and also had to play a substitute for Smart, in fact, there is a former star who is more embarrassing than Schroeder's current situation, he is the league's first center Cousins.
Cousins was once a big Mac-level top star on the inside, and for a while, many fans thought he was the first inside line in the current league. With a strong body, the inside line has repeatedly completed the end of the domineering dunk, and at the same time, it is rare that such a large height can also run to the outside line to complete the three-point projection.
But who would have thought that such a superstar, in recent years can be described as a topsy-turvy drift, was laid off by the Rockets last season and reduced to no ball, fortunately the Clippers recruited him, but still did not play his true level, almost no playing time.
To this day Cousins is still a free agent and still struggling to find a job. So the question is why cousins is now reduced to such a field? Why is no other team willing to recruit him in time?
I think there are several reasons for this.
First, Cousins' injury affected his market value.
A series of major injuries during the Warriors' time left him out for quite a long time. He was able to come back after the age of 30 and showed a good standard, but after experiencing a torn ligament, he may have a major injury at any time, so that many teams dare not want him again.
The second reason is that Cousins' defense is really too weak.
Cousins was not known for his defense, and his movement slowed down significantly after his injury, making it difficult for him to expand his defense when defending, and he would often be pulled out by the opposing small player to single. Even if you sit on the inside line, you will often be beaten badly by the other side's breakthrough, and you will repeatedly eat technical fouls.
The third reason is that under the current trend of basketball development, players like Cousins are no longer popular.
Today's basketball development trend, more teams are willing to execute small lineups. More flexible, offensive options, unlimited changes of defense are more efficient, and a big man like Cousins can't meet the needs of the team.
Of course, it can't be said that Cousins is useless now, there should be many teams in the next, especially those with empty interior lines will contact him, personally I think the Lakers if they are willing to recruit Cousins back again, it is also a good choice, at least he can replace the elderly Gasol and Howard.