NBA preseason is in full swing. Everybody is getting their minutes, tuning their games up. Getting ready for the upcoming regular season.
But it seems that DeMarcus Cousins is still reeling from Team USA’s hectic summer schedule. You forget that they travelled three continents in a space of 2 1/2 months. Those are some flyer miles for you.
In a piece by NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper, Sacramento’s big man DeMarcus is still fatigued.
“I feel like I’m about 45 years old,” he said.
This was on Tuesday night, after the exhibition victory over the Raptors at Sleep Train Arena. The next day around noon, Cousins would board the chartered 747 as part of the Kings entourage bound for China for games against the Nets in Shanghai on Saturday and Beijing on Wednesday and a busy schedule in between to promote the NBA in a very important market. And then 11 ½ hours back across the Pacific… to close preseason with three games in three states.
That’s some gruelling travel right there!
I think it’s great that the NBA is reaching countries that other American sports can’t. But damn! They travel more in the preseason than they do in the regular season! The regular season seems like a breeze in terms of flyer miles.
“I wish I could just teleport there or something. Man, it’s going to be rough.”
It gets worse. When the Kings begin the regular season, it’s with six of the first nine on the road and all nine against opponents that will likely or possibly be in the playoffs. And seven different cities. Of course a lot more pins on the map.
“I have adjusted,” Cousins said. “I’m still going through the normal practices, but I may not go every time. I may sit out a couple times. Or when we’re playing five-on-five I may not play the whole time. I’m choosing my spots when I can get a little rest. The main thing is taking care of my body after the practices.
“I’ll be fine. I’m still a young fella. I’ll be good. We should worry about Rudy. He’s up in age a little bit.”
Cute little dig at Rudy Gay there.
I think that this may be a blessing in disguise. Young players in any sport are famous for being chilled with their talent. I remember when Usain Bolt said he ate 20 McDonalds Chicken Nuggets before he broke the 100m World Record in 2008.
With the globalisation of the NBA today. It’s forcing young players like DeMarcus Cousins, to take care of their bodies earlier than they would like to. You look at veterans like Ray Allen who keep their bodies on tip top shape at all times. Imagine if young players take a page out of Allen’s book?
Just last week Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said Chandler Parsons wasn’t in shape. You think Kobe is going to allow that? You think Ray Allen is going to allow that?
I think this is good for DeMarcus Cousins. Sure he’s fatigued. But if he conditions himself properly and immediately. DeMarcus Cousins could play at a high level till he’s 35. Chin up Boogie, it’s like you said. You’re still a young fella.
