Vlade Divac: DeMarcus Cousins is the 'Most dominant player in the whole world'
The Kings GM says he knows his franchise player will destroy Serbia at the Olympics
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1 min read
DeMarcus Cousins might not understand the Sacramento Kings' draft decisions -- he swears those comments were misconstrued -- but at least he knows how the general manager feels about him. In an interview with CSN Bay Area's James Ham at a recent Team USA exhibition game, Vlade Divac raved about Cousins, who he believes to be the best big man alive.
"It's a no-brainer," Divac said. "He's the most dominant player in the whole world. And being from Serbia, I have to root for Serbia, but I feel bad for them. He's going to kill them."
Cousins has looked unstoppable for his national team in these Olympic tune-ups. He has lost weight thanks to hot yoga, but he's still far too strong and skilled for his opponents on the block. Few teams in Rio de Janeiro will have the personnel to keep him off the glass or stop him in the post one-on-one.
Is Cousins really the most dominant player in the whole world, though? It depends on your definition. Traditionally, that designation goes to someone like Shaquille O'Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon -- big men who demand double teams. By that standard, then yes, Cousins is in a class of his own right now. Marc Gasol, when healthy, might be the best all-around center, but he is not the same sort of matchup nightmare as Cousins on the inside.
If you stretch the definition, though, then Cousins is not necessarily the absolute most dominant player on the planet. There's a good argument that Kevin Durant, his Team USA teammate, is more terrifying to opposing coaches because of his ability to score from anywhere. Would Divac be saying this about Cousins if he happened to work with LeBron James or Stephen Curry? Unlikely.
Let's amend Divac's statement, then. When the Olympics begin, Cousins could be the most unstoppable player in Rio. He is as physically imposing as anyone at his position, and the quality of his teammates will make him even more dangerous than he is in the NBA. Divac is right to be scared for Serbia.
