Cousins shows 'take-charge' attitude

For such a large fellow, DeMarcus Cousins sure knows how to move his feet and absorb contact.

The 6-foot-11, 275-pound second-year center out of Kentucky took two charges that went a long way to securing the Kings' 106-101 win over league-leading Oklahoma City on Thursday at Power Balance Pavilion, and he now leads the NBA in charges taken.

Cousins was crashed into twice Thursday by Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.

So how did he become such a good charge-taker?

"Since I figured out I couldn't block shots," Cousins cracked.

All told, Cousins has taken 23 charges this season. He had none on Saturday in a 98-84 home loss to Phoenix.

"He's the best in the NBA right now at that," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "That's a unique skill for a big man, to be able to come over and take a charge. He's one of those guys that knows how to do that."

Of course, with Cousins, any contact is risky business. He is seemingly in foul trouble in every game, so taking charges adds to the anxious nature of his coaches who need him in the lineup.

"I tell him, 'You have to still play,'" Smart said of foul trouble and taking charges. "'If you save yourself and get out of the way, all of a sudden, now they're going to just keep coming to the basket.' He's not a shot blocker, but he's a good charge-taker.

"What that does for an opponent, a guy like Westbrook or someone like that, they know that there's a possibility that big guy's going to be waiting for me with a charge, not with a block. With a charge, you don't get that foul back."

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