DeMarcus Cousins Named Western Conference Player Of The Week
It took a few months for everything to start clicking, but the best player in the NBA in 2016 thus far is none other than DeMarcus Cousins.
The Sacramento Kings' big man was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging a ridiculous 36 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. This is the second time this season and fourth time in Cousins' career that he earned the honors -- the last time being November 16, 2015.
Cousins, as well as the Kings, appear to have turned over a new leaf to start the second half of the season. After kicking off the year with a 1-7 start, and barely talking about the playoffs, the Kings are now sitting alone in the 8th seed and riding a five-game win streak.
Cousins has been a large part of their recent success, evidenced by their latest victory over the Indiana Pacers. In that game, Cousins dropped a career-high 48 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists with a +18 rating in the 108-97 win.
After being left out of the NBA fan vote finalists for the All-Star game starting lineup, Cousins has erased every doubt in the coaches' minds that he should make the Western team as a reserve. It's safe to say we will see No. 15 representing the Kings in Toronto next month.
The Kings tonight face Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets, who have also been getting it together recently. In fact, this past week's Eastern Player of the Week was Walker himself after averaging 34.8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2.3 steals in four games.
Tip-off begins at 7 p.m.
