In a chat on the Draymond Green show, the 4x NBA champion disclosed a private conversation he had with his former teammate DeMarcus Cousins back in 2018. After Cousins insisted that they shared the same approach to the game, he explained the biggest difference in why the community shunned him while Draymond was embraced.
“I remember you said something to me in 2018,” said Draymond. “Man, we the same. They say you got passion. And they say I’m crazy and got an attitude.’ I said ‘Because you’re f*cking crazy. We ain’t the same.’ And what you said was ‘Nah but y’all been winning. So they say yours is passion but I haven’t won much so they say mine is an attitude and I can’t be coached and I’m crazy.’ And I said all of that to say I’m sorry… because you were right.”
"Y'all been winning, so they say yours is passion… I haven't won much so they say mine is attitude"
—@boogiecousins and @Money23Green break down how people perceive 'passion' vs 'attitude' pic.twitter.com/6LrP0tBklI
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) August 21, 2024
In many ways, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins are cut from the same cloth. As two bigs who play with intensity and maximum emotion every game, they can invoke strong emotions in their fans, teammates, and competition. Of course, it also means they’ve been on the receiving end of criticism and fan backlash for years. In the case of Cousins, he gained a negative reputation across the NBA and was deemed uncoachable by various experts, including his former coach George Karl.
Cousins, who was drafted 5th overall in 2010, had an up-and-down career but is still one of the greatest Kings players of the modern generation. In seven seasons with the franchise, he averaged 21.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game on 46% shooting.
After being traded to the Pelicans in 2017, Cousins was teammates with Anthony Davis before suffering a series of injuries that derailed his career. Before his 30th birthday, Cousins was already a shell of his former self on the court and it was in this state that he ended up on the Warriors with Draymond Green.
Cousins only ever played 30 games with the Warriors but it was enough for him to recognize his similarities with Draymond Green. Like Cousins, Draymond was also a highly intense basketball player who moved with passion and urgency on every play.
Unlike Cousins, however, Draymond was celebrated and adored for his playstyle. Even after getting suspended and punching his teammate in the face, Draymond’s legacy was protected and he remains today as one of the most well-respected veterans in the league.
The biggest difference between Draymond and Cousins is that one was part of a dynasty while the other struggled to make the playoffs. In a league where winning cures everything, it makes sense that Draymond’s antics were absolved because he’s had so much success with the Warriors as a 4x champion, 4x All-Star, and former Defensive Player of the Year.
Sadly, Cousins is no longer active in the NBA today so he is out of chances to redeem his legacy. For Draymond, however, there is still plenty of time for him to add to his resume and further validate his strategy of playing with the ultimate competitive mindset. As long as he continues to help the Warriors win, Draymond’s antics will get a pass from the NBA — and that’s something Cousins never got during his NBA tenure.
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