“If you were born with the weakness to fall, you were born with the strength to rise.”- Rupi Kaur.
Former NBA power forward DeMarcus Cousins was one of the best fifteen players in the league. Averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds a game; entering his prime and looking for greener pastures to win a championship. Even with his stats, a new contract was on the line as well upon being traded to New Orleans midway through the 2018 NBA season. But a serious Achilles injury would hinder his new contract in New Orleans.
It was during the 2018 NBA season when DeMarcus suffered this horrific injury against the Houston Rockets. As he laid on the court in pain, all the energy sucked out the Smoothie King Arena was somber. Playing alongside former Pelican Anthony Davis, it was primed to be a matchup nightmare for the Western Conference. A new contract on the table and now a career on life support in how this would affect any negotiations in July. With that, DeMarcus had to evaluate his options.
A team friendly deal of 2 years/ $40 million was offered; but he felt the price was too low coming off his injury. With talks of Anthony Davis possibly bolting the following summer, why sign this deal and be back to square one as in Sacramento? This weighed heavily on “Boogie” in part because he wanted to win a championship and taste what other great players had conquered. New Orleans wasn’t exactly title contenders and AD had no plans of staying beyond 2019. With that, he signed a veteran’s minimum with defending champion Golden State Warriors. A team featuring the Splash Brothers, KD, Draymond, Andre Iguodala, and Steve Kerr manning the ship. He didn’t have to average 25 points on a title team. Be a strong contributor and follow the leaders in Steph and KD. But turmoil soon found DeMarcus asking if he made the right decision. Turbulence between KD and Draymond became a distraction, while the Warriors were chasing a three peat.
When he was healthy to take the floor, his minutes became valuable to Golden State, where he was able to be a decoy and play to his strengths. It proved to be the right decision as he was a part of their 2019 Finals team which lost to Toronto in six games. KD suffered similar fate as Boogie with an Achilles injury and Klay Thompson tearing his ACL in game six on a breakaway dunk. It was déjà vu and there was no climbing out this hole for Golden State. To be in the NBA Finals is what he dreamed of but falling short of the championship. Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, he signed another one year deal to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
During a pickup game in the summer, DeMarcus suffered another blow before the season started. Tearing his ACL after recovering from his Achilles injury became another setback. He didn’t even suit up for the Lakers in 2020; and it felt like his career was over. Two major injuries and losing out on max contract money would be enough to make walk away. One thing he focused on was his mental health and this proved to be a blessing. Even with injuries, he maintained a positive mindset in his recovery.
A guy who was bound for a Hall of Fame career had to put life into perspective early on. DeMarcus Cousins has been vocal in how Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban helped former NBA player Delonte West with his mental health issues. Cousins dealt with his fair share of issues early on in his career but was able to attest the toughest times and become a dominant player before the injuries. If there’s a reason to believe Boogie can still play, I’d be the one who’d sign him to a team friendly contract and see what he can give my team. He may not be the same 25 point/12 rebound guy but to have his voice in the huddle would speak volumes. In the end, walking away with your mental health in one piece means more than any max contract a team can offer.
As always, continue to make your mental health a priority.
Stai tuned.
