Stephen A. Smith: 'DeMarcus Cousins right now would be a top-five big man in basketball'

NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets — Apr 21, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins (4) in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors during game three of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Former Kentucky star DeMarcus Cousins just celebrated his 33rd birthday on August 13, a half-decade after his most recent NBA All-Star nod in 2018. A superstar career in the league crushed by injuries, the Mobile, AL native most recently suited up for the Guaynabo Mets in Puerto Rico as he looks to make his big-league comeback.

Averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, Cousins destroyed the competition every time he stepped on the floor. Standing 6-10, 270 pounds, he’s a walking mismatch on every touch. Clearly doesn’t belong on the same floor, plenty left in the tank.

It’s why ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith believes Cousins deserves another shot in the league.

“I look at a guy like DeMarcus Cousins,” Smith told Paul George on the NBA star’s show, Podcast P. “I don’t like the way he’s being treated.”

“He’s still got game left in him,” George responded.

A top-five big in the NBA?

How much game, though? Smith not only believes Cousins deserves a roster spot, but that he’d be among the best frontcourt players in the league if and when he makes his return. Potentially a top-five big man in the NBA, just as he was in his prime making four All-Star appearances and two All-NBA teams.

“He’s got game bro. And I’m not gonna rest. You’ve got people looking at me like, ‘He’s not a fit.’ I’m like, shut the hell up,” Smith said. “DeMarcus Cousins right now would be a top-five big man in basketball. Period.”

Big statement for arguably the biggest sports media personality in the game right now. But if teams can look past his polarizing (and misunderstood) personality, the payoff could and should be lucrative in Smith’s eyes.

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“With his skill set, his body, his strength, his basketball IQ, his shooting ability, everything. He would be a top-five player,” he said. “Now you might have, ‘Oh, he shouldn’t have been so acerbic and truculent, shouldn’t have been this way, shouldn’t have been that way.’ Aight, y’all. Come on, man, where’s forgiveness at? Where’s compassion? Where is understanding?”

"DeMarcus Cousins right now would be a top 5 big man in basketball." 🗣

Need @boogiecousins back in the NBA asap! @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/4O4PRzuFJt
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) August 15, 2023

John Calipari stands up for the former Kentucky star

Point being, Cousins has no business putting up video game numbers with the Guaynabo Mets. Heck, he scored 31 points with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in a regular-season win for the Denver Nuggets last March. The offensive gifts didn’t just disappear through his run of bad injury luck. Lost a step with some clear defensive limitations? Sure, but the dude can still hoop.

“This brother has a game, he does not deserve to be in Puerto Rico playing basketball,” Smith said. “And I think you’ve got people in the league ostracizing him because of a personality he once had. We all make mistakes. He is somebody that I think is gonna be a better man for it than he was maybe earlier on.”

His former college head coach agrees.

“DeMarcus is ready both physically and mentally for this next opportunity,” John Calipari said Tuesday. “Whoever gives him that opportunity will be pleasantly surprised at how much he impacts the game and winning!!”