Los Angeles Lakers: Three bold predictions for DeMarcus Cousins in 2019
By Jason Reed
2. DeMarcus Cousins makes 150 three-pointers in 2019
In today’s NBA, 150 three-pointers made might not even seem like that much to the casual fan. And while big men are shooting threes at a higher rate than ever, that is still a pretty hefty number to get to and not one that many people have gotten to.
In terms of true centers that only played the center position, per Basketball-Reference’s Play Index, Brook Lopez is the only to crack the 150 threshold. He did so this year by making a staggering 187 three-point shots.
If you widen the search to players whose primary position was center but they also played some forward the list expands. With those requisites, Channing Frye joins the list, having done so three times.
Cousins likely won’t see any time at the power forward position with Davis, Kuzma and Jared Dudley all being capable of sharing the minutes there. This means he will get the chance to be just the second center to break the 150 threshold.
He came close two years ago when he made 131 and was one pace to break 150 if he played 70 games prior to his Achilles injury.
With Davis being a great rebounder and rim protector himself, Cousins is going to get plenty of opportunities to show his range on an open LeBron kick out and is going to make the most of having his new superstar teammates.
All Cousins needs to do is play 75 games and make two per game, which might seem like a tall order for someone with his injury past, but he will get it done.