Divac calls Cousins 'most dominant player in the whole world'
Team USA's talented cast of stars has been winning big so far in pre-Olympic action, and one player who's stood out is Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
Kings general manager Vlade Divac was courtside for USA Basketball's 107-57 blowout victory over China at Oracle Arena, where he asserted it's a "no-brainer" that Cousins is the best big man on the planet.
"He's the most dominant player in the whole world," Divac told James Ham of CSN Bay Area on Tuesday night. "And being from Serbia, I have to root for Serbia, but I feel bad for them. He's going to kill them."
Serbia is set to compete with America in Group A in Rio, where Cousins will suit up in his first Olympic Games.
The big man's averaging 15.7 points at a ridiculous 80 percent clip, 11 boards, 1.3 assists, and a steal in just under 18 minutes per contest. He understands his role on the squad and has been able to thrive in it.
"They're clear on what they really need us to do," the 25-year-old said. "Rebound, defend, running the floor, doing all the dirty work I guess you'd say."
In Cousins' six years in Sacramento, the Kings haven't recorded more than 33 wins in a campaign. Suffice to say, team success has been scarce since he left the Kentucky program after one year, so he's enjoying his time with the national squad.
"I'm having a lot of fun," Cousins said. "I'm around a great group of guys - laughing, joking all day, enjoying each other's company, playing basketball, which we all love. It's been a great time."
He added, "It's fun to be around winning."