Cousins says he's the best big man and 'it's not even close'

With all due apologies to Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, or even Marc Gasol, the best big man in the league is DeMarcus Cousins ... according to DeMarcus Cousins.

"In my mind, it’s not even close between me and the next person," Cousins told SLAM Magazine's Tzvi Twesky. "I would say the next big is (Davis), but it’s not close, in my mind. Not close."

Despite facing some difficulty adjusting to George Karl's high-tempo system, the 25-year-old is still putting up a ridiculous stat line of 24.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

The endlessly talented Cousins can handle the ball and has stretched out to 3-point range, along with being a smart passer, a dominant defender when he's motivated, and the league's most terrifying low-post threat.

Others might struggle to cobble together double-doubles, but getting to those numbers is a walk in the park for Cousins.

"I hate to sound cocky, but it’s easy."

But of course, there's a disconnect. Instead of the attention being focused on his production, Cousins routinely draws headlines for the wrong reasons. Instead of being celebrated for his achievements, he gets painted as a sullen grump who screams at teammates and head coaches alike.

There's some truth to that. Cousins, a calm figure off the court, won't deny that he plays with fury and frustration, but that all ties back to one thing: winning. The narrative and the acclaim will come once the victories do.

And to Cousins, that's the only thing he needs to change.

"In their minds, what the fuck is there to change? I’ve sat here and thought about it, I’ve analyzed other players and, shit, win, and they’ll accept you for whoever you are. You could be a fucking crackhead and they’ll love you. If you win, they sweep everything under the rug."