2015 NBA All-Star

sacasingh

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Western Conference All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, it was announced today by the NBA. Cousins’ selection marks the first time a Kings player will participate in an All-Star game since Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic represented Sacramento in 2004. He will become the sixth player during the Sac-era, and 23rd in franchise history to represent the Kings in the All-Star Game.

“I’m extremely excited to play in my first All-Star game,” said Cousins. “I appreciate the recognition and want to also thank my teammates and the fans for their support throughout the season. Representing the Kings and the city of Sacramento is a great honor.”

“Everyone in the Kings organization is thrilled for DeMarcus and happy that his diligence and commitment to becoming the best player he can be has been recognized,” said Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“This honor is a result of the hard work and determination DeMarcus has shown throughout the season,” said Kings Head Coach Tyrone Corbin. “He dedicated himself to improving those talents that make him a special player and he is demonstrating every night how unique an athlete he is in this league.”

In his fifth NBA campaign, Cousins is averaging 23.8 points (.481 FG%, .806 FT%), 12.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.38 steals, 1.63 blocks and 33.8 minutes per game in 32 contests, leading the Kings in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. He was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Nov. 17-23 after registering 25.7 points (.577 FG%, .773 FT%), 16.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.71 blocks per game in leading Sacramento to a 2-1 week. Cousins appears among NBA leaders in several categories ranking fourth in double-doubles (26), fifth in scoring and third in rebounding.

Sacramento Kings All-Star Game Participants

2004 – Brad Miller, Peja Stojakovic                    

+ Named, but did not play due to injury 

demarcus-cousins-named-to-2015-nba-all-star-team

DeMarcus Cousins Named to 2015 NBA All-Star Team

Steven Wilson

Back in early December, before All-Star voting began, ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton predicted Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins would be an All-Star this year.

Pelton wrote, “Cousins posted All-Star numbers last season, ranking 13th in wins above replacement player (WARP), but he couldn't crack the loaded Western Conference team. Now, Cousins is going to be impossible to keep out of the game... Cousins has become the NBA's most unstoppable interior force since Shaquille O'Neal.”

Fast-forward a month and Pelton’s argument has been solidified by No. 15’s on-court play.

“His RPM (Real Plus-Minus) ranks eighth in the league, and Cousins is in the top 15 in WARP... He's a no-brainer,” added Pelton.

Read Pelton’s full article by clicking here. (ESPN Insider Required)

Upon further review of the stats, there's even more reason to believe No. 15 should get his name called by Western Conference coaches on Thursday.

Scott Polacek, a featured columnist at Bleacher Report, also supports Cousins’ case for an All-Star bid, writing, “Sometimes it really is all about the numbers, and DeMarcus Cousins’ are staggering at this point of the season.

“The Sacramento Kings superstar is posting nightly averages of 24 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals and is shooting 80.3 percent from the free-throw line. He is nearly impossible to stop without a double-team on the blocks and has parlayed his international experience on Team USA this past summer into an formidable start to the season.”

With DMC’s All-Star hopes on the line this week, Polacek knows the big fella’s skill set has helped him stand out amongst the competition.

“There is very little Cousins cannot do on the court, and he very well could have been given the All-Star starter nod,” he writes.

Read Polacek’s full article by clicking here.

All-Star reserves are set to be announced on Jan. 29.

will-dmc-boogie-to-the-big-apple

Will DMC Boogie to the Big Apple?

When the NBA’s All-Star starters were announced late last week, it’s fair to say Phil Watson of Fansided.com was a bit surprised.

“The leading scorer in the NBA? Grab some pine,” Watson writes. “In the top five in scoring and rebounding? There’s a nice chair for you right over there, pal.”

With Kobe Bryant swiping the shooting guard starter spot ahead of NBA leading-scorer James Harden and Sacramento’s own DeMarcus Cousins finishing seventh in the front court results, Watson believes the two are more than deserving to be selected by coaches on Jan. 29.

“In the frontcourt, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings is having a monster season—currently fourth in the Association in scoring at 24 points per game and third with (12.6) rebounds a night,” Watson writes.

Read Watson’s full article by clicking here.

Following last Monday’s contest in Portland, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard - who also hopes to be selected by coaches - dished out high praise of the Kings star center.

“In my opinion, (Cousins is) probably one of the best bigs in the league, top two, top three bigs in the league,” said Lillard.

For the second year in a row, Big Cuz leads the Kings in scoring (24.2), rebounding (12.6) and blocked shots (1.72).

“If the coaches are intent on rewarding the best players, Cousins should be an All-Star.”

cousins-should-be-an-all-star

'Cousins Should Be An All-Star'

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, the Sacramento Kings launched its 2015 NBA All-Star campaign – “SAC to NYC” – which leverages grassroots support and technology to send Kings players to the All-Star game. Engagement includes in-game programming, social media content, home game giveaways for voting, and fan ambassadors to assist with online voting during home games.

In the past, a panel of broadcasters and media members determined the top 60 players in each conference. This year, and for the first time, every NBA player is eligible for vote. Voting runs December 11, 2014 through January 19, 2015, and the All-Star Game is scheduled for February 15, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“We’re off to a great start this season, and we’re excited for our players to compete for a spot in the All-Star game,” said Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. “We have the best and most loyal fans in the NBA, and through the league’s new voting process, they’re going to have a chance to show how proud they are of our players.”

Fans around the world can vote for their favorite Kings guards and frontcourt players on a daily basis at www.NBA.com/ASB, as well as social media networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Weibo and Tencent Microblog in China), SMS text, and the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time applications. More details:

Starters will be announced live on TNT on January 22, 2015 during a special one-hour edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off at 4:00 p.m. PT, featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kings Minority Owner Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.

For more information, visit www.Kings.com/ASB.

For “SAC to NYC” graphics, visit http://bit.ly/SACNYC.

About NBA All-Star 2015: NBA All-Star 2015 in New York City will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game.  The 64th NBA All-Star Game, which will take place Sunday, Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden, will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 13th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports' 30th year of All-Star coverage.  Barclays Center in Brooklyn will host the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 13 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 14. Other events at Barclays Center will include the NBA Development League All-Star Game presented by Kumho Tire and the NBA Development League Dream Factory presented by Boost Mobile on Sunday, Feb. 15. Madison Square Garden will host Friday night’s Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

2015 NBA All‑Star

DeMarcus Cousins Named to 2015 NBA All-Star Team

Will DMC Boogie to the Big Apple?

'Cousins Should Be An All-Star'

Sacramento Kings Announce 'SAC to NYC' All-Star Ballot Campaign