Anthony Davis

Shahbaz Khan

As the Kings face the Pelicans for the third time this season, the focus will be on two of the NBA’s best big men – DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis.

Cousins and Davis are both Kentucky products with impressive one-and-done collegiate careers that secured each as a first round lottery pick in the NBA Draft, with Boogie going at No. 5 to Sacramento in 2010 and Davis going No. 1 in 2012 to New Orleans.

At just 22 years of age, the Pelicans center-forward has quickly cemented himself as one of the League’s most premiere bigs and is a three-time NBA All-Star in just four seasons. Meanwhile, Sacramento’s two-time All-Star is having one of the most dominant seasons for a big in history, putting up numbers that haven’t been seen since the days of a prime Shaquille O’Neal.

In 12 head-to-head matchups versus No. 15, Davis has won seven – averaging nearly 19 points and eight boards per game. Meanwhile, Big Cuz has averaged nearly 25 points and 13 rebounds against AD and the Pelicans.

Both have also put up a monster career game during the 2015-16 season, with DeMarcus scoring a then League-high 56 points on Jan. 25 against the Charlotte Hornets. Which was bested a little less than a month later with Davis recording 59 points against the Detroit Pistons.

DeMarcus and the Kings look to get their first win this season against the Pelicans on Monday in New Orleans. It should be another good one, as the two former Kentucky standouts love playing against each other – no matter if its in the summer, regular season or preseason.

As you get ready to watch tonight’s contest, take a look at some of both players top plays of the season below.

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Breakdown: Boogie vs The Brow

DeMarcus Cousins is known as one of the most versatile big men in the League, and he quickly showed it, coming from behind to overtake Anthony Davis for the win on a three-pointer.

The All-Star stumbled out of the gates in the first round, but quickly recovered, hustling downcourt to hit a layup, bringing the challenge to a shootout. Anthony Davis and No. 15 traded attempts until finally, Cousins pulled through.

In the semifinals, the Kings forward-center faced fellow Kentucky product Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns came away with the victory after sinking an early triple, eventually winning the competition.

Boogie celebrated alongside the Wildcat as the underdog big men took the Skills Challenge from the guards.

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Boogie Reaches Semifinals in Skills Challenge

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DeMarcus Cousins Skills Challenge 1st Round Victory

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Inside the Kingdom Episode 4 - "Finish Strong"

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"From Dr. J to Allen Iverson to LeBron James, basketball has always been a stage for our slickest superstars and a breeding ground for what's next in our culture." Writes GQ in its 'ABC's of NBA Style' gallery released this month.

Coming in at letter "B" is obviously DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins and his fellow Kentucky alum - "The Brow" - Anthony Davis.

[RECENT: Special Moment Caught on Camera]

In the clearly Photoshopped pic, "Boogie and the Brow" are sitting atop some '70s-era rides donning '70s-era swag.

GQ continues its reasoning for the photo, stating "They're the two best young bigs in the NBA. Even better: When you combine their nicknames, it sounds like a baller '70s cop show."

The Kings got another shoutout in the gallery for the team's Ugly Christmas sweaters, which GQ called "comically horrible."

RELATED: Ugly Christmas Sweater Photoshoot

To view the complete GQ gallery, click the below link:

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Boogie Featured in GQ

Steven Wilson

DeMarcus Cousins knows there’s no time to waste.

“I think I’m a lot more prepared this season,” stated the fifth-year pro, who displayed an unrelenting motor throughout the first day of U.S. Men’s National Team mini-camp, “and like I said, I came here to work.”

His impact on the team was readily apparent.

Whether it was diving on the ground for a loose ball, hustling from one end of the court to the other, defending smaller and shiftier guards or boxing out for rebounds, Cousins’ performance was impressive.

“We’re getting after it every day here,” said No. 36. “We have to learn the system and prepare fast.”

So fast that the team ended Monday’s practice with a 20-minute scrimmage.

“Once you get out here and the pace picks up and you have to defend on this end, it’s tough,” said the 6-foot-11 center. “It will get better as the week goes on.”

By the time the session concluded, Cousins’ white USA mesh jersey was drenched with sweat. But it didn’t stop him from an extra session of jumpshots followed by a friendly three-point competition.

The Kentucky product made his way to the southwest corner of the gym where he met up with teammates Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward and Stephen Curry to see who had the most accurate stroke.

Although he finished third – behind Thompson and Curry – Cousins was pleased with his output.

“I’m not going to take it as a negative thing,” he said after a hearty laugh. “I’m just going to take it as I’m the third-best shooter in the gym.”

Though his long-range marksmanship is sure to leave an impression on his backcourt teammates, Cousins’ talent has earned him the respect of those in the frontcourt, too.

“I love that guy,” said Davis – New Orleans’ lone representative on the U.S. team. “He’s one of the guys I watched a lot and tried to learn a lot from.”

Throughout the week’s first session, Boogie and The Brow crashed and collided, both giving it their all. But the level of physicality didn’t stop the two former Wildcats from having a little fun in the meantime.

“Anthony’s always playing around,” joked Cousins. “It’s always fun, it’s always competitive, and I know we’re going to bring the best out of each other.”

Despite having only three centers listed on the current roster, Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski appreciates the camaraderie and competitive spirit.

“I think all these players know they’re going to get better because they’re not going to get this level of competition just working out [on their own],” said Krzyzewski.

“I’m impressed with all the guys. They want to be a part of it and there are some guys that don’t. [Cousins has] come multiple times, so that level of commitment is something to be desired and it needs to be talked about.”

With four seasons of NBA experience, including three stints of USA training, Sacramento’s young star is ready to shine on the brightest stage.

“A lot of [coaches] come in and say, ‘Leave your egos at the door,’” said Cousins. “But at this point, [Coach Krzyzewski] doesn’t want us to do that. He wants us to bring our ego.

“They’re saying, ‘Play your game, and do what you do out here.’”

With that in mind, Cousins is focused on playing his style while striving to master the National Team system.

“He continues to get better,” concluded Krzyzewski. “We love the fact he’s committed. He’s trimmed down, and he’s trying like crazy.”

Day 2 predicts to feature similar levels of competition, as the action tips off at 12 p.m. inside the Mendenhall Center on the campus of UNLV.