Fans and NBA analysts across the nation often attempt to compare current players to past greats.
Sacramento’s own DeMarcus Cousins has been linked to Shaquille O’Neal many times, citing the similarities in their power, strength and presence in the paint.
“Big Cuz’ prototype is really Shaq getting that rock in the paint and just bullying dudes out of the way,” proposed Vince Thomas in his “Mirror Images” article recently featured on Bleacher Report. “But let’s just say we won’t see another Shaq for a while, bet?
“So, who was a Boogie, before Boogie?”
Thomas suggests Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing.
“Patrick Ewing?” he writes. “Once Ewing put on his grown-man weight, he didn’t resemble the high-flyer from his Hoya Paranoia days. The ‘90s Ewing was a physical center with a sophisticated—but not athletically explosive—offensive game.
“Sounds like 2014 DeMarcus Cousins,” adds Thomas.
In his prime, the Kingston, Jamaica native utilized a similar baseline spin move as Cousins, but also presented a unique pick-and-pop mindset which allowed him to use his long arms to score over opponents while Cousins muscles through them.
Looking at each players five-year comparison, many similarities and differences can be brought forth, but keep in mind Ewing spent four years at Georgetown, while Cousins only spent one season at Kentucky before entering the NBA Draft.
Statistical Comparison:
After going first overall to the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft, Ewing shined in the Big Apple during his rookie season despite missing 32 games because of a knee injury. Still, he led all rookies in scoring (20.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg); was named to the NBA All-Star Game, and was chosen NBA Rookie of the Year.
While both Ewing and Cousins displayed a knack for finding open teammates when they were on the floor in their rookie seasons, DMC has progressed in that area and gotten better each year.
Ewing, who plateaued right around 1.6 assists per game until his fourth season, separated himself from the competition with a tremendous shooting touch out of college.
From his sophomore year to his eighth year in the League, Ewing shot over 50 percent from the field. The former Knicks great possessed a slower release than Cousins on his jumper, but he was accurate.
While Cousins and Ewing both had a hook shot in their arsenal, Ewing went to it much more often while DMC finished more at the rim. That could reveal the difference in shooting percentage − Big Cuz absorbed contact on the majority of his shot attempts, while Ewing used his length to shoot over opponents.
From his sophomore year to his third season, Cousins improved from 51-percent to 60-percent within five feet of the rim. This year, he’s proven to be an unstoppable force when he gets that close to the basket.
Early in his career, Ewing was much skinnier and longer than Cousins. The Knicks No. 33 had a winspan of 7-feet, 5 1/2-inches leaving him an innate ability to block shots and snag rebounds.
But Cousins is arguably the better rebounder.
At 6-foot-11, the Kings center can box out any opponent − whether he utilizes his speed or lower-body strength − and he possess incredible grip strength, which allowed him to dominate the boards and keep defenders away from the ball.
Despite Ewing’s length, the big man didn’t average double-figure rebounds until his fifth season in the League and he wasn’t a dominant rebounder until his eighth year in the League when he averaged 12.1 rebounds per game.
In each of his first 13 seasons, Ewing averaged more than 20 points per game, while DMC has surpassed the 20-points-per-game plateau in each of his past two seasons.
Both players have a unique ability to score, rebound, block shots and affect the game, but for someone Cousins size, it’s hard to imagine someone with that level of athleticism.
As Vince Thomas notes, both players have made a name for themselves thanks to their on-court demeanor − a trait that has helped them stand out from their peers.
Whether you think they are similar or not, one thing is true. Cousins has separated himself as one of the best bigs in the game today and continues to be compared to some of the best big men of all time.