As an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies — and later as the team’s coach from 2013-16 — Dave Joerger played a role in developing Memphis’ low post-powered attack anchored by All-Star big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. As he begins his first season in Sacramento as coach of the Kings, his offensive gameplan has got resident All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins juiced about how he will be used in 2016-17. Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee has more:
DeMarcus Cousins can sum up his feelings about the Kings’ offense in nine words: “I love it. I love it. I love it.”
New coach Dave Joerger plans to use Cousins in the high post more, allowing the two-time All-Star center to be more of a facilitator while continuing to be a scoring threat.
Joerger wants the Kings to avoid bad habits, such as players staring at Cousins and not moving when he has the ball. So expect a lot of movement around Cousins when he is in the high post.
The Kings will unveil their offense in Tuesday night’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in Anaheim.
Though Cousins said he isn’t too concerned with result because the Kings still are figuring out how to play together, he likes the possibilities in Joerger’s attack.
“A lot of learning,” Cousins said after Monday’s practice. “It’s a new system, of course, a lot of options, man. The offense is different. I think it’s a good look for our team. I think this will help this team get to the next level. So it’s about us getting the system down pat and getting these options, a lot of options.”
Last season, Cousins averaged 3.3 assists, just below his career-high 3.6 in 2014-15. He also averaged a career-high 20.5 field-goal attempts per game, including 3.2 three-pointers.
…
“It’s been tough, honestly,” Cousins said. “To shake off the way we used to play, to a … more traditional way, it’s been tough, but I think guys have been great about it. We’re working hard. We’re taking in as much information as we can in a short period of time. I think we’re growing at a fast pace – still got a lot of growing to do.”
