With all the drama surrounding a potential James Harden trade, it’s easy to forget about the Rockets’ new faces — especially veteran center DeMarcus Cousins.
It’s been a few years since Cousins has been a productive player, and some people may have forgotten he was a member of the Lakers for the early part of last season. Injuries have definitely taken their toll.
But Cousins made his preseason debut in the Rockets’ road win over the Bulls and showed flashes of his old self. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
“I think it was a good showing, whoever’s watching, whoever’s interested,” Cousins told reporters. “It shows that it’s still a really good team here, regardless of the circumstances floating around the team right now.”
Here’s more on Houston:
- Point guard John Wall also made his Rockets debut and dazzled right away, finishing with 13 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Wall, acquired from the Wizards in the Russell Westbrook trade, has not played a regular-season game in two years. “Tonight was just great to be back in an NBA game, period,” he said.
- Wall and Cousins were reunited as pros after playing college ball together at Kentucky. “I kind of had flashbacks to being back in college where I would get caught up kind of watching the show of John,” Cousins said. “I had a few moments tonight just trying to wait and see what he had up his sleeve next to do. It’s a really cool feeling. I’m glad I’m able to share the floor with a guy I consider my brother.”
- Of course, Friday’s game also marked the debut of Rockets coach Stephen Silas. This marks his first season as a head coach at any level, though Silas spent 19 of the previous 20 NBA seasons as an assistant.
- There still remains no clarity on the Harden situation. He is now being strongly linked to the 76ers. Click here for the latest.
