New Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins reportedly ‘looks terrific’

“What I’ve heard is he looks terrific in his physicals and did a great job in his rehab,” per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

New Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins is in strong physical shape, per longtime beat writer Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

“What I’ve heard is he looks terrific in his physicals and did a great job in his rehab,” Feigen told Michael Scotto on the HoopsHype podcast.

“Physically, he’s good to go,” Feigen told Scotto. “He looks thin. He’s obviously been working hard. He looks terrific.”

Prior to signing a non-guaranteed contract for one season with the Rockets, Cousins reportedly worked out for the team early last week. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, that workout in Houston “impressed the organization, quelling any health concerns.”

“He’s as hungry as ever,” Haynes tweeted of Cousins, who previously played for Sacramento, New Orleans and Golden State.

Health is the clear storyline to watch with Cousins. Now 30 years old, the 6-foot-10, 270-pound center made the Western Conference All-Star team in four straight years from 2015 through 2018. A powerful yet agile big man, Cousins has averaged 21.2 points (46.1% FG) and 10.9 rebounds in 32.0 minutes per game over his nine NBA seasons.

Yet, Cousins was available for a limited investment due to continued bad luck with injuries. He tore his Achilles midway through the 2017-18 season, which also cut short his availability for the 2018-19 year. Then, after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2019, he tore the ACL in his knee during offseason workouts and missed all of 2019-20.

It certainly sounds as if Cousins is healthy and ready for the 2020-21 season, but questions linger as to how much of the big man’s prior All-Star form can be recaptured after a series of brutal leg injuries.

From Houston’s perspective, though, it’s a low-risk, high-reward transaction. With newcomer Christian Wood set to start at center, Cousins can begin the 2020-21 season — assuming he makes the roster out of training camp, of course — with limited backup minutes, allowing the four-time All-Star to ease his way back in. And if Cousins proves worthy of more minutes than expected, that’s a good “problem” to have.

At 6 feet, 10 inches and roughly 220 pounds, Wood is certainly athletic enough to play at power forward in larger lineups alongside Cousins, should “Boogie” earn additional minutes. Both Wood and Cousins have shown an ability to hit 3-pointers, so the floor would still be spaced.

NBA training camps for the 2020-21 season open Tuesday, Dec. 1.

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