DeMarcus Cousins nearly punches Jonas Valančiūnas (video)
Sacramento Kings’ center DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best young big man in basketball and Toronto Raptors’ big man Jonas Valančiūnas looks like he has a bright future as well.
More from FIBA World Cup
- Lionel Messi delivered greatness for Argentina in a thrilling World Cup final
- There’s an Anneli Maley sized hole on every WNBA team
- Evaluating NBA Draft prospects at the FIBA U19 World Championships
- Thon Maker was throwing karate kicks in an epic brawl at FIBA qualifier
- USA women’s basketball win FIBA World Cup
Last season, Valančiūnas averaged 11.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 53.1% from the field and 76.2% from the free throw line. Over the course of his two-year career, the fifth-overall pick in the first of the 2011 NBA Draft, has put up 10.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 54.0% from the floor and 77.3% from the charity stripe. Cousins put up 22.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 72.6% from the free throw line last season. In his four-year career, the fifth-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft has averaged 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the floor, 14.8% from beyond the arc and 71.5% from the foul line. Clearly, he showed great improvement in the 2013-2014 season.
On Thursday, the two are facing off in the FIBA World Cup as Team USA takes on Lithuania in the semifinals. During the second quarter, Valančiūnas elbowed Cousins and Cousins cocked back to punch Valančiūnas but held back at the last second.
Check out the near brawl below.
Boogie was ready for a fight https://t.co/oRlvhH9iV9
— Scott Rafferty (@crabdribbles) September 11, 2014
Yeah, I'd get mad too. #FIBAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jvoGPcSnec
— Adam Papageorgiou (@PapageorgiouMBO) September 11, 2014
(This GIF/Vine comes courtesy of one of Scott Rafferty – @crabdribbles. You can also follow FanSided’s GIF makers, Zombie Prophet or Mike Dyce. Follow them on twitter, @MikeDyce, @ZProphet_MMA or @FanSidedGIF, for the best GIFs in sports).
Need more on the FIBA World Cup? Check out FanSided’s official FIBA World Cup page. Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.