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The Step Back Composite NBA Draft Big Board: The best 30 draft prospects of the 2010s

By Trevor Magnotti

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards talk following the Wizards 116-106 win at Capital One Arena on December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards talk following the Wizards 116-106 win at Capital One Arena on December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

No. 5 overall pick, Sacramento Kings, 2010

Body language issues aside, it was easy to see DeMarcus Cousins becoming a high-level NBA player. His skill as a post scorer, rebounding power and strong steal and block rates (2.4 and 7.5) coming out of Calipari’s havoc-suppressing defensive system were all good signs that he was going to be very good in some capacity at the NBA level. His obscene per-40 stats (25.8 points, 16.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) also helped signify that this was a very strong prospect, someone who was going to carve out a good role on both ends of the floor.

The main limiting factor for Cousins was a more antiquated play style, which was very reliant on post scoring and didn’t feature much in the way of pick-and-roll diversity beyond finishing. The passing and shooting additions he made early in his Kings career weren’t immediately projectable, and that always put a cap on his ceiling as a No. 1 option. But beyond that line of thinking, Cousins was a pretty sure thing to be a very, very good NBA player.

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