DeMarcus Cousins shocked the basketball world when he decided to sign with the Warriors.
Nearly nine months have passed since he put pen to paper, and Cousins now is consistently playing some great basketball. He looks more and more comfortable each game.
So, how much credit does Steph Curry deserve for Boogie's progress? What has the two-time NBA MVP done for Cousins?
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“What has he done for me?” Cousins said to Mark Medina of the Bay Area News Group, repeating the question. “He’s opened my game up. He takes all the attention away and lets me be me.”
But the impact goes beyond the court.
Cousins didn't make his season debut until Jan. 18. He went through months of grueling rehab, and there were many dark days. Curry did what he could to help the big man push through it.
An excerpt from Medina's feature on Curry's leadership:
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On (road) trips, Curry often sat near Cousins on team dinners. Before and during Cousins’ return, Curry often had food delivered to Cousins’ hotel room during trips. What was the food? Curry leaned on his wife, Ayesha, who owns the restaurant, International Smoke.
“That’s one of my new favorite places,” said Cousins, who enjoys the rib platters. “It’s incredible.”
First and foremost, the ribs are incredible. This is true.
[RELATED: Documentarian details Steph's spirit, commitment]
Secondly, don't forget what Cousins told Marc Spears of The Undefeated back in early July:
Stephen Curry’s excitement surprised Cousins and even pushed him towards the Bay Area even more.
Curry is extremely well respected by his peers. Clearly, his impact is monumental on and off the floor.