Blake Griffin or DeMarcus Cousins - who is the better “Big Man” – NBA Feature
As the regular NBA season winds down and we move toward the playoffs, the All NBA 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams are going to be announced soon. The talk of the possible nominees for the teams is heating up by the day, and an interesting discussion has grabbed the attention of basketball followers. This discussion surrounds Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins, two of the brightest young bigs on the NBA scene. However, after the recent fallout between the two, the question arises as to who is the better of the two.
It is a difficult question to ask, as both players are crucial for their team and have earned their spot through hard work and dedication. They are quite evenly matched when you break down the statistics as well.
Blake Griffin plays as a power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers. He was the 1st overall draft in 2009, where he was drafted to the L.A Clippers. He debuted for the Clippers in the 2010 regular season and has been a regular starter since.
Griffin quickly grabbed the attention of the basketball world with his aggressive play and penetration abilities. He especially made a name for himself with his gravity defying dunks and jumping capabilities. Griffin is a show-stopper, a crowd pleaser and no night passes without him posterizing somebody. He is the one to follow, one whose picture you put on your wall and there is no doubt about it.
DeMarcus Cousins on the other hand is also in his second year. He was the 5th overall pick, although many analysts believe that it was not the number befitting his calibre and talent. His eccentric behavioural episodes in the collegiate career perhaps contributed in bringing his number down. Cousins plays centre for the Sacramento Kings and has been playing with a great deal of consistency, helping Sacramento rebuild its team. Sacramento have not had the best of seasons this year, but if there has been one bright star that has been Cousins. In fact, such has been the improvement in Cousins’ game, that many pundits have already declared him as the next best thing after Dwight Howard.
Next, take a look at the statistics of the two players for the 2011-2012 season.
FG %
FT
FT %
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
DeMarcus Cousins
44.8
4.2-5.9
71.4
11.2
1.6
1.4
1.3
17.9
Blake Griffin
54.5
3.8-7.2
52.5
10.9
3
0.8
0.7
20.7
Comparing the two, we find that Cousins has a better free throw percentage but Griffin is the better converter from the field. Cousins also has advantage over Blake in rebounds, steals and blocks. Blake, on the other hand, is ahead of Cousins in points per game and assists per game.
The stats show that Cousins is a better defensive player and Blake is a better offensive player. But here comes the differentiating factor and the most interesting bit.
Blake Griffin plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, a team which has Chris Paul as a starting point guard and then Mo Williams, Randy Foye and Chauncey Billups as reserve. Chris Paul is one of the best guards in the league at the moment and his ability to find open players and make plays on the court is known to everyone. His backup earlier in the season was Chauncey Billups, who not maybe at the prime of his career anymore, but was once the best point guard in the league during his days with the Detroit Pistons.
The point I am trying to make is that when you have people like Paul and Billups on the court with you, making plays for you, you are bound to score. The Clippers are called “Lob City” because of the fast break, aggressive running game they play. Paul has the habit of making a lot of lobs and Griffin is always on the receiving end.
On the other hand, Cousins has to grind hard to score his points. He has to penetrate into the paint and post up, without quality guards to feed him passes. Of the two, Griffin has it easy since he is playing for the better team.
However, playing for a better team has its pressures as well, and going on the floor with players like Chris Paul requires a great deal of skills, temperament and composure. Griffin has shown that in the 2 years he has spent with the Clippers. Griffin never plays into the hands of the opponents even if they make a habit of fouling him hard. That is not the case with Cousins. You poke him once and he goes out of control.
Blake also has the advantage of lifting his team and motivating them with his play. There is no doubt that he is explosive and can switch the momentum of the game with one play. Cousins is a great player, but his attitude and antics, become a cause a concern for the team more often than not.
Verdict:
At the end of the day, both players are crucial for their teams. In my opinion however, the vote tilts slightly towards Cousins, but only slightly. That is also because of the fact, that the Kings centre has a more complete game. He is a centre, who can run the offense on any given night, but Griffin cannot do the same on the D.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Tags: