Kings center DeMarcus Cousins discusses playing against Tim Duncan and other topics following the Kings' 117-112 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Power Balance Pavilion.
DeMarcus Cousins' fourth consecutive double-double, a 25-point and 11-rebound game in the Kings' 117-112 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, earned him some post-game praise from fellow big man Tim Duncan.
"He's getting better and better," Duncan, the Spurs forward, told reporters after the game. "Every time we play them he's getting better. He's getting more comfortable with his role. He's expanded his game and he always plays hard, so he's getting better."
As for the second-year player Cousins, he said he turned to Duncan at one point during the game and told the 35-year-old veteran: "(Shoot) you're good."
Duncan finished with 18 points and eight rebounds in 29:34, playing just above his season average in minutes despite the Spurs playing their fifth game in six nights.
The impact of just the presence of Duncan was at no time more obvious than on a Spurs possession with less than three minutes left in the game. Duncan received a pass moving toward the basket and four Kings players collapsed on the penetration, leaving the perimeter wide open.
Duncan kicked the ball out to Tony Parker in the corner, and Parker buried a three-pointer that put the Spurs up by 10 points, 108-98, with 2:33 left.
"He's an incredible player," Cousins said of Duncan. "He's definitely a player I look up to in this league, just his all-around game, his composure, his leadership, all that. I was definitely taking notes tonight while trying to contain him."
Cousins, meanwhile, shot 11-for-24 from the field, while also committing five turnovers.
In the Kings' last five games, Cousins is averaging 27.2 points and 13.2 rebounds.
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