Demarcus Cousins, starting center for the Golden State Warriors, went down with a non-contact injury early in Monday night's thriller. After an MRI, it was reported that Cousins had tore his quad, and is expected to miss the rest of the postseason. There is a possibility that he could return for the finals (that is, if the Warriors make it), but the injury is similar to the one that cost Victor Oladipo the rest of the season.
To the Warriors, this could not have come at a worse time. The Warriors need a tough, aggressive big man that can score from down low. Cousins fit perfectly into Golden State's system, and he is irreplaceable. While the Warriors can run Draymond Green at center, and insert Shaun Livingston or Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup, they do not have as much firepower. Defenses can now spend all their time focusing on Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, and could double any one of them at any given time. Draymond cannot shoot, so a big man simply has to stand in the paint and can contest a drive by Steph or KD. The ability to give more attention to the Warriors stars could be what costs them in the end.
For Cousins, personally, this injury also comes at a horrendous time. Last year, after tearing his achilles, Cousins accepted a one year, 5.3 million dollar deal because no team wanted to give him any long term guarantees. His hope was that he could prove himself to be healthy, and then receive a big contract this summer. This injury is a major setback to that plan. With a recovery time that could stretch into July, teams will not want to take a gamble, much like last year. Cousins might have to repeat the same exact process if he wants to cash in.
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