Discussions about superstar partnerships have long been a staple of NBA coverage, often centering on which player truly leads a team. Former New Orleans Pelicans star DeMarcus Cousins believes those conversations frequently originate outside the locker room rather than within it.
Reflecting on his time alongside Anthony Davis, Cousins said the constant speculation over leadership and hierarchy reminded him of the public debate surrounding Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In his view, the media created narratives that never reflected the actual relationships between teammates.
Speaking during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back, Cousins explained that neither he nor Davis spent time debating who was the franchise’s top player. Instead, he said both stars remained focused on winning basketball games and helping the Pelicans compete in a loaded Western Conference.
His comments have renewed interest in one of the NBA’s biggest “what-if” scenarios. Before injuries dramatically changed the course of their partnership, Cousins and Davis appeared to be building one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt combinations.
1. Media Narratives vs. Locker Room Reality
According to Cousins, questions about who carried greater importance for the Pelicans rarely surfaced among players themselves. He said those conversations were largely driven by outside observers rather than by anyone inside the organization.
The former All-Star noted that he sees a similar pattern in the way Tatum and Brown have often been discussed during their years together in Boston. Public debate frequently centered on identifying the Celtics’ true leader despite the duo consistently leading the team to success.
Cousins argued that such comparisons overlook the shared commitment required to build a winning team. In his experience, teammates understand that individual recognition matters far less than achieving collective goals over the course of a season.
By dismissing the idea of internal competition, Cousins emphasized that trust and cooperation formed the foundation of his relationship with Davis. Their focus, he said, was always on maximizing the team’s potential rather than competing for individual attention.
2. A Partnership Cut Short
The 2017-18 season offered a glimpse of what Cousins and Davis could accomplish together. Both players produced outstanding numbers while forming one of the NBA’s most versatile and physically dominant frontcourts.
Before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in January 2018, Cousins averaged approximately 25 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists per game. Davis complemented that production with around 28 points and 11 rebounds per contest, giving New Orleans two elite interior stars capable of impacting every aspect of the game.
Their performances earned both players starting spots in the NBA All-Star Game and positioned the Pelicans as an emerging threat in the Western Conference. With size, skill, and versatility, they appeared capable of challenging many of the conference’s established contenders.
Everything changed after Cousins’ devastating injury. The Achilles tear abruptly halted one of the league’s most promising partnerships and altered the direction of both the Pelicans’ future and Cousins’ own career trajectory.
3. Remembering Cousins’ Career
Selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins quickly developed into one of basketball’s most talented centers. His combination of strength, passing ability, rebounding, and perimeter shooting made him a unique offensive weapon during his prime.
During his years in Sacramento, Cousins established himself as one of the NBA’s premier big men, earning four All-Star selections and two All-NBA Second Team honors. His skill set allowed him to dominate inside while also creating opportunities for teammates with his passing.
His move to New Orleans paired him with Davis in what many believed could become one of the league’s defining duos. Although injuries ultimately prevented that partnership from reaching its full potential, the flashes of brilliance they displayed together remain memorable for basketball fans.
Years later, Cousins continues to reflect positively on that experience while challenging the narratives that surrounded it. His recent comments serve as a reminder that public perception often differs from the reality experienced by players inside an NBA locker room.