When the original rosters were announced for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, there was one question buzzing around the internet in NBA circles. Where’s Boogie?DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins was and still is enjoying his personal best season in the NBA, averaging 23.8 points per game with 12.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Cousins had the breakout label on him before the season began, as his time spent with Team USA in Spain for the 2014 World Cup brought back rave reviews about the big man’s game and positive attitude.
But still, Cousins—rightfully so—felt slighted as an All-Star snub. The original NBA All-Star roster announcement was made on January 23rd and as expected, Kobe Bryant was named to the team for the 17th time in his career. What wasn’t expected however, was that the Los Angeles Lakers revealed Bryant had torn his rotator cuff on the same day, and the rest of his season was in doubt.
Bryant was ruled out for the remainder season the following day and on January 30th, Cousins received the news from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that he will be making his first NBA All-Star Game appearance on February 15th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Cousins is the first Sacramento Kings’ All-Star since 2004, when both Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic made the rosters for the game in Los Angeles.
As the Kings’ franchise gets to enjoy celebrating their All-Star center, they are making sure the fans do as well. The Kings are running a ‘No Fees Promotion’ to honor DeMarcus Cousins’ All-Star Bid. The promotion will eliminate fees on Ticketmaster purchases for any remaining Kings games this season. The offer is good from Saturday, February 14th at 7:00pm PT to Tuesday, February 17th at 11:59 pm PT.
Kings’ fans have seen Cousins’ development since they drafted him fifth overall in 2010. Per NBA.com, over the last 20 years, only five players — David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Kevin Love — have averaged at least 23.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in a season. That is some good company, especially in such a young career.
Cousins will only get better under the tutelage of the Kings’ new head coach, George Karl, who was officially introduced on Thursday. Karl was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2013 and is sixth all-time in most coaching wins with 1,131. Karl’s coaching debut with the Kings will be on Friday, February 20th, as the Kings host the Boston Celtics. As fans will flood to Sleep Train Arena to catch his debut, remember to take advantage to the Kings’ ‘No Fees Promotion’ when buying tickets.
While this season has gotten away from the Kings in the past couple of weeks, the future is definitely looking bright with Cousins and Karl leading the charge.
