DeMarcus Cousins and Draymond Green in a game during the 2017-2018 NBA Season
DeMarcus Cousins and the NBA’s Competetive Balance
A few days ago, one of the top centers in the league, DeMarcus Cousins, joined the Warriors on a one-year, $5.3 million dollar deal. The All-Star center was easily on track to receive a max contract this summer, averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.6 steals, before suffering an Achilles injury in January. Cousins joins the two-time defending NBA champions, that now consists of five All-Stars in its’ starting line up on a one year prove it deal. Golden State was already expected to win it all again this year, but this signing makes a three-peat that much more likely.
After Boogie’s signing, the debate came up again, what should be done to try to restore competitive balance to the league? Fans around the NBA, including myself, want commissioner Adam Silver to step in and do something to prevent the Warriors from dominating the league. Silver can’t really do much, though, because the Warriors are playing by the rules. They are getting star players that want to play in the Bay Area, (Kevin Durant in 2016 and now Cousins) and they are staying under the salary cap. It just makes me a little frustrated, however, because the Warriors can assemble this super team of five perennial All-Stars, but back in 2010 a trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers to play alongside Kobe was vetoed by David Stern. That just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Going back to the competitive balance thing though, NBA players all agreed to the possibility of a team like the Warriors in the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), so they can’t really complain. If they don’t want teams like Golden State in the future, they should do something about it when the current CBA expires. Players around the league weighed in on this topic, with one anonymous player even saying “They might as well cancel the NBA season. Can we just get our paychecks for the year now?”. And to be completely honest with you, I kind of agree with him. No team is going to have a shot against Golden State in a seven game playoff series. As a fan, it takes the fun out of things when you know who is going to win the Finals before the season even starts.
Mccann, Michael. “Should the NBA Take Action against the Warriors?” SI.com, Sports Illustrated, 3 July 2018, www.si.com/nba/2018/07/03/demarcus-cousins-warriors-nba-free-agency-adam-silver-lebron-james.