Plumlee over Cousins: Team USA's decision likely about risk
Nets forward/center Mason Plumlee, who was recently promoted from the USA Select team to the Senior team, may beat out the Kings' DeMarcus Cousins for a roster spot on the USA's FIBA World Cup roster, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
2 things from Team USA: post practice games between Durant/Harden/George are epic; Mason Plumlee likely to make team over DeMarcus Cousins
- Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 31, 2014
As one can imagine, the Internet was equal parts shocked and upset following the news that coach Mike Krzyzewski might take one of his former Duke players over a former Kentucky player, not to mention a player with a much higher skill set.
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On the surface, it seems like a horrible decision. Cousins averaged 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds compared to Plumlee's 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.
But this isn't about Coach K taking a Duke player over a non-Duke player.
It is about risk.
Can the coaching staff trust Cousins to keep his emotions in check and not get into foul trouble? NBA.com's John Schuhmann reported Cousins had difficulty doing so in practice this week. How will that translate to international competition?
'During a scrimmage on Tuesday, Cousins punched a wall pad out of frustration as the ball went the other way in transition. It was something that would go mostly unnoticed in an NBA game, but that stuff registers with the staff.'
Nobody is debating Cousins' talent. He is a significantly better player than Plumlee, but he may not fit the role Team USA has in mind for its second or third big man.
The competition for frontcourt spots includes the likes of Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Paul Millsap, Plumlee and Cousins.
It seems the easy answer would be to take Davis, Drummond, Cousins and Faried.
Davis is a future MVP candidate, Drummond is a ferocious rebounder and shot-blocker, Faried brings limitless energy and athleticism, and Cousins would provide the best one-on-one offensive skills.
There is no question that Cousins is the most talented offensive player among the candidates and has perhaps the second best skill set of the bunch, next to Davis.
But, again, it is about risk.
Is he worth the risk when Team USA will lean heavily on its backcourt, one which will be far and away the best unit at the FIBA World Cup. Cousins is at his best when he's playing one-on-one. Team USA doesn't need him to do that.
Is he worth the risk considering Drummond already struggles with foul trouble and making sound decisions in big moments? Limiting mental errors will be key at the World Cup, and having two frontcourt players prone to making them is not something the coaching staff would want.
What it comes down to is not who the better player is, because the answer is obviously Cousins.
It comes down to the coaches wanting a low-risk role player with athleticism and intangibles. Plumlee fills that need significantly better than Cousins. Based on the reports out of Las Vegas, the staff prefers an athletically gifted role player as opposed to a mercurial talent.
It may not be right, but it seems to be what the coaching staff thinks is best for Team USA.
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