When the Los Angeles Clippers needed him most, Paul George delivered once again, and DeMarcus Cousins made sure everyone knew it. Behind a 41-point, 13-rebound, six-assist night from George, the Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game 5, 116-102, and forced a Game 6 back in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Paul George scored his playoff career-high 41 points on 15-of-20 shooting from the field, the first player ever to have his stat line like that while also shooting at least 75 percent. Cousins added a playoff career-high 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, playing 11 big minutes with Ivica Zubac already out.
Following the game, Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins spoke with members of the media. There, he went on multiple rants defending Paul George, saying he didn't understand why he gets slandered so much.
“I said it earlier in the year: I don't know where this trolling bullshit has come from where the internet controls the narratives about these players,” DeMarcus Cousins explained. “It's becoming foolish, man. Like I said earlier in the year, that's one of the most special players to ever lace his shoes up. Give this dude his flowers, man. I don't understand the slander. It's becoming quite silly now. Respect these players, man. Respect these greats.”
“I don’t know where this trolling bullshit comes from. The internet controls the narratives. Kind of foolish man. Give this dude his flowers. I don’t understand the slander. That’s one of the most special players to ever lace his shoes up.”
DeMarcus Cousins on Paul George pic.twitter.com/pSzwwzYSoV
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 29, 2021
Cousins has long been a supporter of George, but it was verbalized to everyone during his first couple of 10-day contracts with the Clippers.
“PG’s cool as a fan,” Cousins said when he first signed with the team. “One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen lace them up. We gotta stop the PG slander. It just won’t be accepted around me. One of the most gifted players in this league & every chance I get, I’ma give him his flowers.”
“PG’s cool as a fan… One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen lace them up. We gotta stop the PG slander. It just won’t be accepted around me. One of the most gifted players in this league & every chance I get, I’ma give him his flowers.”
DeMarcus Cousins on Paul George pic.twitter.com/eZm5j1ighQ
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 21, 2021
George and the Clippers attacked the Suns all night, outscoring them 58-32 in points in the paint despite starting Paul George, Terance Mann, and Marcus Morris in the frontcourt. Cousins was the only backup big man to play for the Clippers as Ty Lue often went with Nicolas Batum or Marcus Morris at the 5.
After finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds, a very average game by Deandre Ayton given how well he has played in these playoffs, it's safe to expect a far more aggressive approach and opening to the game by Ayton against the Clippers in Game 6.
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