In 2012, the NBA removed the starting center spot from the All-Star balloting and replaced it with three “frontcourt” players. Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins — tagged as a pure center back then — was pissed at the ruling.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Cousins found the new rule “disrespectful” but at the same time, he took it as a challenge to expand his game.

“I was very pissed,” Cousins said.”I found it disrespectful. It was kind of at a time when I was really coming into my own, so it made it that much more challenging for me to become an All-Star.”

2012 was Cousins' third season in the league. He was already making waves as an up-and-coming young center with the Sacramento Kings. But that's what he just was: a pure center in a league that's slowly evolving in favor of a big man who can dribble and shoot like a guard.

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Draymond Green shares clear opinion on Kevin Durant’s trade to RocketsRichard Pereira ·
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum.
Bucks rumors: Will Milwaukee pursue trade for Andrew Wiggins?Julian Ojeda ·
Siegel's Scoop with Jonathan Kuminga, Myles Turner, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Anfernee Simons
Siegel’s Scoop: Latest Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, NBA free agency intelBrett Siegel ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) runs down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
Warriors make $7.9 million Jonathan Kuminga qualifying offerJaren Kawada ·
Mike Dunleavy Jr with a thought bubble over his head. In the thought bubble: draft picks Will Richard and Alex Toohey
Warriors’ Mike Dunleavy Jr. lays out honest 2025 outlook for rookiesKenzo Fukuda ·
Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Jonathan Kumina with "looking" emoji's around them and a big question mark in between them.
Warriors’ Mike Dunleavy Jr. adds to Jonathan Kuminga free-agency mysteryKenzo Fukuda ·

Despite the odds, however, DeMarcus Cousins managed to become an All-Star from 2015 to 2018.

His game, too, evolved with the times. In 2012, he attempted a total of 22 3-pointers and converted just four. Last season, he converted 2.2 triples out of 6.1 attempts. With this evolution comes a new wave of confidence from the 28-year-old. He may have expanded his game, but he's still a big man at heart.

“But it’s a new age now,” a confident Cousins said. “And I believe the respect of the big man is coming back around.”

With tons of years left to play, what does a confident Cousins have in store for us?