Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein. (Photo : Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl said that he prefers the seven-foot, 22-year-old rookie Willie Cauley-Stein to start alongside his prized player DeMarcus Cousins in the team's frontline ahead of veteran Greek center Kosta Koufos.
And it is not because Koufos is not playing well recently, but because Cauley-Stein is said to be simply the "better fit" for the 6-foot-11, 2015 NBA All-Star and scoring machine.
"Right now my feeling is Kosta probably fits the bench better than Willie does," said Karl, as reported by CSN Bay Area. "And Willie probably fits Cuz a little better, too. I'm not sure that's where I'll go, but that's probably where I'm tilted right now."
The seven-foot Koufos has shown time and again his prowess on the defensive end of the floor and is surely a starting center caliber for the team or other NBA teams as well.
But the sixth overall pick of the 2015 draft out of Kentucky had also displayed the kind of defense, rebounding, and athleticism that Karl wants to free up Cousins for more scoring opportunities and slightly unburden him of his defensive chores.
Taken as a whole, it is a nice predicament for Karl as he knows he has two reliable centers at his disposal this coming season.
So far, the 2015 NABC Defensive Player of the Year has averages of 6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and two blocks playing 24 minutes a contest in the Kings' last three preseason affairs, quite impressive for a rookie by any standards.
"I think he played with a lot of energy," Cousins told reporters after Cauley-Stein fired 8 points, 7 boards, and blocked three of Phoenix's shots in their close 102-98 preseason loss last week, via the Sacramento Bee.
"You can tell he has some good instincts on the defensive end. It's about him continuing to learn the game, learn what he can do, can't do, those little veteran tricks. But I think he's on the right path. He's a player with big potential," Cousins added.
