DeMarcus Cousins: 'I'm the Best Player in the Draft'

NEW YORK -- DeMarcus Cousins looked sharp. His words at the NBA Draft media day were sharper.

Dressed smartly in a pink collared shirt, white cardigan, argyle tie and horn-rimmed glasses, Cousins, as he often was in the paint at Kentucky, was surrounded. This time it wasn't by defenders, but by media members at the Westin Hotel in New York City. The press had 30 minutes to try to get any succulent nugget of information from the enigmatic big man.

It took less than two minutes. When asked how he would make his case to NBA GMs to take him, Cousins was blunt.

Share "I'm the best player in the draft," Cousins calmly said.

It's that simple?

"It's that simple." Cousins replied.

It is that easy for Cousins and for some scouts who note that Cousins has great feet, great hands and great size. He also has great confidence.

NBA DRAFT on FANHOUSE

Amick: Ekpe Udoh Enjoys Rising Draft Stock
Ziller: Nets Talking Up Greg Monroe
Agent: Favors Has No Qualms with Wolves
Povtak: Larry Sanders Lands on Right Foot
Schultz: Pondexter Proves Staying Pays Off

Also: Latest NBA Mock Draft

FH TV: Ziller & Schultz

"I believe I'm the most dominant," Cousins said. "I believe, out of this draft, I'm the biggest game changer. Just the best talent."

Cousins does have the skills to be an All-Star, but there are questions about his work ethic, which someone immediately mentioned. Cousins didn't bite when it was suggested that if he's the best, why would he slide down the draft board.

"Maybe I'm not the fit they need for their team right now," Cousins said. "Maybe that's what it is."

That, and no matter how talented Cousins thinks he is, one of the reasons he won't be No. 1 was sitting 10 feet to the right of him during the media session. Cousins' college teammate, John Wall, is certain to be the No. 1 pick by the Washington Wizards. Wall told the media he only worked out for one team.

Another Wildcat at the media session, Patrick Patterson, offered a Solomon-like assessment of both players.

"I call him Yogi Bear," Patterson said of Cousins. "He's a guy who can go out every night and do whatever is asked of him. He's hands down the best big man in the draft. In points per minute, there was no one better than him. If you need a basket down low or a rebound, he'll do it.

"John's the same way. He's the best player and best point guard in the Draft. He's a leader, someone who can run the team, game in and game out and do whatever is asked. He has that killer mentality and score 30 points at anytime."