http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/02/4458498/ailene-voisin-kings-cousins-eyes.html

DeMarcus Cousins wants to play for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, but barring
another series of freakish injuries to more established frontcourt stars,
that isn't going to happen.

But in two years? The Kings' center should be on Team USA's World
Championship squad.

In four years? Assuming USA Basketball doesn't buckle under pressure from
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and change the rules, restricting national team
participation to collegians, Cousins should anchor the 2016 Olympic effort.

In the more immediate future, USA Basketball czar Jerry Colangelo is inviting
Cousins to join the Select team of young NBA stars who will train with Kobe
Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the other 2012 Olympians in July and
then form the nucleus of future national teams.

Cousins wanted more. He wanted to be on the Olympic team now.

"We're going to add another one or two players to our (finalist) list,"
Colangelo said Tuesday from Las Vegas. "Cousins will not be one of them. But
we've been told he is very interested in playing with the Select team, and
that will get him in the cycle for (future) teams."

After everything that has transpired in Cousins' brief but eventful NBA
career, just being included in the Team USA conversation is a coup. Cousins
should forget about Kings and Queens and the London Bridge, and concern
himself with dominating the training sessions in Las Vegas and Washington,
D.C.

"Statistically, you can easily make the argument that DeMarcus is in the
group of the top 20 players already," said John Greig, Cousins' agent. "But
it's so easy to pencil him in, saying this is who he is. I do think the
(perception) is changing, though."

Greig's right. It is. And if injuries continue crippling the 2012 squad? U.S.
centers are precious and few, and very few are as gifted or as physical or
durable as Cousins.

With Dwight Howard unavailable because of a back injury, the finalists list
includes one true center – Tyson Chandler. Andrew Bynum isn't interested.

So never say never.

OK, this time last year we could have said never. This time last year,
Cousins was coming off a volatile rookie season that included repeated verbal
spats with former coach Paul Westphal, too many instances when he stood and
watched opponents sprint downcourt, and far too many times when his body
language was more of a downer than his poor conditioning.

To his credit, though, Cousins, 21, retreated to the gym during the summer
and arrived at training camp in far better shape. He lost much of his baby
fat and started losing the attitude. When Westphal issued what team officials
refer to as a "him or me" ultimatum seven games into the season, the
organization's response was a no-brainer; Keith Smart took over and
supervised a serious Cousins growth spurt that led to averages of 18.1 points
and 11 rebounds, including a league-leading 4.1 on the offensive end. He
progressed in virtually every facet of his game and made dramatic strides in
both demeanor and conditioning.

"The main thing is to get him better at finishing around the rim," Smart
said, "and that's a matter of being in good enough shape to fight through
that fatigue."

Kings assistant Clifford Ray, who worked with Howard in Orlando, addressed
Cousins' other most obvious issue: maintaining his composure.

"DeMarcus needs to develop patience with his teammates and with the
referees," Ray said. "When he gets frustrated, he just has to keep playing.
Then the other things – setting better screens, putting his body in position
to block shots – will come easier. But from what I heard (about Cousins)
compared to what I've seen since Keith brought me in? You kidding me? Great
improvement. You see it. We all see it. He has talents that don't come around
very often."

All of which is why Cousins should swallow his disappointment and go to Las
Vegas and Washington, where he can re-introduce himself as a fiercely
competitive and increasingly appealing presence.

Greig said he was "95 percent sure" Cousins would accept despite his
disappointment and the disruptions to his summer plans. According to Greig,
Cousins took a weekend breather when the season ended and then called with
one question: "When are we getting started?"