The teams that have caused the Warriors the most trouble in the playoffs have been those with solid defenders, length to disrupt passing lanes and big men who can dominate the glass (Thunder, Cavaliers, Rockets). 

And there are several teams in the NBA this season with not only disruptive defenders but ferocious big men. 

The value of the center in today’s game has certainly changed, as we see players like Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic become consistent three-point shooters and move their game outside the paint, and players like Nikola Jokic develop into more finesse-centric passers and finishers. 

Cousins himself said after the win over Phoenix that the level of talent at the five is underappreciated in the NBA.

“It’s kinda overshadowed with all the guards and the wings but we got alot of talented big men in this league,” Cousins said. “From the old guys, Marc Gasol, to the mid-level guys, myself, Anthony Davis, to the babies coming in like DeAndre Ayton… Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns… Joel.”

A dominant inside presence is timeless, and until (and unless) DeMarcus Cousins can get back to 100 percent, they will pose countless problems to the Warriors.

We have already seen it three times in the last five games. 

Cousins’ three worst rebounding games (under five rebounds a game) and three of his four worst plus/minus outings have come against imposing bigs, first against Joel Embiid and the 76ers in the Dubs’ only loss since his return, then against Deandre Ayton and the Suns and finally against Hassan Whiteside and the Heat last night. 

Cousins combined for a minus-33 and forfeited rebounds and easy buckets to the three young centers; Embiid and Ayton each logged 20-10 outings and Whiteside posted a double-double, and all were especially strong on the offensive glass, combining for 18 boards and helping their teams to 45 more field goal attempts than the Warriors.

Offensively, we know that Cousins can eat when given the opportunity, and in this lineup, the opportunities will be more than optimal; he scored 18 against the Suns, dished out six assists against the 76ers and hit the two game-sealing free throws against the Heat.

But without his legs under him, and especially with offensive-centric, pick-and-roll lob king Kevon Looney in the backup spot, guys like Embiid and Ayton will be a problem for the Warriors. 

Cousins has struggled on defense at times in his career, even when healthy. But his big body, shot-blocking prowess and ability to dominate the glass will likely be a difference-maker sometime during their playoff run, if he can continue to make strides getting back in game shape. 

He has been criticized for his motivation and attitude previous stops – mainly in Sacramento – but I have a hard time believing that he won’t be inspired by the resplendent idea of seeing his reflection in the Larry O’Brien Trophy. 

There are a litany of other bigs that, come playoff time, will be difference makers from the center spot: Embiid, Houston’s Clint Capela, OKC’s Steven Adams, Utah’s Rudy Gobert, Toronto’s Marc Gasol, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic. Not to mention trying to contend with LeBron James, Russel Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the glass. 

It’s no surprise why the Warriors are looking for another backup center in the buyout market (Robin Lopez has been a prime contender for months), and why they looked at signing Cousins in the first place: having control inside changes games, as have seen against Philly and Miami.

And until Cousins can return at least closely to his pre-injury self, the Warriors will have a hard time doing so against the likes of Deandre Ayton and Joel Embiid.