TORONTO _ After initially anticipating that DeMarcus Cousins would miss the remainder of the NBA playoffs because of a torn left quadriceps muscle, he will be active for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. Does Warriors coach Steve Kerr know how much Cousins will play, though?
"Yeah I do," Kerr said following morning shootaround on Thursday. "But I'm not going to tell you."
Cousins completed three scrimmages in the past week after receiving clearance to begin on-court work. Since then, the Warriors have noted that Cousins has become pain free and that he has gradually improved his conditioning.
And yet that only opens a new set of questions. Will Cousins start or come off the bench? Will he play with a minutes restriction? And can he fully feel comfortable in the NBA Finals after only appearing in one playoff game for his entire career?
After spending nearly a year rehabbing his left Achilles tendon, Cousins made his Warriors debut on Jan. 18 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Then, the Warriors gradually increased Cousins' workload as he improved his conditioning, timing, decision-making, scoring and defense. After being sidelined since Game 2 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Clippers on April 15, can Cousins expedite his on-court integration?
"It's something we've been doing all season. We've had guys in and out of the lineup," Warriors forward Kevon Looney said. "Getting him acclimated earlier in the season helped. He went out early in the playoffs, but we know how to play with him and what style he's good at. We know how to adapt. That's one of the calling cards of our team. We can play at any pace and any style. I think he'll fit right in."
Nonetheless, Kerr explained earlier this week the various challenges in working Cousins back in from injury. Kerr reiterated some of those concerns on Thursday.
Among the many variables? Kerr noted that each player's routine has changed because of the logistical changes surrounding the NBA Finals. Each game in Toronto will tipoff at 9 p.m. EDT, which is different than the customary 7:30 pm tipoff time. In Oakland, the Warriors will and Raptors will play at 6 p.m. PDT, which deprives them of a morning shootaround. In Toronto, the Warriors are having shootaround sessions at the arena. Hence, the Warriors have only two baskets for players to complete shooting workouts as opposed to the eight they have at their practice facility in Oakland.
"We understand why. This stuff pays the bills," Kerr said. "We get it. It would just be nice to practice at a facility with eight hoops where they get their shots up. Players are creatures of habits. Athletes are creatures of habits. So to take them out of their routines in the biggest part of the whole season, it's not ideal. But it's part of the deal."
