Age: 28 Height: 6-11 Weight: 270 lbs School: Kentucky
Editor's note: Grant Liffmann is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders, which airs on NBC Sports Bay Area 90 minutes before each home game and 60 minutes after every game. The Warriors have finally completed the "first half" of the season, and now head into the All-Star break with a two-game lead for first place in the Western Conference. With injuries during the beginning of the season, some public locker room drama and the reintegration of DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors have faced their fair share of challenges along the way.
The Warriors started flashing the white flag 26 hours before taking the court Wednesday night in Portland. The only question was whether they had enough manpower to pull it back down against the Trail Blazers. With DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston all designated to take the night off for rest, Warriors coach Steve Kerr went heavy with the bench and it didn't flourish in a 120-103 loss at Moda Center.
The NBA is in a very funny place right now. We are closer to achieving the league-wide parity that many hoops fans have craved for years, but it doesn't feel that way with the presence of the dominating Golden State Warriors juggernaut. DeMarcus Cousins' addition has added a extra layer of physicality
OAKLAND -- DeMarcus Cousins has earned his first paid day off as an active member of the Warriors. After 11 consecutive games, including Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, the 6-foot-11 center will not be in the lineup Wednesday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Cousins will be joined on the sideline in Portland by veteran guard Shaun Livingston, who is getting his first pure rest night of the season.
The NBA's new comeback kings hope they don't have to resort to the tactic for a third consecutive game when the Golden State Warriors host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors rallied from 19 down to edge the Miami Heat 120-118 at home on Sunday night. DeMarcus Cousins provided the game-winning points with a pair of free throws with 5.4 seconds remaining.