Pelicans' Cousins: 'Right now, we're still a bad team'

DeMarcus Cousins isn't ready to sing the praises of his new team just yet.

While the three-time All-Star recognizes the obvious talent that New Orleans possesses, he's careful not to give the Pelicans credit until they start winning.

"We can’t go in thinking we’re just an amazing team. We have to go in and play hard," Cousins told The Vertical's Michael Lee. "Because right now, we’re still a bad team."

New Orleans stumbled in Cousins' debut on Thursday night, getting blown out by 30 points to the Houston Rockets. Cousins finished with a strong individual performance, collecting 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, five steals, and four blocks in 35 minutes.

"We’re not ready," Cousins said. "At the All-Star break, most teams have an identity. And it’s very rare that you add a piece as big as we’ve done. It’s not like you’re sending in role players to come in and shoot, or a guy to come in and be a defender. The dynamic of this move is going to change the whole dynamic of the team. So, it’s going to take time."

Despite putting up monster numbers throughout his career, Cousins has long faced criticism for failing to turn the Kings into a winner, something he'll no longer need to worry about now that he's officially a member of the Pelicans.

"I look at this fresh start as a new opportunity," Cousins said. "I can now separate myself from the Sacramento Kings. I’m my own man once again. And what I bring here is basically what I go by, from now on. It’s on myself and the team. It can be a similar situation - or we can make things work and make it something special."