Athletes have often extended support to each other in tough times, and DeMarcus Cousins’ story was no different. When Cousins found himself in a battle against both physical pain and psychological turmoil, Kobe Bryant emerged as the source of light who not only reached out to Cousins but also stood as a source of inspiration to him owing to the similar fate they suffered. And recently appearing on a podcast, Cousins shed light on the same.

DeMarcus Cousins recounted the time his career was at stake because of a series of serious injuries and this was the time when Black Mamba reached out to him. Cousins said on the Knuckleheads Podcast, “Having Kobe reach out, you know, about the injury was obviously, inspiring. You know, we all watched Kobe go through the same injury. So, um, you know, in that current time, he made it…possible to be like ‘I can come back from this.'”

In 2018, DeMarcus Cousins suffered an Achilles tear while playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. Just as he began to recover, Cousins tore his quad during the 2019 playoffs with the Golden State Warriors, which resulted in him getting sidelined for the entirety of the postseason. During the same year, while preparing for a comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cousins tore his ACL, which added to his physical and emotional burden.

Having suffered a fair share of injuries during his career, Kobe Bryant’s injuries included a shoulder injury in 2003, a knee surgery in 2006, and notably, a torn Achilles in 2013, followed by a knee fracture. Cousins shared how Bryant’s example was pivotal. “To watch him do it late in his career, you know, inspired a lot of guys…You know, he definitely was, you know, a person that pushed me to, you know, get through that process, And you know, get healthy again and keep, you know, going on with my career,” said Cousins. Bryant’s late-career comeback from his Achilles injury demonstrated resilience and strength, which deeply resonated with Cousins.

Though there was a possibility that the two could’ve been teammates which would’ve boosted Cousins’ career to the next level, the circumstances didn’t work in his favor. Cousins said that even before his injuries both he and Bryant were in contact from the time there were talks about him getting traded to the Lakers in 2015 when Mitch Kupchak was the general manager. Despite the setbacks that came his way, Cousins stood tall amidst adversity.

DeMarcus Cousins and his mindset

On the podcast, when asked about how he coped with the injuries, Cousins emphasized the importance of a persistent mindset. “The only way to get through hard times is to put your head down and keep pushing,” said Cousins. He further stressed how the process of rehabilitation tested his limits. He said, “Rehab is the hardest, the worst part of anything. It challenges you in ways you could never even imagine.”

Cousins’ mindset during these tough times was rooted in his past experiences. During his time of struggle, it was his determination that helped shape him into the person he is now. “Once you hit rock bottom, you ain’t got nowhere to go but up,” Cousins stated, encapsulating his approach to overcoming obstacles.

The bond between DeMarcus Cousins and Kobe Bryant underscores the powerful impact of support and resilience in the face of struggles. Despite their unique bond, one can’t help but wonder how this dynamic duo would have been if they ever got the chance to play on the same roster.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us in the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.