SG Daequan Cook - Page 3 - ScarletBuckeye

PHATBUCK13 · 02-04-2012, 09:30 AM

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Thunder: Daequan Cook proves to skeptics that he can play defense
Published: Feb 3, 2012

There is nothing subtle about Daequan Cook's long-range shooting, which frequently resembles daggers thrown at opponents from 10 paces.

When Cook was named the replacement for injured starter Thabo Sefolosha, many assumed the Thunder would simply take whatever points Cook provided and the team would deal with his defensive shortcomings as best it could.

Guess again. What actually earned Cook a starting role at the off-guard spot was his subtle effectiveness on defense.

Non-believers need only look at Cook's not-so-subtle defensive contribution Friday night in the Thunder's pulsating 101-94 comeback victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Cook had seven rebounds and tied a career-high with three blocked shots. He alternated hounding Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo on defense for 32 minutes while occasionally lending help-and-recover assists of defensive variety to needy teammates.

“DC was all over the ball, all over the floor,” OKC coach Scott Brooks said afterward.

Cook also found time to score five points. He shot 0 for 5 in the first half and buried his only two attempts after intermission.

Cook's offense was an afterthought on a night when the Big Three of Kevin Durant (36), James Harden (24) and Russell Westbrook (21) did the heavy lifting.

Afterward, the man whom Cook replaced handed out high praise.

“He's an underrated defensive player,” Sefolosha said of Cook. “He can do a lot of things on the court that people don't even know about — grabbing rebounds, help defense, one-on-one defense. Tonight, he showed a lot of things we're not used to seeing out of him.”

Cook apparently will remain in the starting lineup for several more games. Sefolosha said his sore right foot with be re-examined in 4-5 days and he will not practice in the meantime.

Thunder: Daequan Cook proves to skeptics that he can play defense | NewsOK.com

PHATBUCK13 · 02-04-2012, 09:31 AM

PHATBUCK13 · 02-04-2012, 09:33 AM

It's nice to see Dequaun Cook get a starter's role.

Hopefully he continues to take advantage of his opportunities...

He's got a chance to be a key contributor on a championship team...

PHATBUCK13 · 02-08-2012, 12:22 PM

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Daequan Cook - G/F - OKC - Feb. 8

Daequan Cook hit 6-of-8 shots and five 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 17 points, along with three rebounds, in Tuesday's win.
Cook is starting at shooting guard in place of Thabo Sefolosha and is hot. He's hit double figures in two of his last three games, but has done so in just three games this season. But he's also hit 17 threes in his last six games, and should continue to do so until Sefolosha is back from his foot injury.

Fantasy Basketball Breaking News - Rotoworld.com

PHATBUCK13 · 02-12-2012, 06:27 PM

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The Thunder has played 18 games with Thabo Sefolosha in the lineup. The Thunder is 16-2 with Thabo. The Thunder has played eight games without Sefolosha. The Thunder is 4-4 without Thabo.

I don’t think those numbers are a coincidence. Sefolosha is expected to be back soon from a foot injury, and*his return can come none too soon for the Thunder.
Now, Sefolosha’s absence has paid some dividends. Daequan Cook has become a dependable scorer in Thabo’s void. In the seven games since Sefolosha was sidelined, Cook has averaged 9.8 points a game and shot 45.3 percent from the field. In the other 18 games this season, Cook averaged 4.6 points and 37.7 percent shooting.

If Cook can maintain that kind of production when Sefolosha returns, maybe the injury was worth it. Everyone wants the Thunder to have a fourth scorer, well here you go. Cook at 9.8 points a game is a heck of a player. His playing time will go down with Sefolosha’s return, but perhaps not significantly. Scotty Brooks has been playing a smaller lineup more and more down the stretch. That could continue, even with Sefolosha’s return. Cook has averaged 30 minutes a game the last seven games; no reason for Cook to start playing the 14-15 minutes a game he was averaging before Sefolosha’s injury.

But despite Cook’s increased scoring punch, the Thunder has missed Thabo, and missed him badly.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Missing Thabo Sefolosha | Berry Tramel's Blog

PHATBUCK13 · 05-02-2012, 01:32 AM

Deaquan Cook's final stats (17 MPG) ~

2011-12 Season
PPG APG RPG 3%
5.5 0.3 2.1 34.6