
DeMarcus Cousins' road to recovery has been a long one -- almost a full calendar year for those keeping track at home.
Boogie suffered an Achilles injury last Jan. 26 and despite knowing the healing process wouldn't be an easy one, he's ready to go. With that said, Cousins admitted he was nervous for his Friday return when the team takes on the Clippers in L.A.
But with all the time he's had to reflect on what he's bringing back to the court, he believes he's a better player now.
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"Kind of nervous about it, actually," Cousins told Rachel Nichols in an interview with ESPN. "You know, at the end of the month, it'll basically be a calendar year. So it's been a long time coming, to say the least."
Nichols then asked Boogie about the six-time All-Star's admission to the challenges the year has brought to him. And he compared it to a sort of punishment.
"You know when you were a kid and you get your favorite toy taken away for a certain amount of time? And, you know, once you finally get it back you just feel like you love it even more. So it's kind of one of those feelings. And you know, once it's in my hands, I'll take care of it."
It's certainly relatable. And although you may think Cousins plans on taking a delicate approach to preventing re-injury, that's not the full mentality behind his return.
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He spoke to Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins who had a similar injury during his historic career. Wilkins told him to just "attack it." And once Cousins realizes he's healthy, "don't think about it, just go forward."
And forward he will go. And he's determined to come back a better player than he was before.
[RELATED: Steve Kerr sees 'dramatic improvement' in Cousins]
"Well, obviously I won't be the same player," he told Nichols. "I've gotten better. So, you know, a lot of things have changed in my game. You start to tune up other areas of your game: Jump shooting, skill work. I think everything has just increased and gotten better."
We'll see you and your improved self very soon, Boogie.