Hoops observers have been wondering for years whether Brittney Griner — the 6-foot-8 center who proved one of the most dominant players in women’s college basketball history en route to becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft and a three-time WNBA All-Star — could compete in the NBA.
Well, the U.S. women’s national basketball team shot-swatter has decided she wants to find out how she stacks up against NBA talent … and she knows just who she wants to target.
From Sam Amick of USA TODAY:
The chosen opponent? DeMarcus Cousins, the Sacramento Kings big man and fellow Team USA talent who has been ribbing Griner while on the cruise ship both teams are sharing.
“I would love to just go out there and play against [Cousins],” said Griner, who has never played against NBA talent. “We talk a lot of crap to each other. I love talking to him. He’s really funny. I would love to just go out there and play against him.” […]
“Whenever you’re ready to get it on camera and see her get embarrassed, I’m ready for it,” Cousins said with a smile after practice on Tuesday. […]
“It’s almost like we’re the same person. As soon as I walk in the door, she’s at me. She says I’m a bum. She says she’ll kick my butt. It’s all in fun. She’s an incredible competitor. She’s an incredible player. It’s fun to be around the ladies and get to know them.”
This needs to happen. I mean, neither edition of Team USA has faced much opposition through its first two games of the 2016 Summer Olympics, so why not try to find challenges against one another?
While it’s plenty reasonable to believe that Griner might not be able to hold a candle to the Sacramento Kings’ Cousins, one of the most physically dominating and imposing centers in the NBA and an absolute beast on the interior in international play, anyone who’s watched Griner grow as a person and a competitor over the past few years would know better than to count out the two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. And who knows? Maybe this is just the opportunity she’s been waiting for to break out that sky hook that Kareem taught her.
We won’t see the matchup just yet — Griner and company have some business to take care of Wednesday against Serbia, while Boogie and company are prepping to do battle with a tough and talented Australian side. With an off day coming Thursday, though, here’s hoping the two American pivots find the time to settle the score … and here’s hoping many, many photographers and videographers are on hand to share the results.
