Harrellson outplays former teammate Cousins
New York Knicks center Josh Harrellson (55) defends Sacramento Kings center Demarcus Cousins during the second half. (Dec. 31, 2011) Credit: AP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Knicks rookie Josh Harrellson guarded his former University of Kentucky teammate, DeMarcus Cousins, while filling in for Amar'e Stoudemire Saturday night in the Knicks' 114-92 victory over the Kings.
The 6-10, 275-pound Harrellson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, including five on the offensive boards, in 38:19. He shot 5-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-8 from three-point range.
The 6-11, 270-pound Cousins had nine points and 11 rebounds in 28:18 but shot only 2-for-10 from the field.
"The boxscore doesn't show how you played defense,'' Harrellson said, "but I think I did well. I stopped one of the best big men in the league, I held him to minimal points, not many rebounds. I think I did a good job on my former teammate. I guarded him every day in practice for an entire year. I knew his tendencies and I think that gave me a little bit of an advantage. I've improved since I played with him."
He added, "I was a little nervous, excited. This time last year was my first big game in college, and I watched Kentucky-Louisville [Saturday], so that kind of motivated me to come out and play hard, play confident. My teammates did a great job just making me calm, making me confident out there.''
"Phenomenal, phenomenal,'' Landry Fields said. "Josh Harrellson for All-Star."
