The more things change, the more they remain the same for Georgia Tech power forward Derrick Favors and Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins.
After years of competing against each other, they were competing again in pre-draft workouts yesterday in East Rutherford, auditioning for the Nets with the possibility of being selected with the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft Thursday.
Nothing personal, mind you. Strictly NBA business.
“Me and DeMarcus have been playing each other since we were in high school,” said the 6-foot-10, 246-pound Favors, whose upside is so great teams insist he is worth developing for a season or longer. “It really is no competition between us. We’re both good players. They just wanted to bring us in and get a feel for our games and see which one fits better in New Jersey.”
Favors is the true power forward, which is what the Nets want. Should the 76ers pass on swingman Evan Turner at No. 2, the Nets would pounce. But the feeling all along is that Turner does not fall to the Nets.
So it is between Favors and Cousins with Syracuse small forward Wesley Johnson as the dark horse. Figure Favors, then Cousins.
“Me and Derrick, we’ve been in competition our whole career,” said Cousins, a 6-foot-11, 289-pound monster projected as a center with some skills at the four. “It was always, ‘Who’s better, me or Derrick?’ After college I thought those days were pretty much over, but we’re back at stage one.”
The Nets insist they would be happy with either player. Though Favors has been the leading choice all along, Nets president Rod Thorn, who will make the final call, said the final call has not been made.
“Both guys are terrific players who are going to be outstanding pros for a long time,” Thorn said. “Cousins can really shoot. Great hands, great feet. Favors is really just a terrific athlete who really gets up.”
If the Nets were in need of a center, Cousins would be the choice. But with Brook Lopez in the fold, the feeling is to pair him with a rebounding power forward and that is where Favors gets the edge. Favors said he believes he can bring what the Nets need quickly.
“My defense and rebounding are ready, but it’s just a matter of how much hard work I put in to see how much my game is ready for the NBA,” he said.
Favors pointed to his “offensive post moves” as the area where he could improve most.
Cousins, who received solid grades on his attitude from the Nets, is a point-me-wherever guy.
“I prefer to play four. I’m more comfortable at the five right now,” Cousins said. “It really doesn’t matter. I just go in and play.”
Director of Player Personnel Gregg Polinsky said after watching the two face off against assistant coach Roy Rogers — not at each other — that both players met expectations.
“It would have made it easier if one guy came in and did very little and you were extremely disappointed,” Polinsky said, “but we are not disappointed.”