It's frustrating as hell - Cousins struggling to rediscover form with Warriors
DeMarcus Cousins expressed frustration at his form since returning from a long-term injury and conceded other teams have identified him as the Golden State Warriors' weak link.
The Warriors lost to Houston for the third time this season as Cousins was frequently exposed by the Rockets' pick-and-roll offense.
A four-time All-Star between 2015 and 2018, Cousins is yet to reach the levels he did with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans having only returned from a long-term Achilles injury in January.
"It's frustrating as hell," Cousins told reporters.
“It's tough. I'm in a grey area when it comes to that, trying to get back to being myself and also just knowing guys are coming at me.
"Nobody in this league is going to feel sorry for me and I know that.
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— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 24, 2019
"I'm going to grind and battle as much as I can and do what I can. It still is a process for me but it's no excuse.
"Guys are attacking me in the pick and roll, it's obvious.
"I've just got to be ready for it, be prepared for it."
Cousins' team-mate Stephen Curry defended his colleague and said the whole team needs to improve after the 118-112 defeat.
"DeMarcus is grinding, getting his body to where he wants to be and finding his timing and rhythm," Curry added.
"He made some great plays out there but as a whole our energy was just bad, and our attention to detail in those first six minutes.
"We've got some stuff to work on, we know we're not playing our best."