The Pelicans are 0-3 since acquiring their new center in a trade on All-Star Sunday and now 14 games below .500, but DeMarcus Cousins has found other ways to adjust to life in New Orleans.
Cousins and Anthony Davis served as honorary grand marshals for the Zulu parade at Mardi Gras 2017, according to NOLA.com, and Boogie fittingly sported a pair of yellow panties on his head.
He also held a pair of panties out to the crowd using just one finger.
It's safe to say that @boogiecousins is having no problems adjusting to New Orleans. He's currently riding in Zulu with panties on his head. pic.twitter.com/F9TZC0DjwP
— Emma Discher (@EmmaDischer) February 28, 2017
It’s worth noting Cousins is a Mardi Gras truther — meaning he believes New Orleans isn’t where the holiday originated. Rather, it was his hometown that was robbed of the annual tradition.
"I'm actually from where Mardi Gras originated, which is Mobile, Alabama," Cousins said, according to NOLA.com. "So, let's get that correct. You guys stole our tradition. Let's put that out there.
"My last Mardi Gras was my senior year in high school. I don't have a reason to come (to New Orleans). I celebrate the real Mardi Gras."
Now that that’s been settled, let’s get back to basketball.
The Pelicans have a mixed schedule coming up, with games against sub-.500 opponents (Pistons, Lakers, Trail Blazers, and Heat) scattered in between matches against playoff contenders (Spurs, Jazz, Hornets, and Rockets).
The sooner Cousins can settle into his new role alongside Davis and Jrue Holiday, the more likely it is New Orleans can make a push for the West’s eighth seed.
If settling down includes rocking some panties on his head during a parade, by all means, go for it.