Over the past two months, DeMarcus Cousins has built chemistry with two different teams.

Alongside his Sacramento teammate Rudy Gay, Cousins joined 10 elite NBA players on the U.S. National Team en route to a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup Championships.

Two and a half weeks later, the Kentucky alum started the process over again.

With only five holdovers from last season’s Training Camp squad, the Sacramento Kings roster has changed drastically over the past 12 months. Yet, DMC hopes his international experience will help expedite the bond between he and his new teammates.

“The biggest thing Rudy and I can bring back is the team mindset,” said Cousins following Day 5 of Training Camp. “How can our individual efforts make the team better? What kind of play can we make to make the team better, not necessarily putting the ball in the basket or getting a blocked shot, but being a better team player?”

The 24-year-old center also came back to the states with something to prove.

“I’m a more confident defender,” said No. 15. “I always knew how to do it, but now I have the confidence behind me.”

Boasting a high basketball IQ, athleticism and deft instincts, the 6-foot-11 big man has the attributes of a rising defensive standout.

“For me, he’s probably my toughest cover in the NBA,” stated Ryan Hollins – one of Sacramento’s recent free-agent additions.

Cousins has appreciated the organization’s ability to attack the waiver wire this offseason and bring in leadership and talent, like his new frontcourt teammate. Yet he knows there will be a learning curve in order to execute at a high level.

“It can’t be three guys, it can’t be four guys, it has to be all five,” he continued. “Seeing that with Team USA, I now know this team can do the same thing.

“[We] have guys who know how to win. [We] have guys who are willing to accept their role… Those are the types of players we need. I think they are great pieces, I think they are great additions and, like you said, they’ve been in a winning culture, so they know how to win.”

With a handful of fresh faces around him, Boogie is excited to cultivate a bond with his new teammates.

After all, the benefits were evident on Team USA.

Run DMC:

One of the many reasons Cousins’ name was solidified on the U.S. National Team roster was his versatility – running the floor, scoring, collecting rebounds, blocking shots and providing a defensive presence.

The same attributes have impressed the Kings coaching staff this past week.

“I loved the way he ran the floor – offensively and defensively,” said Assistant Coach Corliss Williamson. “We’ve seen that in Training Camp and some of our scrimmages – how he ran towards the rim trying to seal and get an early post-up. That’s where he can be really effective for us.”

Familiar with high-tempo offenses, Williamson has offered Sacramento’s young star his own tricks of the trade after a prosperous 12-year NBA career.

“The No. 1 thing is having the will – you have to have the will to [run the floor] and DeMarcus has it,” he said. “The thing for him is he’s such a good defensive rebounder, sometimes he’s going to be that second big guy down the floor.”

Cousins averaged a career-high 11.7 rebounds per contest last year with 8.6 of those coming on the defensive end. This year, the coaches hope added frontcourt development and depth should put DMC in position to elude the defense and get to the hoop.

“What he has to realize is if he gets out and runs and gets ahead, there’s no gameplan for that,” stated Malone.

“When you rim-run and get that ball in the paint, there’s no coverage and there’s no defense for that.”

A master of maneuvering in the lane and creating easy buckets, Cousins attempted 628 shots within five feet of the basket last season and made 377 of them (60 percent). This year, those numbers could be even better thanks to the team’s new offensive approach.

“Just by putting pressure on the rim, he’s not going to get it every time, but the defense is going to collapse and now you have Ben (McLemore), Nik (Stauskas), Rudy, Derrick (Williams), Omri (Casspi) or whoever it is getting wide open shots,” continued Malone.

The intended result will leave defenses frantic, actively searching for open shooters on the perimeter, while still trying to slow down the big man in the middle.

“Our goal for every possession is to get a wide-open, uncontested look,” concluded the second-year head coach.

DeMarcus Accepts Challenge:

Following practice Tuesday morning, Cousins joined Darren Collison, Reggie Evans and Ryan Hollins for lunch to discuss the team, past experiences and what it will take to bring a winning culture to the City of Trees.

The conversation helped Sacramento’s center understand his own evolution.

“I know I’m not perfect and I probably never will be, but I’m aiming to be the best leader I can be for this team,” said Cousins.

As No. 15’s close friend, Evans has helped the talented star grow as a leader. A 12-year veteran, No. 30 has been through it all, and that’s what Cousins respects about him.

“Whenever I have a problem, I go to Reggie,” admitted DMC. “I’m a vet, but he’s my vet.

“I am all ears – he’s a guy I truly respect on this team. He has set goals for me, I’ve set goals for him and we’ve set goals for the team. He told me, ‘in order for me to be a better leader, I can’t be getting ejected and getting technicals. Because without me on the floor, its hard for this team to win games.’”

Evans printed a sign with “5” and “Technical” on it before hanging it in his teammate’s locker.

“He challenged me and said no more than five this year,” said Cousins, “so I’m accepting the challenge.”