DeMarcus Cousins Says Joel Embiid Could Be NBA's 'Best Big' After He Retires

DeMarcus Cousins doesn't usually play nice with competitors, but he developed a soft spot for Joel Embiid.

On Monday night, the two big men squared off for the first time. It didn't take long for them to foster a close (maybe too close) friendship:

Embiid scored 25 points in 29 minutes, but Cousins led the Sacramento Kings to a 102-100 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers with a game-high 30 points. Nevertheless, he praised his younger adversary after the game.

"I like that kid a lot," Cousins said during the postgame interview. "I don't give a lot of people props, but I like that kid a lot. I think he got a great chance of being the best big in this league...after I retire."

Embiid has earned an expanded following on and off the court, but few people are harder to win over than Cousins.