DeMarcus Cousins has taken a league-leading 23 charges this season.

Cousins was asked how long taking charges has been a part of his game. "Since I figured out I couldn't block shots," he answered half-jokingly.

Keith Smart said Cousins’ willingness to take a charge makes opposing players hesitant to attack the rim.

"He's the best in the NBA right now as far as drawing charges," said Smart. "That's a unique skill for a big man, to be able to come over and take a charge. He's one of those guys that know how to do that.

"What that does for an opponent, a guy like Westbrook or someone like that, they know that there's a possibility that big guy's going to be waiting for me with a charge, not with a block. … With a charge, you don't get that foul back.”