Programming note: Watch the NBA Finals pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders today at 4 p.m., streaming live on the MyTeams app.
DeMarcus Cousins sustained a torn left quadriceps in the first quarter of Game 2 of the Warriors' first round NBA playoff series against the Clippers.
Golden State initially thought he was done for the year.
"I was just ready to quit," Boogie told ESPN's Rachel Nichols. "Like, throw the towel in. Human nature, first thing is like, "Why? Why me? Why now? What did I do wrong? Why do I deserve this?'"
Cousins was playing in the second postseason game of his career and had just overcome tearing his left Achilles about 15 months prior.
Ultimately, he refused to accept that he wouldn't suit up again this season and went above and beyond to return to the court.
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How grueling was the rehab?
"Just the tedious work. You come in and you just do the same thing over and over again," the four-time All-Star told ESPN. "And there's days where you're just like, 'This sh-- is not even working.' But you gotta trust in this person that's putting you through these exercises.
"The physical part wasn't the hard part. It's everything mental that comes with it."
About 6.5 weeks after tearing the quad, Cousins returned to action for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors. He played just eight minutes off the bench.
Shortly before the opening tip of Game 2, we learned that Steve Kerr inserted Cousins back into the starting lineup.
The two-time All-NBA selection delivered in a big way, racking up 11 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 28 minutes as the Warriors evened the series at one game apiece.
[REWIND: Curry explains the most impressive part of Cousins' return]
"I had to dig deep. I had to do some soul searching ... I couldn't go out that way," Boogie explained. "I've been doubted my whole life.
"I made it a mission to prove those people wrong and I'm gonna continue to do that."
