On the surface, DeMarcus Cousins’ decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors seemed unfair to the rest of the NBA.

After all, Cousins averaged 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game last season for the New Orleans Pelicans and is regarded by some as the best center in the entire league.

Therefore, his addition to the back-to-back defending champion Warriors seems excessive. He will now be the fifth All-Star on the roster, joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.

However, the one factor that everyone seems to be forgetting about is the fact that the big man is rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon.

In the history of the league, there hasn’t been a definitive case of anyone returning to the same level of production after suffering such a serious injury. Considering the fact that the 6’11” Cousins checks in at 270 pounds, his large frame could complicate his recovery.

It remains to be seen when Cousins is able to return to the court, but when he does, there’s no guarantee that he will be the same dominant force that he was before.

A history lesson

Looking in the past, the decline of Elton Brand comes to mind. Before he suffered a torn Achilles, he was a dominant NBA center, averaging 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 75.7 games played. But, after he returned, he put up just 9.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 55.5 games played per season, as USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick pointed out on Wednesday.

In a recent ESPN podcast interview, Brand reflected on his career and explained that his Achilles tear destroyed his potential.

“The most frustrating part was the injuries,” Brand said. “That Achilles really changed the trajectory of my career. That whole kinetic chain: once you get the calf, it’s the ankle, the knee, the hips, the back. No one’s really recovered from that Achilles injury and come back at the same level.”

The injury lingered for years after he returned to the league.

“I had a few serviceable seasons, but I wasn’t the same guy. I still had the atrophy on my left calf — which was my power leg — from that Achilles. And then, quickly, I had a torn labrum right after that. You know, just the injuries, and that happens," he said.

Those words should make Cousins and his fans very worried. Although every player recovers differently and every case is unique, Brand’s story could serve as a cautionary tale for Boogie and his expectations.