The Milwaukee Bucks have been hit hard by the injury bug this NBA season. Numerous rotation players have missed time this season as Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton are the only two players to have appeared in all 23 games thus far this season.
Coming into the season, the center position was one the Bucks had some worries about in terms of depth. Bobby Portis was the only big man on the roster with NBA experience behind Brook Lopez unless Mike Budenholzer was going to unleash Giannis Antetokounmpo at the five spot in the regular season.
Unfortunately, the Bucks’ worst nightmares came to reality. Lopez started the first game of the season and has been sidelined since with what was described as back soreness. It ended up being more serious as Lopez underwent surgery on his back this week.
Needing to make a move, the Bucks signed veteran DeMarcus Cousins. It was less than four years ago that Cousins was considered one of the best centers in the NBA before injuries derailed his career.
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Cousins ruptured his Achilles in January 2018 with the New Orleans Pelicans. A little more than a year later, he tore his quad in the postseason playing for the Golden State Warriors. Preparing for the 2019-20 season after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cousins tore his ACL in a pick-up game.
It has been a long few years for Cousins, but he showed last season with the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers that he could still produce even in a limited role. He is thankful for the opportunity that he is now receiving with the defending champion Bucks to continue his NBA career.
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“It’s always a great feeling to be wanted or appreciated, so when my name is called, I’ll be ready to play,” he said in an interview with Zora Stephenson of NBC Sports.
Cousins made his debut with the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night in a thrilling victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He scored seven points, going 3-of-5 from the field with one 3-pointer, adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 15 minutes.
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The Bucks are happy to have him and his teammates are excited to see what he can bring to the table after so many played against him when he was a dominant force.
“The guy has been dominant for so many years,” Khris Middleton said. “He’s been on a bad path with the injuries so far, but I’m glad to see him back on the court healthy. I’m definitely excited and I know the rest of the guys are excited to have him on the court with us.”
DeMarcus Cousins sat out Thursday’s game against the Toronto Raptors for what the team deemed a return to competition reconditioning. Once he gets his conditioning where it needs to be, he can be sure that his role will increase.
