At the onset of December, the Milwaukee Bucks signed former NBA All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to their roster. It was a great landing spot for Cousins, as he would have a chance to compete for minutes right out of the gate.
Bucks’ starting center Brook Lopez played opening night but hasn’t gotten back on the court since. He underwent surgery on his back and his return at this time is unknown. Already without much depth at the center position, the Bucks were lucky to have Cousins in the fold.
The only other big man in their rotation at the beginning of the season was Bobby Portis. Giannis Antetokounmpo is capable of playing center, and their toughest lineups to defend are likely the ones he is at the center position for. But, asking him to bang on the interior every night is an unnecessary toll for them to ask their star player to endure during the regular season.
DeMarcus Cousins had an opportunity ahead of him to continue getting his career back on track. Numerous serious injuries to his lower body derailed him, as he was once regarded as the best center in the league. While no longer dominant to that level, he has shown he can still help a team win some games.
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Last season with the LA Clippers, Cousins filled a role with the second unit and did it well. While it has taken some time for him to acclimate himself to the Bucks, he is beginning to round into shape with his newest team.
Cousins admitted recently that finding a rhythm with Milwaukee had some challenges. Practice time had been limited and there was not much time for him to prepare to play between games. But, it looks like he is turning a corner.
On Wednesday night against one of his former teams, the Houston Rockets, Cousins had his best game of the season. He scored 18 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, and one block in 28 minutes.
It was the second consecutive game, and third time this season, that Cousins has scored in double-figures. He has made at least 50 percent of his shots in three out of the last four games, as his shooting percentage is on the rise after a tough start to his tenure with the Bucks.
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Cousins has been excellent at the foul line, connecting at an 88.9 percent rate, giving hope that his shooting stroke from the field will come around once he gets up to speed as well.
He will have ample opportunities to do so as one of the only healthy big men at the moment that Mike Budenholzer has at his disposal. Performances like the one DeMarcus Cousins had against the Rockets should come more regularly as he gets more comfortable with his new team.
