Against the Raptors, Cousins played 19 minutes, with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. Being able to score in a single shot in the box, Cousins can also shoot three points, still a big man who can do everything on the offensive end. This is the norm after Cousins joined the Bucks, and single-game scoring doubles is commonplace, as well as a 22-point highlight in a single game. Cousins joined the Bucks on a 10-day contract, but was a temporary worker with a very weak role and limited playing time and shooting opportunities. Cousins' performance on the offensive end was truly stunning, and Bucks coach Budenholzer publicly praised him for bringing the team to the promotion.
But why was Cousins still cut? The problem is with the defensive end. At 2.11 meters tall, Cousins weighs a lot and wasn't fast enough in the small ball era. After the serious injury, Cousins' physical fitness declined badly, and he was directly reduced to a defensive black hole. This is not the first time Cousins has been cut for poor defense, but it is a repeat of the story of the original in the Rockets.
In the 2020-21 season, Cousins joined the Rockets and was reused on this rebuilding team. At his peak, Cousins was the most talented offensive man, scoring a variety of points, scoring 56 points in a single game. In the Rockets, Cousins once again showed his offensive talent to the fullest, becoming the core of the interior offense, repeatedly cutting high scores. But in the Rockets, Cousins was eventually cut because the defense was too poor to serve as a cornerstone. The Rockets are again rebuilding the team, and cousins' presence is thought to have delayed the growth of young people.
In the 2018-19 season, Cousins played for the Warriors and did not lack a lot of bright performances on the offensive end. Also because of the dismal defense, it failed to really gain a foothold, and after only playing for one season, it was forced to leave. The following season at the Lakers, Cousins also failed to complete the turnaround and left the team in a cut manner.
Offensive firepower, poor defense, such a top big man in the NBA is difficult to gain a foothold is not new. Okafor is a flower show, and his debut season averages more than 17 points per game, and it is not uncommon to reach 20 points in a single game. But now Okafor is in his current year of playing, and he has already played in the CBA. Monroe is also a big man with gorgeous offensive data, but at his peak he became a tramp and gradually faded out of the NBA, and now he also plays overseas.
Realistically, it's hard for Cousins to stay in the NBA these days. Perhaps Cousins can continue to get temporary contracts, but he will not be constantly laid off and unable to realize his value. In this case, Cousins might as well play overseas, and the CBA is a good place to go. In the CBA, Cousins' offensive threat is amplified as an unstoppable killer. Because the CBA is slow, Cousins' defense will not be a short board, but will have the opportunity to act as a defensive gate. Being a superstar in the CBA, Cousins can not only play comfortably, but also earn more money than working as a temporary worker in the NBA.