DeMarcus Cousins provides hope for Denver Nuggets bench

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 26: DeMarcus Cousins #4 of the Denver Nuggets reacts and gets ejected from game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 26, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, DeMarcus Cousins provides hope for Denver Nuggets bench. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)

In a bumpy, up-and-down season, the Denver Nuggets have turned their hopes from lofty visions of grandeur to simply staying alive. The goal isn’t necessarily attaining a top-two seed like in past years, but rather grabbing a favorable enough position to make a strong postseason push.

Without stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets starters have still managed to outplay opponents on most nights. Nikola Jokic boasts a +7.0 plus/minus, while other starters Monte Morris and Aaron Gordan check-in at +4.7 and +4.2, respectively.

However, the bench is an entirely different story. Second-unit point guard Facu Campazzo currently sits at a -5.2 plus/minus, while backup big man JaMychael Green is at -3.4.

This has led to the bench underperforming drastically, thus putting even more pressure on a starting unit that is already short-handed.

DeMarcus Cousins hopes to improve the Denver Nuggets’ bench and upgrade his 10-day contract

On several occasions this season, Denver’s starters have built up double-figure leads early, only to watch the bench quickly squander them away. Without a true backup center, the goal was to get reigning MVP Nikola Jokic a few minutes of rest before the walls collapsed entirely on any lead.

Even this reasonable goal has often not been met.

Last week’s 122-118 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was Denver’s final game before adding DeMarcus  Cousins to the rotation, and it proved the true extent of the dumpster fire the bench had become. While Jokic and the starters dominated their minutes, the pine was drastically outplayed.

Campazzo checked in at -23 for the game, and every other bench player finished -13 or worse. Denver’s second unit spoiled the starters’ efforts against a strong Memphis team.

Fast forward a week, and Denver is 3-0 with Cousins, who’s proven to be a stabilizing force on both ends of the court – even with some visible rustiness that’s worn off with each game.

In the first two contests, Cousins provided rebounding, playmaking, bone-crunching screens, and a defensive presence. And then vintage Boogie emerged Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, giving the Nuggets their first dominant backup center minutes in recent memory.

DeMarcus Cousins posted 13 points while shooting 2-of-3 from deep. He snagged six rebounds and a steal, and most importantly, helped Denver outscore Brooklyn (+2) when he was on the floor, as they ultimately won a tough road game.

He still did Boogie things – there was jawing, ball-slamming, two technical fouls, and an ejection. Yet somehow, it all felt okay. As if it was only in the spirit of adding much-needed toughness to the second unit. Denver survived its bench minutes, kept Jokic’s load manageable, and snagged a tough dub to cap their third victory in five days.

And Jokic and Cousins notably discussed strategy multiple times during the game, as they took turns destroying Brooklyn’s big men. This type of off-court chemistry between a young superstar and an experienced veteran often helps a team reach new heights.

So what does all this mean?

Cousins should certainly be retained after the first 10-day contract expires, assuming a continued on-court effectiveness and locker room fit. This deal may come by way of a second 10-day contract followed by something more permanent – which ultimately seems necessary for a team that has tried and failed at a small-ball bench experiment.

It’s important that Cousins continue to trend in the right direction, as both he and the Nuggets have a huge opportunity to help themselves and each other here.

As the rust continues to shed, there should be many great Cousins moments ahead. Coupled with his blossoming relationship with Jokic, this could be a special mid-season find.