2022 New Year’s resolution for every player on the Milwaukee Bucks

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Mike Budenholzer, Wesley Matthews
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 08 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Bucks: 2022 New Year’s resolution for Wesley Matthews – Become a long-term staple off the bench for the champs

With the Bucks facing their share of roster issues recently, they brought in Wesley Matthews on a non-guaranteed deal to bolster the bench with a familiar face. Surprisingly, Matthews has been a game-changer for Milwaukee’s bench, already hitting several huge shots and playing outstanding defense whenever he steps out on the floor. Matthews’ excellent start has been a massive reason why Hood, Ojeleye, and Nwora have all lost their place in the rotation, and if he keeps playing this well, those three might not get minutes for quite some time. Right now, the veteran has cemented his place in the Bucks’ rotation, but it will be interesting to see if Matthews can keep this up as the guarantee date for his contract inches closer. It would be a no-brainer to keep him on the roster if he can keep up the strong two-way play, as someone like him could be useful in the postseason.

Milwaukee Bucks: 2022 New Year’s resolution for DeMarcus Cousins – Find his shot from 3-point range

Following Lopez’s injury, the Bucks signed DeMarcus Cousins to eat up some of the minutes at the center position. After a rough start, the former All-Star has found his footing, currently averaging a serviceable 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 16.8 minutes per contest. The big man has done exactly what the Bucks needed him to be when they signed him, but the one knock on him is his subpar 3-point shooting. Cousins is shooting 8-of-38 (21.1 percent) from long range in a Bucks uniform, struggling to find any semblance of a groove out there. Though he has never been known for his 3-point shot, Cousins has been passable in the past. If he could bump that percentage up to somewhere around 35 percent for the year, it would be a significant boost in addition to how well he has already fit in with the team regardless of his shooting.